F1 cancelled this year?
Discussion
Looking at this post on the BBC from the science data around social distancing, I do not see F1 getting going in 2020 and if we have to maintain the measures for a year the start of 2021 could be in doubt given how many of the teams are in the UK: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51977802
Ed Moses said:
Looking at this post on the BBC from the science data around social distancing, I do not see F1 getting going in 2020 and if we have to maintain the measures for a year the start of 2021 could be in doubt given how many of the teams are in the UK: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51977802
That plus the post virus world will be economically in pieces. Normally after a financial crisis companies market hard to make up lost time, as they did post 2008... But this is a little different as the firms that survive will be cash strapped, and those they're advertising to will also mostly be cash strapped. So far most of the world is yet to hit the peak of disruption and restrictions - already the economic impact is way greater than 2008.It's hard to see revenue in the form of sponsorship or TV rights retuning to 'normal' F1 levels once we're on top of the virus. F1 will continue but the scale might be somewhat less than we've become accustomed to. Maybe that's not a terrible thing...
- slightly* off topic. Anybody looking forward to the Bahrain GP (esports version)?
I caught the race Max entered last weekend and with a couple of half decent commentators it held my attention, I was hoping they'd extend it or do something like this.
Let's face it - there's not much else to watch except repeats.
Eric Mc said:
Something survived that is called F1 - that’s all.
Oh Eric.. you miserable sod 
Even back when you liked the sport, back before this forum existed (which you joined anyway..) the sport went through fundamental changes. It's always transformed itself to chase the £££ to get bigger to chase more £££ to get bigger to chase yet more ££££££
For the period in time in which you're prepared to admit you were a fan... By being a fan back then you did your bit to deliver us young scamps the sport we have (had) today.
It's basically all your fault
Notice how I try never to stoop to apportioning blame pr call people names. Things have a natural evolution - and that evolution can lead to extinction.
Getting a massive kick up the bum might actually assist F1 in sorting itself out before it reaches that extinction point - although I doubt it.
Getting a massive kick up the bum might actually assist F1 in sorting itself out before it reaches that extinction point - although I doubt it.
Eric Mc said:
Notice how I try never to stoop to apportioning blame pr call people names. Things have a natural evolution - and that evolution can lead to extinction.
Getting a massive kick up the bum might actually assist F1 in sorting itself out before it reaches that extinction point - although I doubt it.
I'm sorry, I was abrubt. Also I have noticed that you don't ever stoop to typical PH levels of attack when someone fails to agree with you.Getting a massive kick up the bum might actually assist F1 in sorting itself out before it reaches that extinction point - although I doubt it.
You're quite right, this is a reset button moment and I think some good might well come from that. This is certainly a time where the sport needs to get very real in order to continue - and I think it will. It must.
You're still a stubborn sod that won't truly be happy until the clock is wound back. Fair enough, you've earned that
TheDeuce said:
amgmcqueen said:
Gazzab said:
I suspect that F1 as we know it will not come back.
F1 died quite some time ago.Terribly ugly overweight cars, dreadful lawnmower engines, soulless car park 'tracks', eco fuel saving, eco tyre saving, pretentious penalties, gimmicky DRS, too much downforce, too much grip, spiralling costs, complete lack of competition, innovation discouraged, designers strangled by red tape, boring robot drivers etc etc.......
To top it all off I'm expected to pay Sky a fortune to watch something I've followed free for 35+years.
It's F1 in name only.
amgmcqueen said:
No it hasn't. It's lost 8.6million viewers over the last 10 years. Circuit attendances have also fallen off a cliff.
Terribly ugly overweight cars, dreadful lawnmower engines, soulless car park 'tracks', eco fuel saving, eco tyre saving, pretentious penalties, gimmicky DRS, too much downforce, too much grip, spiralling costs, complete lack of competition, innovation discouraged, designers strangled by red tape, boring robot drivers etc etc.......
To top it all off I'm expected to pay Sky a fortune to watch something I've followed free for 35+years.
It's F1 in name only.
I've been following F1 for 32 years now, and the coverage provided by Sky is the best we have ever had. Further,we've had some great seasons recently, despite the dominance of Mercedes (especially compared to the borefest of the Schumacher / Ferrari years). Terribly ugly overweight cars, dreadful lawnmower engines, soulless car park 'tracks', eco fuel saving, eco tyre saving, pretentious penalties, gimmicky DRS, too much downforce, too much grip, spiralling costs, complete lack of competition, innovation discouraged, designers strangled by red tape, boring robot drivers etc etc.......
To top it all off I'm expected to pay Sky a fortune to watch something I've followed free for 35+years.
It's F1 in name only.
I don't know what golden years you hanker for - shoddy TV coverage, car retirements, driver deaths, whatever, but F1 is still F1.
Honestly, you and Eric sound like dads who gave up on new music 30 years ago and curmudgeonly declare all new music as crap, regardless.
Edited by Clockwork Cupcake on Saturday 21st March 05:01
amgmcqueen said:
TheDeuce said:
amgmcqueen said:
Gazzab said:
I suspect that F1 as we know it will not come back.
F1 died quite some time ago.Terribly ugly overweight cars, dreadful lawnmower engines, soulless car park 'tracks', eco fuel saving, eco tyre saving, pretentious penalties, gimmicky DRS, too much downforce, too much grip, spiralling costs, complete lack of competition, innovation discouraged, designers strangled by red tape, boring robot drivers etc etc.......
To top it all off I'm expected to pay Sky a fortune to watch something I've followed free for 35+years.
It's F1 in name only.
Overall the sport has had its socks pulled up and is (was, pre virus..) doing fairly well as a result. Last year was good sport. Even if it failed to impress you personally.
We are heading into the worst recession of our lives and the car manufacturers are facing a nightmare.Add to that the green movement and a new virus that has stopped the world in its tracks and we have real trouble. The most optimistic figure for US unemployment is about 15% but it could go to 25%, and it is going to happen very fast. Nobody thought it would be so quick. Trump requested the individual states not to publish the number till consolidated next Thursday.
I would say the F1 as we know it is done for, much to my regret. The manufacturers that survive will have a lot more to think about.
I would say the F1 as we know it is done for, much to my regret. The manufacturers that survive will have a lot more to think about.
IMO Bernie always did a good job of keeping the manufacturers in check. Hopefully there will be a significant exodus and the racing will become more affordable.
Employing thousands of people to run two cars around a race track 20 odd times a year is patently ridiculous, by any metric. I think current events will shine a spotlight on that in any boardroom.
Employing thousands of people to run two cars around a race track 20 odd times a year is patently ridiculous, by any metric. I think current events will shine a spotlight on that in any boardroom.
C Lee Farquar said:
IMO Bernie always did a good job of keeping the manufacturers in check. Hopefully there will be a significant exodus and the racing will become more affordable.
Employing thousands of people to run two cars around a race track 20 odd times a year is patently ridiculous, by any metric. I think current events will shine a spotlight on that in any boardroom.
Agree.Employing thousands of people to run two cars around a race track 20 odd times a year is patently ridiculous, by any metric. I think current events will shine a spotlight on that in any boardroom.
Eric Mc said:
Notice how I try never to stoop to apportioning blame pr call people names. Things have a natural evolution - and that evolution can lead to extinction.
Getting a massive kick up the bum might actually assist F1 in sorting itself out before it reaches that extinction point - although I doubt it.
I don't think you really understand what the F1 fans like. I know from your post that you don't quite have a grasp on evolution. It doesn't lead to extinction. It is normally, although by no means exclusively, those that evolve which survive.Getting a massive kick up the bum might actually assist F1 in sorting itself out before it reaches that extinction point - although I doubt it.
F1 will have to change. There is no way it will be immune from the fallout of the current financial situation. Merc can't continue to throw money at their team while closing production lines, and the same goes for all manufacturers.
Still, no need to worry, Eric. I'm sure there will be ample opportunities to moan about the new, revised, and much cheaper F1. Mind you, 500cc engines might be too nostalgic even for you.
We'll look back at 2019 in years to come, or at least most of us will, and be able to say that F1 went out in a blaze of glory. It will be regarded as the golden age of F1, and with some justification.
Clockwork Cupcake said:
amgmcqueen said:
No it hasn't. It's lost 8.6million viewers over the last 10 years. Circuit attendances have also fallen off a cliff.
Terribly ugly overweight cars, dreadful lawnmower engines, soulless car park 'tracks', eco fuel saving, eco tyre saving, pretentious penalties, gimmicky DRS, too much downforce, too much grip, spiralling costs, complete lack of competition, innovation discouraged, designers strangled by red tape, boring robot drivers etc etc.......
To top it all off I'm expected to pay Sky a fortune to watch something I've followed free for 35+years.
It's F1 in name only.
I've been following F1 for 32 years now, and the coverage provided by Sky is the best we have ever had. Further,we've had some great seasons recently, despite the dominance of Mercedes (especially compared to the borefest of the Schumacher / Ferrari years). Terribly ugly overweight cars, dreadful lawnmower engines, soulless car park 'tracks', eco fuel saving, eco tyre saving, pretentious penalties, gimmicky DRS, too much downforce, too much grip, spiralling costs, complete lack of competition, innovation discouraged, designers strangled by red tape, boring robot drivers etc etc.......
To top it all off I'm expected to pay Sky a fortune to watch something I've followed free for 35+years.
It's F1 in name only.
I don't know what golden years you hanker for - shoddy TV coverage, car retirements, driver deaths, whatever, but F1 is still F1.
Honestly, you and Eric sound like dads who gave up on new music 30 years ago and curmudgeonly declare all new music as crap, regardless.
Edited by Clockwork Cupcake on Saturday 21st March 05:01
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