Why are there people on the pitwall?

[Marbot]

'Prat perches' they are. Martin Whitmarsh and Ted Kravitz even made reference to them at the Valencia GP. Another use of the phrase is for police patrol cars that can often be found parked at the sides of motorways on a raised up area of tarmac (allegedly).

[Greem]

Going back to the original question: It's all part of "The Show".

Sure, technology means that the cars could actually be monitored and run from the back of the garage or the factory tens of thousands of miles away (and in fact often are, I worked for a while for a company that provided BAR with their connectivity at remote races) but that's not much of a spectacle, is it?

[JamesH]

It's not just F1 that derides the men at the top.

Those green overalls used by RAF pilots (you know, the best ones in the world) are often known as GroBags by the 'lesser' ranks*

Because they are full of, er, compost.

* you know, the ones who look after the planes so they don't fall out of the sky.

[Paradise City]

It's probably psychological as well I would think. Being close to the cars and action might give one more the mental-fix of hands-on involvement rather than being tucked away in some backroom watching the cars from some monitor and listening to roar of your engines at a distance.

But I must admit if I was a boss, backroom for me please. I don't like being pried upon by prying eyes of the world media in my most anxious moments. I'd have difficulty with that I'd think.

[Marbot]

Ah! But then we'd miss out on the 'banana eating' Ross Brawn moments and the 'foot tapping' Christian Horner moments. Not to mention the 'head in hands' Adrian Newey moments, etc. It all adds to the drama, and the cameramen know exactly where to point their cameras.

[garcon]

I reckon this is just jealousy.

Could anybody, truly, hand on heart, tell me that if they were in a position to stand/sit on the pit wall at a race and look like they were providing some critical function for their team/driver, you wouldn't do it?

I don't believe you!

[JeremySmith]

I was going to make a post but reading the above there is absolutely no need..

[Icarus_nz]

It makes them look imprtant and justify their exorbident salaries.

Also, if they were in the garage they might be in danger of having to mingle with dirty smelly bolties

Mind you, if they stayed home to do their job their is every chance of being distracted by their dog chewing the network cable or something.

The most useful function for being on the pit wall is that it is easier to find someone to blame when you lose if they are all in the same place.

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by Icarus_nz

It makes them look imprtant and justify their exorbident salaries.

Also, if they were in the garage they might be in danger of having to mingle with dirty smelly bolties

Mind you, if they stayed home to do their job their is every chance of being distracted by their dog chewing the network cable or something.

The most useful function for being on the pit wall is that it is easier to find someone to blame when you lose if they are all in the same place.

Okay thank you... mumble mumble..

[Born Racer]

Of some interest is the fact that many of the senior team members choose to start the race from inside the garages. Is this to talk to some of the engineers for the critical first few laps for some reason?

[Lancsbreaker]

Coulthard used the "prat perch" comment during the somewhat protracted qually....does he read this forum?

[Hubble]

Originally Posted by Mr V

Really ? I never knew ?

But my point remains, i'm sure the biggest names in F1 (and everyother catergory for that matter) would rather be known as something else.

I'm sure the biggest names in F1 don't give a toss about it....I would wager they even find it amusing...

They are confident enough in themselves not to let silly stuff like that bother them...so they can, you know, concentrate on designing, producing and running the best cars at the best teams...minor stuff I know, but someone's got to do it...

[Asp]

Originally Posted by Born Racer

Of some interest is the fact that many of the senior team members choose to start the race from inside the garages. Is this to talk to some of the engineers for the critical first few laps for some reason?

The pit wall (same as in all UK motorsport, at least) is cleared for the race start due to the risk of startline collisions and resulting debris.

[mattt]

Originally Posted by Asp

The pit wall (same as in all UK motorsport, at least) is cleared for the race start due to the risk of startline collisions and resulting debris.

Nope not necessarily for the F1 meeting. the regulations allow for two per team to be on the pitwall, usually sat on there perches.

[The Snout]

The sport is full of unnecessary things like running 2 compounds, 3 phase qualifying, what's the big deal of just one more unneeded component like the pommy prat perch. It's all theater anyway.