Discussion
For me the joy is wearing off for 2 reasons,
1) Before this last regulation change the teams were starting to catchup, changing them every few years just creates a dominant team and the circle starts again, the best racing is when all the teams have a chance to win, help the teams at the back of the grid to catch up and then leave it alone.
2) No more free to air TV, perhaps this is the level of coverage but I feel it was better in the old days when it was normal TV, it was a good mix of technical and racing.
Perhaps this also coincides with people being less and less interested in cars and the sport, ran by the media company, is now being tailored for the tiktok generation rather than the old school
1) Before this last regulation change the teams were starting to catchup, changing them every few years just creates a dominant team and the circle starts again, the best racing is when all the teams have a chance to win, help the teams at the back of the grid to catch up and then leave it alone.
2) No more free to air TV, perhaps this is the level of coverage but I feel it was better in the old days when it was normal TV, it was a good mix of technical and racing.
Perhaps this also coincides with people being less and less interested in cars and the sport, ran by the media company, is now being tailored for the tiktok generation rather than the old school
Siao said:
Mad Maximus said:
It’s all abit s
t since end of 21 followed by total dominance of said team that benefited from catastrophe that was said year. It’s killed any passion I had. Let’s hope they don’t mess up moto gp and they stay away from btcc lol.
We've had periods of dominance before though. Things do change around, they always do.t since end of 21 followed by total dominance of said team that benefited from catastrophe that was said year. It’s killed any passion I had. Let’s hope they don’t mess up moto gp and they stay away from btcc lol. I continued through years of Mercedes dominance both because it was one of my favourite drivers winning (which takes the edge off the boredom to some extent) and because there was actually the feeling of the results not being foregone conclusions.
I wasn’t happy with what I felt was a political decision to give Max the 2021 championship, and his dominance since has shown how unnecessary that was if as appears it was to change things around.
I do still watch the races, but fast forward a lot and don’t really care much any more.
I wasn’t happy with what I felt was a political decision to give Max the 2021 championship, and his dominance since has shown how unnecessary that was if as appears it was to change things around.
I do still watch the races, but fast forward a lot and don’t really care much any more.
Mad Maximus said:
Siao said:
Mad Maximus said:
It’s all abit st since end of 21 followed by total dominance of said team that benefited from catastrophe that was said year. It’s killed any passion I had. Let’s hope they don’t mess up moto gp and they stay away from btcc lol.
We've had periods of dominance before though. Things do change around, they always do.t since end of 21 followed by total dominance of said team that benefited from catastrophe that was said year. It’s killed any passion I had. Let’s hope they don’t mess up moto gp and they stay away from btcc lol. F1GTRUeno said:
So you were fine with McLaren, Williams, Ferrari, Red Bull and then Mercedes dominating but now you've given up?
They weren’t as dominant as Red Bull is now, and there’s nothing strange about having a higher tolerance for domination when it’s a team or driver you support who are doing so.It's a funny point of the season to judge I think as the races are all at odd times at the moment. Bring on the European legs and even Americas where the races are at decent times to watch and I'll be all over them. I set my alarm to watch Japan but ended up falling straight back asleep...
I agree the spectacle is pretty poor at the moment - echoing what some others and drivers have said 24 races is just far too many, we risk over-saturating everyone's attention so there isn't the same hype around a race weekend as there had been in the past.
I agree the spectacle is pretty poor at the moment - echoing what some others and drivers have said 24 races is just far too many, we risk over-saturating everyone's attention so there isn't the same hype around a race weekend as there had been in the past.
Like PhilAsia I'm starting to get a bit concerned with what is trickling out in discussion about the 2026 regulations. I was reading some comments from Adrian Newey recently about engines going flat chat around the Lowes hairpin to charge the batteries. I'm a bit worried about how active aero will be used, too. When the ground effect regs were originally conceived there was talk of ultimately removing DRS one day. Now I suspect we're going to end up with some kind of super-DRS.
There's been a lot of talk of Liberty Media in the thread so far but I think they have done a good job on the whole. I seem to be more concerned about the direction of the F1 Commission.
I am not giving up because none of the other series grab me in the same way. The next nearest for me is definitely F2 but the technical interest of F1 and the class of the drivers will always draw me in. I hope that the 2026 regs are both postponed and significantly watered down. They present an opportunity to right a lot of wrongs after a decade of significant innovation. However, right now it looks like those regulations are a few innovations too far. I don't know why the sport never learns the lesson about technical regulations stability. All of the best racing we have seen since in the past two decades has been at the end of long periods of stable regs. Time and time again they tear those up, and tell us the racing will be improved.
Bad
Muhammad Ben Sulayem
F1 seems content with only 20 cars on the grid
F1 is a closed shop which is turning away viable additional team(s)
Technical direction of the F1 commission
Yet another major regs change will inevitably split the field again
Ever more Grands Prix.
Grands Prix which are commercially motivated at the expense of historic F1 heartland events
Good
Successful Implementation of the budget cap
10 financially secure teams
Lowest ever field spread
F1 is desirable to constructors and PU manufacturers
Recent progress in stewarding
Stongest grid ever in terms of driver talent
Cars to reduce in weight and size(?)
There's been a lot of talk of Liberty Media in the thread so far but I think they have done a good job on the whole. I seem to be more concerned about the direction of the F1 Commission.
I am not giving up because none of the other series grab me in the same way. The next nearest for me is definitely F2 but the technical interest of F1 and the class of the drivers will always draw me in. I hope that the 2026 regs are both postponed and significantly watered down. They present an opportunity to right a lot of wrongs after a decade of significant innovation. However, right now it looks like those regulations are a few innovations too far. I don't know why the sport never learns the lesson about technical regulations stability. All of the best racing we have seen since in the past two decades has been at the end of long periods of stable regs. Time and time again they tear those up, and tell us the racing will be improved.
Bad
Muhammad Ben Sulayem
F1 seems content with only 20 cars on the grid
F1 is a closed shop which is turning away viable additional team(s)
Technical direction of the F1 commission
Yet another major regs change will inevitably split the field again
Ever more Grands Prix.
Grands Prix which are commercially motivated at the expense of historic F1 heartland events
Good
Successful Implementation of the budget cap
10 financially secure teams
Lowest ever field spread
F1 is desirable to constructors and PU manufacturers
Recent progress in stewarding
Stongest grid ever in terms of driver talent
Cars to reduce in weight and size(?)
Mad Maximus said:
Siao said:
Mad Maximus said:
It’s all abit st since end of 21 followed by total dominance of said team that benefited from catastrophe that was said year. It’s killed any passion I had. Let’s hope they don’t mess up moto gp and they stay away from btcc lol.
We've had periods of dominance before though. Things do change around, they always do.t since end of 21 followed by total dominance of said team that benefited from catastrophe that was said year. It’s killed any passion I had. Let’s hope they don’t mess up moto gp and they stay away from btcc lol. I’d like to see them start over with the design regulations.
Something like,
“The cars must pass all current safety rules and crash tests.
The cars must fit completely inside a box 5m by 2m by 1m
They can use no more than 150kg of pump fuel per race weekend.”
Then let the designers do what they want within that.
Something like,
“The cars must pass all current safety rules and crash tests.
The cars must fit completely inside a box 5m by 2m by 1m
They can use no more than 150kg of pump fuel per race weekend.”
Then let the designers do what they want within that.
Ken_Code said:
I’d like to see them start over with the design regulations.
Something like,
“The cars must pass all current safety rules and crash tests.
The cars must fit completely inside a box 5m by 2m by 1m
They can use no more than 150kg of pump fuel per race weekend.”
Then let the designers do what they want within that.
It would certainly make it more interesting to see what teams come up with almost harking back to IMSA / Group B levels of variation in the cars. I imagine there is too much red tape in the way to be that loose with regulations though. Something like,
“The cars must pass all current safety rules and crash tests.
The cars must fit completely inside a box 5m by 2m by 1m
They can use no more than 150kg of pump fuel per race weekend.”
Then let the designers do what they want within that.
I have to admit, as soon as Verstappen dropped out of the Australian GP it suddenly became much more interesting. However, I don't wish for any drivers or teams to drop out of races to make them interesting. It shouldn't be like this.
It does seem slightly odd that those that are the most active on the F1 threads are the ones that now say they hold little interest in the sport.
Dominance by one driver, Schumacher era or team Merc era has always been a thing, lets hope Red Bull stick Sainz in the second seat and at least it'll be closer but the same result.
Dominance by one driver, Schumacher era or team Merc era has always been a thing, lets hope Red Bull stick Sainz in the second seat and at least it'll be closer but the same result.
Been a fan since 1985.... First race I attended was at Silverstone, with Niki Lauda in the McLaren..... Was wet and Cold but bloody brilliant....
Have watched about 99% of all races live since... I still enjoy the racing. RB may dominate but we hardly see any of Max. We see the McLaren/Ferrari/Aston Martin bum fight behind him.
The problem I have now is that I have to pay SKY to watch it live. I hate Sky's coverage... over the years it's become more and more dumbed down and PC and it's just awful. The commentary is st and the whole pre-show is now a joke. Same old interviews, same old waffle, same old silly games.
i record it all now, and fast forward through all drivel till the end, then watch the podium, then go off and do something else.
As a UK viewer, I would like to be able to pick between Sky and F1TV. I would like some choice, rather than Sky holding me to ransom with their feeble offering because they have outbid everyone. I'm tempted with the VPN route and sign up to F1TV in the US.
Have watched about 99% of all races live since... I still enjoy the racing. RB may dominate but we hardly see any of Max. We see the McLaren/Ferrari/Aston Martin bum fight behind him.
The problem I have now is that I have to pay SKY to watch it live. I hate Sky's coverage... over the years it's become more and more dumbed down and PC and it's just awful. The commentary is s
t and the whole pre-show is now a joke. Same old interviews, same old waffle, same old silly games.i record it all now, and fast forward through all drivel till the end, then watch the podium, then go off and do something else.
As a UK viewer, I would like to be able to pick between Sky and F1TV. I would like some choice, rather than Sky holding me to ransom with their feeble offering because they have outbid everyone. I'm tempted with the VPN route and sign up to F1TV in the US.
angrymotor said:
It's a funny point of the season to judge I think as the races are all at odd times at the moment. Bring on the European legs and even Americas where the races are at decent times to watch and I'll be all over them. I set my alarm to watch Japan but ended up falling straight back asleep...
I agree the spectacle is pretty poor at the moment - echoing what some others and drivers have said 24 races is just far too many, we risk over-saturating everyone's attention so there isn't the same hype around a race weekend as there had been in the past.
Personally, I feel disheartened because I lived with the hope through last year and the winter, that 2024 will surely be better. As is the case the prospect of another long season of domination is causing me to question how much time I am willing to devote to following F1I agree the spectacle is pretty poor at the moment - echoing what some others and drivers have said 24 races is just far too many, we risk over-saturating everyone's attention so there isn't the same hype around a race weekend as there had been in the past.
Your point about over saturation is one I’ve felt for a while. I also feel that with so many races, each one is a little less important as an individual event and the impact on a drivers season of a bad race or retirement is proportionately less as there are so many more opportunities to recover.
I haven't "given up" as such, but historically I would watch FP1, 2 and 3 as well as quali and the race. Often having to be up late into the night to catch up etc. And I would be up at 5am for races to watch live. This year, I watched some FP1, 2 or 3 but have missed a fair few. Even missed the odd quali and just checked the results. And not getting up for the races live either, taking my chances. I used to try and arrange work around races etc too, again no longer really. If I am about I will watch, otherwise not as concerned. Disappointed with myself but I can't find the enthusiasm given the situation.
Presuming Ed said:
It does seem slightly odd that those that are the most active on the F1 threads are the ones that now say they hold little interest in the sport.
Dominance by one driver, Schumacher era or team Merc era has always been a thing, lets hope Red Bull stick Sainz in the second seat and at least it'll be closer but the same result.
F1 racing has a long history. Grand Prix racing has an even longer history. The title of this section of PH is called "Formula 1". It doesn't say - "Formula 1 - This Season Discussion Only".Dominance by one driver, Schumacher era or team Merc era has always been a thing, lets hope Red Bull stick Sainz in the second seat and at least it'll be closer but the same result.
For me, the most fascinating part of F1 is its long history, it's dramas, it's thrills and even its tragedies. I would hate to think that we are not allowed compare F1 over the eras on the F1 forum.
The current iteration just doesn't seem like F1 to me. It's nothing to do with team or driver dominance. As has been said, that has happened on and off throughout the whole history of Grand Prix/F1 racing.
I just find the cars unexciting to watch - they are too big, too quiet and too planted on the ground.
Watching and listening to a 1950s, 60s or 70s F1 car charging around, even on its own, is terrifically exciting to me.
And the modern over use of penalties is too much for me too.
If I happen to be in on a Sunday afternoon when it is on I will watch it. However, most of the time I either fall asleep a few laps in or get bored and surf the internet with it on in the background.
If I am not in I usually just watch the 8 minute highlights they put on YouTube. Have to say I don't feel I am missing out when I watch this.
If I am not in I usually just watch the 8 minute highlights they put on YouTube. Have to say I don't feel I am missing out when I watch this.
The manufacturers have spoiled it. Uninteresting power trains that sound like a Vax hauling over-heavy, over large cars riding on tyres that can't deal with being hammered like a race car shouldz driven by drivers penalised for racing around the corners and encouraged to rely on DRS to draught past on the straight and aren't say anything controversial for fear of upsetting a sponsor or worse Liberty.
Teams who simply shrug when they don't win because they're still making the money being part of the circus and daren't point out blatant rule braking or bent decisions for fear of damaging the gravy train for everyone.
All the while the journalists and broadcasters shout at us about how great the emperor's new clothes are because some millennial lollers saw a bit of a Netflix telly programme and suddenly it must be better than it was before.
Sure I could go on, and on and on. Can't really be arsed.
The FIA should dump F1. Hire non-corporate, none-road car engine manufacturers (i.e. people like Ricardo or similar) to make some silly loud 1200hp V10s on sustainable fuel fitted into under 550kg cars with dimensions similar to the early 2000s. Let those insane enough to burn money in pursuit of race track domination spend what they want developing the cars within a reasonable framework and allow designers the freedom to express themselves.
If the cars are fast and the show potent enough, the best drivers will want to race these cars rather than the crap in F1 now and we'll be back to having a series that represents the best/fastest motor racing on the planet.
Teams who simply shrug when they don't win because they're still making the money being part of the circus and daren't point out blatant rule braking or bent decisions for fear of damaging the gravy train for everyone.
All the while the journalists and broadcasters shout at us about how great the emperor's new clothes are because some millennial lollers saw a bit of a Netflix telly programme and suddenly it must be better than it was before.
Sure I could go on, and on and on. Can't really be arsed.
The FIA should dump F1. Hire non-corporate, none-road car engine manufacturers (i.e. people like Ricardo or similar) to make some silly loud 1200hp V10s on sustainable fuel fitted into under 550kg cars with dimensions similar to the early 2000s. Let those insane enough to burn money in pursuit of race track domination spend what they want developing the cars within a reasonable framework and allow designers the freedom to express themselves.
If the cars are fast and the show potent enough, the best drivers will want to race these cars rather than the crap in F1 now and we'll be back to having a series that represents the best/fastest motor racing on the planet.
ThingsBehindTheSun said:
If I happen to be in on a Sunday afternoon when it is on I will watch it. However, most of the time I either fall asleep a few laps in or get bored and surf the internet with it on in the background.
If I am not in I usually just watch the 8 minute highlights they put on YouTube. Have to say I don't feel I am missing out when I watch this.
Me too.If I am not in I usually just watch the 8 minute highlights they put on YouTube. Have to say I don't feel I am missing out when I watch this.
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