Formula 1 - interest you?

[roKWiz]

They wouldn't be allowed to drive in the rain next. Like the Yanks.

[MethodX]

Yes I have been a fan for a long time.... Ferrari fan.
And yes it should be on free to air TV.

[AussiePhil]

Hi all,

So in summary it's about 50/50 to the question Formula 1 - interest you.

It's been a big discussion, a lot of people like and dislike lots of things about
Formula 1, Supercars, Nascars etc.
That's democracy, no one forcing their opinion but being able to give their opinion.

Have a great day all.
Cheers Phil

[FTE217]

Correct AussiePhil, and recover well in the meantime.

[AussiePhil]

Originally Posted by FTE217

Correct AussiePhil, and recover well in the meantime.

Cheers mate,

I'm in a world pain but in the best country in the World I'm getting tremendous treatment in hospital, it's my third visit to hospitals in 12 months, each one extremely happy with care. Two my fault, gotta slow life down!

Cheers and thanks for your well wishes!

[b0son]

I havent missed a race since Adelaide 94. A lot of people complain about the state of modern F1, but IME, they're looking at previous eras with rose-tinted glasses. Teams dominating is the rule, not the exception (at least in the 25 years I've watched).

[prydey]

Originally Posted by b0son

I havent missed a race since Adelaide 94. A lot of people complain about the state of modern F1, but IME, they're looking at previous eras with rose-tinted glasses. Teams dominating is the rule, not the exception (at least in the 25 years I've watched).

Agree. I'm relatively new to the sport having only started watching religiously since the late 90's. I've enjoyed every era, often for different reasons. Every era is different and I don't compare them. It's like comparing different eras of sports people for e.g. rod laver v pistol Pete v Federer. Each a star on their own right playing in different eras.

F1 to me is no different. The top teams dominate, have the most coin and attract the best drivers. F1 to me is about innovation and technology. I just love it.

As for on track action, sometimes it's nothing to do with the cars. Some tracks just aren't conducive to passing or close racing (looking at you Herman tilke) where others you are guaranteed action (Brazil). Funnily enough a race I never miss is Monaco, even though you know they'll likely finish in the order they started. There's just something about that track. Especially qualifying. That separates the men from the boys.

[FTE217]

Spa is the best one mens from the boys today imo but I agree overall with prydey.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by FTE217

Spa is the best one mens from the boys today imo but I agree overall with prydey.

Eau rouge, Webber v Alonso

[Syndrome]

The first F1 race I watched was the 1982 Canadian GP and remember the unfortunate Riccardo Paletti crashing into the back of Didier Pironi's stationary Ferrari. I used to live and breathe the sport. Although I still watch the sport and attend every Melbourne Grand Prix, my interest has been on the decline this last decade or so. I've actually started missing watching races on TV in recent years as the results are often a foregone conclusion. Who wants to spend 90 minutes watching a race where often nothing happens! I no longer fork out for a grandstand seat and just watch from general admission.

[MercuryT]

Has anyone been in one? (or similar)

Like how some companies run a dual cockpit etc?

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Who wants to spend 90 minutes watching a race where often nothing happens!

I watched the US race when all the Michelin runners pitted after the warm up lap. 4 cars on track. MS didn't win easy either as RB pushed him the whole way.

I guess it's the beauty of choice. Watch if you want. Don't watch if you don't want.

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by prydey

I watched the US race when all the Michelin runners pitted after the warm up lap. 4 cars on track. MS didn't win easy either as RB pushed him the whole way.

I guess it's the beauty of choice. Watch if you want. Don't watch if you don't want.

It doesn't take many cars to make something happen as that race showed. The hybrid era has been disastrous.

[Franco Cozzo]

I know I said I don't follow any of the racing but I've been to Albert Park a couple of time in the past few years and I renew my Foxtel subscription specifically for our race.

The hype and atmosphere around the city is great during F1 week.

Unfortunately the track doesn't lend to action packed racing, they hardly overtake and jostle around and now the engines are too quiet, as an apprentice you could hear the old cars from our TAFE campus in Richmond.

It's a bit of a shame we missed out on the 25th anniversary of F1 in Melbourne at Albert Park because of COVID-19, while I don't enjoy the racing I was looking forward to the atmosphere around Melbourne during the event.

I really like Drive to Survive because to me the racing is the mundane part, the politics and the whole circus is the really interesting part for me.

[oldel]

Originally Posted by prydey

I watched the US race when all the Michelin runners pitted after the warm up lap. 4 cars on track. MS didn't win easy either as RB pushed him the whole way.

I guess it's the beauty of choice. Watch if you want. Don't watch if you don't want.

On the other hand you get 4hr rain interrupted races like Canada with vettel and button (who started from last).

E: Yes, it was awesome staying up until 5am damn it!
Melbourne nearly always sucks and is boring. The only interesting thing about it is curiosity - being the first race of the season is it's saving grace is solely that you want to see if any team has made huge jumps in performance during the off season after testing. If it wasn't the first race of the season you would have to rate it very low compared to the rest of the calender.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by oldel

E: Yes, it was awesome staying up until 5am damn it!

likewise

[MercuryT]

I respect how Kimi Rakkinon sort of doesn't care. Just say yep it's a car race move on.


I don't think these drivers are any better than a local gun on own comp but rich parents, people you know etc.

[MercuryT]

The whole "F1 driver's are pinnacle" is nonsense imo.

[Tickford.]

Originally Posted by oldel

On the other hand you get 4hr rain interrupted races like Canada with vettel and button (who started from last).

Stayed up and watched that entire race. And what a race it was. Was worth staying up the 5 or so hours to see the end.



Was one of the biggest laughs I've had watching a F1 race. Finger boi has provided some of the best comedy in F1. Going to miss him.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

The whole "F1 driver's are pinnacle" is nonsense imo.

Looking at the entirety of the grid, maybe. There are plenty there because of funding.

But the best F1 drivers are probably the best open-wheel drivers, period. Most have come up through multiple years of European kart racing, then open wheelers (F3, F2).

Alonso is way past his best, but look how easily he was on the pace at LeMans. Look how easily F1 drivers made the jump to IndyCar, but the reverse was not at all true.

I think rally is way too different a pursuit for comparison. A gun F1 driver will never get as close to a gun rally driver on the dirt as a rally driver will to an F1 driver on a circuit (IMO).

[prydey]

Tickford not in therapy yet I see

[MethodX]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

It doesn't take many cars to make something happen as that race showed. The hybrid era has been disastrous.

Most fans wish they would bring back the V8's V10's or V12's.
It just isnt the same..

When you listen to the V12 cars on youtube.... wow.

[AussiePhil]

Originally Posted by MethodX

Most fans wish they would bring back the V8's V10's or V12's.
It just isnt the same..

When you listen to the V12 cars on youtube.... wow.

One car to listen to is a,

Alfa Romeo stradale 33 2 litre V8!

If you want one the last sold for $10M.

Just amazing!
Cheers Phil

[prydey]

Originally Posted by MethodX

Most fans wish they would bring back the V8's V10's or V12's.
It just isnt the same..

When you listen to the V12 cars on youtube.... wow.

while i agree that other eras have certainly sounded better, this is one of the reasons i don't compare era's because there are many factors that drive the direction of F1. Without the involvement of cashed up manufacturers the sport would die. Manufacturers like to use the sport to develop cutting edge technologies that may eventually filter through to their road cars, or at least have some overlap so they can ammortise some, or all, of the development costs. For this reason the power units have to evolve with what is relevant to the manufacturers road car divisions.

There are other factors also. Funnily enough, despite all the grumbling on online forums, at every change the fans have still turned up or tuned in. Those 'rusted on' fans will keep coming back as long as they stay true to the formula and be the cutting edge of motorsport.

While they sound different, they are still incredibly fast and possibly the fastest they have ever been, though some records still stand from the 2004-08 era (i think).

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

However I literally know not one person who follows F1 with any passion. A little for Ricciardo but not the competition itself.

How about yourself and network of family and friends?

we are a family of car people, hell, my son and I used to race an XE and I can tell you there is NOT one person in my immediate family of 10 adults that have any interest in F1

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by MethodX

Most fans wish they would bring back the V8's V10's or V12's.
It just isnt the same..

When you listen to the V12 cars on youtube.... wow.

I prefer the scream of a naturally aspirated engine. But ultimately I don't care as long as the racing is competitive which currently it is not.

Bring back three pedals, a double H-pattern and a nut to hold the steering wheel.

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by b0son

Looking at the entirety of the grid, maybe. There are plenty there because of funding.

But the best F1 drivers are probably the best open-wheel drivers, period. Most have come up through multiple years of European kart racing, then open wheelers (F3, F2).

Alonso is way past his best, but look how easily he was on the pace at LeMans. Look how easily F1 drivers made the jump to IndyCar, but the reverse was not at all true.

I think rally is way too different a pursuit for comparison. A gun F1 driver will never get as close to a gun rally driver on the dirt as a rally driver will to an F1 driver on a circuit (IMO).

Quality post.

I'll concede on my assertion as yes you make great points.

I still think being in the best car can flatter certain drivers, but I guess to get that ride you've done something special previously in a different category (or in a low performing F1 car above expectations)

[AussiePhil]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

Quality post.

I'll concede on my assertion as yes you make great points.

I still think being in the best car can flatter certain drivers, but I guess to get that ride you've done something special previously in a different category (or in a low performing F1 car above expectations)

Yes, it would be nice seeing some drivers testing themselves in other teams.
Didn't Schumacher do that in his career.
Cheers Phil

[MercuryT]

Those into F1 (which is great) can you please advise.

Do the manufacturers make money off it with sponsors etc, or is purely just money spent to impress buyers of regard cars as a marketing exercise?

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

Those into F1 (which is great) can you please advise.

Do the manufacturers make money off it with sponsors etc, or is purely just money spent to impress buyers of regard cars as a marketing exercise?

Q. How do you make a small fortune from motor racing?

A. Start with a large fortune.

It is a marketing exercise.