60 replies to this topic

[FerrariV12]

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone here was in the know about why exactly why the start time for the Australian GP has been moved back a few hours, making it harder to stay up for?

Don't get me wrong, it's up to the Australians when they want to hold their race, and I'm guessing this has been done primarily for the benefit of Asian fans (I'm just guessing this from my top-of-my-head knowledge of world time zones) as well as for the locals, but as a British fan I feel totally screwed over.

In the end I'll probably still be doing my usual all nighter but it'll probably be getting light here by the time the race starts, certainly by the time it finishes, losing half of the fun.

Or is it all down to Bernie? I'd find that weird though since he said he wanted Singapore to be a night race to benefit European fans then Australia ends up being probably the worst possible time in the 24 hour clock from Europe's perspective. Unless he actually expects people to go to bed early on a Saturday night and wake up at 6am on a Sunday morning?

EDIT: Apologies for the typo in the title, but I can't seem to change it...

[kNt]

I think it was done for the european audience. I woudln't stay awake for it but get up for it only to fall asleep again after.

[sldsmkd]

from Europe's perspective. Unless he actually expects people to go to bed early on a Saturday night and wake up at 6am on a Sunday morning?

That's the plan. Just tape it and watch it when you get up

[primer]

Originally posted by FerrariV12
Unless he actually expects people to go to bed early on a Saturday night and wake up at 6am on a Sunday morning?

Why not?

[GhostR]

Originally posted by FerrariV12
Don't get me wrong, it's up to the Australians when they want to hold their race, and I'm guessing this has been done primarily for the benefit of Asian fans (I'm just guessing this from my top-of-my-head knowledge of world time zones) as well as for the locals, but as a British fan I feel totally screwed over.

Actually, it was Bernie who asked for a later time slot. He wanted the Aussie race to be held at night, under lights, but the Aussie organisers don't want to do that (it costs them a whole lot more). In order to keep the race (Bernie has threatened to take it away) they compromised and we get the 5pm Aus time race start.

Which, incidentally, will be a 07:00am race start time in the UK, and 08:00 start time in Europe. This is because daylight savings starts at 02:00am on Sunday for Europe, which results in a 10/11 (UK/mainland Europe) hour time zone difference with Australia instead of the current 11/12 hour difference.

If the Aus race had been held on April 5th, it would be even better for the EU audience: Australian daylight savings ends next weekend. This would then result in a 9 hour difference to the UK (10 to Europe) and thus an 8am start for UK, 9am start for EU.

[peroa]

Well, I woke up every year at 4 am to watch the GP.

[Celloman]

The race actually starts at 8 am CET (7 British time) which is at least somewhat better than what it used to be (5?). The clocks will be moved forward from daylight saving time on Sunday though so I guess that means you have to wake up 1 h earlier in practise.
edit: as GhostR already clarified

[The Lonely]

Originally posted by GhostR

If the Aus race had been held on April 5th, it would be even better for the EU audience: Australian daylight savings ends next weekend. This would then result in a 9 hour difference to the UK (10 to Europe) and thus an 8am start for UK, 9am start for EU.

No they would have had to held the race an hour earlier in Australia as it would get dark earlier ;)

[GhostR]

Originally posted by The Lonely


No they would have had to held the race an hour earlier in Australia as it would get dark earlier ;)

True, forgot that (actually a little over an hour earlier, as they're moving into winter...)

[Alfisti]

Massive pain in the arse for NA east coast viewers. I'll stay up until 1am, maybe 2am or i'll wake as early as 5am to watch a GP but jesus 2am to 4am starts are just HELL.

[FerrariV12]

Ah...maybe it's just me then. But I tend to stay up late on an average Saturday night (sometimes go out and get back 2-3am Sunday morning), so the old Australian GP start time suited me down to the ground, both when I was a kid (what kid doesn't enjoy staying up late of a weekend when there's no school?), and into my teens and now into my early 20s when I work Monday-Friday and enjoy my weekend lie-ins. I guess I'll just have to stock up on extra beer and caffeine drinks than usual and make this weekend's all-nighter an extra long one

[postajegenye]

Originally posted by peroa
Well, I woke up every year at 4 am to watch the GP.

Me too, and I loved it. It gave a special feeling to the start of the season...

[GVera]

I'm in Uruguay (GMT -3), the Aus GP used to start at midnight for me, now it will be 3am.
I hate this new schedule.

[fastlegs]

For me living in the Vancouver area the start time is 11pm PST which is still alright.

[nickponty]

As a British viewer, I have to say its absolutely brilliant they've moved the start time back - unless you're a student, or single, who would stay up all night to watch it starting at 5am?! It's so much better to be able to get up at 6am, put on a pot of coffee, cook some bacon and eggs and then enjoy the race as the sun comes up!

[Slyder]

Here in Utah, Mountain Standard Time, the race will start at midnight, wheeras before, I'd comfortably watched the race at 10pm.

[Ferrim]

Originally posted by postajegenye


Me too, and I loved it. It gave a special feeling to the start of the season...

Same here. I either woke up early or went out with friends and came just in time to watch it. Last two years I did this, in 2006 I can't remember, in 2005 I stayed in front of the PC the whole night as we had the "combined lap times" qualifying system, with the second session being held in Sunday morning at Australia (midnight in Europe I think).

But this year it will be just like the typical Malaysian, Japanese or Chinese GP, with me woking up at 7-8 o'clock. I preferred having it at 4-5 AM in the morning, as it gave it an unique feeling.

[jdanton]

My East Coast NA strategy, is to go to bed about 2030, set an alarm for 0140, have an espresso (just the right amount of caffeine) and watch the race.

I usually skip the really late practices, and only watch qualifying if it's critical (China or Japan end of season races). This has definitely been a negative side effect of all of the Asian races--ECT or GMT is ideal time for a race, I can watch early AM, and then go out for a bike ride.

[stevvy1986]

Originally posted by postajegenye


Me too, and I loved it. It gave a special feeling to the start of the season...

agree 100%, nothing was better than being sat watching the first race of the season at about 3am.........7am just isn't the same

[Alfisti]

Originally posted by jdanton
My East Coast NA strategy, is to go to bed about 2030, set an alarm for 0140, have an espresso (just the right amount of caffeine) and watch the race.

I usually skip the really late practices, and only watch qualifying if it's critical (China or Japan end of season races). This has definitely been a negative side effect of all of the Asian races--ECT or GMT is ideal time for a race, I can watch early AM, and then go out for a bike ride.

How the HELL so you sleep at 8.30pm?? it's near impossible.

[nada12]

Further proof that this sport is run by old men.;) Nobody in europe under 30 is going to like this anyway.

The old 4am start was quite convenient, after going out on saturday night I would usually come home at 4 and watch the race, but 8 am?? on a SUNDAY? no way in hell Im getting up for that..

[tifosi]

Originally posted by FerrariV12
Unless he actually expects people to go to bed early on a Saturday night and wake up at 6am on a Sunday morning?

Us 'mericans do it for every round of the European season. Quit being a wimp and wake up!

[tahadar]

Originally posted by postajegenye


Me too, and I loved it. It gave a special feeling to the start of the season...

spot on.

[peroa]

A true fan rises at any time of the day or night to watch qualification and race.
A fanatic like me also practice sessions if possible.

[jdanton]

Originally posted by Alfisti


How the HELL so you sleep at 8.30pm?? it's near impossible.

A long bike ride on Saturday helps, but benedryl works pretty well too. It's short enough acting that you aren't conked for 10 hours.

[smartie_f1]

Part of the excitement for the first race of the weekend was getting together with a bunch of mates and going for dinner and a few drinks before rolling back home in time to assemble more drinks and snacks ready for the start of the coverage.

With the programme starting at 6 now, that'll be a long day!

[Alfisti]

Originally posted by nada12
The old 4am start was quite convenient, after going out on saturday night I would usually come home at 4 and watch the race, but 8 am?? on a SUNDAY? no way in hell Im getting up for that..

In my eperience that is a very euro thing though, you start at midnight. I quite like the 8am start, wake at 7.30, put on some breakfast and coffee then from 10am the day is mine to enjoy.

[Apollonius]

Originally posted by peroa
Well, I woke up every year at 4 am to watch the GP.

Me too.

The fact that it is on later this year is a bonus - I don't see how anybody can see fault in it. As for other fans in different time zones, what's the issue? If you love to watch a race live then get up and watch it, if not then record it, watch a replay or just don't watch at all. I'd watch it live whatever time it was on (the only race I've ever missed live was Spa last year as I was getting wed lol).

[dabrasco]

its all a bit confusing wit the daylights savings time...normally ill go out then come watch it then sleep...but doubt id go out this weekend so will jus have to set my alarm...but then im not sure if my phone has DST..

aaargh



wont miss the race anyway though

[skid solo]

Originally posted by peroa
Well, I woke up every year at 4 am to watch the GP.

A sign of a true F1 fan!
I remember having to listen to it on the radio at School before TV coverage! Now I feel OLD

[wingwalker]

To give teams more times to install double decker diffs on their cars.

har-har-har.

[ForeverF1]

Originally posted by skid solo


A sign of a true F1 fan!
I remember having to listen to it on the radio at School before TV coverage! Now I feel OLD

Did you make crystal sets as a boy too?...

[Phucaigh]

I preferred the race being at 3am in the morning than 7am...

[CaptnMark]

Originally posted by postajegenye


Me too, and I loved it. It gave a special feeling to the start of the season...

+1

[nugat]

Originally posted by postajegenye


Me too, and I loved it. It gave a special feeling to the start of the season...

I'm going to try and recreate the special feeling by watching the practice sessions on Friday morning.

Don't think I'll be feeling too special when I have to get up and go to work though.....

[blackgerby]

Originally posted by nickponty
As a British viewer, I have to say its absolutely brilliant they've moved the start time back - unless you're a student, or single, who would stay up all night to watch it starting at 5am?! It's so much better to be able to get up at 6am, put on a pot of coffee, cook some bacon and eggs and then enjoy the race as the sun comes up!

mmmmmmm, must remember to get some bacon and eggs on Saturday.....

[Raelene]

harden the F*&* up.

Us Aussies and Kiwis suffer the problem all year - at least you guys can go backto sleep after - it's usually a Monday morning for us for the European/Sth American races

and it was put back for the nancy Europeans ;);)

[fifi]

Originally posted by Phucaigh
I preferred the race being at 3am in the morning than 7am...

i was the same, however usually it ended me coing home drunk, and not exactly watching the race

[FlashMaster]

Originally posted by fifi


i was the same, however usually it ended me coing home drunk, and not exactly watching the race

Exactly Now I hope I can sleep two or three hours, drink some water/coffee and watch the race completely

[rye&ginger]

Originally posted by fastlegs
For me living in the Vancouver area the start time is 11pm PST which is still alright.

yeah it works out nicely

[christoff]

Originally posted by Apollonius



Me too.

The fact that it is on later this year is a bonus - I don't see how anybody can see fault in it. As for other fans in different time zones, what's the issue? If you love to watch a race live then get up and watch it, if not then record it, watch a replay or just don't watch at all. I'd watch it live whatever time it was on (the only race I've ever missed live was Spa last year as I was getting wed lol).

And you call that an excuse for not watching ? ? ?
;)

[fifi]

Originally posted by FlashMaster


Exactly Now I hope I can sleep two or three hours, drink some water/coffee and watch the race completely

i done that for the rerun

[item3785]

While I can see why it's frustrating for the Non-European viewers to have to get up in the middle of the night, the way Bernie keeps threatening every race at the moment, just be thankful we still have an Aussie GP.

[Mat]

Originally posted by fifi


i was the same, however usually it ended me coing home drunk, and not exactly watching the race

thats how i would always end up too!

[Turn 1]

Although it obviously hasn't benefited the 'opening poster.' It was for his/her, the reason it was moved back in the first place! To suit UK and european audiances. Quite ironic.

I must admit I prefer the earlier start time (5am UK time was it?) but I got up at 4am for the build-up, it makes it more of an event for me.

[stevvy1986]

think it used to be a 3am start UK time

[Turn 1]

Originally posted by stevvy1986
think it used to be a 3am start UK time

You see for me, thats perfect, i'm pretty sure it was 5am last year thought wasn't it?

[stevvy1986]

can't remember as last year i only got back into the country a few hours before the race, and barely had time to watch recorded quali before the race programme started

[Alfisti]

What's with these giblets wanting to wake up at 3am? It's the worse possible time because if you wake up at that time you're screwed as you're not getting back to sleep and if you stay up that late ... well .. you're gonna start nodding off.

[stevvy1986]

disagree completely-3am is fine,race over by 5am,go and get a few hours of sleep (especially if you havent done so before the race) so no problem whatsoever in all honesty,and those who stay up that late without the sleep will make sure they don't nod off