The sport's leading drivers have expressed differing opinions about the recent scandal involving
FIA President
Max Mosley, with some offering support and others adding their concerns to those of
BMW, Mercedes-Benz,
Toyota and
Honda, all of whom have severely condemned the allegations [see separate story –
click here].
World championship leader
Lewis Hamilton and
Williams ace
Nico Rosberg both echoed the position taken by Honda, which insisted in a statement that public figures should ‘maintain the highest standards of conduct in order to fulfil their duties with integrity and respect'. Both drivers underlined the necessity for members of such authority to set the right example to follow.
“I think it's key to set a good example,”
ITV.com quotes the McLaren-Mercedes ace as having told an FIA press conference in Bahrain. “We're all – especially the young people – always looking up to someone to show us the way and set a good example. I totally agree with what they [the manufacturers] were saying.”
As a case in point, Hamilton said he had been chastened by his recent fine for speeding on a public road in France last December – which has equally attracted much tabloid publicity – and argued his subsequent decision to take part in a driver education course was the sign of someone making every effort to be a positive role model.
“I said that I'm happy to do whatever I need to do to help,” the 23-year-old explained, “and to show to them that I support the rules. They haven't asked for me [or] requested for me to go back and do any specific course, but I said that I've got massive support [for road safety initiatives].
“I think everyone makes mistakes. I'm young and this is part of my life. In my position and being a potential role model for lots of young kids, setting a good example is one of our top priorities, so that's something I'm going to continue to do.”
