I need help with my F1 ennui

Part of my problem is, I don't have the time I once did to watch all the qualifying and races. These days it's mostly reading race results and Kimi/Hamilton/Massa sucks threads on FChat. But I realized this morning that I don't really give a crap about any of the current drivers. I like to see Kubica do well, but that's more of an anti-establishment sentiment at work. Otherwise they're all dull as cheese. I'm hoping to see a fair amount of Monaco this weekend, but unless it rains, that's usually the worst thing for curing a case of the F1 blahs. Stepney-gate. Fernando-gate. Max-gate. Great old circuits being replaced with boring slot car tracks. So help me before I fall completely out of love with the sport I once couldn't get enough of.

 

i can't stand it when there's bare;y any overtaking these days. sigh..it's Monaco this weekend. wish it will be a wet race.

 

Sounds like you may have a bigger issue than just being bored with F1, as you apparently haven't tried the incredible variety of cheeses available.

Seriously, watch the qualifying show(only), buy a copy of the several year old book about the technical aspects of F-car's F1, then go to an ALMS or other available high level road race and spend time in the paddock pre-race...if that doesn't work, maybe you just don't care anymore. Life changes........

 

Oh, this is very much contained to F1. I very much enjoy ALMS--in fact, proto-style racing is quickly becoming my favorite. I also like DTM, Aussie V8s. Indy 500 is still a great event despite the series being in shambles.

 

The US needs a DTM-style series!

 

Tried and failed years ago, American Touring Car, wasn't it?

I remember seeing them at Limerock oh so long ago, coolest Accords you ever saw!

Lasted about four races, if I recall.

 

The GT1 and GT2 classes of the American Le Mans Series are probably as close as we'll get.

 

I sure hope some of the changes coming next season make a difference. When I convince a friend who is not familiar with F1 to watch a race they usually end up looking at me like what's the big deal. If it takes an elitist with a detailed understanding of the technical and strategic aspects of this sport in order to appreciate it, F1 is in trouble which IMHO it is. The spectacle must be improved. In too many races the rush to the first corner is the race highlight.

 

I kind of agree with you about F-1 and the slot car tracks... Monaco is one of the only ones with any real tradition left... hope it can stay that way for a while. As for F-1 and passing... I really dont get it... its been like this for about 25 years.. my problem is there is no technical intrest in the sport any more... ALMS and LeMans has that now.

I miss V-12 & V-10's fighting with V-8's, I miss the days when you could tell the difference between cars by the way they sounded... In F-1 the best will always be leading... and the rest will follow. In my opinion an F-1 car should look mean and awsome... it should make you shiver when you look at it... be the pinnacle, sadly today its not like that any more. its a spec formula, and that is the real shame.

they could have active aero, active suspension, driver aids, etc... realy open up the sport, if you want to govern speeds put a regulation trial on the winner.... race has to be run in 1 hr and 11 min or something like that... so not only you have to win but you have to do it in the right time... that will keep your speeds down... but what do I know.

 

Jack - you are not alone in your thoughts. We could not get enough of F1 either, one year enriching Mr. Eccelstone bank account by attending three races in Europe. As you state, things/times have changed. A 1.5 hour processional of supposedly the most technically advanced vehicles in motorsport looking like ducks in a row is hardly excitement. Perhaps the fact that the lackluster of truly competitive racing now days has been compensated by the soap opera effect. The last real battle I remember seeing was that of MS and FA at Imola for two years in a row.

We've found ourselves going back to our first love of sportscar racing. ALMS and LMS is where it's at for us. There's nothing quite like the excitement of 50 cars on the grid at a historically significant circuit representating four classifications heading into turn one!

We've not given up on Formula One, only a bit disillusioned right now.

Carol

 

Completely agree with everything said here. I have actually found myself fast forwarding the Tivo through the mid laps of the races. I agree with the comment about the first corner. And thank god I'm a Ferrari fan, because the races have become a showcase of McLaren/Ferrari, and it doesn't seem like the other teams even exist, maybe BMW.

At least give me some drama like last year...it keeps things interesting.

 

I think the best way to look at F1 is that the whole season is a race - towards constructor and individual championships. Once you realize that, then there is often lots of passing. In other words, don't take an instant gratification view - look at each race as a lap in a bigger race, and then you'll be entertained by lots of passing and different results week to week.

 

Jack, I find that when it comes to race weekend, I totally forget the F1 politics, the small minded snips on FChat, the lack of on track competition, and just enjoy the artistic and technical aspect of the sport. I can't explain it at all, it is still the only form of racing I can sit and watch for the entire duration of a race. I like ALMS, but somehow I do not feel the same about those cars as I did when there was a Camel GT. There is the BTCC, but its not shown much anymore in the USA, and to me the DTM is just German NASCAR on road courses with the same politics as F1.

I know there is no real passing in F1, so I will watch parts of the CocaCola 600 later on Sunday for real competition. Even the Indy 500 will have some on track passing worth note. And I no longer try to convince anyone that F1 is the top form of auto racing, its kind of like cilantro, you either love it or you just can't get into it. So my only suggestion until the 50/50 chance that the 2009 rules will create real competition, just sit back and enjoy the sheer beauty of these technically advanced vehicles taking corners at unbelieveable speeds.

And hope for some good TV shots of the local scenery and the F1 babes.

 

I know how you feel with the parade laps that F1 seems to be and I really do hope that the new aero regulations next year will lead to much more. For me personally I'm much more interested in the technical aspect of the cars and the engineering that goes into them. With that I said it would still be nice to have the excitement that is the last two minutes of qualifying extend throughout the race.

 

So, I actually got to sit and watch the entire Monaco GP unterrupted. It required stealthily extricating myself from bed and quietly taking the dogs downstairs. It did feel good to enjoy an entire grand prix, pot of coffee and quiet time. Definitely enjoyed it--I think my initial sentiment about Monaco was a little off-base since something interesting usually happens during the race. Too bad for Sutil, but that's racing around the principality. Like the Masters and the Kentucky Derby, it is an event of grandeur.

 

Jack - glad you got to enjoy the event. We watched the entire race also, however, it must be said that we definitely saw far superior racing at the Monaco Historic GP a couple weekends ago. Too bad that Speed doesn't cover that!

Carol

 

I still enjoy F1, and I like watching the races, but I do wish there was more competitiveness. I don't mind the lack of overtaking, but it's kind of annoying knowing that out of 20 drivers, only 4 have a chance of winning it no matter what happens almost. You see these great drivers in horrible cars, and you know that no matter how good they are, or what they can possibly do, the car can not be competitive enough for them to do anything remarkable. I really hope that with all the changes next year the field will be evened out a bit. I would love for an STR or an FIF1 get a podium in a non-chaotic race. That would be fantastic.

 

Ennui this- There are 4 drivers within 6 points of the Drivers Championship, from 3 different constructors.

 

^

F1 is what it is.
Last year was as good as it gets. This year is shaping up too.

For action packed racing there's always Nascar.

 

+1

And the F3 race is generally pretty good (if they still do it?) - Lots of young hot shots trying to make an impression. And as they're smaller and driven by crazy people they even overtake every now and then.....

Cheers,
Ian

 

LOL! You're absolutely right. I hope this is how things will remain.