According to TV commentator Ted Kravitz, the current lineup of Formula 1 drivers lacks the larger-than-life personalities that have historically defined the sport.
Kravitz noted in a recent episode of ‘Ted’s Notebook’ that there are two notable exceptions to this trend: Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel.
While Ricciardo is a reserve driver for Red Bull Racing, Kravitz feels that their absence is palpable and that the sport needs more personalities like them to remain popular.
“I must say there are two notable exceptions to F1 in 2023,” said Kravitz. “We do miss their presence and I’m talking about Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel. And you know what?”
“I felt this on Thursday when we started and I feel it now, I just miss those guys. They were big personalities.” “And yes, I know Daniel Ricciardo is a reserve driver for Red Bull Racing, he might be around, but they were big personalities.”
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Throughout Formula 1’s history, there have been several larger-than-life personalities who have embodied the spirit of the sport at that particular moment in time. For example, the 1970s saw the contrasting personalities of James Hunt and Niki Lauda, while the 80s had Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, and the 90s had Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher.
Until recently, Ricciardo and Vettel were among the sport’s most charismatic figures. Kravitz believes that if Formula 1 wants to maintain its popularity, it needs drivers who can step up and develop into big personalities to replace those who have left the sport.
“If F1 is to continue its popularity,” Kravitz said. “Then some of these drivers need to step up and become and develop and be those big personalities to replace those guys that we’ve lost to the sport.
“I’m sure they will do, [it] always happens, always has happened in F1, but it’s just a sign of what a great draw Danny Ric and Seb were that we do feel that we miss them.”
While he is confident that this will happen, he believes that Ricciardo and Vettel’s absence is a testament to their unique appeal and influence on the sport.
