Thoughts on 2014
Discussion
I started following F1 in the early 00's right at the start of the Schumacher and Ferrari domination, compared to those seasons 2014 has been really enjoyable despite the Merc's being so far out in front, good duels between Rosberg and Hamilton, some good racing down the order and some intense qualifying sessions. I loved Williams resurgence and I hope they'll be able to keep the momentum going into 2015 and 2016
On the negative sides, well, the Jules Bianchi accident was of course horrible and I hope he'll make a full recovery. Russian GP was very poor, and I hope my "home" GP in Shanghai will be better organized in 2015, but I'm not holding my breath on that last one.
On the negative sides, well, the Jules Bianchi accident was of course horrible and I hope he'll make a full recovery. Russian GP was very poor, and I hope my "home" GP in Shanghai will be better organized in 2015, but I'm not holding my breath on that last one.
Generally I think it has been a great season, really entertaining racing throughout the field.
2014 though was the year that F1 became a TV-only sport for me, rather than a 'live' one. Having been to 35 races since 1987, my visit to Barcelona this year was a colossal let-down, with the current F1 cars being seriously underwhelming. As I say, great on the TV, but in the the flesh, the cars really are pathetic sounding. It is not just the lack of volume, they actually have an unpleasant sound, and for me I think the main problem is that they rev so low, so there is none of the old excitement generated from the 'scream' of an F1 engine. So, it will be TV only for me for the foreseeable future.
My overriding memory of the F1 weekend was waiting for the cars to first appear in FP1, and all of those present were likely hearing 2014 F1 for the first time....... I watched as the cars gurgled past, and I actually saw a group of people LAUGHING at how awful they sounded. I did not know whether to laugh or cry..............
2014 though was the year that F1 became a TV-only sport for me, rather than a 'live' one. Having been to 35 races since 1987, my visit to Barcelona this year was a colossal let-down, with the current F1 cars being seriously underwhelming. As I say, great on the TV, but in the the flesh, the cars really are pathetic sounding. It is not just the lack of volume, they actually have an unpleasant sound, and for me I think the main problem is that they rev so low, so there is none of the old excitement generated from the 'scream' of an F1 engine. So, it will be TV only for me for the foreseeable future.
My overriding memory of the F1 weekend was waiting for the cars to first appear in FP1, and all of those present were likely hearing 2014 F1 for the first time....... I watched as the cars gurgled past, and I actually saw a group of people LAUGHING at how awful they sounded. I did not know whether to laugh or cry..............
We keep hearing stories from the f1 hierarchy that the notice of the engines is something that can be sorted.
We shall wait and see I guess...
I'm not holding my breath though...
We shall wait and see I guess...
I'm not holding my breath though...
paulguitar said:
Generally I think it has been a great season, really entertaining racing throughout the field.
2014 though was the year that F1 became a TV-only sport for me, rather than a 'live' one. Having been to 35 races since 1987, my visit to Barcelona this year was a colossal let-down, with the current F1 cars being seriously underwhelming. As I say, great on the TV, but in the the flesh, the cars really are pathetic sounding. It is not just the lack of volume, they actually have an unpleasant sound, and for me I think the main problem is that they rev so low, so there is none of the old excitement generated from the 'scream' of an F1 engine. So, it will be TV only for me for the foreseeable future.
My overriding memory of the F1 weekend was waiting for the cars to first appear in FP1, and all of those present were likely hearing 2014 F1 for the first time....... I watched as the cars gurgled past, and I actually saw a group of people LAUGHING at how awful they sounded. I did not know whether to laugh or cry..............
2014 though was the year that F1 became a TV-only sport for me, rather than a 'live' one. Having been to 35 races since 1987, my visit to Barcelona this year was a colossal let-down, with the current F1 cars being seriously underwhelming. As I say, great on the TV, but in the the flesh, the cars really are pathetic sounding. It is not just the lack of volume, they actually have an unpleasant sound, and for me I think the main problem is that they rev so low, so there is none of the old excitement generated from the 'scream' of an F1 engine. So, it will be TV only for me for the foreseeable future.
My overriding memory of the F1 weekend was waiting for the cars to first appear in FP1, and all of those present were likely hearing 2014 F1 for the first time....... I watched as the cars gurgled past, and I actually saw a group of people LAUGHING at how awful they sounded. I did not know whether to laugh or cry..............
marshall100 said:
Norfolkit said:
Echo all of the above plus one thing, how the hell has Kimi kept his seat at Ferrari, what's he done this year to deserve being kept on?
Don't think he's done anything to slate the team or the car, meanwhile Fred has made all the noise....Car better be more to his liking next year, but with Ferrari enjoying some turbulence, I very much doubt it.
In many ways it represents the muddled thinking at Ferrari. Hiring a guy you put on gardening leave a few years earlier is just daft. Appointing Vettel achieve's nothing as a long term strategy, it is engine designers, chassis and aero developers that win races. Drivers are publicity.
Alonso was their best bet, but without technical superiority even his brilliance came to nought this year.
The template that Merc followed is the way forward, but I do not see that appointing Vettel guarantees them getting Newey.
They currently look like chumps and are effectively dead in the water.
Very sad, but true
Alonso was their best bet, but without technical superiority even his brilliance came to nought this year.
The template that Merc followed is the way forward, but I do not see that appointing Vettel guarantees them getting Newey.
They currently look like chumps and are effectively dead in the water.
Very sad, but true
Thoughts on 2014?
Well, it's a been year of paradoxes.
On the one hand, we've had a monumentally dominant team that only lost when they tripped over themselves, cars that just look plain silly and financial and political woes that continue to bug the sport.
But...
The racing has been tremendous. We've had a good old, proper Hero and Villain battle at the front, something we've not had for a long while...and the racing has been tremendous.
I'm sad to see Marrussia and probably Caterham go but no more or no less than the 140 odd other teams that have come and gone over the years.
The one worry for me was if Nico took the title on the basis of the double points. I think if that had played out, F1 would be in a near unrecoverable position. Whatever else, the right guy took the crown.
Well, it's a been year of paradoxes.
On the one hand, we've had a monumentally dominant team that only lost when they tripped over themselves, cars that just look plain silly and financial and political woes that continue to bug the sport.
But...
The racing has been tremendous. We've had a good old, proper Hero and Villain battle at the front, something we've not had for a long while...and the racing has been tremendous.
I'm sad to see Marrussia and probably Caterham go but no more or no less than the 140 odd other teams that have come and gone over the years.
The one worry for me was if Nico took the title on the basis of the double points. I think if that had played out, F1 would be in a near unrecoverable position. Whatever else, the right guy took the crown.
paulguitar said:
I watched as the cars gurgled past, and I actually saw a group of people LAUGHING at how awful they sounded. I did not know whether to laugh or cry..............
I don't get this. The sound of them is pretty good, especially in the flesh IMO. I don't know how people can laugh at the sound, but not laugh at the giant phallus sticking off the front of most of the grid.fomb said:
paulguitar said:
I watched as the cars gurgled past, and I actually saw a group of people LAUGHING at how awful they sounded. I did not know whether to laugh or cry..............
I don't get this. The sound of them is pretty good, especially in the flesh IMO. I don't know how people can laugh at the sound, but not laugh at the giant phallus sticking off the front of most of the grid.You'll find most people have a problem with the lack of volume, more so than the lack of sound. F1 cars should sound powerful as well as look powerful.
StevieBee said:
The racing has been tremendous. We've had a good old, proper Hero and Villain battle at the front, something we've not had for a long while...and the racing has been tremendous.
I'm guesing you mean Brit against foreigner?StevieBee said:
The one worry for me was if Nico took the title on the basis of the double points. I think if that had played out, F1 would be in a near unrecoverable position. Whatever else, the right guy took the crown.
Double points was very silly. But F1 has had championships won and lost before on the basis of odd points rules and it hasn't been in an unrecoverable position.I seem to be in the minority but I thought the cars sounded excellent in the metal at Monza this year. The reduction in noise has added so many new experiences for spectators too. You can hear the lock-ups, you can hear the tyres working through the corners, you can hear the downshifts more clearly and therefore see how different drivers approach the same bit of track in a variety of ways.
I'm very glad for the current regulations. It cannot be disputed that we've seen the most consistently exciting on track action throughout the field for many a year.
I'm very glad for the current regulations. It cannot be disputed that we've seen the most consistently exciting on track action throughout the field for many a year.
oyster said:
StevieBee said:
The racing has been tremendous. We've had a good old, proper Hero and Villain battle at the front, something we've not had for a long while...and the racing has been tremendous.
oyster said:
I'm guesing you mean Brit against foreigner?
Actually, no. Although Vettel had a bit of a ding dong with Webber, it wasn't as intense as we had this year. I think all sports need those fighting at the top to have a bit of grudge and edginess. It spices up up the 'theatre of competition'. It's one of things that made the Senna and Prost era so intriguing.StevieBee said:
The one worry for me was if Nico took the title on the basis of the double points. I think if that had played out, F1 would be in a near unrecoverable position. Whatever else, the right guy took the crown.
Double points was very silly. But F1 has had championships won and lost before on the basis of odd points rules and it hasn't been in an unrecoverable position.oyster said:
StevieBee said:
The racing has been tremendous. We've had a good old, proper Hero and Villain battle at the front, something we've not had for a long while...and the racing has been tremendous.
I'm guesing you mean Brit against foreigner?Don't get me wrong, I like Rosberg and before this season started I wanted him to win... During the course of the season, the new Hamilton has made me flip flop though.
I'm not as long-term a fan as some - have been watching F1 for 5 years now. 2014 was, by far, the most exciting season for me.
Best bits:
The title fight - seeing Nico reveal his true colours and Lewis not lose his cool when it counted
The rise of Daniel Ricciardo - a truly great talent
The fighting throughout the field that never let up, right to the last laps of most races
The new regulations shaking up the field in all sorts of ways.
I didn't mind the engine noise so much, given everything else we gained. I'm really looking forward to 2015!
Best bits:
The title fight - seeing Nico reveal his true colours and Lewis not lose his cool when it counted
The rise of Daniel Ricciardo - a truly great talent
The fighting throughout the field that never let up, right to the last laps of most races
The new regulations shaking up the field in all sorts of ways.
I didn't mind the engine noise so much, given everything else we gained. I'm really looking forward to 2015!
fomb said:
paulguitar said:
I watched as the cars gurgled past, and I actually saw a group of people LAUGHING at how awful they sounded. I did not know whether to laugh or cry..............
I don't get this. The sound of them is pretty good, especially in the flesh IMO. I don't know how people can laugh at the sound, but not laugh at the giant phallus sticking off the front of most of the grid.On TV though, I think these cars are better to watch, due to the increased torque and decreased levels of downforce. As someone who used to regularly attend GP's though, I am gutted, as I wonder if it is not possible to have cars that are difficult to drive AND sound wonderful as well?
Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff