64 replies to this topic

[HoldenRT]

 

My 2 cents:

 

Drivers to Watch:  Raikkonen, Vettel, Kyvat

 

Eyes on: Alonso, Hamilton, Rosberg, Perez, Magnussen, Bottas

 

What's the difference between "drivers to watch" and "eyes on"..

[Spillage]

Welcome to F1. Don't be put off by all the complaining on the forum; ultimately we're all here because we love the sport.

 

One thing I'd recommend is that you invest some time in learning about the endlessly fascinating history of F1. This is a sport as steeped in the past as it is in the future.

Edited by Spillage, 03 April 2014 - 23:51.

[KnucklesAgain]

sorry no its easy for people who don't want change to blame others but the fact is mics can capture full F1 sound its your TV that cannot reproduce it!

But please feel free to blame anyone but yourself or your desire to make your neighbours go deaf or you could go get a full on sound system and watch the police cart you off as the electricity company bankrupt you.

All sound can be reproduced its simple pressure waves moving through the air but can you afford to reproduce them

 

No hifi can really "reproduce" the real sound of anything, but I can assure you that my TV audio can create a satisfying sound if it is delivered. It can for movies.

What's worrying is that testing videos made by fans with mobile phones sound better than what FOM produces.

[x600]

As for the racing itself - well to me it just looks more of what real racing should be like

 

It only looks like real racing, but there was no real racing involved. Absolutely zero. None. Every other series has more racing than the actual F1.

 

Why don't you watch IndyCar?

[Lazy]

Hi Wes

 

Welcome.

 

As for the double points, as you can see there are some strong views around about pretty much every aspect, but I think every fan is united against the double points scheme.

 

It comes from the same person who wanted to put sprinklers on the track and also thinks ear damage is a necessary part of the F1 experience.

 

Have fun

[Lazy]

It only looks like real racing, but there was no real racing involved. Absolutely zero. None. Every other series has more racing than the actual F1.

 

Why don't you watch IndyCar?

That's strange, I saw plenty of racing. Maybe your perception of what "real racing" is, is too narrow?

[paulrobs]

Welcome Wes.

 

I will be very interested to read what you have to say this year. Always good to get a different and new perspective on things.

[Maustinsj]

Oh, for anyone else who watches the NBC sports commentating; it might just be me, but those guys seem to really like Jenson Button...

 

Aha! A clue to where Martin Whitmarsh is now...

[Wes350]

It only looks like real racing, but there was no real racing involved. Absolutely zero. None. Every other series has more racing than the actual F1.

 

Why don't you watch IndyCar?

 

F1 has far more real racing than nascar, with its much hyped "close" racing that is in fact artificially induced.

 

I did catch this past weeks indycar event - and in my opinion it's superficially like F1, only not as good. In many ways it's obviously a a step down. And you cannot argue that push to pass racing is more real than F1 and its DRS.

 

F1 is obviously not perfect, but I find I can enjoy it for its many positives because I know that there is no such thing as perfection.

[Paolo]

Hi Wes, it was iluminating to read your thoughts, there is so much that us long timers take for granted.

 

Yet...

 

search for Villeneuve vs Arnoux, Dijon 1979

 

Or have  a look here

 

 

and you will probably understand what we complain about.

 

Look at the differences between cars, no oppressive rulebook, no DRS , no joke tires. and especially no primadonna race stewards... these drivers would have been severely punished for what they did, today.

Edited by Paolo, 04 April 2014 - 22:14.

[Eff One 2002]

I am what could be called a casual Nascar fan - mostly because for the casual TV viewer here in the U.S. it is the most promoted motor sport. But I have my issues with Nascar's product, which is why I remain casual.

 

I can directly blame watching the movie Rush for piquing my interest in F1, and then the two Tom Rubython books, Rush to Glory and The Life of Senna, for increasing my interest enough for me to decide follow F1 this year.

 

Google and Wikipedia are rather useful if you don't know anyone who can get you up to date on what's what in F1.  I've wasted more than a few hours on the net reading a lot of stuff to try and educate myself on the recent history and who's who of the sport since the early 80's.

 

So after watching the Australia and Malaysia races I've decided to post my half formed thoughts... 

 

 

With my set of fresh eyes on the sport; F1 has a lot of positives:

 

I find the team aspect of the sport far easier to track and follow - everyone basically building their own chassis makes things far more interesting.

I also like the uniformity of the paint schemes. And the way the drivers and teams are set up does add a bit more drama than the conventional 1 driver 1 team setup they use in nascar.

 

The 2 hour race length means I don't have to block out half a day to see a race. And the limited size of the field (in comparison to nascar) makes it easier to keep track of everything going on in the race.

 

FYI if you live on the west coast like I do, DVR is your friend.

 

As for the racing itself - well to me it just looks more of what real racing should be like - (I don't know how else to phrase it - I'm probably not going to make much sense here...)  Yes, you get a little processionitis - but this is not video game racing, and the lead can't be constantly swapping back and forth every race. I like how passing/overtaking is very important at any point in the race, and the ability of the teams and drivers to keep a pace is more pronounced with just a 2 hour window to do their thing. I also like the strong sense of urgency from the teams and drivers to make each race matter.

 

I don't have a single driver that I favor  - but Bottas and Hulkenburg are interesting underdogs to follow.

 

Here in the US to follow F1 you have to make an effort, took me a solid internet search to find what time and channel it was on in my area, and luckily I have a cable package that has it. Monster truck stadium events have more promotion.

 

 

F1 does have a few things that make me scratch my head though:

 

Double points in the last race? WTF? Do you believe in your product or not? I may be new to F1, but even I know something is ass when I see it.

 

And why the point inflation? What was wrong with 10 8 6 5 4 3 2 1?  Am I missing some math thing? Or is it a case of "ohh, lots of points, yummm" ?

 

And the sound complaints; I don't get it. Why all the fuss?

I youtubed some early 80's turbo era races, listened to their sound, and I don't see a problem.

But that's probably because I have no preconceptions having just started following the sport. 

 

 

Oh, for anyone else who watches the NBC sports commentating; it might just be me, but those guys seem to really like Jenson Button...

 

 

I'm here all week to offer deep insights from my fresh perspective. I solemnly promise that my opinions will be worth exactly what you pay for them. 

 

.

Yeah welcome aboard. It's always interesting to see what someone new to F1 thinks.

[Shambolic]

Hi Wes, it was iluminating to read your thoughts, there is so much that us long timers take for granted.

 

Yet...

 

search for Villeneuve vs Arnoux, Dijon 1979

 

 

Look at the differences between cars, no oppressive rulebook, no DRS , no joke tires. and especially no primadonna race stewards... these drivers would have been severely punished for what they did, today.

 

As much as it's true the current rulebook is far too restrictive (even on the new engines, much as I'm enjoying seeing engines being significant again). And DRS is an abhorrence. "Show" tyres and random stewarding (the only consistency seems to be they're consistently inconsistent) do nothing good.

 

However, how many races actually saw a battle for position like the famous one above? It's famous at least partly because it was and is so damned rare. Senna and Mansell in Monaco might come close, and Schumacher vs Hamilton at Monza perhaps. There might be a few more, but I doubt it's more than once or twice a season a lap after lap wheel to wheel battle takes place.

 

Edit - Alonso and Schumacher at Imola. And if two tanks Button hadn't been a moving roadblock for the laps before, Schumacher might have found a way through. Though those in the UK would've missed it thanks to a well placed advert by the clued up F1 loving people at ITV..

Edited by Shambolic, 05 April 2014 - 06:50.

[x600]

And you cannot argue that push to pass racing is more real than F1 and its DRS.

 

It is (in my opinion). You also can not reduce IndyCar to PTP. The drivers are working harder. There is no power steering and the tracks are very bumpy.

 

In F1 they just keeping the position till the race is over. The drivers are like controlled robots without personality, in and outside the car. During the race they are even getting told by the engineers, how to drive the car.    The new F1 is a joke.

 

IndyCar

 

 

F1 is obviously not perfect, but I find I can enjoy it for its many positives because I know that there is no such thing as perfection.

 

If it suits you, then why not watch it.

I know people who are enjoying watching trains and busses (it's not a joke!). They drive long distances to see a certain train passing by. If I could enjoy things like this, I would be a very happy person.

Edited by x600, 05 April 2014 - 09:05.

[ollebompa]

What's the difference between "drivers to watch" and "eyes on"..

Divers to watch are the talented ones, eyes on are the pretty boys. Quite obvious if you ask me.

[SanDiegoGo]

What did OP think of the Bahrain race, then?