The Official Formula One Thread!

[erhein]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

If roaming pre-race pit reporters were banned, it wouldn’t bother me a bit. As far as annoying TV personalities go, no one in F1 comes close to being as bad as American IndyCar pit reporter Robin Miller.

Oh, jeez, joey, don't even get me started on Indy Car!

[sillo]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

If roaming pre-race pit reporters were banned, it wouldn’t bother me a bit.

You happen to catch that quick Bernie Ecclestone on the grid interview in Brazil?

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by sillo38

You happen to catch that quick Bernie Ecclestone on the grid interview in Brazil?

Didn't see it. I find the interviews annoying and irritating. What happened?

[goin camping]

Originally Posted by erhein

I have to ask a question and it's probably directed more at the guys from the UK, but anyone is invited to express their thoughts. What do you guys think of the folks who do the F1 announcing/commentary for Sky Sports. Is their announcing/commentary enjoyed in the UK? Are they popular for their commentary? No offense to anyone, but I find their incessant talking to be extremely distracting. It seems to me that they could cut their talking by two-thirds and still say everything that needs to be said. Comparing them to the team of Bob Varsha (later, Leigh Diffey), David Hobbs and Steve Matchett, I much preferred Varsha, Hobbs and Matchett. Do the Sky Sports team appeal more to UK viewers?

As another viewer from the U.S. I really miss Hobbs, Matchett and Diffy and Varsha.

Hobbs and Matchett (Especially Hobbs with his dry English humor) made my wife laugh and be interested in the race.

A good thing since I watch practices, qualifying and the race. Much easier to pull that off weekend after weekend if the Mrs. is watching too.

With the Sky team. Wife won't watch and suggestes we do other things.

[erhein]

You know, I think another part of it is that they try too hard to manufacture excitement when there’s nothing exciting going on on the track. Or try to make it seem like something mildly interesting on the track is of major importance. Consequently, they seem to be shouting all the time. I would much prefer calmer commentary when things are calm and excited commentary when things are exciting.

[goin camping]

Sure enjoyed that race. The part without DRS was surprisingly good too.

Now it is the looong 100 and some odd days before the new season starts.

Will Ferrari find speed? Will Red Bull and Verstapin be next years big winner Can Hamilton win his seventh?

Can't wait to find out.

[RW16610]

I hope to follow next season more closely. Here are the official highlights from the final race for anyone who didn't catch it:



It'll be interesting to see what takes place next season or any regulations soon to be changed.

[dba]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

If roaming pre-race pit reporters were banned, it wouldn’t bother me a bit. As far as annoying TV personalities go, no one in F1 comes close to being as bad as American IndyCar pit reporter Robin Miller.

I find Martin Brundle's pit walk interesting. It appears to be off the cuff, but it does have some structure to it. There are certain drivers that can't be spoken to prior to the race, Hamilton and Vettel come to mind right away. When he comes across some celebrity speaking to a driver he wants to talk to, it's astonishing how much Brundle doesn't know. Mostly I find him harmless on the broadcasts.

I do miss Varsha, Hobbs and Matchett. Hobbs was in his 80's when NBCSN stopped the coverage. He looked great and still seemed to be pretty sharp. Matchett was best when someone pulled a boner and Matchett would say, "That was optimistic."

Originally Posted by sillo38

You happen to catch that quick Bernie Ecclestone on the grid interview in Brazil?

Why would anyone even try to talk to that old man. He hasn't given a straight answer to a reporter in 20 years. He may be sharp as a tack but he gives off the appearance that he's senile.

[Zakalwe]

The news is a couple of days old but very interesting news that Verstappen has signed a new contract with Red Bull until 2023.

Max has amply demonstrated his ruthless determination in his five seasons in F1 so you have to imagine that what RB have shown him gives him confidence that he’ll be given a title-challenging car sooner rather than later.

The news does remove some of the intrigue that would have been generated next season by the prospect of musical chairs in the driver market. You have to imagine that Mercedes will basically throw the proverbial chequebook at Hamilton now, if they weren’t already going to, as they are out of options otherwise for a top tier driver from 2021 onwards.

[Zakalwe]

Mercedes to quit the sport after this season?

I can’t find any corroboration online, aside from Racefans, which is acknowledged in the copy, so I’m pretty sceptical. However Autocar is a reputable publication.

[V25V]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

Mercedes to quit the sport after this season?

I can’t find any corroboration online, aside from Racefans, which is acknowledged in the copy, so I’m pretty sceptical. However Autocar is a reputable publication.

F1 has been dying a slow death for a while now, it is dreadful and anyone arguing it is not, is kidding themselves. We have little to no actual racing, cars that sound like vacuum cleaners and now.... the fatal blow.... politics. A driver lobbying a series which literally burns oil, fuel and rubber for sport to be more environmentally conscious. And people at the FIA are actually placating to it..... you have to be freakin kidding me. At least Max and Kimi have spoken up on how ridiculous that is. I was at Austin and had access to some folks at RedBull, they transport 40 tons of equipment from race to race, that's 80,000# folks.

I can see why manufacturers and teams would want out of it.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

Mercedes to quit the sport after this season?

I can’t find any corroboration online, aside from Racefans, which is acknowledged in the copy, so I’m pretty sceptical. However Autocar is a reputable publication.

I remember reading months ago about Lawrence Stroll's interest in Aston Martin so it could have some truth to it.

[Yoda_Eating_Pizza]

Originally Posted by V25V

F1 has been dying a slow death for a while now, it is dreadful and anyone arguing it is not, is kidding themselves. We have little to no actual racing, cars that sound like vacuum cleaners and now.... the fatal blow.... politics. A driver lobbying a series which literally burns oil, fuel and rubber for sport to be more environmentally conscious. And people at the FIA are actually placating to it..... you have to be freakin kidding me. At least Max and Kimi have spoken up on how ridiculous that is. I was at Austin and had access to some folks at RedBull, they transport 40 tons of equipment from race to race, that's 80,000# folks.

I can see why manufacturers and teams would want out of it.

I remember in the late 90s or early 2000s, certain people were making a big stink about the racing at Laguna Seca. In an interview, someone asked Miguel Duhamel (racing superbike & supersport at the time) his thoughts on it.

Miguel's quick response, with a big smile, in a Mr. Rogers voice, "We're racing with... nature."

[77T]

Originally Posted by V25V

F1 has been dying a slow death for a while now, it is dreadful and anyone arguing it is not, is kidding themselves. We have little to no actual racing, cars that sound like vacuum cleaners and now.... the fatal blow.... politics. A driver lobbying a series which literally burns oil, fuel and rubber for sport to be more environmentally conscious. And people at the FIA are actually placating to it..... you have to be freakin kidding me. At least Max and Kimi have spoken up on how ridiculous that is. I was at Austin and had access to some folks at RedBull, they transport 40 tons of equipment from race to race, that's 80,000# folks.



I can see why manufacturers and teams would want out of it.

Consolidation is coming methinks. When you consider only 3-4 teams have a reasonable chance at a podium under normal circumstances, I could expect a field of 10 cars instead of the 20 we have now.

The works teams are all that matter to many fans.

1000% agree about hoovering sound - and it’s worse in Formula E where they sound like cordless drills.

Here in US, racing is not hybrid yet but IMSA-ACO accord announced last weekend is taking us there. So don’t blink...the plague is heading across the pond.


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[enjoythemusic]

Maybe it's time to start attending SCCA races. Many different classifications, awesome sounds, the smell of burning race gas, and you can get close and talk to everyone. Camp out on Saturday night and party with teams too.

[sillo]

The cars definitely didn't sound good at the beginning of the Turbo Hybrid Era, but they sounded pretty damn good to me this year in person. Especially the Hondas.

[V25V]

Originally Posted by 77T

Consolidation is coming methinks. When you consider only 3-4 teams have a reasonable chance at a podium under normal circumstances, I could expect a field of 10 cars instead of the 20 we have now.

The works teams are all that matter to many fans.

1000% agree about hoovering sound - and it’s worse in Formula E where they sound like cordless drills.

Here in US, racing is not hybrid yet but IMSA-ACO accord announced last weekend is taking us there. So don’t blink...the plague is heading across the pond.


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Yeah, I think something is going to happen. And with Indy/F1 continuing to close these cars up, we are becoming multiple "prototype" configurations anyhow. IMSA is definitely drinking the Kool-Aid and I suspect they will follow suit at some point. Indy Car was headed in the right direction, cars were looking really good last year and sounded awesome. Indy Lights cars are freakin fantastic but very expensive and only about 6-8 in a race..... now with that awful cockpit enclosure, I think Indy Car may have lost me.

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Maybe it's time to start attending SCCA races. Many different classifications, awesome sounds, the smell of burning race gas, and you can get close and talk to everyone. Camp out on Saturday night and party with teams too.

Yup! Always a great bunch and we have at least 10 years until all the millennials grab a hold of it and turn it into hairdryer racing as well. They already have Tesla running in Auto-X.

New prototype class for Bob's series this year, could be interesting. I think some of the bigger teams like Comprent have some of them already and Firman has come out with some new whizzy thing to run there or Atlantic trim, I am told it is cost effective. We will see.

[77T]

Originally Posted by V25V

New prototype class for Bob's series this year, could be interesting. I think some of the bigger teams like Comprent have some of them already and Firman has come out with some new whizzy thing to run there or Atlantic trim, I am told it is cost effective. We will see.

Bob is now using SCCA Sanctioning and his new class race works under SCCA Club P1/P2 rules, and any Hoosier tire allowed.

Come to Barber in May to see how it works.

The new P1 Car by Firman Racecars will be there by then (hopefully)




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[V25V]

Originally Posted by 77T

Bob is now using SCCA Sanctioning and his new class race works under SCCA Club P1/P2 rules, and any Hoosier tire allowed.

Come to Barber in May to see how it works.

The new P1 Car by Firman Racecars will be there by then (hopefully)




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I will be there. Literally talking with Erik at QS now about it. Would be interested in the Atlantic version...... possibly.

It has my attention depending on what happens with our series....

[enjoythemusic]

Will you guys be racing at Sebring, lemme know as would to do a meetup.

[V25V]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Will you guys be racing at Sebring, lemme know as would to do a meetup.

Nah. I plan to be at all with the exception of MO, think thats 4th July weekend and we have a family trip already planned that week.

RA
Barber
Pitt
MO
VIR
Summit
Pitt

[walds11]

Shocker:

Racing Point set to become Aston Martin Racing for 2021

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...K1M4Q1nMn.html

[sillo]

Originally Posted by walds11

Shocker:

Racing Point set to become Aston Martin Racing for 2021

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...K1M4Q1nMn.html

Damn! Hopefully this means a comeback of some green on the grid. Also, I guess this means no more Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Honda.

[racemekanic]

Not sure if there's a thread on here already, but any Formula 1 or Motorsport enthusiasts?

Rolex sponsors a fair few motorsport championships so I guess it's a good link.

The F1 season starts soon, along with Drive to Survive season 2 on Netflix coming soon which is a great watch if you've watched the 1st season.

I use to work in F1 and now currently based in the states in Indycar so be great to get other like minded people in here.

[denmanproject]

Looking forward to both! PVR is set

[Magid]

Looking forward to the new season. Last year was my first full year following F1 and finally got a handle of the sport.

Do you guys have a specific team or driver you root for?

[junamuan]

yes, there's a long thread already if you just search for it.

but yeah, looking forward to the Kimis last hurrah!

[V25V]

The F1 races haven't even started yet and I'm falling asleep. Hope something changes but I see a pattern and it doesn't look good.


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[topgear]

I have been an F1 fan for 20 years and still going strong. Always look forward to the F1 season and mark up all the race weekends on my calendar.

[OmegaJJH]

Very excited!!

Hoping Lewis/Mercedes can make it 7 titles each to match the great Michael Schumacher and then retire as the legend that he truly is where he’ll hopefully then be recognised as such.

I think the next chapter of F1 is very exciting with George, Lando, Max & Charles!!

I’ve been to 2 races in the last 2 seasons. Spa - camping as a ‘boys’ trip which was epic and then full on VIP pit lane/garage access last year at Barcelona which has ruined F1 for me as I’ll never be able to replicate just how magical that weekend was for an F1 geek like me!!


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