F1 icon reveals FURY over controversial driver behaviour…..read more
Ann Bradshaw, a well-known PR figure in Formula 1, shared her frustrations and insights into dealing with controversial driver behavior during an exclusive conversation with GPFans. Having joined Williams F1 team in 1985, Bradshaw worked as the team’s press officer during its most successful years, managing the media relations of some of the biggest names in motorsport, including Keke Rosberg, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Nelson Piquet, Damon Hill, and Jacques Villeneuve. Over her career, she helped Williams secure four driver’s titles and six constructors’ championships, with the last victory coming in 1996 when Damon Hill claimed the driver’s title.
Bradshaw’s experience in the F1 paddock has given her unique insights into the world of motorsport PR. Reflecting on her career, she shared advice for young professionals aiming to break into F1, warning them not to take themselves too seriously. She noted that many people entering the sport don’t fully understand its history or the journey drivers take before reaching F1. She emphasized that PR professionals and others in the paddock are there to do a job, and that they should always be supportive of the drivers who are the real stars.
She also expressed concern over the increasing media demands placed on drivers, particularly in the age of Netflix’s Drive to Survive, which has amplified the media’s role in the sport. Bradshaw revealed that she had encountered drivers who were reluctant to participate in media duties, something that frustrated her. She noted that PR professionals sometimes let drivers get away with refusing media obligations, even though it is part of their responsibility as highly paid athletes. Bradshaw stressed that drivers must understand that media engagements are essential for F1’s continued success, as sponsors rely on global visibility to justify their investments in the sport.
Bradshaw’s advice to PR professionals was blunt: don’t let drivers dismiss their responsibilities. She expressed that while the media can sometimes be difficult, they are integral to the sport’s success. The visibility provided by media coverage allows sponsors to see the return on their investments, making it a necessary component of F1’s business model. Bradshaw also acknowledged that there are some drivers and PR professionals who go above and beyond to engage with the media, and she appreciated their efforts.
Her reflections highlighted the evolving nature of F1’s media landscape and the challenges that both drivers and PR professionals face. Despite her frustrations, Bradshaw’s passion for the sport and her commitment to ensuring its success remained clear throughout the conver
sation.
