Has F1 reached a new low?

Has F1 reached a new low?

Author
Discussion

HARTLEYHARE1

588 posts

128 months

Saturday 10th October 2015
quotequote all
It's in complete dissarray and getting worse each year and a real shame.

andyps

7,817 posts

281 months

Saturday 10th October 2015
quotequote all
SPS said:
......
The reality is that they could let the cars run a "race" without actually having any drivers on board.
......
It was suggested that was possible over 20 years ago, although never proven to the public. With all the drivers aids there were at that stage it may even have been easier than it is now.

Eric Mc

121,779 posts

264 months

Saturday 10th October 2015
quotequote all
In 1995, in an audience question and answer session on Radio 5 Live, prior to the British GP, a Williams team member stated that it was possible.

mollytherocker

14,365 posts

208 months

Sunday 11th October 2015
quotequote all
Eric Mc said:
In 1995, in an audience question and answer session on Radio 5 Live, prior to the British GP, a Williams team member stated that it was possible.
I do wonder how much real difference the driver makes these days.

I imagine that the car does more now than it ever did in the past.

craigjm

17,909 posts

199 months

Sunday 11th October 2015
quotequote all
mollytherocker said:
I do wonder how much real difference the driver makes these days.

I imagine that the car does more now than it ever did in the past.
even compared to the early 90s FW14 and the like?

ukaskew

10,642 posts

220 months

Sunday 11th October 2015
quotequote all
mollytherocker said:
I do wonder how much real difference the driver makes these days.

I imagine that the car does more now than it ever did in the past.
That's where the really small gains from an exceptional driver over a merely very quick one come in. Look at Hamilton / Rosberg, barely a few tenths between them but those few tenths are enough to give Hamilton a massive edge.

Chrisgr31

13,440 posts

254 months

Sunday 11th October 2015
quotequote all
I think many of you are falling for Bernies spin, especially if you accept what the guy from Silverstone said as being true. I don't believe the racing itself is the cause of the issues with F1 today. After all even with the Mercedes "domination" they have not won all the races, or necessarially been in the top 3, and I am also think that in the 80's Mansell used to dominate more, lapping most of the field when he won etc.

The issue I think is more to do with the realisation as to how unfair F1 is, the distribution of the winnings, the location of the races, the whinging of Red Bull etc. We are coming to the conclusion that all F1 is about is making money, and its not making enough money fairly so all the teams can compete.

Bernie is trying to distract us from believing it is down to the circuits, and money by getting people like Silverstone to comment on the show, and then getting his tame journalist to publicise it.

Ultimately the issue I think comes down to money, the world is changing, the financial model that has historically been followed by F1 no longer works, and the fans are put off by the high prices for watching the sport whether its on TV or at the circuits, in addition sponsors won't cant pay as much either to the teams as not as many fas watching. Bernies attempts to make more money by racing in strange places, has nothing to do with going where the fans and sponsors want to be, but all to do with making money for him and F1s owners and the fans dont like it.

Eric Mc

121,779 posts

264 months

Sunday 11th October 2015
quotequote all
Imagine if the FA Cup Final was held in a quarry with only ten quarry workers looking on. That's the feeling I get when watching some of these obscure and new F1 venues.

Chrisgr31

13,440 posts

254 months

Sunday 11th October 2015
quotequote all
Eric Mc said:
Imagine if the FA Cup Final was held in a quarry with only ten quarry workers looking on. That's the feeling I get when watching some of these obscure and new F1 venues.
.
I did notice on the BBC qualifying coverage that at some point you could see a reflection of the stands, and it appeared they were empty

Derek Smith

45,514 posts

247 months

Sunday 11th October 2015
quotequote all
Chrisgr31 said:
I think many of you are falling for Bernies spin, especially if you accept what the guy from Silverstone said as being true. I don't believe the racing itself is the cause of the issues with F1 today. After all even with the Mercedes "domination" they have not won all the races, or necessarially been in the top 3, and I am also think that in the 80's Mansell used to dominate more, lapping most of the field when he won etc.

The issue I think is more to do with the realisation as to how unfair F1 is, the distribution of the winnings, the location of the races, the whinging of Red Bull etc. We are coming to the conclusion that all F1 is about is making money, and its not making enough money fairly so all the teams can compete.

Bernie is trying to distract us from believing it is down to the circuits, and money by getting people like Silverstone to comment on the show, and then getting his tame journalist to publicise it.

Ultimately the issue I think comes down to money, the world is changing, the financial model that has historically been followed by F1 no longer works, and the fans are put off by the high prices for watching the sport whether its on TV or at the circuits, in addition sponsors won't cant pay as much either to the teams as not as many fas watching. Bernies attempts to make more money by racing in strange places, has nothing to do with going where the fans and sponsors want to be, but all to do with making money for him and F1s owners and the fans dont like it.
Despite enjoying arguments about F1, I can't see anything to disagree with there.

To be fair, F1 has been about the money for some considerable time. The attempt to change the name of Lotus to John Player Special was the time it became obvious.

Whilst Ron Dennis and Frank Williams are both big fans of the sport and have dedicated their adult lives to it, neither could be accused on not being interested in the money, FW particularly so.

There's a lot wrong with F1 and the ultimate blame lies with the management.

There has often been a problem on an off. The management of the FIA - well, what could one say in all honesty without risking a writ?

Ecclestone is the master of spin. However, I see nothing to suggest that he is only interested in the money the sport brings to him, and that long term to him goes as far as the next payday.

When he goes, or F1 is taken over by suits, there will be problems. There is no succession planning, no agreement as to what is best for the teams, the fans and the greater audience. The image is everything and it is ephemeral.

I've known grids that were, to be nice about it, sparse. And the sport was still fun to watch and read about. So for me, I don't think it will be the end of F1. If it was, I'd be very sad but I'd move to WEC with no problems. And more weekends free.



markcoznottz

7,155 posts

223 months

Sunday 11th October 2015
quotequote all
If I hear any more talk about 'grid penaltys' etc, il go mad. There seems to be more talk about, well basically st, baggage of the sport, than the actual on track racing. The people who are standing around gassing think that they are the reason that people tune in, the sport is inward looking.

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

30,230 posts

234 months

Sunday 11th October 2015
quotequote all
Chrisgr31 said:
Eric Mc said:
Imagine if the FA Cup Final was held in a quarry with only ten quarry workers looking on. That's the feeling I get when watching some of these obscure and new F1 venues.
.
I did notice on the BBC qualifying coverage that at some point you could see a reflection of the stands, and it appeared they were empty
That's always been the same in most foreign GP. The crowds usually only rock up for the main event.

Eric Mc

121,779 posts

264 months

Sunday 11th October 2015
quotequote all
What do you mean by "foreign" - Argentina, Brazil, Japan?

hammo19

4,898 posts

195 months

Sunday 11th October 2015
quotequote all
I used to watch every race from start to finish without fail but the last few years have just checked the results. I can only think this is down to two things:

- the top 2 is pretty much a foregone conclusion
- as I get older my desire for the "good old days" (whatever they were) becomes stronger

It's clearly a personal thing......

V8covin

7,213 posts

192 months

Sunday 11th October 2015
quotequote all
I used to be F1 mad,watched practice and everthying,these days it doesn't bother me if I even see the race.It's so boring.


Derek Smith

45,514 posts

247 months

Sunday 11th October 2015
quotequote all
hammo19 said:
- the top 2 is pretty much a foregone conclusion
Not always.


London424

12,826 posts

174 months

Sunday 11th October 2015
quotequote all
V8covin said:
I used to be F1 mad,watched practice and everthying,these days it doesn't bother me if I even see the race.It's so boring.
When was it good/better in your view?

Murph7355

37,651 posts

255 months

Sunday 11th October 2015
quotequote all
sirtyro said:
...
Street circuits in general just don't seem to have the same appeal or atmosphere as a proper old school race track. Singapore is not so bad but to be honest I don't think it's a good layout, just being a night race makes it more interesting.
Monaco, Spa, original 'ring, Canada...there have been others.

Personally I think the modern track designs are the bigger problem. What happens when you have one person designing them.

Safety considerations then iron out any character or challenge that might be left.

I started watching F1 fanatically around 1984 having seen a few races from 1980 onwards. I started to get properly bored with it around the time of the Moseley, Ferrari, McLaren fiasco and it's increased year on year to the point where I think I've watched part of one race this season. I doubt I'll watch at all next year.

They need to open up the regulations IMO. And quit all the politicking. None of this will happen until Bernie pops his clogs.

Gillett66

98 posts

142 months

Sunday 11th October 2015
quotequote all

2 pages of guesswork and stories about how bad it all is.

No one going to mention today's race? Pretty entertaining by most peoples standards.

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

30,230 posts

234 months

Sunday 11th October 2015
quotequote all
Eric Mc said:
What do you mean by "foreign" - Argentina, Brazil, Japan?
Anywhere that's not Silverstone!

Exceptions (when I've been there) where it's busy for quali are Monza & spa