Radio rant

I was listening to Radio 4’s Today programme (Saturday, July 9) and I am furious. Presenter John Humphrys should offer a sincere apology for his dismissal of the talents and courage of grand prix car drivers: he said that F1 racing is not gladiatorial in the same way as tennis players because they face one another is incredulous.

F1 not gladiatorial? The drivers are not standing safely in their own demarcation zones as tennis layers do, they can be banging wheels whilst driving at speeds beyond the capability of all but a few. Also his ignorant comment that GP racing “it’s not really physical is it?” was shatteringly stupid.

Unlike tennis players, who get to take a break quite frequently, the GP drivers endure a never ending torrent of acceleration, braking and cornering.

And Mr Humphrys, they do this without a break; I’ll bet you cannot begin to imagine what that must be like – but I’ll bet you can hit a tennis ball!