I've neveer really spoken to Danny in person but from what I've heard he's a sound guy As for him driving his lap. Thats his decision. Also its not his decision to drive in front, he had to as he was the lead car.

Alan Linehan has done it loads of times and no one has ever said anything about it. Its his warm up he can do what he bloody likes.

If Dean had a problem with it, his car has this amazing invention called brakes. You stop for a few seconds to give a gap then drive forward. Its not really that hard.

As for Polo in the same situation he was the follow car. It was nothing about him being nice and allowing Colfer to go first.