A motorcade of two people-carriers is waiting, and he and his media co-ordinator, Sabine Kehm, climb into the first one alongside Richard Woods, the FIA’s director of communications. Photographer Michael ‘Coops’ Cooper and I jump into the pursuit vehicle behind. As the two vehicles weave through Dublin’s notoriously heavy rushhour traffic, I kill time watching the three silhouettes on the rear seat of the MPV ahead, Michael’s trademark spiky-topped short-back ’n’ sides contrasting starkly with Sabine’s trendy blond bob and Richard’s shoulder-length grey locks.
On arrival at Dublin Castle, the world champion is clearly impressed. “I’ve been to Dublin once before [in March 2000, to visit an exhibition of historic Alfa Romeos at the Royal Dublin Society],” he tells me. “But, unfortunately, I never got a chance to see much of the city on that visit. This time, too, I’m going to have to fly straight off after we finish this event. But the people here seem very friendly. It’s obviously a nice place.”
Once inside the castle, we’re led to an ante-room – and to a waiting Max Mosley. The FIA president will be one of today’s keynote speakers, and, as Michael will later face the press, Max wants a preliminary chinwag. I position myself at a respectful distance, but near enough to overhear some of their smalltalk. They discuss the Bahrain Grand Prix, Ferrari, Jenson Button and McLaren-Mercedes (and, yes, I spot a few embarrassed grimaces during this last bit).
Eventually, Max gets serious, and begins an informal briefing. I can hear only snatches now, because Alan Donnelly (the ex-MEP who is Mosley’s official representative at grands prix) and David Ward (director general of the FIA Foundation) have positioned themselves between me and the main act – unintentionally, I’m sure. What I can still make out, though, is fascinating stuff. Max is doing most of the talking: “…1.2 million people killed on the roads world wide every year…”; “…50 million people injure d on the roads world wide every year…”; “…global financial cost of road traffic injuries is $518 billion every year…”; “…for men aged between 15 and 44, road traffic injuries rank second behind HIV/Aids as the leading cause of premature death and ill health world wide…”; “…our target is to reduce road deaths by 50 per cent by 2010…”; “…by 2020, unless action is taken, road traffic injuries are predicted to rise overall by about 65 per cent…” Through it all, Michael listens attentively, noting the odd stat.
“Er, 1.2 million people killed every year,” he repeats, visibly shocked.
“Yes,” Max confirms. “Do the sum. That’s 3200 people every day. A 9/11 every day.”
We stroll into St George’s Hall, a high-ceilinged chamber within the castle, where Michael, Max and David are joined by rally world champ-turned-MEP Ari Vatanen, Loyola de Palacio (vice president of the European Commission), Pat Cox (president of the European Parliament) and Séamus Brennan (transport minister for Ireland). Usually, I overhear Brennan telling Michael, an event such as this might attract half a dozen pressmen at best. But people like Schumi put bums on seats. And so it is that, having had Michael to myself so far, I’m now joined by a posse of around 80 rabid journalists and photographers, all desperate to get their own piece of Schumi.
Brennan introduces things. Next up is Vatanen, who makes an impassioned plea for change. “No effort must be spared to save lives. I know. Honestly, I know. When I was eight years old, I saw my father die at the wheel of a car. On public roads. I can still see him now, slumped over the steering wheel, not moving.” Again, Michael is visibly moved. There is nothing blasé about his attitude or his involvement.
Max speaks next, as eloquently as ever. “The European Road Safety Charter is a very welcome initiative, but it takes more than signing a piece of paper to show you’re serious about road safety. Most road deaths are preventable. We must have the political will to stop people being killed.”
Next up is an I’m-sorry-I-can’t-be-with-you video communication from United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan: “The UN must get governments to acknowledge that road safety is a real problem. I’m grateful to the FIA Foundation, and I applaud their leadership and the initiative they’ve taken here.”
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