Sorry I tried, but cannot `get' formula E.
Discussion
Watched the first race some time ago and the cars looked so slow that I didn't bother after that - it made for cringeworthy viewing - like watching some 'mumsy', 'safe', processional ride for young children at a theme park. By sheer chance I caught yesterday's race and was surprised by how fast the cars appeared to be going compared with the first race I'd seen. Still think the studio bit comes across as 'sterile' and lacking in any kind of motorsport-ish feel though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embed...
Just like formula E. Same sounds but more exciting.
Just like formula E. Same sounds but more exciting.
I watched the highlights.. (mostly) and I admit it was better than the first race I watched but that really wasn't a particularly high standard to reach. Watching a rock erode would have been better than the first race.
It's still a 'toy' race with far too much faffing around. Fan Boost, car switching, in race music, slow cars, toy tracks, all but zero sound, all make for a gimmick formula..
I think you have to watch this and a 'real' formula back to back to see just how wet this really is.
It's still a 'toy' race with far too much faffing around. Fan Boost, car switching, in race music, slow cars, toy tracks, all but zero sound, all make for a gimmick formula..
I think you have to watch this and a 'real' formula back to back to see just how wet this really is.
I do understand the need for the series. It is a good idea really, and it is also very well put together.
it nurtures a clear need for racing in the European winter, is never going to be short of dates as certain areas will fall over themselves to spend marketing dollar to host a race.
But, the racing is woeful, all the money has spent on cars and driver salaries, and nothing on making it look any good.
The cars look silly, handle like boats and the tracks are ever worse.
It is a learning curve but like others I managed about 5 minutes before turning off and staring at a wall for an hour
it nurtures a clear need for racing in the European winter, is never going to be short of dates as certain areas will fall over themselves to spend marketing dollar to host a race.
But, the racing is woeful, all the money has spent on cars and driver salaries, and nothing on making it look any good.
The cars look silly, handle like boats and the tracks are ever worse.
It is a learning curve but like others I managed about 5 minutes before turning off and staring at a wall for an hour
Sorry to say I really don't know what some you guys were watching but here are some words I never, ever thought I'd type: Another good Formula E race.
Four different leaders, three of which made mistakes which ended their races instead of just being able to carry on after using an endless run off area. A driver close to the back of the grid came through to finish third and it wasn't even raining! (shame it was Piquet Jnr.). Some great overtaking and one truly terrifying flat out corner.
But there still are a few problems they do need to sort out. The organisation of the pace car, some of the drivers clearly have Jim Hensons hand up their arses, fan boost is nonsense and I still don't like the swapping cars mid-race.
I really wanted to hate it, I mean REALLY HATE IT with a passion but having watched most of the races I have got to say I think they have the recipe nearly right. Would have thunk it?
Lots of pretty talented drivers in virtually equal cars + interesting circuits that punish mistakes + no favouritism towards some teams/drivers in the interruption of the rules + excellent free to air TV coverage = exciting and open racing. If you ignore all of our basic opposition to the engines, isn't that what we've all been wishing that F1 would go back to being like?
Bernie seriously needs to start paying attention.
Four different leaders, three of which made mistakes which ended their races instead of just being able to carry on after using an endless run off area. A driver close to the back of the grid came through to finish third and it wasn't even raining! (shame it was Piquet Jnr.). Some great overtaking and one truly terrifying flat out corner.
But there still are a few problems they do need to sort out. The organisation of the pace car, some of the drivers clearly have Jim Hensons hand up their arses, fan boost is nonsense and I still don't like the swapping cars mid-race.
I really wanted to hate it, I mean REALLY HATE IT with a passion but having watched most of the races I have got to say I think they have the recipe nearly right. Would have thunk it?
Lots of pretty talented drivers in virtually equal cars + interesting circuits that punish mistakes + no favouritism towards some teams/drivers in the interruption of the rules + excellent free to air TV coverage = exciting and open racing. If you ignore all of our basic opposition to the engines, isn't that what we've all been wishing that F1 would go back to being like?
Bernie seriously needs to start paying attention.
Changing cars sounds drastic but is it really that different from changing tyres? I mean, tyres so awful and unfit for purposes they can't even finish one race (rant,rant, etc. etc.). Anyway, once they get the on-the-go inductive charging sorted (5 years, apparently) they won't even have to stop to 'refuel'.
AnotherClarkey said:
Changing cars sounds drastic but is it really that different from changing tyres? I mean, tyres so awful and unfit for purposes they can't even finish one race (rant,rant, etc. etc.). Anyway, once they get the on-the-go inductive charging sorted (5 years, apparently) they won't even have to stop to 'refuel'.
No you're right. Mind you it implies the cars are so awful and unfit for purpose etc. etc. rant, rant... 
Allyc85 said:
Nothing wrong with the racing its self today, very close and unpredictable. Just a shame about the mess with the safety car and the lapped traffic.
The mess is likely to happen again, given the almost inevitability of SCs, encouraged by the narrow tracks and need to stop the cars having to run half of the race flat out, which they're not yet capable of. I wonder if the SC is kept out longer than necessary on purpose.A long way to go yet unless the aim is a type of single seater BTCC crash fest attraction. Though, judging by earlier comments, that is what some find interesting.
The Hypno-Toad said:
Four different leaders, three of which made mistakes which ended their races instead of just being able to carry on after using an endless run off area. A driver close to the back of the grid came through to finish third and it wasn't even raining! (shame it was Piquet Jnr.). Some great overtaking and one truly terrifying flat out corner.
But there still are a few problems they do need to sort out. The organisation of the pace car, some of the drivers clearly have Jim Hensons hand up their arses, fan boost is nonsense and I still don't like the swapping cars mid-race.
Lots of pretty talented drivers in virtually equal cars + interesting circuits that punish mistakes + no favouritism towards some teams/drivers in the interruption of the rules + excellent free to air TV coverage = exciting and open racing. If you ignore all of our basic opposition to the engines, isn't that what we've all been wishing that F1 would go back to being like?
Bernie seriously needs to start paying attention.
As I understand it next year the batteries, electric motors and transmission will be open to development. Hopefully this will push the technology forward. There is nothing like a bit of public competition to drive development forward at a greater pace. But there still are a few problems they do need to sort out. The organisation of the pace car, some of the drivers clearly have Jim Hensons hand up their arses, fan boost is nonsense and I still don't like the swapping cars mid-race.
Lots of pretty talented drivers in virtually equal cars + interesting circuits that punish mistakes + no favouritism towards some teams/drivers in the interruption of the rules + excellent free to air TV coverage = exciting and open racing. If you ignore all of our basic opposition to the engines, isn't that what we've all been wishing that F1 would go back to being like?
Bernie seriously needs to start paying attention.
I do think that the creation of a single seat race series entirely on street circuits which BCE, or whoever takes over from him, has no control is part of the shakeup of broadcast rights that will happen over the next 10 years. Plus it’s being run by the FIA. When the “City Challenge” concept was launched 5 years ago IIRC for a series of GT3 based events around the globe on street circuits many people scoffed. “Won’t happen, you can’t just construct a series of street circuits and run an entire world championship on them”. OK so CC has only happened a couple of times in Baku, Azerbaijan, but FE and the world rally cross championship prove the point that a race series can be organised around temporary venues which the regular status quo of promoters cannot control.
Also lastly what do some of you lot want from a race series? Yesterday’s FE race had everything that a race needs I thought. A bit more noise would be nice but this is the way that the motorcar is going to go over the next few decades. Motorsport needs to lead that development and refinement of the product for the sport to remain relevant to the companies that we hope will continue to sponsor it.
Rant over, I'll get back in my box now.
Fire99 said:
I think you have to watch this and a 'real' formula back to back to see just how wet this really is.
Oh and if you include something like UK Porsche Carrera Cup or UK formula ford as one of the 'real' race series then Id rather watch Formula E any day.
Guess actual racing and driver skill dont mean much to you.
chunder27 said:
I do understand the need for the series. It is a good idea really, and it is also very well put together.
it nurtures a clear need for racing in the European winter, is never going to be short of dates as certain areas will fall over themselves to spend marketing dollar to host a race.
But, the racing is woeful, all the money has spent on cars and driver salaries, and nothing on making it look any good.
The cars look silly, handle like boats and the tracks are ever worse.
It is a learning curve but like others I managed about 5 minutes before turning off and staring at a wall for an hour
Have you diven one? How do you know they handle like boats? 'Racing is woeful'?? In what way is it woeful? How would you suggest making it look better? - not even sure what you mean by that anyway.it nurtures a clear need for racing in the European winter, is never going to be short of dates as certain areas will fall over themselves to spend marketing dollar to host a race.
But, the racing is woeful, all the money has spent on cars and driver salaries, and nothing on making it look any good.
The cars look silly, handle like boats and the tracks are ever worse.
It is a learning curve but like others I managed about 5 minutes before turning off and staring at a wall for an hour
thiscocks said:
chunder27 said:
I do understand the need for the series. It is a good idea really, and it is also very well put together.
it nurtures a clear need for racing in the European winter, is never going to be short of dates as certain areas will fall over themselves to spend marketing dollar to host a race.
But, the racing is woeful, all the money has spent on cars and driver salaries, and nothing on making it look any good.
The cars look silly, handle like boats and the tracks are ever worse.
It is a learning curve but like others I managed about 5 minutes before turning off and staring at a wall for an hour
Have you diven one? How do you know they handle like boats? 'Racing is woeful'?? In what way is it woeful? How would you suggest making it look better? - not even sure what you mean by that anyway.it nurtures a clear need for racing in the European winter, is never going to be short of dates as certain areas will fall over themselves to spend marketing dollar to host a race.
But, the racing is woeful, all the money has spent on cars and driver salaries, and nothing on making it look any good.
The cars look silly, handle like boats and the tracks are ever worse.
It is a learning curve but like others I managed about 5 minutes before turning off and staring at a wall for an hour
If that's what you're into, OK, but I don't see much of interest in it yet.
It isn't a coincidence that they aren't visiting any traditional circuits, is it? Not only would they be pretty boring on them, with the low top speeds and grip, but they couldn't make other than very short races.
Time will tell but there's a long way to go. As for making it better, at risk of stating the obvious, a lot more grip and a lot more power would be a start.
With regard to making the racing better...
Surely if the organisers are insistent on using street type tracks like US strett circuits, it might have been a good idea to get the car construstor to make them suspension be able to cope?
But no, all the testing is done at Donington lol!
Have to admit I watched the race earlier, it wasnt too bad, but Franchitti was quite rightly calling the constructor for making weak cars, he ought to know what happens, regardless of his masive accident.
That for me is the priority not fan stuff, a grid full of ex F1 guys and some pretty cars.
Surely if the organisers are insistent on using street type tracks like US strett circuits, it might have been a good idea to get the car construstor to make them suspension be able to cope?
But no, all the testing is done at Donington lol!
Have to admit I watched the race earlier, it wasnt too bad, but Franchitti was quite rightly calling the constructor for making weak cars, he ought to know what happens, regardless of his masive accident.
That for me is the priority not fan stuff, a grid full of ex F1 guys and some pretty cars.
REALIST123 said:
thiscocks said:
chunder27 said:
I do understand the need for the series. It is a good idea really, and it is also very well put together.
it nurtures a clear need for racing in the European winter, is never going to be short of dates as certain areas will fall over themselves to spend marketing dollar to host a race.
But, the racing is woeful, all the money has spent on cars and driver salaries, and nothing on making it look any good.
The cars look silly, handle like boats and the tracks are ever worse.
It is a learning curve but like others I managed about 5 minutes before turning off and staring at a wall for an hour
Have you diven one? How do you know they handle like boats? 'Racing is woeful'?? In what way is it woeful? How would you suggest making it look better? - not even sure what you mean by that anyway.it nurtures a clear need for racing in the European winter, is never going to be short of dates as certain areas will fall over themselves to spend marketing dollar to host a race.
But, the racing is woeful, all the money has spent on cars and driver salaries, and nothing on making it look any good.
The cars look silly, handle like boats and the tracks are ever worse.
It is a learning curve but like others I managed about 5 minutes before turning off and staring at a wall for an hour
If that's what you're into, OK, but I don't see muc h of interest in it yet.
It isn't a coincidence that they aren't visiting any traditional circuits, is it? Not only would they be pretty boring on them, with the low top speeds and grip, but they couldn't make other than very short races.
Time will tell but there's a long way to go. As for making it better, at risk of stating the obvious, a lot more grip and a lot more power would be a start.
Regarding good overtakes, I thought Heidfelds round the outside on the first corner while drifting the whole way round was pretty good! Can you imagine that in F1?
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