F1 season kicks off this weekend [Archive]

mr_x

7th March 2006, 11:10

Maybe I am in the minority, but I find F1 yawn-some in the extreme :shrug: , would rather watch paint dry I think :thumb:

Dan,

i must also be in that minority then! ive watched 2 or 3 races in the last 5 years and got bored of all of them within 3 laps.... BTCC any day for pure racing action for me :thumb:

speedfreak227

7th March 2006, 11:14

last year was pretty good. you guys must have missed it.:pillepall

i'm really looking forward to this season with all its new rules

speedfreak227

the_angry_angel

7th March 2006, 12:09

I might watch a few races. I think those F1 ads we see in the UK where the driver has to get out, be spun around a few times and get back in the car is defiantely the way to go though :D

t1ger

7th March 2006, 12:12

We went down to the British GP last year. It was really good. I went down Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday and Saturday were the best, Sunday was very strange indeed. We sat in the stands at the end of the Hanger straight - and I am not joking the noise was deafening (albiet beautiful at the same time). However, after about 6 laps I was configused and did not know in what order people actually were. If you know the helmets (which I didn't) it is possible, but otherwise its impossible to tell whos is where. We couldn't hear the loud speakers and the big, sorry huge screens were just too far away to read the text at the bottom.

My advice, if you do go, sit very near to a screen or take binoculars or have a radio and earphones with you as the commentary is broadcast on a local frequency.

Other than that, it was the best birthday present I have ever had! Especially as we were actually flown down in a small Cessna plane on the Sunday - cut out loads of waiting in traffic!:)

Tim

Fordman

7th March 2006, 12:21

Well, it will be interesting to see what happens. I usually like the first 2 or 3 laps, then switch over.

Personally, I prefer the A1GP but only Sky viewers can watch this :( and also BTCC to start soon Also. Now looking forward to that one.

danowat

7th March 2006, 12:32

Yep, I'll be at Snettie again this year :thumb: 13th August

Dan,

deggis

7th March 2006, 12:33

I watched few days ago some history documentaries from 60 and 70's formulas and my short conclusion is this:

Excitement 100:
http://www.autotrend.com/pic/p2020238.jpg

Excitement 0:
http://www.sportinglife.com/pictures/general/allsportstartgridindianapolis05.jpg

jtr99

7th March 2006, 13:00

Eddster

7th March 2006, 14:57

I'm looking forward to this F1 season. I hope the Honda will be good to see what Button is made of (have £25 bet on him).

Even though the races can lack overtaking and seem boring to some, I find it impossible to resist watching the best drivers in the best track cars/formulae.

deggis

7th March 2006, 14:59

Wow to picture 1. Just wow. Is that Flugplatz? They were definitely the days for spectators getting their money's worth, but on the other hand I think I'd feel guilty watching a racing series where 20% of the grid didn't survive the season.
Yeah, driver (and spectator) safety was a joke in that legendary era.

In motorsports the cars have always been technically top-notch but the driver skill matters less and less every decade. F1 are so technically advanced today that it's so damn boring to watch those driving all over the track even if there was lots of passing and action (which I doubt). Even rally (WRC) is kind of boring to watch because driving sideways isn't the keyword anymore. Technical progress is kind of ruining motorsport from the spectator view. :)

BlakjeKaas

7th March 2006, 15:01

If you think F1 is stupid... too bad...
If you think A1GP is stupid... HAHAHA stupid people :P

Vain

7th March 2006, 15:04

I find a 500km nurbi race with (former) street cars much better than a whole season of F1...

Vain

mr_x

7th March 2006, 15:23

I find a 500km nurbi race with (former) street cars much better than a whole season of F1...

Vain

thats like i find 1 BTCC race to have 10 times more action/excitement in than an F1 race :smileypulnow i think its time to hide from the F1 fans:thumb:

AndroidXP

7th March 2006, 15:53

F1 takes the cake for being the most boring motorsport I know of. I rather spend my time watching WRC and Snooker than wasting one hour of my life to F1 :sleep1:

tristancliffe

7th March 2006, 16:08

Guess what - I'm in a minority. Again!

I love F1. I think the races are extremely exciting, not becuase of the racing (there admittedly isn't much passing), but the scope of the sport. All the technowizardry, the tactics, the speed, the power, the people - it adds up to be an amazing spectacle for me. I'm in awe watching these drivers (apart from the girly ones) do things to car we'll never dream of being able to do.

I know it's fashionable to hate F1, and I know that most people think that you have to have passing to have a good race. Sure, edge of the seat stuff is BRILLIANT, but there's enough going on to get me exciting every time.

I've never fallen asleep watching F1 (except when I went to Spa '98 - they took ages to clear the track after Crazy Dave took everyone out), and I always get up early to watch the fly away races. Rarely am I disappointed.

So yeah, looking forward to it. The technical changes will create a huge amount of new stuff as the teams come up wth different techniques of overcoming shortcomings. Qualifying might be weird, but I'm reserving judgment until it's happened a couple of times.

Can't wait.

Oh, and for the record, I don't enjoy BTCC at all, or A1GP much.

WorldFamous

7th March 2006, 16:09

thats like i find 1 BTCC race to have 10 times more action/excitement in than an F1 race :smileypulnow i think its time to hide from the F1 fans:thumb:

It's unfair to compare them really, F1 (or any open wheel series) has never been about wheel banging side by side racing and trading paint, it's always been the buildup to great overtakes or the trading of insanely fast lap times between the leaders that has kept people enthralled for decades.

F1 is a totally different discipline to touring cars, so it's no surprise you probably don't like it all that much.

I suppose the variety on offer is one of the things that makes motorsport so great.

AndroidXP

7th March 2006, 16:15

Never fallen asleep during a race either. Usually I'm quick enough to switch to a different channel ;)

Btw, what programming language do you want to learn/start with (@sig)?

tristancliffe

7th March 2006, 16:25

C++ :D

Perhaps this is a PM/MSN conversation :scratchch

Vain

7th March 2006, 16:30

Good boy. C++ is actually worth the time invested. :thumb:

(Okay okay, there are a lot of ways in C++ to shoot yourself into your own foot, but I'm glad I'm at least able to do so! :) )

Back to topic: F1 is boring!

Vain

deggis

7th March 2006, 17:00

So we can expect Tristan Super Sim in 10 years?

:)

AndroidXP

7th March 2006, 17:23

Sausage eating simulation 2.0

JJ72

7th March 2006, 17:29

I love F1, it's exciting to watch what happens off the track translate on the track, you know it's reality TV in itself.

tristancliffe

7th March 2006, 17:40

One nice little comment later and yet again I'm ripped to shreds. :D But yes, the goal is in the distant future to have physics, forces, 3D objects and inputs. If that happens to lead to a sausage eating simulation or a car sim I don't know, but I doubt it. It's VERY early days so far, and I'm just coming to terms with object orientated programming at it's most basic. If you're after release dates, I'd estimate 10 to 15 years from now :p

Edit: NOS is laughing gas, and the consumption of it via sausages could lead to effects we'd best not discuss.

jtr99

7th March 2006, 17:44

Will I be able to put NOS in my sausage?

Rappa Z

7th March 2006, 19:46

This year Shumachers leavin'. If he wins it'll be his highlight and leave. If he loses he'll know he can't do it. I was at indy the year before the michelin problem and it was great. I had a seat behind the first turn and could see the entire front strech(where crashs happen).

t1ger

7th March 2006, 19:59

Greboth

7th March 2006, 20:32

F1 is great from the technology point of view and the build up, but IMO the races are a abit boring, i will still watch them but i find that just watching the cars go round and rond and round is bit boring. Wheres BTCC (or the euro touring cars) build up a bit lame where the racing is great.

I no its different but if they could have the F1 build up with btcc racing then would b perfect lol.

As for A1 GP sounds like its good from all ive heard but i dont got sky :(

sinbad

7th March 2006, 21:56

The thing with F1 is that watching the cars go round on their own is just staggering. F1 cars really make the A1GP cars look like clumsy, overweight tractors.

We'd all like some more overtaking, but please, not at the cost of what is surely one of the most breathtaking spectacles of this era of motorsport, and of this age of technology.

Besides all of that, GP2 was far more impressive last year than A1GP has been.
Oh, and BTCC is certainly good for a laugh, I'll be at Oulton Park this year, ready to duck flying bodywork as the drivers "get down to business". :)

keiran

7th March 2006, 22:03

I can't wait for the F1 season to kick off :D Hoping to go to Silverstone this year. Haven't been to a GP since I was 4/5 back in 92.

I used to watch BTCC but I've grown away from it, don't like the ramming side of racing. Thats what I enjoy about F1 is the amazing skills required and when a driver pulls off a stunning overtaking move i.e Kimi on Fisi at Suzuka 2006 last lap, last chance :D

Keiran

southamptonfc

7th March 2006, 22:06

As you say, watching F1 cars going through Eau Rouge or Beckets in real life is just shocking and one of the best things ever!! Don't knock A1 until you've tried it though, it's a different thing entirely, as someone said, the cars look heavy and slow compared to F1 but watching them going sideways round Paddock Hill is very very cool and have you heard the noise they make on overrun????? It's only bettered by the Ferarri TC .I love em both but for different reasons..

Forbin

7th March 2006, 22:41

You're all watching racing with vehicles that have way too many wheels. Motorcycle racing is where all the good racing is, and at least in MotoGP, you have a ton of big names from around the world. :) Watching a string of bikes run through an esses section (think Foggy Esses at Donington) is a sight to behold. It's just so fluid.

I recommend the documentary, Faster, as an introduction to the world of MotoGP.

NotAnIllusion

7th March 2006, 23:56

Bikes are fun to watch, and the competition is often closer than in F1. Yet, there's that something in F1 that keeps me craving for the next race while being indifferent about MotoGP. :)

deggis

8th March 2006, 00:07

The thing with F1 is that watching the cars go round on their own is just staggering.
I think that's the most boring part. Modern F1 cars just look like they're attached to the track with a super-glue.

...pulls off a stunning overtaking move i.e Kimi on Fisi at Suzuka 2006 last lap, last chance :D
2006? :D

JJ72

8th March 2006, 00:39

Please those who say modern F1 are glued to the track just go watch some so-mo shots of recent F1s. They DO slide and they DO react to bumps and stuff it's just that most of the today's track are too smooth compare to the old days, that it became very minimal visually, but in F1 the cars are being pushed right to the edge almost every single corner every single lap, there's a tension of extreme forces in every twist and turn, that is something you can't find in BTCC where driver has to spend most of their time dodging with each other instead of running the perfect ideal lap.

shim

8th March 2006, 06:49

The switch to V8s on the face of it seems like a pointless step backwards.

this is something i agree with heaps.. with open wheel'ed racing, its nearly always clean passing, while with V8's and other tourers its who can bash the other guy the hardest without ruining his car..

2 years ago i was watching a race with the aussie V8's and i saw 2 guys ramming eachothers doors off multiple times down one straight.. they hit each other like 8 times within 15 seconds on this straight.. this is why i dont watch closed wheel racing..

danowat

8th March 2006, 06:52

I enjoy a little bit of door slamming, bit more entertaining :).

(flame suit on)

F1 is boring, but there is something worse............. NASCAR.................

Dan,

Fordman

8th March 2006, 07:30

Oh, and BTCC is certainly good for a laugh, I'll be at Oulton Park this year, ready to duck flying bodywork as the drivers "get down to business". :)

Totally agree with you there Sinbad. Nothing like closing the door, while a drivers nose is in it, and the Clio Cup, is just Destruction Derby with Nippy Clios :D

Wanna come down to Snetty Sin. Russell's Bend and the Esses are always good for some Laugh's

Gentlefoot

8th March 2006, 12:24

I don't understand how anyone can say F1 is boring at the moment. I'm so excited about the start of the season its not true!

So much has happened over the winter. Anyone who thinks its boring at the moment simply cannot be aware of all the stuff that has been going on.

danowat

8th March 2006, 12:27

Regardless of whats been going on, its still as dull as ditchwater to watch ;)

Dan,

Gentlefoot

8th March 2006, 12:38

Alonso overtaking webber on the grass on the start finish straight at sepang is boring. Alonso holding off Michael Schumacher for 3 laps in a slower car - zzzz. Michelin pulling out of the US GP - yawn. Takuma Sato hitting everything in sight is boring especially when Trulli moans about it live on ITV. Last years malaysian GP was boring. JP brake testing people at Monaco, tyre blow outs, massive accidents - I could go on.

And this year we've got the added benefit of better qualifying, nico rosberg, Super Aguri, Red Bull 2, jenson vs rubens, fisi vs alonso, webber vs rosberg.

Leifde

8th March 2006, 14:19

... As someone said, the cars look heavy and slow compared to F1 but watching them going sideways round Paddock Hill is very very cool ...That is a brilliant sight, expecially in the rain :P

keiran

8th March 2006, 15:32

2006? :D

WHAT !!! This isn't the year 2007?? :Looking_a

Keiran

Forbin

8th March 2006, 16:02

WHAT !!! This isn't the year 2007?? :Looking_a

Keiran
Looks like time travel gets invented/discovered next year. :D

mr_x

8th March 2006, 16:31

Looks like time travel gets invented/discovered next year. :D

either that or Scotland is a year ahead of everyone else :D

jtr99

9th March 2006, 02:12

F1 is boring, but there is something worse............. NASCAR.................

Now, now, Dan, there's no need for that! NASCAR has some of the finest crashes I've ever seen! :)

axus

9th March 2006, 05:18

Well, there are certainly quite a few potential challengers for the title - McLaren, Ferrari, Renault and Honda... plus the company I support has just gotten their own works team so I shall be giving it a chance :) If its rubbish I won't bother with it though...

MyBoss

9th March 2006, 10:16

Guess what - I'm in a minority. Again!

well, youre not alone.

Can't wait til I see the McLaren on sunday:D

Hyperactive

9th March 2006, 10:25

ooh, it's only 2 days... Do they still practise on fridays... :D

The races are bit dull but I'll still probably watch every race. But that's just me. I watch everything if it says motorsports. May it be monster truck drifting competition highlights, nascar season updates or F1 practise hours ;)

Gentlefoot

9th March 2006, 10:46

Yep - still practice on Fridays.

andy_bonjon

9th March 2006, 13:35

I love F1 too!! admitedly 2002-2004 were not the most exciting and dont get me started on Ferrari :x !!! but people have to stop comparing F1 to other motorsport disciplines!!! no two disciplines are the same and you cant compare them.... thats what makes them all good

for example motogp has some fantastic track action but it doesnt have all the tactical sides like F1 has... both very exciting in their own ways

also you cant expect every race you watch to be a 'classic'. if you're lucky you will see a couple of 'classic' races in a season but you simply arent going to get one at every race. A lot of people will watch only one race and then judge which is stupid :pillepall give the season time to develope and then you will see the action

and i dont know how anyone can call last year's F1 boring... it was one of the best for ages (excpet for the indy rubbish!!)! and anyone who thinks classic dont happen anymore should go watch the jap gp.... round the outside of schumi at 180 mph... boring??? i dont think so :pillepall

this year will be even better because there is so much unknown about the V8's... and they are going to show the best drivers because they will have less grunt to get them out of trouble this year. cant wait to see the ew qualy format it looks good!

Madman_CZ

9th March 2006, 22:11

lets hope San Marino grand prix has some overtaking... its quite enoying that F1 cars are so useless at overtaking due to turbulent air...... i agree this years v8 will bring something new to f1 but there are still a lot of tracks where overtaking is virtually impossible...... Monaco caugh caugh lol....

tristancliffe

9th March 2006, 22:18

I don't think you NEED overtaking to have a good GP if you are a true fan. I think Monaco is one of the highlights of the year - they are literally INCHES away from a huge shunt (ask Brundle, Wendlinger, Fisichella).

If you have to have overtaking then there are plenty of other series that cater for you, some even with special passing gimmicks, or a certain tolerance to hitting the other driver out of the way. No class if you ask me...

Madman_CZ

9th March 2006, 22:26

u have a point tristan but!

well its not that i need overtaking.. its just last year when schumacher was flying around the track and was going for a win he got stuck behind alonso who was very slow but there was no way to overtake him.. it was partly to alonso's smart driving but also to the track and f1 aero dynamics.... i have been watching f1 since 1994 so i consider my self as a fan tho my interest in f1 has dropped especially last season tho i did manage to catch most of the races.... indy was a classic :D

yes there are other series where theres over taking but f1 is a motorsport and overtaking should be part of that.. when i watch some of the old f1 races from the 1994-95 season the amount of ovetaking then was just thrilling... spa 1995 especially!!!!

should be interesting to see how this season turns out.. looking forward to seeing the new qualy format and the difference the v8 makes...

mad

MyBoss

9th March 2006, 22:28

This year season will probably have more overtaking.
The tyres is different, theyre softer, so they won't waste so much power on downforce and use it on real grip instead. I think this will make it easier to pass, I hope so.

Hyperactive

9th March 2006, 22:39

Different tracks are good for spectators and different for drivers. The Monaco race is for me quite boring, but for a driver it's one frightening experience. Spa on the other hand, good for spectator but I'd never want to drive there. Though the Eau Rouge might be something in F1 ;)

Will be interesting to see how many races it will take this year before they change the qualifying system.... :D

Madman_CZ

9th March 2006, 22:46

Will be interesting to see how many races it will take this year before they change the qualifying system.... :D

lol... well certainly it sounds different.. not sure if it will suit f1 as its like a playoff for pole but saying that it may be more fun.... i am a fan of the 12 laps 1h session even tho sometimes that was booring.. but it just worked and the last dash before session ended was great .. i remember the pole changing 4 times in the last 20 seconds at the Brazilian Grand Prix few years back...i just couldnt watch it... so nerve racking!!!!!!!! :hidesbehi

think over the last few seasons the qualy format hasnt worked and all those changes just consfuesd and boored people to death.... now lets hope this new format will work.... more changes are unhealthy for f1!!!!! i mean schumacher leaving end of the year is the hardest change of all :(

mad

Madman_CZ

9th March 2006, 23:13

didnt the public vote on it? there was a big survey out by the FIA and apparently people voted for this strange new system!!

:scratchch

tristancliffe

9th March 2006, 23:49

In the mid 90's people were complaining F1 had become boring.
In the mid 80's people were complaining F1 had become boring.
In the mid 70's people were complaining F1 had become boring.

Rose tinted spectacles make a huge difference, and I'll wager that ten years from now we'll look back and wish F1 was more like the mid 00's.

As for qually - not sure about it yet.

Regarding overtaking this year, I think they'll be less. The cars are easier to drive now, and braking distances will be shorter, so the time to do the passing move is less, qhich makes it harder. And returning to steel brakes isn't the answer as braking distances are actually about the same although brake management and cooling would become a priority but not on unovercomable by engineering.

The simple fact is that in F1 the quality of the drivers, even the duffers like Montoya or Sato, is so high, and the quality of the cars is so high AND the technology on the cars is so optimised that passing will never be prevailent in Formula One without artificial means. And I hope they never resort to that.

Who wants to join me on a crusade? To kill Herman Tilke who makes dull circuits (apart from one corner per track that he spends ages on) and James Allen, possibly the most annoying person in the world ever. He's so stupid, and not just about F1, that he doesn't deserve to spectate let along try and commentate. Let's join "Stop the C**k" (Sniffpetrol).

jtr99

10th March 2006, 03:05

Sadly we need James Allen or an equivalent. Who are you going to put Brundle with, someone competent? How could he get in his quota of disdain and snideness then? :)

Barroso

10th March 2006, 06:21

so the slower cars only qualify for 15mins and a top ten car will run for an hour?

Gentlefoot

10th March 2006, 09:04

I agree James Allen does talk some rubbish sometimes! He really hasn't got a clue whats going on often.

The new qualifying format will be good because all cars not in the top ten will be able to fuel before the race. Everyone else has to do the final quali session with race fuel. So after the first stint in the race, many slower cars will leapfrog the faster ones unless those fast cars have enough time to get far enough ahead to come out from the first stop in front. This will mean more overtaking and a wider variety of strategies. Cars will be fast and slow at different times - should make the race more interesting.

Also, to get pole you will have to set 2 pretty fast laps and 1 super fast so its quite possible that a top driver could qualify in the slowest 6 if they have a mishap or technical problems in the 1st session. Fast drivers making their way through the field in the race is always entertaining.

Madman_CZ

10th March 2006, 09:04

Who wants to join me on a crusade? To kill Herman Tilke who makes dull circuits (apart from one corner per track that he spends ages on) and James Allen, possibly the most annoying person in the world ever. He's so stupid, and not just about F1, that he doesn't deserve to spectate let along try and commentate. Let's join "Stop the C**k" (Sniffpetrol).

I am with ya Tristan!!!! must agree Tilke does make some ermm strange tracks. I really dont like what he did with Hockenheim!!!! it could of been so much better!!! Do like the 4 apex corner at Turkey tho...

As for James Allen, well i dont find him that annoying tho sometimes his comments are silly... I thought Murray walker was ok tho towards the end he was getting mixed up and over excited which i am sure wasnt good at his age. Think Martin could commentate on this own, he seems to have good knowledge of the sport and gives some very usefull info... funny tho when i hear his voice it just brings back memories of F1 97 on the playstation the puppet cheat!!!! HAHA and how martins favoured words were .. " Ur right there Murray" hahaha...

ermm anyway!!

mad!

tristancliffe

10th March 2006, 10:38

I <3 Murray Walker :shy:

Gunn

10th March 2006, 14:18

F1 is always interesting for me because there are so many aspects that go into a race win. I've missed barely a race in over two decades. Overtaking or not, these cars are really racing each other. Hundredths of a second matter, every single one of them from green lights to chequered flag. I think many people don't understand how fast these cars accelerate and brake. While apparently not containing as much action as a BTCC race, F1 is just as fickle when it comes to winning races. I love every pit stop, every locked wheel, every risky overtake. I love the way teams try to out-smart each other and gain the smallest advantage in aerodynamics, handling, and race strategy.

The ragged edge of motor racing is much sharper than one may expect. These cars reach insane speeds in no time flat and slow down just as impressively. The driver is exposed to G-forces which test the limits of physical concentration and endurance. This is a motorsport in which the smallest error can ruin your team's entire weekend. Only a handful of drivers are afforded the opportunity to race in F1 each year.
The least-skilled driver in the slowest car on the track is still having the race of his life.

Gentlefoot

10th March 2006, 15:49

Pootling might be a bit strong m8 ;)

Remember that last year they weren't allowed to change tyres, this year they can. I think that was more the reason they were pushing less hard at some points in the race.

Gunn

10th March 2006, 17:32

Well... Last season they were mostly racing until the pit stops were done with, and then turning the engines down and pootling around for the last 10-20 laps depending on how safe their positions were. No they weren't.

DejaVu

10th March 2006, 23:10

Spa on the other hand, good for spectator but I'd never want to drive there. Though the Eau Rouge might be something in F1 ;)

No Spa this year tho :( Bernie is a greedy bastard.

BlakjeKaas

13th March 2006, 19:45

While talking about A1GP, Jos Verstappen is screwed, he got a Drive-Thru, because he had overtaken somebody when there was a yellow flag...
Well, he was just driving, the guy that he had overtaken was in pit...?
The guy who made the decision is fired though.
But still, I don't know if Jos can make 3rd place anymore...
it was REALLY possible if he had points this race... :-(