Post here all non technical related topics about Formula One. This includes race results, discussions, testing analysis etc. TV coverage and other personal questions should be in Off topic chat.
This is mostly a rant, but please feel free to comment. I absolutely HATE when people refer to the "show" aspect of racing. Racing is not a show. You wouldn't change the rules to soccer/football because it's boring sometimes, so dont do it to my sport. I cannot stand how there is such a push to change Formula One to make it more flashy. DRS? A joke. I agree, it has improved overtaking statistically, but it is a gimmick. Bernie throwing around ideas of shortcuts or artificial rain? This MUST be a joke. What the hell was wrong with racing up until the early 2000's?
"You're so angry that you throw your gloves down, and the worst part is; you have to pick them up again." - Steve Matchett
Tell that to the teams and companies that make tons of money off of wealthy people when they produce a good "show" for them that includes luxury and plenty of amenities. F1 and other top tier series could not survive without the wealthy and their view of it as primarily a show. Would it be a stab in the dark to say that not everyone is like us here at F1T and cares about the technical aspects much more than the "show"? Probably not.
As with other industries, there are plenty of markets one can, and sometimes must, cater to. F1 has prided itself on being an elite series where the rich can play, therefore bringing along those who only see it as a stage where they can demonstrate their wealth and toys (i.e. Ferrari clubs in VIP lots adjacent to the track).
Take it or leave it, because F1 is a racing show. IMO.
... But I agree with you 100% on the issue of artificial gimmicks.
scuderiafan wrote:...You wouldn't change the rules to soccer/football because it's boring sometimes...
Errrr, they do!
In soccer too many teams were settling for a tie with a long time to go in the game, so most competitions changed the scoring system to make the gain for a victory larger than the loss for a defeat. Everyone agrees that it improved "the show".
Also at some point the game became too defensive, and defending teams would simply pass the ball to the goalie who would hold it in his hands. That was a too easy trick for defenders, so the rules changed to forbid the goalie from using his hands in such situations.
Basketball added the 3 point line (seen as a gimmick at the time).
It is a show in some way yes. But what 'scuderiafan' is trying to say, you are now looking at an Racing As The World Turns, not racing where you cannot expect anything to happen.
Since 2009, how ironic it is, Formula 1 had been completely ruined. We saw great racing and challenges(and the weather mixing it up too). For example, Monza 2008, if that was ran under 2011 rules Vettel would have never won it, why? DRS. It breaks more then it fixes, it is supposed to increase on track action right? The only place on track where it increases action is in the DRS zone itself, I have said it before and I will say it again, DRS is a load of rubbish, reduces track action and makes overtaking dead simple. Why it reduces tracka action? It is quite simple, why should a driver overtake one before the DRS zone risking an collision as well as the other taking DRS when you can just drive past with absolutely no effort at all?
The racing itself has become worse too, with these rules you should improve overtaking right? How can you overtake anyone when the off racing line is filled with marbles? It isnt even a little bit of marbles, no this is ridiculous, the track is much darker after the weekend and tou can spot the racing line clearly due to the marbles. Other than that it is also quite ironic, leaving this waste on the track, which is bad for the enviroment etc. things that are so important these years. What else is ironic is that in 2010 they banned refueling to increase on track action and reduce the tactical aspect of F1, with these Pirelli's they do exactly the opposite.
What else is bugging me is that every little bit of contact is penalized, you are jsut forcing an parade where one can drive past in the DRS zone, what fun is that?
Oh and this, why couldnt we start directly in Canada? I can remember a certain Great Brittain in 2008 being way, way wetter than Canada this year.
To me Formula 1 is completely ruined, I do not even bother watching the races nor the recap, I simply cannot be bothered to watch another parade, see Vettel drive away, see 200 pit stops and LEwis Hamilton(or any other driver, but this is something we can all relate to lol) getting penalized for at least trying. There is way, way more off track action than on track and off track is pretty weak too, which I will see short youtube vids of here. The Sky deal sint a problem anymore since I wouldnt bother watching either would the BBC broadcast every race. Formula 1 should look at Indycars, what is real action, real racing. Not a bunch of sissies driving in a parade excusing themselves in front of the media for a locked wheel, if I wanted to see a parade I would go to a small village once a year, it doenst cost anything and has a larger field than F1 has, as well as you come closer to the cars.
I think that the important thing is that the mechanics, engineers, drivers and the factories in general are focused on the competition. The formula changes that is f1. I would like to see more consistency in it, but that is not the way the song goes. I was dead set against DRS when it was introduced, but it has seemed to me that it is a little more benign than I originally feared. Bernie talks about introducing a lot of gimmicks but they are rarely instituted. As long as I know the teams are committed to producing the best challenger they can, I still respect the competition. The promoters are always going to look for a new hook to gain more enthusiasts. JMHO
