I went to Silverstone on Saturday this year on my own and loved it but just had a GA ticket. None of my friends or family are into F1 however so I've got no one that would want to spend the money to go with me. Is it a good idea to go to a grand stand (specifically the Lando stand as he's my driver) on my own or is it not that enjoyable/weird?
Long time reader first time poster this might be a longish one so sorry in advance
It's time we talk about the real WAGs Max Fewtrell and Antoine, jks obviously I know they're not really dating their driver friends but they may as well be. I don't know much lore about Antoine other than he takes pictures of Charles every waking moment and maybe even when Charles sleeps who knows? Were they long time friends or just a photographer Charles hires to follow him everywhere? I'm here for the tea.
Now we move on to Max (and I'm always referring to Fewtrell not Verstappen on this post) most of what I've learnt about him has been against my will but he's in this strange place of being a professional best friend to Lando. Everything he has in his professional life comes from his friendship to Lando. I had the misfortune of seeing him live on stage at Silverstone this weekend. I ended up leaving early along with quite a few other people I saw leaving as F3 was getting started and I had no more motivation left to stay as it was dull. As a presenter he's just flat, he's there and he speaks and that's about it. He kept apologising for last years stage appearance so I can only imagine how bad that must have been! He clearly hadn't prepared much this year and had little to no rapport with his co hosts. I was more impressed with his co-host Izzy Hammond (daughter of Top Gear host Richard) she very much seemed like the lead presenter and has some presence on stage but that's a post for another time in a different sub. Without the Lando connection I doubt he'd make it very far in the presenting world. Don't get me started on his annoying cameo in the Hilton ad for Lando points.
My question is would you want to be in his position? On the one hand it's great right? You get to do things you wouldn't normally be able to do and travel the world often with your best friend who is an F1 driver. You get a cool job where you make content and it has a built in audience (although not a big one when no F1 drivers are involved, especially Lando) On the other hand surely you know it won't last. Lando can't be an F1 driver forever and eventually the world will move on as some new young driver comes along and he ages out and then what's Max left with? An artificial presenting gig with a declining audience. I know Lando has a couple of other mates he takes on holiday with him sometimes but they don't seem to work for him and I assume have their own thing going on and are purely friends rather than getting work out of/using/leeching Lando.
Which would you rather? Personally I don't think I'd be able to cope knowing everything in my life is tied to someone else's success especially when that person's fame/success has a shelf life. I find it admirable that Lando has been able to maintain these friendships which I think go back to their karting days and just because he's famous and in F1 doesn't mean he's ditched them for newer celebrity friends. I assume he's tried to help Max out once his racing career ended but is it the best thing for him really?
I don't think I could do it really, sure it'd be nice to be spoilt and taken places but there's also and massive imbalance in the relationship and with Lando paying for everything (I assume) I'd end up feeling pretty guilty. Also I assume Max wanted to make it to F1, he was an F4 champion after all. If I were in Max's position I'd probably struggle to see my best friend to go on and achieve my life's dream of becoming an F1 driver and world champion and becoming one of the most popular drivers in the sport while doing it. If you're being honest with yourself would you be able to stand by them or be too jealous and move on? So in that small way of being supportive of Lando he's got a little respect. But that could be simply to him knowing which side is bread is buttered and it's better sticking with Lando rather than letting him go.