Are we currently enjoying F1???
Discussion
Has anyone else noticed that there isnt so much complaining about the current F1 setup lately?
Look back in recent years and we've had:
Ferrari dominating ... Ferrari International Assistance ... Traction control ... ABS ... ugly cars... processional... smaller engines... KERS... DRS... new tires ... boring tracks... John Legend
We've all contributed to a lot of moaning and very often its been very justified but I've noticed lately that we seem to have gotten over the artificialness of 'push to pass' buttons and contrivances such as multi tire rules etc
OK we're moaning about the possible new engines, but are we currently enjoying F1? I think I am!
Look back in recent years and we've had:
Ferrari dominating ... Ferrari International Assistance ... Traction control ... ABS ... ugly cars... processional... smaller engines... KERS... DRS... new tires ... boring tracks... John Legend
We've all contributed to a lot of moaning and very often its been very justified but I've noticed lately that we seem to have gotten over the artificialness of 'push to pass' buttons and contrivances such as multi tire rules etc
OK we're moaning about the possible new engines, but are we currently enjoying F1? I think I am!
Adrian W said:
No!
We're always going to have individual cases of 'I dont like this because Vettel/Hamilton/Alonso' is doing well.. but why are you not enjoying it?What I mean is, we're not all up in arms over a single issue at the moment, we seem to have accepted DRS and KERS and even the slopey noses didnt bother us for long.
Because its managed racing, I know it always has been since Bernie and his mates have been involved but it's gone to far, cars can only move once to defend, if they touch it gets investigated etc etc, go back twenty years it was proper racing, now we are openly seeing drivers with the cash or sponsors getting the seats, not the best talent, it's all been said before.
Conian said:
What I mean is, we're not all up in arms over a single issue at the moment, we seem to have accepted DRS and KERS and even the slopey noses didnt bother us for long.
I don't like DRS as its too contrived (and has the potential to cause a huge accident if it fails to close on braking) and find the current cars really ugly.As both are beyond my control, what's the point in whinging?
Adrian W said:
Because its managed racing, I know it always has been since Bernie and his mates have been involved but it's gone to far, cars can only move once to defend, if they touch it gets investigated etc etc, go back twenty years it was proper racing, now we are openly seeing drivers with the cash or sponsors getting the seats, not the best talent, it's all been said before.
It was managed racing back then too. Mechanical sympathy, tyre wear, and so on. Things change, and the only real difference this generation is DRS and KERs. I don't whinge as I don't really bother with f1 any more. The combo of split broadcasters, non sky lover and "artificial" racing leaves me cold. The drc, tyres and total mash up of teams performance might give more wheel to wheel etc but it seems dumbed down for the masses. I didn't like the 'processions' of previous decades but this seems a ridiculous step in the other direction. All IMHO.
The tyres are ok. It's better than it was when a car could do 59 laps out of 60 on the soft tyres. This year has been pretty good to watch. If you want to see managed racing, check the BTCC where you have the success ballast race to race during a weekend and the turbo boost being fiddled with between race weekends to keep the championship even. I didn't think I'd say this, but I might be supporting Ferrari now to beat Fingers to the title.
I'm enjoying it. Close racing, a few title contenders, overtaking possible, sometimes a bit too easy but generally about right. The cars are butt ugly but never mind.
The quality of the field is amazing as well. 6 world champions, 10 drivers who have won GPs and a few promising new guys.
But since one is obliged to complain:
I'd like the cars to be a bit prettier.
I'd like teams and drivers to have a bit more leeway with tyre and fuel strategy.
I'd like a little bit more variety of machinery.
And the tracks are the big one...
I'd like Herman Tilke to go away, and some more demanding criteria for aspiring hosts than filling Bernie Ecclestone's pockets. I'd like Imola back, I would like the proper Hockenheim back, though I realise that's beyond even the power of Bernie. I would like some circuits with character and features, and "natural" corners rather than circling a big flat field with arbitrary lines. And some more distinct circuit types - fast and flowing, stop start, tight and twisty. Tilke circuits seem to be pretty much medium everything. And no amount of commentators enthusiasm made turn 8 in Turkey "legendary."
I'd happily scrap Korea, Valencia and Malaysia.
On the whole though, yes I'm enjoying it a lot.
The quality of the field is amazing as well. 6 world champions, 10 drivers who have won GPs and a few promising new guys.
But since one is obliged to complain:
I'd like the cars to be a bit prettier.
I'd like teams and drivers to have a bit more leeway with tyre and fuel strategy.
I'd like a little bit more variety of machinery.
And the tracks are the big one...
I'd like Herman Tilke to go away, and some more demanding criteria for aspiring hosts than filling Bernie Ecclestone's pockets. I'd like Imola back, I would like the proper Hockenheim back, though I realise that's beyond even the power of Bernie. I would like some circuits with character and features, and "natural" corners rather than circling a big flat field with arbitrary lines. And some more distinct circuit types - fast and flowing, stop start, tight and twisty. Tilke circuits seem to be pretty much medium everything. And no amount of commentators enthusiasm made turn 8 in Turkey "legendary."
I'd happily scrap Korea, Valencia and Malaysia.
On the whole though, yes I'm enjoying it a lot.
stephen300o said:
Too easy for Redbull at the moment, I hope the next circuits don't suit them so well.
Sill some fun to be had lower down the grid though.
It was too easy for Mclaren for 3 races, easy for Ferrari at one point, RedBull are enjoying it at the moment. It is not as though Red Bull are running away with it. Still time for interesting things to occur. Sill some fun to be had lower down the grid though.
TheHeretic said:
stephen300o said:
Too easy for Redbull at the moment, I hope the next circuits don't suit them so well.
Sill some fun to be had lower down the grid though.
It was too easy for Mclaren for 3 races, easy for Ferrari at one point, RedBull are enjoying it at the moment. It is not as though Red Bull are running away with it. Still time for interesting things to occur. Sill some fun to be had lower down the grid though.
Lotus were a bit better this race, maybe they can catch McLaren in the constructors.
The new races should be interesting.
interloper said:
Its been cracking so far, just a tad worried that Red bull are going to Banzai the last races but that wont be F1's fault, its the other teams for failing to keep up!
true - although maybe hampered by trying to follow the resource restriction glideslope that RB ignore - I saw something the other day their turnover last year was something like 10% up on the previous year. At least the Indian customs restrictions will stop them flying in new wings on friday mornings as excess baggage!Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff