Formula 1...

[Raffles]

Years ago, I used to watch F1 every time it was on. Since then I've worked every Sunday so it's been impossible to do so. Last Sunday however, because it was in Canada, and due to the time zones, I was back from work so looked forward to watching it.

Now, I'm not a 'motorhead', unlike some others on here ... but could not have been more disappointed... 'watching paint dry' would have been more exciting. Races now seem to be run from the garages with their computers, not the drivers. Needless to say, I was flicking channels all the way through.

Don't want to upset you 'true fans', but have all the rule changes over the last few years ruined it as a spectacle... or am I a dinosaur 

[Tom]

Saturday is now the real 'race-day' for me. From a race fan's perspective, or maybe just my own, this is the day when they really push the cars and the best skills and real talent comes through.

I know exactly what you are saying and you are not wrong, most races are fully predictable if not before then certainly by lap 2.

but also, you are a dinosaur anyway

[Raffles]

Jun 10, 2015 20:32:19 GMT Tom said:

Saturday is now the real 'race-day' for me. From a race fan's perspective, or maybe just my own, this is the day when they really push the cars and the best skills and real talent comes through.

I know exactly what you are saying and you are not wrong, most races are fully predictable if not before then certainly by lap 2.

but also, you are a dinosaur anyway

Takes one to know one! 

[lairey]

Have to agree with Tom - NOT that you are a dinosaur Raffles - obviously! But that qualifying tends to be more exciting than the actual race. Except when there are upsets, that no-one could expect, like the Mercedes own goal in the race before last... I wasn't happy with that one!

[Perpetua]

Processional is how some of the F1 races have become for me . . . . the Canadian Qualifiers I thought were more ' exciting ' than the race itself.

[Deleted]

I'm a fan & a dinosaur, I never miss any of it, but find more & more that I grumble a lot throughout the race. And that's not just when McLaren have their bad show, which again, that's just about every race weekend!!

[jeffc]

Raffles I know you are a young at heart, certainly not a dinosaur. I agree with your comments.

[*-SARIN-*]

For me F1 has been crap for a while, it all started when they tried to make a dangerous sport safe, all the excitement goes. They are changing the rules again next year due to heavily dwindling viewers and a decline in track sales. For F1 to be exciting again they need to put all drivers in exactly the same cars. I understand that F1 is the gateway for testing new tech but i agree with OP that the races are won from the garage with there being a massive difference between cars. One of the worst rules that they bought it was the no re-fuelling, i mean WTF, we are now getting drivers "cruising" around the track so that they can finish, rubbish!

[Phoenixflame (Julie)]

I think some of the rule changes are totally spoiling it, and must be making it so frustrating for the drivers - fuel saving, tyre conservation. Ridiculous !

[Greg]

I'm sure the drivers can deal with their frustration when lazing on their yachts in Monaco.

[mart166]

I agree with above, it has become dull. From a drivers point of view they have dumbed down a lot of the tracks, corners that used to be exciting have been ruined by the search for safety.
Thank god Spa still has Eau Rouge, going through that flat out beats any roller coaster ride you can name.

MP

[Bluefish]

Jun 10, 2015 23:56:35 GMT Phoenixflame (Julie) said:

I think some of the rule changes are totally spoiling it, and must be making it so frustrating for the drivers - fuel saving, tyre conservation. Ridiculous !

yup, but the wind is changing, They will bring back refuelling, better tyres etc within the next two years, that poison dwarf is to blame for the current state of affairs feckin BE, i've been watching it since mansell senna and prost days, where you could start from the back of the grid and win the race. My rule is no discussion between pit and car except via pit boards, like it or go home.

[Bluefish]

I remember mansell losing on the last lap cos he ran out of fuel, maybe the pit should have radioed him to take it a bit steady? would i remember that?

[thatguy]

Honestly, I blame the mess that F1 is in on irressponsible drivers (shumacher, senna, verstappen, I'm looking at you guys...deliberatly taking out oppenents or just drving like a welsh rugby player {Ifan, your too drunk too sing, you'll have to drive!} )

So many safety rules have been brought in to counteract this idiocy that all the excitement has been taken out the sport. The constructors also have to share in the blame with poorly designed cars which had minimal factors of safety in order to reduce weight or improve aerodynamics. How I miss the days when Prost, Senna, Mansell, Patrese, Berger and even some others started the season as title hopefuls. The constuctors championship was also fun to follow in those days. Williams, Benetton and McLaren all hoping to win and Ferarri looking for a resurgance that finally came, with others like Ligier, Lotus and Sauber all trying to break into the big time.

Gone are the days of 15-20 constructors, now only those with the big money are allowed to play. I bet we all miss the old days of seeing a little underdog in the points or even on the podium.

The names that were well known in those days (outside the drivers) were the engineers and designers, now the names people mention are marketers and beancounters.

[Phoenixflame (Julie)]

Rip Jules Bianchi.