64 replies to this topic

[4MEN]

What is sad is that Peter Windsor had Bottas on his show and asked him (para) "what was it like driving the F1 car?" and he said something like "not a lot different than the GP2, maybe a little slower in some areas.  The brakes are good".

 

In other words... "Meh".

 

I remember when it was considered a great honor and privilege to drive an F1 car, because it was *so superlative* - not just in braking, but in every respect.

 

No more.

 

It occurs to me that, in the glare of the innevitable loss of Bernie steering the ship, "someone" could be thinking "well, we'll just let GP2 move into F1's place - cheaper, basically as fast as it is now".

 

F1 *as a brand* does not have to mean anything.  What "GP2" is today could easily be labeled "F1" someday.

People keep talking about the noise and the lack of action but I think the big elephant in the room is that F1 is just slow.

Here's some interesting post of bhall @ F1Technical (I haven't checked the facts, but anyway):

 

 

"Speaking only for myself, the performance of this year's cars doesn't constitute the sole reason for my discontent. Rather, it's the straw that broke the camel's back following years of mounting frustration.

 

2007 Spanish Grand Prix (the first race on the current layout): Massa, 1:31:36.2, average: 1:23.3

2014 Spanish Grand Prix: Hamilton, 1:41:05.2, average: 1:31.9

 

2007 Spanish GP2 round, sprint: Glock, 38:08.6, average: 1:28

 

You could take a seven-year-old car from a feeder series and clobber the W05 Hybrid, this year's best and well on its way to being considered one of the all-time greats."

 

Edit to highlight that it's 2007. 2014 GP2 cars are slower (too). 

Edited by 4MEN, 15 May 2014 - 09:36.

[SenorSjon]

2014 GP2 are hindered by the Pirellis as much as F1. I wonder what F3000 did for laptimes.

[Shambolic]

we've got close racing and difficult to control cars, what's not to like?

 

Change.

[chipmcdonald]

we've got close racing and difficult to control cars, what's not to like?

That the "close" racing is an illusion? Look closely at the end of the races this year: we are getting finishes by team, 2 by 2. They're close, but the fuel regs are keeping each team in check. They race to the maximum of the car's fuel, and that's it. The rash of grid penalties is the only thing keeping this from appearing obvious.

"Lewis has managed to save fuel to battle Nico at the end". That's what's not to like: that stupid fuel usage gauge.

[OvDrone]

no gp, no cry.

[KnucklesAgain]

every era has had drivers driving to the limit except with the pirelli tyre and now potentially fuel conservation drivers have had to stay well inside the maximum of the car.

 

I dont recall previous instructions to a driver to stay 2 sec back to preserve tyres

 

when a 43 schumacher bemoans not having to drive at his limit the thrust of the opinion stands true and relevant

 

2 - 3 sec gap only to gp2 is too small

 

Because before the aero cutback they couldn't get closer than 2 secs anyway
 

[pacificquay]

This is nothing new.

 

In the mid 90s at times F3000 frontrunners would have been half-way up the F1 grid

[scheivlak]

 

 

2007 Spanish Grand Prix (the first race on the current layout): Massa, 1:31:36.2, average: 1:23.3

2014 Spanish Grand Prix: Hamilton, 1:41:05.2, average: 1:31.9

 

 

Just for the sake of accuracy, the 2007 GP counted one lap less (65 instead of 66) because Jarno Trulli stalled on the grid at the first start.

[4MEN]

Gene on Monaco GP broadcast: "Alonso misses the era when F1 was more extreme". 

 

How do people keep defending this new green and efficient F1.

[Jon83]

we've got close racing and difficult to control cars, what's not to like?

 

In Bahrain we did but the rest of the time, not really.

 

I know it is widely reported by those who are happy with this new F1 that Bahrain was the best race of all time ( ) but let's not go even more overboard. The other races have been rubbish by and large.

[Jackman]

There won't be a test afterwards - it's not compulsory to watch.

[scheivlak]

In Bahrain we did but the rest of the time, not really.

 

I know it is widely reported by those who are happy with this new F1 that Bahrain was the best race of all time ( ) but let's not go even more overboard. The other races have been rubbish by and large.

Rewatched the Spanish GP a few days ago - it was a great race with quite a lot of passing at unexpected places and close racing.

[DainBramaged]

I think its all too easy to get lost in what the stopwatch says. I personally don't really care if the cars are a bit slower if we can get some great racing, which Bahrain aside (Spain was OK i guess), we've not really been getting. The cars from 2001 - 2004 were fast, but it was usually fairly boring. I don't know what the solution is. I guess lots of power and a reduction in big-wake-producing aero might help, but im guessing its not that simple or it would have been done.....maybe.

Edited by DainBramaged, 22 May 2014 - 12:45.

[Jon83]

Rewatched the Spanish GP a few days ago - it was a great race with quite a lot of passing at unexpected places and close racing.

 

I think "great" is a massive exaggeration but each to their own.

[917k]

I think "great" is a massive exaggeration but each to their own.

 

Compared to the bulk of races from Catalunya, it would be better than 90%.