Sky F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham has told the awkward story of her first interview with an F1 driver.
Sky F1’s current line-up is made up of experienced broadcasters and journalists, but they all had to start somewhere.
Natalie Pinkham started her F1 career at the 2011 Australian Grand Prix as a pit lane reporter for BBC Radio 5 Live, but hit rock bottom when her first F1 interview was with seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. was forced to.
Natalie Pinkham details awkward first F1 interview after ‘grabbing’ Michael Schumacher
During the Grand Prix in Melbourne, Pinkham was waiting in the media area and as Schumacher retired on lap 19, Schumacher headed to the paddock to chat with the media, but an extremely nervous Pinkham waited to be pounced on. Ta.
Pinkham told the story to the audience at the Autosport International Show 2023 and was asked what interview he found most intimidating in his career.
“My first live interview was with Michael Schumacher. I thought, ‘Oh my god, are you kidding me?'” she said.
“That one [producer] “I’ll be listening live in 10 seconds,” I said into my ear.
“[Michael] I crashed early and retired from the race. So they said “…one” and I just grabbed him.
“I just hugged him! He looked down like, ‘What are you doing?’
“I said, ‘I’m so sorry.’ I’m so sorry! But I literally just grabbed him and he gave me a nice answer, and I kind of laughed. So I just said, ‘Well, leave it like this. I thought, “Let’s just keep holding on and hope for the best!”
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Regarding the drivers on the current grid that Pinkham has interviewed over the years, she explained how she was particularly impressed by the drive, friendliness and politeness of two of them.
Pinkham says he has to deal with drivers not just in good times, but also in the most awkward situations or down moments after an on-track disaster, and tries not to let bad interviews take him to heart. Told.
“The important thing is to remember it’s not personal. They might just have had a bad race,” she said.
“But I’ll never forget what Daniel Ricciardo said to me after a terrible race. He crashed in a race full of expectations.
“I’m sorry!” I said. And he said, “Why are you sorry?” My bad days are better than most people’s great days. I feel very lucky to do what I do. Please don’t apologize. ”
“I thought, ‘What a legend.’
“What you want is raw emotion, right? You want to know how they feel in the moment it happens. I mean, the last thing they probably want is a microphone under their nose. It’s about being pushed.
“But really, what they need to remember, and what we all need to remember, is that it’s an opportunity to tell the fans what really happened.”
Pinkham also praised Lewis Hamilton, recalling how the world champion noticed her nervousness and newness and tried to put her at ease in her first interview.
“I’m telling you, when I went to the test, [in 2012], Lewis was my first interview, but I didn’t pass. “This was kind of like a small talk,” she said.
“I was very nervous, but he was such a nice guy. He just said, ‘First of all, welcome!’
“I thought that was great. He’s a pioneer, but he’s also a very kind person.
“Actually, there’s a bit of a superstition when it comes to drivers. People may think they have big egos and are a bit aloof in some ways.
“It’s not really like that because it’s the ultimate team sport, it’s a big team sport.
“As a result, everyone understands that they have a role to play, including the drivers. So there is no room for egos in the same way.
“It’s hard to believe, but it’s true! Almost 90 percent of them are good young men. I’d like to tell the girls someday, but we’re not there yet!”
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