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Is this the worst F1 season ever?


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#1 HistoryFan

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 08:26

For me yes.

 

I can't remember one team was that dominating like Mercedes now does. Okay McLaren in 1988, but there you had a very entertaining fight between Prost and Senna for the championship.

 

I can't remember that the top 5 places were mostly given to the same 5 drivers. Only Pierre Gasly managed to be in 5th place once. But alongside that you have the 2 Mercedes drivers, 2 Ferrari drivers and Verstappen to be on the top spots all season.

 

Even races like Baku which were very chaotic, are boring.

 

So if we took fatal or heavy accidents away: I think that is the worst ever season in Formula 1. Do you disagree? What years were even more worse?



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#2 Spillage

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 08:31

It isn't great but there have been lots of stinkers. 2002, 2015 and 2013 - for me the worst of all - spring to mind.

Hopefully Ferrari and Red Bull can get their act together and spice up the second half of the season, which would improve things even if the title race is over.

#3 JeePee

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 08:33

It isn't great but there have been lots of stinkers. 2002, 2015 and 2013 - for me the worst of all - spring to mind.

Hopefully Ferrari and Red Bull can get their act together and spice up the second half of the season, which would improve things even if the title race is over.

2002 still had freakishly cool V10's and real race tracks. No Sochi's, Paul Ricards, Abu Dhabi's we get this year. So 2002 beats 2019 hands down.



#4 Eff1

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 08:34

Tough one, I think it’s up there as one of the most uncompetitive (at the front). What leaves me further disillusioned is Vettel only just managed to snatch fastest lap from Hamilton at the last race, who was on the older, harder tyre compound. That indicates to me, that if Hamilton really wanted to, he could lap the entire field in that Mercedes. He just doesn’t need to drive flat out, so no need....

#5 Marklar

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 08:35

2002 and 2004 were worse, because at least rn we have solid racing in the midfield. It gets dangerously close to this level though. rn it's more akin to 2015 or late 2013.



#6 Jerem

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 08:41

For me yes, it's the first season in 25 years that I don't bother turning up for races, just watch highlights on Sunday night.



#7 JeePee

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 08:42

2002 and 2004 were worse, because at least rn we have solid racing in the midfield. It gets dangerously close to this level though. rn it's more akin to 2015 or late 2013.

2002 and 2004 still had blow ups, rain, V10's, 4 pitstop races, and drivers pushing in races without their tyres getting too hot. Damn, it would trade 2002 or 04 with 2019 in a heartbeat.



#8 ensign14

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 08:52

2002, where it was apparent early on that Ferrari had basically banned racing.

 

2004, where the FIA had basically handicapped every team that was not Ferrari to the extent that the season was a bust.



#9 Loosenut

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 08:56

For me yes, it's the first season in 25 years that I don't bother turning up for races, just watch highlights on Sunday night.

Ditto.. Unthinkable when I was younger, altho I still don't know if its entirely because F1 has changed so much, or because I'm just becoming an old fart. Probably a combination of both.

I didn't watch anything of French GP yet and chances are, I'll probably just watch the flash thru highlights on youtube..



#10 HistoryFan

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 08:57

2002 still had freakishly cool V10's and real race tracks. No Sochi's, Paul Ricards, Abu Dhabi's we get this year. So 2002 beats 2019 hands down.

 

in 2002 we also had 4 different teams and 7 different drivers on the podium. More than now.

 

I think just 5 different drivers on the podium would be a record wouldn't it? What's the record so far?

 



#11 absinthedude

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 08:57

I think 2002 was the worst for me, not only was there a Schumacher/Ferrari steamroller but we knew Michael's team mate wasn't allowed to beat him. I am still unhappy about the Austrian "race" that year. The team orders were crass, unnecessary, and disrespectful in the extreme to fans and to Barrichello.

 

2004 wasn't much better but at least it wasn't a total steamroller. 

 

Barring illness or injury, Lewis is going to win big in 2019....and it's not the most interesting season. I've not decided to keep recordings of any of the races so far. But at least Bottas has beaten him on a couple of occasions and kept him honest on others. At least we know Bottas is *allowed* to beat Lewis. 

 

1988 was almost akin to 2016....one team dominated but they had two drivers at the top of their game and a great battle between them. 1992 saw Mansell finally lift the crown, and if he was usually galloping off into the distance there was plenty of good action behind. 



#12 Vesuvius

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 08:59

Yup it's the worst so far, followed by 2014. At least 2002 Williams/Montoya was fast over one lap and won races, McLaren won race as well.2004 was better as well, Williams and McLaren won races and we had some good races.

2013 was brilliant, until Pirelli changed tyres because Red Bull and Mercedes wanted so.

Edited by Vesuvius, 24 June 2019 - 09:00.


#13 TomNokoe

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:00

No way, but it's the worst season since social media became a thing, so we are all entitled to complain ten-fold until Liberty fix it.



#14 masa90

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:02

This is the worst season I have witnessed sofar. And I started viewing in late 90s. Ugly complex cars, not able to follow still on many tracks, Abu Dhabi, Sochi etc.

And most importantly it just seems like all the excitement is gone. This problem of the whole turboera has been multiplied this season. Just awful. I regret I bought tickets to see Hungary F1 instead of Neste Ralli this year.

#15 TheFish

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:04

2002 was so bad I stopped watching until 2007.

 

After 8 races the title fight looked like -

 

1 23px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png Michael Schumacher 70

2 23px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png Ralf Schumacher 27

 

That was a truly dreadful year for the sport.

 

This year could easily rival it by the end though.


Edited by TheFish, 24 June 2019 - 09:06.


#16 absinthedude

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:07

1952? Ascari winning just about everything? But how many of us were even around then? I certainly wasn't and there was no social media. We do tend to have social media posts along the lines of "201x is the WORST EVAAA" for some sport that has been going decades or even centuries....



#17 Astandahl

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:08

Absolutely. At least in 2002 Schumi gifted some races to rubens at the end ( after the team order drama ) and Montoya was a monster in quali.


Edited by Astandahl, 24 June 2019 - 09:08.


#18 Rinehart

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:08

This is one of several processional seasons I can think of with the title inevitable by Monaco. 

 

But what is getting worse about F1 is the lack of light at the end of the tunnel. F1 is becoming more chesslike, more vested, more political, more policed and more contrived. It's just a soulless advertising on wheels. Lewis is about to win his 6th title and yet in the last 3 years he's only had to overtake a couple of cars... and he and Vettel/Verstappen have only had a couple of on track battles. How can F1 expect to attract new fans when even the leading contenders are bored of it. 



#19 Thatfastguy

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:10

I've been watching from 2001 to 2005 and then from 2015 'till now and I can honestly say this is the worst season I've seen

 

(maybe helps that I'm a MS fan   ;) )



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#20 Rinehart

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:11

It isn't great but there have been lots of stinkers. 2002, 2015 and 2013 - for me the worst of all - spring to mind.
 

So conceivably 3 of the worst 60 are in the last 5 years... that's my issue. We've had stinkers, but we are now in an era of sustained stinkiness...! 



#21 P123

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:11

Nah.... but lets wait until the season is done in full.

#22 Peat

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:19

So conceivably 3 of the worst 60 are in the last 5 years... that's my issue. We've had stinkers, but we are now in an era of sustained stinkiness...! 

 

This, has there ever been such a prolonged stint of domination for any team?

 

The fug is particularly acrid when you consider that Mercedes essentially led the technical regs for this powertrain. 



#23 Arundo

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:22

Depends on how it will proceed, its been rather dull and boring, you can predict the winner for each race already. But lets see and hope however Redbull are not gaining rather loosing and Ferrari is still Ferrari and not consistent. Noone really challenging Mercedes at this moment and Bottas is back to his old selve with little answer to Hamilton's speed at the moment. 



#24 P123

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:24

This, has there ever been such a prolonged stint of domination for any team?
 
The fug is particularly acrid when you consider that Mercedes essentially led the technical regs for this powertrain.


Well, they didn't, unless you think the rest had no input. And is the engine still the differentiating factor in their dominance?

Plus you have to look at the competition- Ferrari fumbled good chances in 2017 and 2018, and that theme continues in a couple of races this season so far. Moaning about Merc is the fan way, but the sports issues run deeper than that. Don't forget that Red Bull were the ones championing the current aero regs. Perhaps the teams should have no input to regulations... :)

#25 ensign14

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:24

As an aside, we are obviously talking about level of competition.  In terms of absolute worst, then 1955, 1958, and 1968 were all just suffused in seemingly never-ending tragedy from start to finish.



#26 P123

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:25

Depends on how it will proceed, its been rather dull and boring, you can predict the winner for each race already. But lets see and hope however Redbull are not gaining rather loosing and Ferrari is still Ferrari and not consistent. Noone really challenging Mercedes at this moment and Bottas is back to his old selve with little answer to Hamilton's speed at the moment.


There is no difference now to any time in recent history when it comes to predicting the winner. The pole/ win conversion isn't any greater.

#27 Gareth

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:27

Dominant seasons are nothing unusual in the sport, but I think this one has come at a tough time for F1. Looking like the 6th consecutive season of Merc wining makes it tougher to take IMO.

 

Last season was quality and truely competitive between the top 2 cars IMO. And 2017 was hardly a cake walk either. But sadly that gets lost in the middle of a Merc domination sandwich.



#28 KeithD68

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:28

2013 was the worst in recent years.

 

Because of the coming rule change everyone stopped trying by the summer.  Red Bull only had to turn up to the track to win.  But there was also very little midfield stuff going on.

 

Total yawn fest.

 

The Merc dominance thing is a little overdone, yes they have been dominant in this hybrid rules period but Ferrari had a great chance for WDC last year and they threw it down the pan. 


Edited by KeithD68, 24 June 2019 - 09:31.


#29 Izzyeviel

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:33

I'm old enough to remember when the 2012 season was considered boring....because we had too many winners.



#30 TomNokoe

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:34

Although I must say, I can't remember the last time when I knew who the champion was going to be this early. If you aren't a Hamilton/Mercedes fan, this must be painful. It doesn't even matter if Vettel wins next week. Temporary joy, never going to win the WDC.



#31 Arundo

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:34

There is no difference now to any time in recent history when it comes to predicting the winner. The pole/ win conversion isn't any greater.

 

Atleast someone would win other then the dominant team, i dont see that happening this year. Mercedes could end up winning every race this year. 



#32 Peat

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:34

 Perhaps the teams should have no input to regulations... :)

 

Nailed it. 



#33 Vesuvius

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:35

At least 2002 we had 7 poles for Montoya, 3 teams and 4 different drivers won races, 4 teams and 7 drivers scored podiums.

#34 Vesuvius

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:37

2013 was the worst in recent years.

Because of the coming rule change everyone stopped trying by the summer. Red Bull only had to turn up to the track to win. But there was also very little midfield stuff going on.

Total yawn fest.

The Merc dominance thing is a little overdone, yes they have been dominant in this hybrid rules period but Ferrari had a great chance for WDC last year and they threw it down the pan.


2013 was magnificent, until pirelli,FIA, Mercedes and Red Bull ruined it. We at least had lots of overtakes that year.

#35 noikeee

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:38

I do think it's alarming and unique that we've had 8 Mercedes wins in 8 races, 6 Mercedes 1-2s in 8 races, and 39 out of 40 possible top 5 positions going to the same 5 drivers. On paper that's extreme predictability, but for some reason it doesn't feel quite as bad as those statistics. Ferrari had a win well within their reach in Bahrain, Baku and Montreal, and Red Bull had it in Monaco. Also, whilst less important, there's wild race-to-race form swings in the midfield. And there's actual possible, plentiful overtaking. And Hamilton's lead over Bottas in the championship isn't that huge, all it takes is 1 DNF and a couple of bad races (in theory). So IMO it's not as bad as 2002 and 2004 were, which was the all-time lowest point for me. 
 
I also think people have forgotten just how ridiculously bad things were in certain seasons in the past, by looking at it with rose tinted glasses. 1992 and 1993 are seen as part of the golden era of F1, lauded for some historical great moments like Donington 93 or Monaco 92 by Senna, yet those moments were rare and those seasons utter piss in terms of a championship battle, with a car that could finish a race 50 seconds ahead of everything else, and a clear gulf in pace between the #1 and #2 driver in it (in 93 Hill eventually caught up to Prost but by then the championship was all but sealed). However I do understand the point of view that cars and tracks were a lot more "pure" back then, that it didn't matter if the championship fight was boring.
 
There's also been seasons with a really entertaining championship fight on paper but pretty dismal racing on track - 2010 was a particular low for me there. A really tight 4-way title battle!... But with rock hard tyres, no DRS and no refuelling, this meant no strategy and no passing and usually cars stayed in a immutable pace order from lap 1 to the last lap.
 
So my opinion is 2019 has been pretty bad, but not the literal historically lowest of all, or all negatives in every single aspect.


#36 SenorSjon

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:40

2002, where it was apparent early on that Ferrari had basically banned racing.

 

2004, where the FIA had basically handicapped every team that was not Ferrari to the extent that the season was a bust.

 

2002

RB had 3 DNF's in the first 3 races, a 2nd in San Marino, but a DNS in Spain. 4 non-scores in 5 races in a 17 race season meant he was always going to be rear gunner. In that sense, Austria was a bit over the top, but they wanted to gain as much points for Schumacher as possbile to gap the rest. 1999 lay fresh in mind.

 

2004

Forgot about 2003? A host of changes to stop Ferrari, it almost worked. Tried again in 2005 and it worked. 

 

in 2002 we also had 4 different teams and 7 different drivers on the podium. More than now.

 

I think just 5 different drivers on the podium would be a record wouldn't it? What's the record so far?

 

 

We have 4 more races this year.to continue the dread.

 

2002 was so bad I stopped watching until 2007.

 

After 8 races the title fight looked like -

 

1 23px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png Michael Schumacher 70

2 23px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png Ralf Schumacher 27

 

That was a truly dreadful year for the sport.

 

This year could easily rival it by the end though.

 

We do had DNF's in the top, ;) It was bar Schumacher a lot of different drivers gunning for top positions though.

 

2013 was the worst in recent years.

 

Because of the coming rule change everyone stopped trying by the summer.  Red Bull only had to turn up to the track to win.  But there was also very little midfield stuff going on.

 

Total yawn fest.

 

The Merc dominance thing is a little overdone, yes they have been dominant in this hybrid rules period but Ferrari had a great chance for WDC last year and they threw it down the pan. 

 

Then we had 2014... 2015... 2016... 2nd half 2017, 2nd half 2018 and now 2019. I hope Verstappen goes to Indycar, then I can quit watching F1.



#37 noikeee

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:41

Although I must say, I can't remember the last time when I knew who the champion was going to be this early.

It's been a while, but used to happen pretty regularly. 1992, 1993, 2002, 2004...



#38 SenorSjon

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:43

@noikeee

 

I have no doubt that without the possibility of SC and have a fresh car every race, the Merc's could lap the field. In 1992/1993, times would be on aggregate, so it helped to have a big gap at a red flag. Now it is pointless to waste your funky tires on it. Stuff is managed to the n'th degree now.



#39 P123

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:44

At least 2002 we had 7 poles for Montoya, 3 teams and 4 different drivers won races, 4 teams and 7 drivers scored podiums.


Tyre war.

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#40 Diablobb81

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:45

The problem with this season is that is has no redeeming factor. Also there is no interesting story for any team or driver.

#41 PayasYouRace

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:46

It can’t be worse than 1952 and 1953. F1 was so lacking in entries that they ran the World Championship for F2 cars as they expected Ferrari to be the only competitive cars in F1. Then Ferrari dominated F2 anyway.

#42 Blackoutjulian

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:46

It has the potential to be one of the worst ones in F1 history alongside 2015, 2013 second half and 2004.

#43 SenorSjon

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:51

It can’t be worse than 1952 and 1953. F1 was so lacking in entries that they ran the World Championship for F2 cars as they expected Ferrari to be the only competitive cars in F1. Then Ferrari dominated F2 anyway.

 

Most of us weren't alive back then.



#44 JonnyJ

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:51

The problem with this season is that is has no redeeming factor. Also there is no interesting story for any team or driver.


I don't know, I'm enjoying the Vettel/Leclerc battle, Ricciardo/Hulk is interesting and I'm also enjoying watching some flourishing rookies like Norris, Albon and Russell.

Team wise again McLaren's resurgence interests me, as does keeping an eye on Renault and their progress. Then there's Ferrari, surely at some point this season they'll get better, it'll be too late for the championship but watching them get back in the mix towards the end would provide some good races. Hopefully it happens sooner rather than later.

#45 Retrofly

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:51

I'm thankful for being a Hamilton fan, I remember it during the Schumacher years and it was dire. Something does need to change, it needs to get back to racing.

 

What we having isn't racing, I dont think there is a silver bullet but they need to stop teams influencing the rules for starters, and they really really really need to sort out getting cars to follow in dirty air, DRS isn't the answer becuase it either does nothing or you get a super easy pass on a straight.

 

They need simplify the engine again too, get rid of hybrid or run custom engines with standard hybrid components.



#46 TomNokoe

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:52

It's been a while, but used to happen pretty regularly. 1992, 1993, 2002, 2004...

I'd like to know how many posters started watching after 2004. I started in 2007, for example. This is probably the first season for a lot of fans where it has been this bad, so early.

 

I have said many times this season that everything just feels inevitable. I read your post above that it doesn't feel predictable, which I sort of agree with, but it does feel inevitable. Mercedes will find a way, no matter what.


Edited by TomNokoe, 24 June 2019 - 09:52.


#47 PlayboyRacer

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:55

I think 2002 was the worst for me, not only was there a Schumacher/Ferrari steamroller but we knew Michael's team mate wasn't allowed to beat him. I am still unhappy about the Austrian "race" that year. The team orders were crass, unnecessary, and disrespectful in the extreme to fans and to Barrichello

I don't want to derail the thread... and yes it was a farce that left a black mark on F1, Ferrari and Michael Schumacher... however I never felt sorry for Barrichello.

He knew what he'd signed up for. That is why he got that Ferrari seat in the first place.

#48 JtP2

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:56

And then you get to watch a race  at Paul Ricard, a slab of painted tarmac. Even worse than watching new Silverstone. So I didn't and won't. then there's Scaletric at Sochi. So is it worth watching at Spa, probably for the track. But it's Moto gp only from now on after 54 years of F1.



#49 Diablobb81

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 09:57

I don't know, I'm enjoying the Vettel/Leclerc battle, Ricciardo/Hulk is interesting and I'm also enjoying watching some flourishing rookies like Norris, Albon and Russell.

Team wise again McLaren's resurgence interests me, as does keeping an eye on Renault and their progress. Then there's Ferrari, surely at some point this season they'll get better, it'll be too late for the championship but watching them get back in the mix towards the end would provide some good races. Hopefully it happens sooner rather than later.

 


Although i understand your point for they still aren't that interesting because of the bad parts.

While Albon is doing a great job he is also fighting Kvyat who is on his fourth redemption story.

Russel also is doing great but Williams and Kubica failed hard.

Norris is a positive one but neither Mclaren nor Renault managed to even approach the top 3 teams. Still the same midfield battle.

Leclerc is doing a good job but he really isn't beating Seb to make for a good story. And Ferrari failed hard while RB/Honda made no progress.

 

So nothing really spectacular just more of the same.


Edited by Diablobb81, 24 June 2019 - 09:58.


#50 PlatenGlass

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 10:00

I think this is quite a bad era for F1. It's not just the domination and stagnant form (always Mercedes first, Ferrari second and Red Bull third) but also the cars look the same from year to year (more so than in the past) and driver changes are relatively few and far between. When I look back on this era in the future it will be hard to recall what year specific races were in. It all blends into one.