37 replies to this topic

[Jackmancer]

I'd love to read about these!

For me, instantly, the 2002 Grand Prix in Melbourne comes to mind. At the first corner, Ralf Schumacher ran into the back of Barrichello and eight cars where eliminated, as well as the two Arrows for disqualification. It was the first race of Mark Webber, in a Minardi, and at the closing stages of the race he fought a brilliant battle with Mika Salo. Webber's Minardi was damaged and Salo was closing fast. No more spoilers from me, here's a video:

Also, 2009 comes to mind, mainly for being such as massive shock by BrawnGP.

[ensign14]

Can't beat Argentina 1958. First world championship win for a rear-engined car. When it comes to Greatness, that is unsurpassable.

[John B]

1982 set the tone for a bizarre year with the driver strike and being sequestered together in a hotel, then Prost winning the race after falling a lap behind with a flat tire. 2nd place for Reutemann just before he retired after the next race.

[MortenF1]

That was some drivin' by Webber in the closing stages, and I remember it vividly. Heroic effort, and overdoing it here and there as well, pushing over the limit in an effort to wring laptimes out of the Minardi it couldn't do.
(...pushing like that probably wont be possible with this years tires....)

I also liked Melbourne '97 very much, with DC ending up winning the race, with the beautiful West-sponsored McLaren MP4/12. OK, that race had potentially more on offer, with Irvine forgetting to brake for T1 and wiping out Villeneuve in the process, but it was a nice surprise to see McLaren win again, as this marked their return to the front.

Edited by race addicted, 11 March 2013 - 20:54.

[SteF1an]

Kyalami 1993

[KavB]

2008 was pretty crazy.

[scheivlak]

1982 indeed, and Argentina 1980 was intriguing as well with the track breaking up during the race leading to some surprising changes at the front.

1961 was pretty legendary too with Moss' nimble Lotus beating the Ferrari squad in Monaco.

I really liked the 1989 Brazilian GP with Nigel's famous 5 wheel change pitstop and a pretty close finish.

[HuddersfieldTerrier1986]

This may surprise some, but Australia 2003. Damp start, Barrichello jumps the start, him and Firman crash heavily early on, various passes, couple of other crashes, only 11 drivers finish, Schumacher has to pit due to damage, Montoya leads late on then spins it, giving Coulthard the win.

[Disgrace]

The 2003 opener was great, it looked like it was going to be 2002 all over again but then Ferrari had a total disaster which at the time was massively refreshing. The same goes for 2005.

Thinking back of my favourite season openers in recent times, they tend to be chaotic rather than high quality, otherwise someone dominates it. 2006 was the last time there was a real race-long duel for the lead in the season opener.

Edited by Disgrace, 11 March 2013 - 21:09.

[UPRC]

I really enjoyed the 1999 opener myself!

[Dolph]

I really enjoyed the 1999 opener myself!

ditto

[Collombin]

Whilst agreeing 1958 is difficult to top, the 1975 season opener was pretty interesting, 3 different race leaders spinning off.

1990's was enlivened brilliantly by Alesi, although I don't recall it a particularly interesting race apart from that.

Too many season openers were held on dull tracks.

[tomisumi]

Well, from last 10 seasons, i´ll pick 2003, 2008. In 2003, races was quite boring these days, but this was strong opener, start at damp track, few crashes, Montoya lost win...
But last year it was interesting to watch too, lot of racing, overtaking...and this weekend and Sunday will make a new history...

(I could say 2010 too, but Melbourne wasn´t opener that year...on the other side, 2010 opener might be winner of another competition - most boring opening race)

Edited by tomisumi, 11 March 2013 - 21:36.

[BigCHrome]

2008 just because of all the fails that Raikkonen had. It was hilarious.

[ed24f1]

This may surprise some, but Australia 2003. Damp start, Barrichello jumps the start, him and Firman crash heavily early on, various passes, couple of other crashes, only 11 drivers finish, Schumacher has to pit due to damage, Montoya leads late on then spins it, giving Coulthard the win.

Having just watched it again on Sky, I agree, it was a better race even than I had remembered.

[PorcupineTroy]

2003 and 2009 are probably my two favorites since 2000.

It's been a while since we've had a real crazy season opener, such as in 2008, 2002, or 99. I would be down for a race like that this weekend, although with the current state of reliability in F1 it looks unlikely.

[spacekid]

It wasn't one of the classic races, but Brundle's crash in 1996 certainly made me **** up and go '****! Well, F1 is back again!'

[Risil]

1981 South African GP. It was so great that it was decided it couldn't be a world championship race after all, because none of the others could live up to it.

[nordschleife]

Hard to top 1967. Pedro Rodriguez first , John Love (wha ...?), John Surtees in the Honda. That was beyond unforeseeable.

Edited by nordschleife, 11 March 2013 - 23:13.

[Les]

John Love (wha ...?)

Good driver.

77 also had a surprise result on the majestic circuit no.15 (as opposed to the boring 90s configuration) at Buenos Aires, where Jody Scheckter won the first proper race that Wolf ran, again something that no-one would have predicted. Also two years later where Ligier came seemingly from no-where to dominate.

[BuzzingHornet]

When I think of openers that blew my mind, I always think of 1998. I had never before or since seen such a comprehensive display of crushing superiority. Adrian Newey should attach a video of that race to his CV if ever he is unemployed.

It was totally mind blowing and, for the season, utterly depressing.

[SR388]

It wasn't one of the classic races, but Brundle's crash in 1996 certainly made me **** up and go '****! Well, F1 is back again!'

I hope you watch your races while on the toilet.

[Atreiu]

Australia 2003 and 2008!!!

[George Costanza]

I liked 1999 when Eddie won.

Very nice.


2003 and 2008 were good also.

[Kingshark]

The 2003 opener was great, it looked like it was going to be 2002 all over again but then Ferrari had a total disaster which at the time was massively refreshing. The same goes for 2005.

This may surprise some, but Australia 2003. Damp start, Barrichello jumps the start, him and Firman crash heavily early on, various passes, couple of other crashes, only 11 drivers finish, Schumacher has to pit due to damage, Montoya leads late on then spins it, giving Coulthard the win.

I remember it as if it was yesterday.



Excellent race!

[aditya-now]

I remember it as if it was yesterday.



Excellent race!

That was a great race indeed - thanks for the link!

Montoya, Raikkonen and Schumacher already battling it out (as they would do over the whole season), while DC won in stealth mode!

[PayasYouRace]

It wasn't one of the classic races, but Brundle's crash in 1996 certainly made me shit up and go 'shit! Well, F1 is back again!'

I wouldn't say it was the best opener, but it did feature one of the best teammate lead battles of its time. Hill and Villeneuve were really going at it in that one.

[PayasYouRace]

I remember it as if it was yesterday.



Excellent race!

Also, everyone made it through the first corner

[Rob]

Australia 1997 was pretty good. Mostly for the shock of seeing a McLaren in the lead.

[wj_gibson]

The 2002 Australian GP was absolute toss. Half the field out at the first corner and a procession thereafter.

Kyalami '82 was surely one of the best opening races?

[montoyasminion]

2008 was pretty crazy.

2008 was good for comedys sake. You've got Kimi spinning three times on a dry track, DC threatening to kick the **** out of Massa, Bourdais running in 4th on his debut. And whens the last time we had only 7 cars finish a race? That was a proper 80's high attrition race. It was great.

[mclarennut]

I hope you watch your races while on the toilet.

[Vesuvius]

This may surprise some, but Australia 2003. Damp start, Barrichello jumps the start, him and Firman crash heavily early on, various passes, couple of other crashes, only 11 drivers finish, Schumacher has to pit due to damage, Montoya leads late on then spins it, giving Coulthard the win.

yup 2003 was great but you forgot Kimi started from the last place (pitlane) would have won the race without 1,1km/h too much speed on the pitlane (had drive trough penalty)thanks to pitlanelimiter was set wrong and still he managed to come 3rd.

[HuddersfieldTerrier1986]

Ah yes, well remembered, forgot about that (didn't he pit at the end of the formation lap for dry tyres and that's why he started in the pits?). Oh and as for 2002, other than the crash and seeing if Webber could hold on ahead of Salo, it wasn't a sensational race. Would've been better if they'd have red flagged it, at least then we'd have got a restart and possibly more chance of a better race (ok the 2 Ferrari's would've scarpered, but behind them it'd have likely been more interesting than it otherwise was).

[Longtimefan]

1990, Phoenix USA.

Senna and Alesi.

[F1Johnny]

1990, Phoenix USA.

Senna and Alesi.

That was quite something.

[Watkins74]

1990, Phoenix USA.

Senna and Alesi.

+2

That battle was very entertaining.

[Jacobss]

2008 was good for comedys sake. You've got Kimi spinning three times on a dry track, DC threatening to kick the **** out of Massa, Bourdais running in 4th on his debut. And whens the last time we had only 7 cars finish a race? That was a proper 80's high attrition race. It was great.

What?

Kimi spun only one time by just touching the grass (like Alonso last year in quali) and thats it. He also went to the gravel attacking Kovalainen, but due to old soft tyres he couldnt brake correctly. One lap later they pitted.

People, if you dont remember the races, then stop spreading false informations.