The second anthem in the podium celebrations is the national anthem of the winning constructor. And who could deny that Il Canto degli Italiani is the fitting tune when a Ferrari driver stands atop the podium. But in this day and age of internationalism, it is less clear cut if the anthems are appropriate...
Take Red Bull, an Austrian conglomerate with two teams. Red Bull Racing's victories are accompanied by Land der Berge, Land am Strome, the national anthem of Austria, as the camera pans to a group of mechanics from Milton Keynes who don't know the words. Strangely, their second team, Toro Rosso, from Faenza, had one victory came with Il Canto degli Italiani as its accompaniment. No wonder when Red Bull won their first Grand Prix the Chinese podium rang out to the tune of God Save the Queen out of sheer confusion.
There are only three teams who's victories would trigger God Save the Queen, namely McLaren, Williams and Lotus Renault. Only Williams are unquestionably British. McLaren have been British for a long time, but would probably claim New Zealand roots if born today. Though the Lotus Renault team are based in Britain, the idea that La Marseillaise should be replaced by God Save the Queen to signify a Renault victory is as alien as the Union Jack being dropped to start the Le Mans 24 Hours. Especially since this has occured since their take over by a Malaysian company!
The Brackley mechanics will be celebrating to Das Lied der Deutschen this year for Mercedes, although their previous wins have been to God Save the Queen or Kimigayo. The Force India team is, of course, Indian. It used to be Irish, Russian and Dutch! It is based in Britain! Sauber are back to being Swiss not German, Virgin are apparently Russian too, even though they were British last year! Tony Fernandes' idea of bringing back Team Lotus is somewhat undermined by their Malaysian racing license.
By my reckoning, there are only three teams without a dual nationality in F1. Scuderia Ferarri are as Italian as pasta. HRT are undoubtedly Spanish, and have few sponsors to change that! Williams is a true British garagiste team limping into the 2010s!
So after all this, you have to ask, how can the constructor nationality concept still make sense in modern F1?
Take Red Bull, an Austrian conglomerate with two teams. Red Bull Racing's victories are accompanied by Land der Berge, Land am Strome, the national anthem of Austria, as the camera pans to a group of mechanics from Milton Keynes who don't know the words. Strangely, their second team, Toro Rosso, from Faenza, had one victory came with Il Canto degli Italiani as its accompaniment. No wonder when Red Bull won their first Grand Prix the Chinese podium rang out to the tune of God Save the Queen out of sheer confusion.
There are only three teams who's victories would trigger God Save the Queen, namely McLaren, Williams and Lotus Renault. Only Williams are unquestionably British. McLaren have been British for a long time, but would probably claim New Zealand roots if born today. Though the Lotus Renault team are based in Britain, the idea that La Marseillaise should be replaced by God Save the Queen to signify a Renault victory is as alien as the Union Jack being dropped to start the Le Mans 24 Hours. Especially since this has occured since their take over by a Malaysian company!
The Brackley mechanics will be celebrating to Das Lied der Deutschen this year for Mercedes, although their previous wins have been to God Save the Queen or Kimigayo. The Force India team is, of course, Indian. It used to be Irish, Russian and Dutch! It is based in Britain! Sauber are back to being Swiss not German, Virgin are apparently Russian too, even though they were British last year! Tony Fernandes' idea of bringing back Team Lotus is somewhat undermined by their Malaysian racing license.
By my reckoning, there are only three teams without a dual nationality in F1. Scuderia Ferarri are as Italian as pasta. HRT are undoubtedly Spanish, and have few sponsors to change that! Williams is a true British garagiste team limping into the 2010s!
So after all this, you have to ask, how can the constructor nationality concept still make sense in modern F1?
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