planetf1.com

I find that the most likely explanation, because I quite simply don't think all drivers would have turned down invitations.
And then there's the issue with getting there and the usually private event of mourning turning into a media circus when paparazzi focusing on a particular driver all flood to a funeral.

This. Are you telling me that Bruno and Di Resta wouldn't be asked about Force India, that Massa wouldnt be asked about Alonso, Hamilton about Mercedes, Button about Perez etc etc - ALL of which diverts attention from the meaning of the day and sullies the day.

This doesn't say anything about current F1 drivers to me.
It tells me what I already knew about modern media culture and the cult of celebrity.

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I AM THE THREAD KILLER.

No team representatives there as well, maybe they( Whatkins family or the FIA) wanted it not

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"Everything you can imagine is real." Pablo Picasso

At the Singapore Grand Prix there was a moment of silence and other tributes paid the Watkins. That was when and where most of the current drivers paid their respects. We have to remember that he retired from his role in 2005, and the great majority of current drivers never knew him, or even met him.

And please, right now is a very busy time for all drivers, with commitments and preparation.

At his memorial service Moss, Surtees, Stewart, Scheckter, Watson, Brundle, and Hill attended.

I read Johnny Herbert attended both

If true that is more impressive. Given how amicable Herbert comes across though, I am not shocked.

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I don't think it says much as this was a memorial service not his funeral

Plus the fact that Hakkinen wasn't there makes me believe that it wasn't something that they knew about.

Also all the people connected to F1 that attended the memorial were british apart from Scheckter who has moved to Britain (not 100% sure about it)

The main topic seems fairly pointless so I'll just reply to this. I always liked that about Max. It was a nice thing he did and to be honest with you, I never really hated him.

I have read that it is not uncommon for drivers to not attend funerals, especially those of other drivers, as it reminds them of their own mortality, which is not what they want on their minds.

I can imagine that this may apply to non-drivers involved in their sport as well.

Personally, I am not going to condemn the drivers, as it is not I who is in their shoes. As has been said earlier, people grieve in different ways, and I am certainly not one to pass judgement on what is right for them.

Let us move off this topic, it serves no purpose.

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Forza Ferrari
WCCs = 16
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It wasn't a secret. I knew about it. Surely the drivers could have too. That said if I were any one of them I'd stay away and spare everyone the hoopla. There are no blog posts about private cards, letters, notes, etc sent to his family - that's what I would have done as a driver, and it would have been when he died, not now.

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I am closely related to the great man and can confirm my family would never deny anyone, F1 driver or not, the right to pay their respects to the great man. Nobody was asked to stay away.