karthikeyan not allowed to wear national colours

RWC · 24 Feb 2005, 14:57 (Ref:1234541)

How's this for an odd one?
The indian driver at jordan has been told by his government to change his helmet design which features their national colours

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpa...s_art_id=23599

It's not because they may be embarrassed by his performance - it's just something that all indian sports people have to do...but they didn't explain

Anybody know why?
Is it political maybe? Perhaps they never want to potentially antagonize pakistan ? (just cluthing at straws here..)

Super Tourer · 24 Feb 2005, 15:00 (Ref:1234545)

I thought this was daft, and the government would be pleased to see a driver wearing the nations flag - particularly their first ever F1 driver!

ensign14 · 24 Feb 2005, 15:00 (Ref:1234546)

Some countries have draconian legislation to protect their flag - e.g. it is unlawful to wash the Argentinian flag (as doing so is deemed to wipe away the battle honours gained by it) and in many countries the use of the national flag is restricted to the government alone.

Dunno what laws India has. But the pic of his helmet shown is not in the tricolour...maybe the chakra on the top is more in breach...

Jordi · 24 Feb 2005, 19:11 (Ref:1234786)

It's just problematic if you're trying to finish a F1 guide for the new year and you don't know which helmet will Karthikeyan drive with!

Kicking-back · 24 Feb 2005, 19:36 (Ref:1234858)

Karthikeyan will wear his normal helmet.

He says he's not been told anything from the Indian government officially - and thinks the rule may only be intended for cricketers.

Formula Juan · 24 Feb 2005, 20:22 (Ref:1234927)

I don't think much of flags anyway. They are a symbol of diversion and should not be used in this day and age.

ASCII Man · 24 Feb 2005, 20:25 (Ref:1234933)

Symbol of diversion?
Like a smokescreen tactic?

What?
It's bad to show some nationalistic pride?

Formula Juan · 24 Feb 2005, 21:45 (Ref:1235040)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASCII Man

Symbol of diversion?

It's bad to show some nationalistic pride?

Not bad, but rather pointless imo.

**Adam43** · 24 Feb 2005, 21:57 (Ref:1235053)

ASCII, nice to see you are from Belgium - it is a lovely (unpointless) part of the world.

ASCII Man · 24 Feb 2005, 22:00 (Ref:1235059)

Drinking beer is pointless too, it only get's you drunk!
Doesn't stop me from enjoying it though!

Thanks, Double-A...

alesi95 · 24 Feb 2005, 22:07 (Ref:1235067)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Formula Juan

I don't think much of flags anyway. They are a symbol of diversion and should not be used in this day and age.

I don't care what you say nationalistic pride is a great excuse to beat up people from other countries, and anyone who says anything otherwise is a comunist.

raul_iulian · 24 Feb 2005, 22:24 (Ref:1235086)

I don't think much of flags. But this is sick....ok!

Gabrio · 24 Feb 2005, 22:38 (Ref:1235104)

I'm not sure I'll be able to sleep properly not knowing which kind of helmet the guy will use....

Mr V · 24 Feb 2005, 23:01 (Ref:1235135)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Formula Juan

I don't think much of flags anyway. They are a symbol of diversion and should not be used in this day and age.

Thats strange, i was always of the opinion that they were a symbol of identity, not diversion, how silly of me

RWC · 25 Feb 2005, 03:45 (Ref:1235217)

it's one of those things that can be used for bad or used for some good

fog_shadow · 25 Feb 2005, 06:55 (Ref:1235279)

i don't know what their motives are, but i'd hazard a guess that they see it as a way of trivialising the national flag.

EvilPumpkin · 25 Feb 2005, 07:10 (Ref:1235297)

It appears to be political and was originally aimed at the Cricket sector - however, in order to avoid looking like they are only targetting Cricket, they're now in a situation where they have to apply it to all sportsmen.

ensign14 · 25 Feb 2005, 07:25 (Ref:1235316)

But he's not actually wearing the tricolour on his helmet...the colours seem to me to be green white and red, not orange...

Isn't it an FIA reg that his national flag has to be on his driving uniform?

EvilPumpkin · 25 Feb 2005, 07:29 (Ref:1235319)

All powerful though FIA may be, I don't think they can override the sovereign right of a country to determine if they want their flag displayed or not........

**Peter Mallett** · 25 Feb 2005, 07:52 (Ref:1235327)

What happens if he wins?

Kicking-back · 25 Feb 2005, 08:05 (Ref:1235329)

As far as I know, he will have a flag on his race suit - and his helmet (which is green white and orange) will stay as it is.

fog_shadow · 25 Feb 2005, 10:35 (Ref:1235463)

Haha, if he wins. i wouldn't worry too much about that, i'll be too busy collecting fire wood to send to the devil.

shadow

Hazza · 25 Feb 2005, 10:43 (Ref:1235472)

Can't he just sneak out by "Chroming" the white like Kimi and Juan? Then it won't *technically* be the National Colors.

Apart from that, we need more Hot Pink helmets! Go Steve! Go Jacques!

ensign14 · 25 Feb 2005, 11:19 (Ref:1235508)

Maybe they mean the flag itself, rather than the colours.

I bet the Indian Government would say that motor racing is different to cricket because the regs force someone to have the flag on their driving suit.

An interesting issue, but probably a non-issue.

gttouring · 25 Feb 2005, 12:56 (Ref:1235616)

can't he simply wear a regional flag?
we all have them, i am sure he does...I would love to wear mine. of course i would love to drive professionally every time i do.

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