46 replies to this topic

[ViMaMo]

So lets hear from you, which are the seasons you think are the Greatest/Best/Most Exciting?

I think 1987 was fantastic, Senna winning in the Lotus !!
2000 MS versus Hakkinen
2005 Super fast Raikonnen versus Alonzo

[phil1993]

2005 had some woefully boring races, I wouldn't call it a classic. It had Suzuka, but apart from that there's little that stands out. Apart from the last hurrah of the V10 engines and some awesome looking cars. For me, 2011 has been one of the greatest so far, but every season is different. 2010 had an unpredictable title fight and the races were pretty decent.

[fifi]

1999 no schumacher for a lot of races, so irvine v hakkinen and frentzen at one point

[eriknaa]

Seasons i have experienced and will never forget is

1998 2000 and 2006 is for me the most memorable. But of course there are many more that where classics.

[Afterburner]

Of the ones I've watched, I liked 1994, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2010. '94 merely because I've read a lot about it, 2003 because it was the first I ever saw and it had some good races, 2004 because I never thought domination of the kind Schumacher did in that season was possible, 2006 for some good races including Hungary, Monza, and Brazil, 2007 for its championship battle and its last few races, and 2010 for the championship battle and Vettel's win at the last second.

2011 is shaping up to be one of my favourites so far after the last two races--here's hoping Canada is as good as they were.

[Altitude]

1982. Eleven different winners from seven teams. And also throw in some classic circuits.

Edited by Altitude, 08 June 2011 - 15:44.

[Bleu]

For me, these stand out

1997 - the season saw lots of ups and downs by almost every team. Six winners and could have been much more, remembering drives like Hill in Hungary. Tyre situation was interesting - most of the top teams were on Goodyears but Bridgestone shaked the field sometimes. Didn't win a race though.

1999 - Mostly due to mistakes by McLaren and its drivers.

2003 - first lap after many rule changes in sporting regulations. I don't remember too much of bad races there

[Rob]

Of the ones I've watched, I liked 1994, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2010.

2004? I never thought I'd see that on a list of fantastic seasons.

[Afterburner]

2004? I never thought I'd see that on a list of fantastic seasons.

Hey, give me a break--I had just started watching and had become a Schumacher fan, so of course I was pleased to have seen him dominate a season before he retired. Nowadays, I'm less a fan of certain drivers and more a fan of the sport and the racing itself--though I still tend to enjoy races more when my favourites win.

[SCUDmissile]

1986 and 2007 for sheer excitement and drama, and imo 2007 edges it for off track reasons (not the best reasons i admit, but there you go)

also 2010, 2006, 2005.

2004, 2002 for selfish reasons.

i dont know much, as aside from some great Gilles races, i only started watching this great sport in 2001.

[PNSD]

Recent year's only 2000 and 2003 stick out. Maybe 2009. The rest were nothing special.

[BullHead]

1973
1976
1978
1979
1982
1985
1990
1994
1998
1999
2003
2007
2008
2010

edited in 76. forgot about that one.

Edited by BullHead, 08 June 2011 - 21:26.

[Spillage]

Favourites from the last 5 years are 2006, 2008 and 2010. Wish I'd been able to see crazy seasons like 1987, though

[Puhoon]

From the ones that I've watched 2000, 2007 and 2010 stand out as seasons. I thought that 2005 was also good but when I watched it again a few months ago, I realized that it was quite a bore. With no tyre changes pit stops and strategies were boring (it was always better to pit later then your opponent). Besides, you couldn't follow another car with those regulations (higher front wing etc.).

Edited by Puhoon, 08 June 2011 - 20:30.

[BullHead]

Yeah. 05 seemed to me a looong season with not much happening outside of Alonso. Hungary was great and for me is the only memorable race, that and the Indy farce. Kimi was robbed by his own team.

Edited by BullHead, 08 June 2011 - 20:37.

[midgrid]

Yeah. 05 seemed to me a looong season with not much happening outside of Alonso. Hungary was great and for me is the only memorable race, that and the Indy farce. Kimi was robbed by his own team.

What about Suzuka? Monaco was good as well.

[chrisj]

1976 -- because Lauda came back from the dead, and Hunt was unstoppable; left a big impression on me

1983 -- no ground effects, and huge power from turbos

1986 -- some great races, four contenders with a surprise champion; it was like a 15-round heavyweight title fight

[Nitropower]

2010 was very good
2009 was very bad
2008 was error prone but a very thrilling finale
2007 was dull, only scandals spiced it up
2006 was one of the best, it was such a fierce battle to the edge, Alonso/Renault vs Schumacher/Ferrari
2005 was a bit boring but had some ups
2004 one of the most boring ever
2003 interesting all season
2002 very boring
2001 interesting
2000 a very good fight in some races
1999 interesting but light, too many mistakes by each side and Schumacher out of the game

I don't remember much about previous seasons. Except for the Jerez 1997 race.

[KavB]

1st - 2007 for the story and championship battle.

The rest:
2008 for the championship decider.
2006 - Alonso at his peak against the former top dog of F1. It was brilliant to watch.
2003 - Was the last season (Until last year) where three teams were capable of winning the title, with Renault able to get in the mix.
Last year and 2000 were great too.

[BullHead]

What about Suzuka? Monaco was good as well.

Yeah, Japan was a decent race I guess. Monaco? I'm not so sure.

[PorcupineTroy]

From the seasons I fully watched, 2003 and 2008 and were my favorites. Last year was pretty good too.

From the seasons I've heard about/ watched bits of, 1999 seemed like a total thriller. And of course 1982, with 11 different winners in 14(?) races.

[BullHead]

The 82 video review is best I've seen, closely followed by the 94 review.

I didn't start watching myself till 97.

[F1_conman]

2008 - just because of the last few laps in Brazilian GP.

[BullHead]

...and Spa...

[Zarathustra]

I guess of the years I've been watching 1997, 1999 and 2008 were all pretty enjoyable.

Of old seasons I've watched, 1983 was good.

[FenderJaguar]

I was a kid by the end of the 70s. I think those cars from the end of the 1970s to 1982 were the most beautiful. Maybe that is natural that when you grow up you think those cars are the most beautiful. My dad took me to my first Grand Prix in 1976. Can't remember that much more than the 6-wheeler Tyrrell. I was 6 years old. The first race I really can relate to seeing live was in 1978.

Can't say I followed those seasons race by race on TV because in our country they didn't show all, but when they did I watched.

Most enjoyable season reviews 1973, 1978 although very tragic being a kid and seeing one of my favourite drivers pass away, 1982, 1986.

Being a hardcore fan from the mid 80s when they started to show them all I have since then most enjoyed 1986, 1992, 1997, 2003, 2005, 2007.

[Dispenser89]

'97, '99, '00, '03, '08, '10.

[Coral]

1985 - my two favourite drivers...driving for Lotus!

1988 - McLaren domination

1990 - just loved that entire season

1996 - fantastic WDC win for Damon Hill

2000 - WDC for Ferrari after 21 years!

2007 - Lewis, Alonso...and Kimi!

2008 - have a guess

Edited by Coral, 08 June 2011 - 22:38.

[scheivlak]

Of course there is some difference between seasons that are fantastic because of the suspense and quality of each individual GP and season that are quite fantastic because of the championship suspense.
And thinking a little bit further, there are also seasons that you remember because of some uber human performances or very fascinating technological developments - these are both reasons why I still rember 1968 so vividly (Jackie Stewart's rain performances and the start of the aerodynamic era)!

To me, seasons with both quite a number of remarkable GPs and a gripping championship battle as well are e.g. 1976, 1981, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2010.
To me, 1976, 1989, 1999 and 2010 especially stand out.
I only follow F1 since about 1963 BTW.

I don't mention 1982 -a season with some great racing- because the championship itself was a bit of an anti climax since Gilles died, Pironi's career ended and the other turbo cars just had too much problems. Keke was a worhty champion but the competition for the title kind of petered out. Compare that to 1981 and 1983!
For other reasons I omit 1969 and 1971 here - quite a few great races, but the championship itself was pretty clear rather early.
2008 had a fabulous finish, but not every race was as gripping and I have some mixed feelings about how it all ended in Spa and Singapore.

[AyrtonSauna]

To me, seasons with both quite a number of remarkable GPs and a gripping championship battle as well are e.g. 1976, 1981, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2010.
To me, 1976, 1989, 1999 and 2010 especially stand out.
I only follow F1 since about 1963 BTW.

Wow! you are getting close to watching F1 for 50 years! I hope you enjoy many,many more seasons to come

I only started watching in 1981

agree with 81,83,86,89 but I'd also include 82.Even though it was sad that Gilles and Pironi were gone,Rosberg did an absolutely amazing job fighting against the much more powerfull Turbos and he still had Prost and Arnoux to beat in the ever increasingly more powerfull but unreliable Renaults turbos.Rosberg drove the pants off that underpowered Williams FW08.Remember the 82 Austrian GP and Brands Hatch aswell when he stuck it on pole.That year also had 11 different winners in 16 races! I think John Watson also won a race starting from 22nd on the grid! was it detroit? Niki Lauda won in only the 2nd race of his comeback to F1 at Longbeach.

The 80's era was so good that I got extremely bored of F1 in the early 90's and only watched about 10 races between 1990 and 2004!

Thanks for letting me know that I didn't miss out on many great seasons in the 1990's!

[halifaxf1fan]

1997 - JV!
1998 - Mika
2005 - Suzuka- Kimi
2007 - Kimi!
2010 - Vettel

[Hole]

So lets hear from you, which are the seasons you think are the Greatest/Best/Most Exciting?

I think 1987 was fantastic, Senna winning in the Lotus !!
2000 MS versus Hakkinen
2005 Super fast Raikonnen versus Alonzo

It's spelled "Alonso", you are welcome.

For me 2006 with Alonso winning the title with the FIA trying to give the championship to Schumacher banning the mass dampers that had been initially aproved by FIA. Nice drives from both title contenders and a nice end.
Also 2007, very exciting. And well, 2011 I think it could be nice.

Edited by AdamKOR, 09 June 2011 - 01:18.

[redbroccoli]

1988 Senna vs Prost Head to Head.

[CaptnMark]

1997 was the best since I started watching F1 seriously in 1996.

[D.M.N.]

'00, '03, '06, '08, '10 and '11.

[LucaP]

I heard 1974 was fantastic, can anyone of the more experienced users confirm this?

[Ghostrider]

I liked 1999.

Hakkinen-Irvine battle, Schumacher coming back, Frentzen competitive in that Jordan, Barrichello in the Stewart.

[olliek88]

2010, as a season, was great, truly. 5 drivers fighting it out and going into the last race 4 of them could of won it, plus the whole season see sawed as to who had momentum.

But not to many of the recent seasons stand out that much, 08 was a good finale but the quality wasn't the best, too many stupid mistakes.

[topical]

Of the ones I've watched, I liked 1994, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2010. '94 merely because I've read a lot about it...

You liked 1994 because you read a lot about it? Probably something to do with the Imola weekend? hardly a reason to like something...

I thought 2000 was a good year, 2006 I liked and last year even if the outcome was disappointing. As a neutral the last few races of 2008 were great fun too.

Edited by topical, 11 June 2011 - 19:41.

[Flyhigh]

1998-2000 for me had such a great atmosphere, Mclaren made some beautiful cars those years and Ferrari was getting better and better, Shumacher in my view was peaking on his skills. It is funny to think that the seasons where he did not win were the most impressive ones for me, for instance 1998 Mclaren made a dream of a car, a solid second ahead of everyone on the grid in the beginning of the season and the way Schumacher was able to close the gap and make it competetive by a hair in the end was great. Also, those were the best years of Hakkinen and what a fine and classy driver he was.

From 2001, it just became too logical with Ferrari being the best car aligned with the fastest driver, it wasn't as impressive but still much like Federer went on to domiante tennis later, those were the years of Shumacher and Ferrari.

Edited by Flyhigh, 11 June 2011 - 19:54.

[Andretti Fan]

I heard 1974 was fantastic, can anyone of the more experienced users confirm this?

Quite a few interesting story lines that year, including.....

The return of Ferari to the front, with a returning Reggazoni and a suprising effort from Lauda
Fittipaldi and Marlboro Mclaren battling for the championship
Tyrell rebuilding after the retirement of Stewart and the death of Cevert
Lotus failing to develop the innovative Lotus 76
Peterson winning three GP's with the outdated Lotus 72, when he had no right to win any.
Hulme being competitive in his last season before retirement, including a win in the opening GP
Hunt and Hesketh improving all the time.
A more competitive Brabham team
The deaths of Revson and Koinnigg
Leo Kinnunen wearing the last open faced helmet in F1
So many teams. I can't think of a year that had as many different teams and cars trying to qualify for GP's
I counted 62 different drivers attempting at least one race that year. Including 21 previous or future GP winners
The debut of not 1 but 2 American F1 teams

Personally my favorites are 76 and 78, although after the death of Peterson, I pretty much lost interest until 1989. ( Well, that and I had turned 16 and discovered girls......hahaha)!

[Deckard79]

My favourite seasons were:

1990 - Alesi's first full season. Senna vs. Prost continuing from 1989.
1995 - For two titanic Schuey vs. Alesi battles in the latter stages.

Can you tell which driver I was a fan of? :-P

[scheivlak]

Quite a few interesting story lines that year, including.....

The return of Ferari to the front, with a returning Reggazoni and a suprising effort from Lauda
Fittipaldi and Marlboro Mclaren battling for the championship
Tyrell rebuilding after the retirement of Stewart and the death of Cevert
Lotus failing to develop the innovative Lotus 76
Peterson winning three GP's with the outdated Lotus 72, when he had no right to win any.
Hulme being competitive in his last season before retirement, including a win in the opening GP
Hunt and Hesketh improving all the time.
A more competitive Brabham team
The deaths of Revson and Koinnigg
Leo Kinnunen wearing the last open faced helmet in F1
So many teams. I can't think of a year that had as many different teams and cars trying to qualify for GP's
I counted 62 different drivers attempting at least one race that year. Including 21 previous or future GP winners
The debut of not 1 but 2 American F1 teams

Yep, it was a year with many competitive cars and some talented guys having a break through like James Hunt and Tom Pryce. Scheckter was on the way to really delivering his promise. And Ronnie Peterson had some very inspired drives!

But there was one guy that outshone everyone, if only because of no less than 9 pole positions: Niki Lauda. Remember, Niki had only collected just 2 points in two full seasons before 1974. And Ferrari was so hopeless in 1973 that they didn't bother to turn up at a few GPs.
I had become rather a Lauda fan because of a few promising showings in 1973, but I was amazed he got that seat and even more amazed how he suddenly got that competitive.
Niki was by and large already the star of the field in 1974, but his car let him down just a bit too often. I had some mixed feelings with the outcome being a straight fight between Fittipaldi and Regazzoni, because Clay just wasn't the top Ferrari driver that year.
All in all I remember 1974 not as a top year but a very interesting year of transition after the Stewart era.

Edited by scheivlak, 11 June 2011 - 22:03.

[wepmob2000]

1992 was fantastic if you're a Mansell fan (I was and am).

1993 was great as Senna took on the might of the Williams Renaults, and put in some stunning drives.

1996 - simply because a great sportsman got the WDC he so richly deserved.

2007, 2008, and 2010 were all fantastic because of the close competition between several drivers, and because no one driver dominated.

2011 is shaping up rather nicely because the racing is a lot better than the results would suggest.

From the seasons before I was aware of such things, 1981 is a strangely underrated season, it had some fantastic races and a closely fought championship with three real contenders, the review of that year is fabulous...... (and the cars were awesome!!!!)

Edited by wepmob2000, 12 June 2011 - 03:40.

[Bunchies]

So lets hear from you, which are the seasons you think are the Greatest/Best/Most Exciting?

I think 1987 was fantastic, Senna winning in the Lotus !!
2000 MS versus Hakkinen
2005 Super fast Raikonnen versus Alonzo

Did you even watch these seasons? Nelson Piquet won the WDC in 1987. Really makes me wonder how many guys have watched the races they talk about. I don't see how you could ever think that Senna won a WDC in a Lotus.

Senna's WDCs all came with McLaren.

And 2003 was better than all of them.

Edited by Bunchies, 12 June 2011 - 09:04.

[redbroccoli]

Did you even watch these seasons? Nelson Piquet won the WDC in 1987. Really makes me wonder how many guys have watched the races they talk about. I don't see how you could ever think that Senna won a WDC in a Lotus.

Senna's WDCs all came with McLaren.

And 2003 was better than all of them.

I don't think he meant that Senna won the title with Lotus but actually meant winning the races and he did (in Monaco and Detroit).