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FP1/FP2 viewership


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Poll: Do you watch friday practice? (124 member(s) have cast votes)

Do you watch Friday practice sessions on a GP weekend?

  1. Yes, live on TV for most or all races (38 votes [30.65%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 30.65%

  2. Yes, recorded or highlights (19 votes [15.32%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 15.32%

  3. Yes, but only some circuits (26 votes [20.97%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 20.97%

  4. No, I check live timing/results for updates but don't watch (23 votes [18.55%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 18.55%

  5. No, don't care about the FP sessions (11 votes [8.87%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 8.87%

  6. Other (explain in post) (7 votes [5.65%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 5.65%

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#1 Dan333SP

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 14:20

Reading the FP thread, I was somewhat surprised at the number of people upset that it was rained out because it wasn't good TV viewing. I'd consider myself an avid fan, but I haven't really ever watched practice sessions live on TV, unless it's a really big race like Japan/Brazil 2006 (Ferrari/MSC fan) or a brand new track that I have some interest in.

 

I do go to both sessions if I'm attending the GP in person, and I do usually DVR them, but if I watch any of the session before deleting it it's typically just on in the background while I get ready in the morning. The sessions obviously are important for the teams, but they don't make for particularly engrossing TV, especially compared to qualifying/race day.

 

For those of you that do watch every session live, what do you get out of it? Do you just enjoy comparing times between teams over different length runs?

 


Edited by Dan333SP, 09 October 2015 - 14:33.


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#2 kraduk

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 14:25

I'm mostly the same its good background to have if its at a sensible time



#3 Kristian

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 14:26

Well, I put "No, I check live timing/results for updates but don't watch" as I'm usually in work. If the BBC have it on, I have the video feed, otherwise I have the live text up. 



#4 SophieB

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 14:29

I used to mostly use it as an excuse to chat amiable nonsense with other posters on the board but also just see who was looking good for the race weekend, to the extent that's ever possible to tell.

#5 Marklar

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 14:30

I would add "Yes, most of the time" to the poll. It happens sometimes that I have other commitments on friday, but most of the time I'm watching it..

Edited by Marklar, 09 October 2015 - 14:32.


#6 johnmhinds

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 14:31

I'll have it on in the background if i'm at home, but I don't really follow any of the practice sessions unless something unusual is going on such as a new driver or some fancy new car part is being tested.



#7 Dan333SP

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 14:33

I would add "Yes, most of the time" to the poll. It happens sometimes that I have other commitments on friday, but most of the time I'm watching it..

 

Edited the first option to be "most or all races".



#8 benn5325

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 14:35

DVR it and watch in the evening while I am grilling.



#9 Dan333SP

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 14:52

I'm surprised at the result so far, apparently most of you guys watch practice sessions live!



#10 Exb

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 14:52

I went with the live option - although not as often as I would like as work gets in the way a lot but certainly for the sessions shown overnight/early in the morning I will watch live, and I'll admit I try to book days off to coincide with F1 fridays :)

(and if I'm at work I will record them and watch them when I get home). What can I say - I like practice sessions (probably the reason I don't often find races boring as I could quite easily sit and watch hours of cars going round during practice anyway). If they ever get round to showing testing I will watch the whole day as well :p



#11 Nonesuch

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 14:53

I only watch it if it's either a new track, or Spa-Francorchamps.

 

I do check the results, though only at a glance to get a sense of the basic narrative of the weekend.



#12 oetzi

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 14:54

I'll have it on in the background while I'm working if the timings fall into place. Always record it, but usually hit delete rather than play.

#13 Marklar

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 14:54

For those of you that do watch every session live, what do you get out of it? Do you just enjoy comparing times between teams over different length runs?

Yeah, Im usually posting a whole long run analyses here after FP2, so yes ;)

Edited by Marklar, 09 October 2015 - 14:55.


#14 ConsiderAndGo

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 15:03

I don't go out of my way to watch FP1 live, but always try and catch FP2 as this is much more representative as to how the weekend may progress.



#15 Jerem

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 15:04

I usually put the stream on my laptop and sometimes take a look at it.



#16 Dan333SP

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 15:07

I only watch it if it's either a new track, or Spa-Francorchamps.

 

I do check the results, though only at a glance to get a sense of the basic narrative of the weekend.

 

Good call, I forgot that if I'm able, I do try to watch FP2 live from Spa, because it's just so spectacular.



#17 Jon83

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 15:12

A few years ago I would have recorded all practice sessions and watched them intently.

 

Now, I don't bother recording them. I will watch them if they are on in the evening but with no serious interest.

 

However, if attending, Friday is my favourite day.


Edited by Jon83, 09 October 2015 - 15:12.


#18 RubalSher

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 15:13

I only watch a few live because I am at work mostly. I do follow LT though for most FP sessions.



#19 Dan333SP

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 15:15


However, if attending, Friday is my favourite day.

 

Same. At least in Montreal, it's the only time you can move around the track and check out the sightlines from other grandstands or general admissions areas without being restricted too much and with ample fence-side space to see the cars. Saturday/Sunday you're packed like sardines into your assigned seat.



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#20 Grumpyz

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 15:20

Fridays in Singapore seems crowded coz 80% of the people aren't there for the race. They are just there for the concerts.

#21 Marklar

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 15:21

Same. At least in Montreal, it's the only time you can move around the track and check out the sightlines from other grandstands or general admissions areas without being restricted too much and with ample fence-side space to see the cars. Saturday/Sunday you're packed like sardines into your assigned seat.

Thats why Im buying always friday tickets :p

Im moving around the circuit in FP1 and in FP2 Im staying at an certain (braking) point and watching where each driver is braking and in which consistency: its pretty fascinating and shows what devides a good from an average driver. Thats the money clearly worth.

#22 Ross Stonefeld

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 15:22

I don't watch it at all. Otherwise I tend to see enough F1 cars doing laps and nothing really happening, so Sunday becomes extra-boring. I try to minimise my exposure.

 

Plus Im usually doing other things on a Friday.



#23 Ruusperi

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 15:49

I usually watch all sessions live given I don't have anything too important at the same time (usually there isn't). This year I skipped FP1 from Sepang and Shanghai, but otherwise have watched them all.

Sometimes Friday is the most eventful day. For example, in China and Spa there were more drama on Friday than in QLF or GP.



#24 johnwilliamdavies

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 15:53

On FP1 we get Ben Edwards and Tony Dodgins, which is the best commentary combo of the weekend. FP2 today gave us Allen and Dodgins, so an extra treat.



#25 Fatgadget

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 16:01

Anything that is not on FTA, I no watch. Besides I got work to do on Fridays!

#26 Richard T

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 16:06

Most races I at least watch FP2. During FP1 I'm often in school, although that rarely stop me from dropping in and out on my iPad  :lol:



#27 Atreiu

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 16:08

I only watch them if they are on during a perfect time for me during the day. If not I don't bother staying up late or getting up early.



#28 HeadFirst

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 16:19

Always (we only get FP2 in my area), as much for the dialogue as the visuals.



#29 fifi

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 17:25

i put no as mainly im at work or asleep but the sessions i can see i normally will watch



#30 Risil

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 17:31

I'm at work on Friday mornings. However if it's something particularly brainless I'll gladly listen along.

 

It's not exactly appointment viewing for me though. Maybe on a special occasion.



#31 George Costanza

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 17:38

No.

The only time I actually watched it was at the USGP of 2000 fully.



#32 Fastcake

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 17:41

I like to watch the first session of the season, as I can stay up to catch it in Australia. For the rest, I generally watch FP2 when it's on in the afternoon GMT, as that's on at a convenient time for me, and I'll occasionally catch FP1 if I'm not doing anything.

 

If it's on in the early hours of the morning I won't watch it (I don't like waking up early for the races), though sometimes I might watch it on iPlayer if I want some background noise.



#33 P123

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 17:47

Apart from the final minutes of Saturday practice, which can give a guide to who is looking good for qualifying, practice sessions are as bland as the Thursday drivers press conference. I usually just browse the moaning in here to get an idea of what's not happening!

#34 JHSingo

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 17:47

Hardly ever watch practice. It's often very dull and generally meaningless, because of the caveat of not knowing how much fuel everyone is carrying etc.

 

If F1 is at a brand new circuit, I may watch a little bit just to get familiar with the layout, but otherwise no. I don't have that much free time to burn on a Friday. :lol:



#35 superden

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 17:47

No, I have a normal life.

#36 Blackdog

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 17:58

Depends on time of day.

 

I'll often dip into FP1 or FP2 but rarely have the patience to watch for more than 10-20 mins.



#37 scheivlak

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 18:19

Parts of it, and only when it's on BBC 1 or 2 (free-to-air) and I've got nothing else important to do or to visit.



#38 ArchieTech

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 18:42

I record it because the series link on Sky Sports F1 picks it up with all the rest of the coverage. Generally don't watch FP1/2 as I'm at work, might review bits of it if there's been some notable or funny incident mentioned on a forum thread. FP3 I might have on in the background on a Saturday morning whilst I'm concentrating on something else, probably pay a bit more attention on this one if it's a potential championship deciding race coming up etc.



#39 Otaku

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 18:48

Yes, via internet live streaming (illegal, I know, put me in jail)



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#40 Lotusseven

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Posted 09 October 2015 - 18:49

I usually put the stream on my laptop and sometimes take a look at it.

 

+1 (if I find a stream)



#41 Fatgadget

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Posted 10 October 2015 - 07:35

Most races I at least watch FP2. During FP1 I'm often in school, although that rarely stop me from dropping in and out on my iPad :lol:

Thats worse than bunking off surely :eek:....Kids these days eh :rolleyes:

#42 chunder27

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Posted 10 October 2015 - 07:44

Used to wqtch bits of it in the past, but quickly got very bored of doing so.

It is F1 coverage for the sake of itself.

Totally disinteresting, rather pointless from a tv point if view

A bit like watching mid week soccer training.

#43 Ev0d3vil

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Posted 10 October 2015 - 08:25

I dont watch the FPs 1 and 2 that is, just catch the live timings and the long run times. Only watch FP3 qualy and the race.


Edited by Ev0d3vil, 10 October 2015 - 08:25.


#44 midgrid

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Posted 10 October 2015 - 09:54

Between other commitments and not having Sky, I rarely watch the free practice sessions nowadays. Russia FP3 is the first that I've watched in several months.

#45 BRK

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Posted 10 October 2015 - 10:03

I watch all sessions on TV.



#46 Victor_RO

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Posted 10 October 2015 - 10:09

I used to mostly use it as an excuse to chat amiable nonsense with other posters on the board but also just see who was looking good for the race weekend, to the extent that's ever possible to tell.

 

Same here, plus it's a nice backdrop to at least listen to while working on a Friday.



#47 swerved

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Posted 10 October 2015 - 10:22

I voted "Other", up until some time last season I would watch every session live, even organising work around them, I would watch all the classic races, all the F1 shows etc, almost everything & anything F1 related, This season i've recorded more than i ever have, for viewing at a time when i've nothing more important to do.

 

Yesterdays FP sessions were recorded, and as soon as i realised that FP1 had been delayed, I deleted it without watching, and as soon as I saw rain in FP2 and no traffic i deleted that also, without bothering to watch, FP3 is currently on, but only in the background, and I may elect to go and do some shopping when Qualifying commences, depending whether it's raining or not, near Sainsburys, not Sochi.

 

I seem to be losing interest.



#48 Imperial

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Posted 10 October 2015 - 17:42

If I've a bet on in FP1 for the 'winner' (the bookies word, not mine) then I'll definitely have at least Autosport live running on my phone while I'm at work.

As for tv, I might watch ten minutes of FP2 on lunch (Sky Go on the phone) but there's no way I'd watch whole sessions. It simply isn't interesting.

#49 hamilton10000

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Posted 10 October 2015 - 18:34

I am rarely able to watch the sessions live but I always try to watch both sessions in full, recorded, later in the day



#50 Atreiu

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Posted 10 October 2015 - 18:51

I don't even watch qualifying anymore. :/