48 replies to this topic

[SonnyViceR]

Since this is mainly a F1 forum I thought this would be appropriate place to ask this.

 

I'm mostly interested in seeing the general result of poll 1, the other two are there just for 'fun'

Edited by SonnyViceR, 17 November 2013 - 16:35.

[Kingshark]

Yes

It's just what I'm used to watch so I stick with it.

I voted Yes.

[JHSingo]

Due to fewer and fewer forms of racing being available on freeview, and several other reasons, I follow F1 the most. It is also the first form of racing (along with BTCC) that I really started following, and that really got me interested in motorsport.

 

But is it my favourite right now? No.

 

I voted no for several different reasons.

 

Firstly, thanks to Autosport, over the years I've started to follow a lot more different forms of motorsport. I think in some cases there are forms of racing with better drivers/teams/manufacturers in them, plus compared to say, sportscar racing, there isn't much variety in the cars. They all look the same, sound the same...compare it to the 70s or 80s when every leading team had a totally different concept to the other, and the regulations were a lot more open. Then you saw some incredible cars, like the six wheeled Tyrrell, the Brabham fan car, the Lotus 88, all sorts of innovative designs. Formula One these days is pretty much GP1, and it seems innovation is banned for some reason. Things like the f-duct and so on, it's just a shame how things are now.

 

Additionally, I can't stand some of the hyperbole etc that surrounds F1. "Pinnacle of motorsport," "best drivers in the world," "most technically advanced cars in the world," - they're all tired old clichés that don't have any substance behind them. All those might have been true at some point, but when more drivers buy their way into F1, and when regulations are so restrictive, I don't think it is true today. So yeah, the last thing I voted for is that other forms of motorsport are just better.

 

I like F1, and really in many ways I'm glad it has allowed me to discover many other different forms of racing. But really, I do find it a shame that this forum is so F1 orientated. If you really are of the belief that F1 is the best, you mustn't have watched many other forms of motorsport.

Edited by JHSingo, 17 November 2013 - 16:41.

[Nonesuch]

No, because:

 

- The cars are not technologically interesting and/or advanced

- There isn't enough variety machinery and/or technology wise

- Too many spec components in cars

- Other series and/or forms of motorsport are just plain better in my opinion

 

I understand that a lot of these things are true for other series as well, but for a long time I was under the impression (and there are plenty of ways to argue it was a wrong one - I recognize that) that F1 was the pinnacle of technology and design. However, as the years have rolled by, and technological advances have been pushed out of most spheres, even including the FIA's favourite - aerodynamics, I can't help but think F1 has become an endurance series that only runs sprint races. On ridiculously terrible tyres to boot.

 

Having said that, I can still enjoy F1. I watch the races - though not always the qualifying - and am usually decently entertained.

 

And as we've recently argued in another thread, what I consider to be the year's Greatest Race isn't run with F1 cars - no matter what Bernie and his cronies claim.

 

Edited by Nonesuch, 17 November 2013 - 16:50.

[SR388]

F1 is still tops, although NASCAR is gaining ground, with the Chase for the Winston Cup and what not.

[Andrew Hope]

I get butterflies on the formation lap, every single Grand Prix without fail. No other series makes me feel like that, but I still have to say No in the poll. IndyCar is where it's at right now, top quality racing and a genuine title battle each of the last few seasons. It's everything I want in a racing series. It's fast but not so fast the racing suffers. It's dangerous but it still takes a freak accident for someone to be hurt. It's got a huge variety of tracks and no one is the best driver everywhere. The race seats are expensive enough to keep most of the terrible drivers out but cheap enough you occasionally see one-offs (like Lucas Luhr), and teams are allowed to enter second and third cars for a few races. Those are some of the positives, and for negatives, stricly on-track there aren't many. But there are so many things that irritate me about F1 that IndyCar doesn't do.

 

F1 means the most to my heart but barely registers inside my head. Formula 1 is like a beautiful supermodel, Miss Whatever Country She Came From, and she's beautiful in a textbook sense. All the eye shadow is where it's supposed to be, her dress was sewn with clinical precision. But she's got no substance. Everything great that happens around her was just the stars aligning in the right way over her head, and everything exciting she does she does by accident. But she's so damn pretty and you've wanted her for so long you can't walk away. At least not until you walk into a Target or a Lowe's and see miss IndyCar, a 9/10 cutie pie that looks better and better the longer you watch her organize pens in the stationery aisle. You finally pluck up the courage to talk to her and you walk away from a five-minute conversation about Bic pens thinking this girl is going to be the mother of your kids because she's a genuine lady that tries her best and is actually interesting. And as you're walking back you notice the usual crowd around Miss Formula One, and you're smiling looking at the millions of people who walked past the pen aisle because they haven't learned yet that a ghost with a nice dress and perfect makeup is still a ghost.

Edited by Andrew Hope, 17 November 2013 - 17:00.

[Muppetmad]

I get butterflies on the formation lap, every single Grand Prix without fail. No other series makes me feel like that, but I still have to say No in the poll. IndyCar is where it's at right now, top quality racing and a genuine title battle each of the last few seasons. It's everything I want in a racing series. It's fast but not so fast the racing suffers. It's dangerous but it still takes a freak accident for someone to be hurt. It's got a huge variety of tracks and no one is the best driver everywhere. The race seats are expensive enough to keep most of the terrible drivers out but cheap enough you occasionally see one-offs (like Lucas Luhr), and teams are allowed to enter second and third cars for a few races. Those are some of the positives, and for negatives, stricly on-track there aren't many. But there are so many things that irritate me about F1 that IndyCar doesn't do.

 

F1 means the most to my heart but barely registers inside my head. Formula 1 is like a beautiful supermodel, Miss Whatever Country She Came From, and she's beautiful in a textbook sense. All the eye shadow is where it's supposed to be, her dress was sewn with clinical precision. But she's got no substance. Everything great that happens around her was just the stars aligning in the right way over her head, and everything exciting she does she does by accident. But she's so damn pretty and you've wanted her for so long you can't walk away. At least not until you walk into a Target or a Lowe's and see miss IndyCar, a 9/10 cutie pie that looks better and better the longer you watch her organize pens in the stationery aisle. You finally pluck up the courage to talk to her and you walk away from a five-minute conversation about Bic pens thinking this girl is going to be the mother of your kids because she's a genuine lady that tries her best and is actually interesting. And as you're walking back you notice the usual crowd around Miss Formula One, looking at the millions of people who walked past the pen aisle because they haven't learned yet that a ghost with a nice dress and perfect makeup is still a ghost.

You articulate my thoughts better than I ever could.

[Option1]

I voted No.  MotoGP is a more exciting and on-the-edge form of racing.  Sportscar racing, particularly Le Mans, just appeals more to my sense of aesthetics, while being as technologically interesting.  If WRC was in better shape, and had some media coverage it would also appeal more.

 

Besides I can't stand the "sun  shines out of my butt" and media "pinnacle of motorsport" bs hype that surrounds F1.  Then there's people like Bernie...

 

EDIT:  Oh and add to the list most of what Andrew Hope said as well.

 

Neil

Edited by Option1, 17 November 2013 - 17:01.

[SonnyViceR]

The race seats are expensive enough to keep most of the terrible drivers out but cheap enough you occasionally see one-offs (like Lucas Luhr)

 

I seriously hope you are not referring to Luhr as terrible driver, but that the wording just confused me!

[Longtimefan]

Yes!

I've been watching it since 1970 when I saw highlights of the Monaco Grand Prix. Been hooked ever since, although now F1 is a very very pale shadow of its former self.

[SR388]

I get butterflies on the formation lap, every single Grand Prix without fail. No other series makes me feel like that, but I still have to say No in the poll. IndyCar is where it's at right now, top quality racing and a genuine title battle each of the last few seasons. It's everything I want in a racing series. It's fast but not so fast the racing suffers. It's dangerous but it still takes a freak accident for someone to be hurt. It's got a huge variety of tracks and no one is the best driver everywhere. The race seats are expensive enough to keep most of the terrible drivers out but cheap enough you occasionally see one-offs (like Lucas Luhr), and teams are allowed to enter second and third cars for a few races. Those are some of the positives, and for negatives, stricly on-track there aren't many. But there are so many things that irritate me about F1 that IndyCar doesn't do.

F1 means the most to my heart but barely registers inside my head. Formula 1 is like a beautiful supermodel, Miss Whatever Country She Came From, and she's beautiful in a textbook sense. All the eye shadow is where it's supposed to be, her dress was sewn with clinical precision. But she's got no substance. Everything great that happens around her was just the stars aligning in the right way over her head, and everything exciting she does she does by accident. But she's so damn pretty and you've wanted her for so long you can't walk away. At least not until you walk into a Target or a Lowe's and see miss IndyCar, a 9/10 cutie pie that looks better and better the longer you watch her organize pens in the stationery aisle. You finally pluck up the courage to talk to her and you walk away from a five-minute conversation about Bic pens thinking this girl is going to be the mother of your kids because she's a genuine lady that tries her best and is actually interesting. And as you're walking back you notice the usual crowd around Miss Formula One, and you're smiling looking at the millions of people who walked past the pen aisle because they haven't learned yet that a ghost with a nice dress and perfect makeup is still a ghost.

Wait, so you want to impregnate the entire Indy car series, or just takuma Sato? I'm lost.

[Andrew Hope]

I seriously hope you are not referring to Luhr as terrible driver, but that the wording just confused me!

I'm saying that it's not so cheap to buy a race in IndyCar that anyone off the street can just plop down $100,000 and drive, but that they aren't so ridiculously priced that good drivers like Luhr can get in for a couple races without too much trouble.

[Ross Stonefeld]

That's funny, over the years I've felt like MotoGP has replaced F1 as the less-exciting of the major series. Though F1 has settled a bit more and you can reasonably predict winners/strategies now. 2011 through the first half of 2012 was a little more random.

 

I think my favourite series right now is Indycar. You don't know what will happen next but something usually does. Sometimes the entertainment is a bit dumb (Sato running over Hunter-Reay trying to reach the pit speed limit) but there's always something to giggle over. And they look like they'd be fun to drive, especially on the street courses. 

 

I watch F1 of course, but only from the parade lap to the winner crossing the line. Don't bother with qualifying most of the time, always skip pre and post-race. Since I'm in America right now it's easy to watch because there's nothing really conflicting with the time slot, but if I was back in Europe I'd be more likely to record it and watch in the evening. Shame to waste the middle of a Sunday afternoon.

[SophieB]

Yes, F1 is my favourite and really the only one I care about simply because it has been there when I was growing up so I know the histories of the drivers, often remember the history of their bosses and appreciate the complicated way all their stories link and cross over together down the decades. It's like some big, weird, beautiful Viking saga. When I watch NASCAR or IndyCar, there's just not that same sense of meaning for me. This is not to say I think they are in any way inferior - I expect if I'd been immersed in their stories in the same way, they would be my favourites. But I wasn't, so they're not.

[Atreiu]

Yes.

Speed, technology, endless development and pursuit of performance, heritage, McLaren, etc.

But it's like a drug, I love it and hate it and there are constant reasons for frustration. Stupid engine regs, stupid sporting regs, money sucking leeches in controle, artificial devices as DRS, Pirelli, races in no man's land...

 

I question myself constantly.

 

MotoGP is better, even though it has changed a lot since they went to the 800cc engines.

Edited by Atreiu, 17 November 2013 - 17:10.

[Andrew Hope]

Wait, so you want to impregnate the entire Indy car series, or just takuma Sato? I'm lost.

It's not the drivers. It's just that if I think long enough about Jamie Little there's no telling what I'm capable of.

[SpartanChas]

Yes. I still get excited about it every time the cars are sat on the gird waiting for the lights. And I love going to races.

 

There are other series I watch; GP2 which I like less than F1 because the calendar is shorter and I don't support any of the teams/drivers as strongly. 

 

I watched 24hLM for about 8 hours this year and really did prefer it to any GP I've seen for a while. That's only once a year though. I think I'd probably like IndyCar, but I don't have the means to watch it. And WRC but it's hard to like in the same way as the coverage isn't as good.

 

So F1 is still my favourite.

[Option1]

That's funny, over the years I've felt like MotoGP has replaced F1 as the less-exciting of the major series. ...

I understand what you mean Ross, and certainly in MotoGP generally the racing is not as close as it is contrived to be in F1, but I still find the riding/machines aspect of MotoGP, the edge-of-the-seat danger if you will, more exciting than F1 by some considerable margin.

 

There's another aspect about the bikes I find keeps me more interested and that is that the 2 junior formulas, Moto2 and Moto3, are more closely integrated into the whole MotoGP show.  There's also no denying that the racing in those 2 formulas is usually exciting, close-fought affairs - generally.

 

I'd have added Indycar, but along the lines of not wanting to waste a Sunday afternoon, I tend to miss seeing the races a lot of the time.  There are also aspects of it that are (understandably) a little too American for my tastes - too much use of safety cars/cautions, too many concrete-walled, uglier than Andrew's last girlfriend's mother street circuits, etc.

 

Neil

Edited by Option1, 17 November 2013 - 17:20.

[Andrew Hope]

I understand what you mean Ross, and certainly in MotoGP generally the racing is not as close as it is contrived to be in F1, but I still find the riding/machines aspect of MotoGP, the edge-of-the-seat danger if you will, more exciting than F1 by some considerable margin.

 

There's another aspect about the bikes I find keeps me more interested and that is that the 2 junior formulas, Moto2 and Moto3, are more closely integrated into the whole MotoGP show.  There's also no denying that the racing in those 2 formulas is usually exciting, close-fought affairs - generally.

 

I'd have added Indycar, but along the lines of not wanting to waste a Sunday afternoon, I tend to miss seeing the races a lot of the time.  There are also aspects of it that are (understandably) a little too American for my tastes - too much use of safety cars/cautions, too many concrete-walled, uglier than Andrew's last girlfriend's mother street circuits, etc.

 

Neil

She would've been decent if it didn't look like she had run a 100-yard dash in a 90-yard room.

 

I wish I followed bike racing sometimes but there's too much on 4 wheels to watch as it is.

[smitten]

F1 rules, and F1 is the pits. I have a love/hate relationship with the thing and no matter how much I disapprove of what they do with gimmicks and spec parts and races at godforsaken circuits I can't stop watching it. (Although the BBC have helped me in that matter)

BSB is exciting, is on circuits I have ridden, and on machinery I can relate to yet will never have mass appeal. WSB funnily enough, leaves me unmoved.

BTCC used to be great but now is a pantomime with cars I can't relate to. WRC likewise.

MotoGP and its feeder series are good viewing and feel anarchistic in relation to F1.

I hate what F1 is now, but it still draws me in a way that "better" series don't.

[Risil]

I wish I followed bike racing sometimes but there's too much on 4 wheels to watch as it is.

 

You need to get into MotoGP, we will lay waste to the bike thread

[SpartanChas]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention I enjoy the odd spot of MotoGP. Not any more though, now that it's on BT.

[Option1]

You need to get into MotoGP, we will lay waste to the bike thread

I gave that thread up as a bad joke ages ago, but I'm sure Andrew could stir some life into it to counter some of the horrible fanboi nonsense in it.

 

Neil

[Absulute]

Well, F1 is the only series I watch, but I would still say No right now.

[DampMongoose]

No not anymore. All motor racing has become a bit diluted for me given the lack of danger, but I still watch all I can. Despite not knowing much about bikes, MotoGP is the best but still poorer since the crt's came in... I'm happier at at a clubbie at Mallory, although thats about screwed too!

[fisssssi]

Ever since the inception of Formula Vettel 4 years ago, I can honestly say it is has become my favourite series by far. No other formula comes close to providing the thrill and excitement of watching one man lead lap after lap, winning race after race, season after season.

 

It doesn't matter how often the Great Man sits on pole position all by himself, I feel butterflies in my stomach as the starting lights slowly come on one by one, and my heart is always in my mouth as the race starts and he easily leads into the first corner. Even then, the emotion and tension of watching him drive away from the field and lead every lap, over and over again, doesn't subside until he crosses the finish line and we hear the Whooping over the team radio, and witness the Celebratory Donuts. The experience is completed as we all worship The Finger. It's just unbeatable.

 

After the midyear scare that the rival Formula One might break away and start producing exciting races once once again, I was deeply relieved that a few precise rule changes were able to subdue the threat and allow Formula Vettel to continue in all its glory. Bring on 2014 and beyond!

[ehagar]

I voted no. There was a time when I would get up at the wee hours of the morning to watch a race live, but now I couldn't be bothered. I've missed half the races this year and feel none the poorer for it. I simply find motorcycle racing more compelling. Right now I typically watch the following over F1:

 

- BSB, BSS, and other support classes (went to Cadwell Park this year, Donington last year)

- MotoGP (went to Silverstone this year)

- WSBK (used to go to Utah to watch)

- Local Club Racing

- Real Roads Racing (Irish Road Racing, Oliver's Mount, IOM TT, Macau)

-Motocross/Supercross 

- I would put AMA but it's virtually impossible to watch with the lack of TV and remembering it being a more stable series

 

I did watch the Austin GP today, but didn't find it that interesting. 

[HoldenRT]

It used to be, but I don't really have a favourite series at the moment.  Maybe it will change a bit in the future.  Ebbs and flows etc.

[dweller23]

Is there a reason why there is no "Vettel wins lol" option in the poll?

[KingTiger]

I used to watch a lot of different racing but they've all been ruined due to various reasons. There are no good racing series left (maybe moto2 and moto3). 

[jrg19]

F1 is certainly my favourite from of motorsport, MotoGP a very close second. 

[UPRC]

A few years ago? Yes. Today? Well, not really. I haven't even watched a race since Hungary of this year. First time I've ever intentionally missed more than two races in a row, and it's now been what? Eight races since? F1 just feels really bland lately and there are three things that make it so for me.

 

The problems with modern day F1:

1. Nobody can catch Red Bull for whatever reason, making it a one team show for four and a half years now. No thanks. I'll tune out after a few races next year if 2014 is the same thing.

2. Pirelli tires are absolute garbage. Drivers can never push anymore, and that's not racing.

3. DRS and KERS, while having added a lot more overtaking, has made it feel cheap and artificial. 

Edited by UPRC, 17 November 2013 - 23:34.

[Muz Bee]

For me, F1 is like a wretched drug - you are there no longer because you actually enjoy it but because it's the habit you're on for the last how many years. The high is no longer there, the result is familiarly the same. I feel guilty about the waste of my energy and time and the only way of escape is cold turkey and cancel the Sky subscription. Ticked that box but I still sneak a look at the qualifying and race results on the web each GP. Sad old habit which I will probably replace with MotoGP and Indycar.

[Muz Bee]

A few years ago? Yes. Today? Well, not really. I haven't even watched a race since Hungary of this year. First time I've ever intentionally missed more than two races in a row, and it's now been what? Eight races since? F1 just feels really bland lately and there are three things that make it so for me.

 

The problems with modern day F1:

1. Nobody can catch Red Bull for whatever reason, making it a one team show for four and a half years now. No thanks. I'll tune out after a few races next year if 2014 is the same thing.

2. Pirelli tires are absolute garbage. Drivers can never push anymore, and that's not racing.

3. DRS and KERS, while having added a lot more overtaking, has made it feel cheap and artificial. 

Between you and Andrew Hope you express it for me. F1 is a shadow of itself.

[scheivlak]

Yes, because F1 still easily has the best drivers overall, certainly depth-of-the-field wise.

 

And alas, most other series or competitions are - (even) more than F1- a shadow nowadays of what they used to be or could be.

[Ryan94]

I've always loved F1, but I watched the Indycar for the first time this season and was blown away. Any fans of F1 who haven't watched should, always seems to go down to wire as it did this season!

 

Also Indycar are good enough to let the full races be posted on youtube. Hopefully this will continue next season

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=3ANYzZlmZF0

[LB]

I'm a no but the thing is i don't really know what I prefer. I've kinda given up on everything. Nascar is hard to watch in the UK as I don't have premier sports and anyway when i'm home i tend to be out on Sunday nights. Indycar I've watched a fair bit of on youtube as all the races are there but there are no real stars there anymore. Endurance racing lacks excitement, Bikes I just think are guys with death wishes. WRC is dead...BTCC and WTCC is a joke. V8's are good but the UK coverage is dire. Hardly watch anything these days...  

[Afterburner]

IndyCar is the only series I watch that makes me think 'I need to go racing once I'm done watching this', but it's not my favourite. Maybe it should be.

[DrF]

I like the behind-the-scenes drama and intrigue of F1 and the cars are technological marvels but the recent cost cutting measures have diluted the racing while not really helping the smaller teams and there are too many pay drivers, so I'm losing interest. I prefer BTTC and WRC but I'll still watch F1, hoping it'll improve.

[seahawk]

I must say I prefer Moto GP (especially Moto 2 and 3) and WRC over F1.

[PayasYouRace]

I'm happy that Indycar is my favourite again. Not that I don't like F1, but I just prefer the more laid back fun of what Indycar provides.

 

Kinda what Mr. Hope said, but with less impregnation.

[Rinehart]

F1 is my fav motorsport series, mostly because of its history, aura and the complex business, technical and sporting themes that run alongside it.

 

But no way on earth is it the best racing to watch, one way or another from tyres to technical rules its been underwhelming for about 20 years. Usually the better races of the season are influenced by an unusual event such as weather or sc which spices it up. Flag to flag it remains too processional. 

[Disgrace]

I will always prefer a constructors' series over a spec series, so F1 always has the potential to be my favourite series, but the racing is so dire that in fact IndyCar has also become my favourite series to follow. The racing is so superior and as has been alluded to, it has a sense of humour. I would also say I'm increasingly interested in two wheel racing purely as a spectacle, despite the obvious flaws in Dorna-led series.

[king_crud]

I think I would probably not watch F1 if I could get tv coverage on the WEC in the UK. So I watch F1 as a motorsport fix, but I don't think of it as the best

[Nonesuch]

I think I would probably not watch F1 if I could get tv coverage on the WEC in the UK. So I watch F1 as a motorsport fix, but I don't think of it as the best

 

The WEC had a livestream on its website for the races over at http://live.fiawec.com/

 

The races are also posted on YouTube, albeit not officially like they are with the DTM.

[TimRTC]

I enjoy F1 and watch the races when I can, but it is just a bit dull these days - the finishing positions can usually be predicted quite readily and actual overtaking seems to be very limited. MotoGP is not far off here either.

 

I much prefer touring car racing for the action packed and generally unpredictable nature (even in DTM, the entire grid can shuffle around at different rounds), endurance GT and prototype racing for the strategic elements and NHRA/FIA European drag racing for balls-to-the-wall drama.

 

When it comes to open-wheelers, it has to be Formula 3.

[FerrariV12]

Voted no, F1 was my favourite series up until and including 2010 definitely, but WEC has definitely overtaken it this year for me (now that I have Sky with Motors TV and am able to watch the races to get properly into it). The variety of machinery (even in the lower classes whereas GP2 is all-spec for instance), and multiple tyre manufacturers that make products for performance rather than the aim of having 450235331` pit stops per race, etc. remains a breath of fresh air.

[Shambolic]

I don't know which way to vote - If a non-spec series with around 20 race weekends was readily available on free to view TV in the UK, then who knows?

 

As it is, F1 is the only series that comes close to that (although having half of it behind a paywall is certainly not helping my enthusiasm), even though it is in the processing of disappearing up its own exhaust.

[thomasbrianwright]

Big fan of the Marussia F1 Team! Any thoughts on bringing back female drivers?

 

-Thomas B. Wright