The MotorChive

The content explosion within Formula 1 can traced back to the rise in popularity of Drive to Survive, but that doesn’t mean that teams and drivers haven’t been churning out incredibly entertaining content for decades now. Here are a few of my favorites in no particular order organized by advertisements, team, and miscellaneous yet fascinating content.

Advertisements: Give the Drivers their Oscars

Disabuse yourself of the idea that race car drivers cannot act. They are comedy kings – whether they mean to be or not is up for debate. In a Drive to Survive era, driver advertisements have higher production values, more complex scripts, and an added layer of polish.

Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber for Pepe Jeans: This is my Butt

I swear I thought I was having a fever dream. The amount people that would’ve had to review the copy, see the vision, and say “yeah, this is a terrific idea” is ridiculous. The writers saw an opportunity and hit it out of the park.

Mark Webber is a Canberra Milk Kid

Mark Webber would rather be anywhere else. He’s questioning all of his life decisions that he’s ever made that have led him to this point.

Jenson Button does not have Dandruff

Whoever was able to convince Jenson Button to go through with filming this is incredible, but I suppose he couldn’t say no as Proctor & Gamble announced him as the brand ambassador for Head & Shoulders in 2010.

“Head & Shoulders is the no.1 selling shampoo in the UK so it seemed natural to team up with Jenson as he is a style icon that the everyday man on the street can relate to. British men aspire to him as he has a natural, relaxed approach to grooming which is exactly what Head & Shoulders is all about.”

James Nunn, Head & Shoulders Brand Communications Manager on why they chose Jenson.

Cannot argue with men aspiring to be a highly committed and industrious playboy. I still can’t believe he agreed to this. I’m certain he felt absolutely ridiculous.

Team Content: The Art of Marketing Drivers

Drivers having a general disdain for making PR content is nothing new, but the oldest trick in the book is to have them do something fun instead of answering questions they have no interest in. Personally, I enjoy teams sending their drivers on little adventures. They have fun exploring cities or doing culturally relalvent activities, fans have fun engaging with the content, and teams are happy that the content is getting fans talking. Everybody wins.

Red Bull Turns Sebastian and Mark into Travel Vloggers

A lot of odd choices were made over the duration of this video where Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel are sent on a night out in Singapore to guide their fans. I do love when Mark Webber pretends to try and push Sebastian Vettel off of the roof of this hotel.

Kimi Raikkonen and Fans Take on the 2004 Olympics

West having Kimi Raikkonen and a few contest winners take a trip to Greece and watch the Olympics was a genius idea. Take us back to 2004 because this would difficult to pull off in 2024.

Jenson and Lewis Trade their Steering Wheels for Microphones

The best part of this video is the special appearance from Mark Webber where he takes shots at, his own teammate, Sebastian Vettel while David Coulthard tries to extricate himself from this disaster unfolding before his eyes. Both Mark Webber and Jenson Button can be found on Channel 4 and Sky Sports broadcasts from time to time, so maybe the prophecy will fulfill itself with Lewis in Jenson’s ear again in his post-Ferrari era (highly unlikely, but let me dream).

Drivers: Thoroughly Random, Yet Utterly Fascinating

You never know what to expect with F1 drivers in the wild.

Fernando Alonso Cracks a Nut with his Neck

Fernando Alonso is a man of many talents. They’re hiding within him with each and every one waiting for the most unexpected opportunity to claim their time to shine. He had to have practiced it at some point because it is quite the feat. And he’s made to repeat it 10 years later in 2017 while doing press for the Indy 500.

Sebastian and Mark Chill in a River

I don’t need an explanation. I really don’t. I just want to always remember that Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel took a dip in Canada during the Grand Prix Weekend. There is absolutely no possible reason to speculate who initiated it and who jumped first, of course.

Calamari Pushes Fernando Alonso to the Brink of Madness

What is the appropriate amount of time to wait for your calamari at a restaurant? Surely, it is less than however long Fernando and his crew decided to wait. The best part is when Fernando walks into the kitchen. If I was staff and saw Fernando Alonso strut into the kitchen and ask to see the physical ticket for the order, I’d be stressed.

Nico Rosberg’s Actual Nickname

Being called Britney against his wishes for years on end could not have been fun, but, I’m sorry, I do not believe that anyone has ever called this man Rosbeef.

Jenson Button Approached by a Bear

Based on the title of this video, there was an expectation that Jenson Button would fight a bear. That expectation was not met.

Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel love Germany

Even with little to no understanding of German, this joint interview is incredibly entertainment.

That’s all for now. There is always more silly driver content to discover. Please leave any suggestions of videos you think need to be archived!