Annoyed with F1

Jason, I have been watching motor sports since the late 1960's. I have seen constant change, especially in the early 1980's when safety finally became important. I did not like most of it at the time, but then when the dust settled it all seemed normal again.

I did get really turned off by the COT in NASCAR, but I still enjoy the superspeedway race. I was agast a few years ago when F1 cars changed, I forget the year, they got narrower, just did not feel like they looked right. Now, I keep hearing how the F2004 is many people's favorite Ferrari of recent years. Then came the changes that brought us to the 2009 cars, which, despite looking dweeby, I have become used to watching.

The point being, there are cycles of change, usually a response to some direct or indirect influence such as safety, and now cutting costs. We are in the middle of one of these cycles of change in the sport, this one the most difficult of all that I have witnessed. The economy sucks, and it will for a few more years. I have no doubt that F1 needs to adjust for the future to be prepared for what may be a revolving door of participants, much of it due to the effects of the economy on the auto industry.

I only hope that the massive egos on both sides of the table can come to terms with the necessary changes, both in implementation (FIA), and acceptance (FOTA).

 

Where I share your sentiment is that it seems F1 always manages to upstage good on-track action with its political wranglings. F1, in what is another exciting year, is being batted around in the courts and tribunals. What's worse is the two men with the most power: Bernie, with a Napoleon complex and Max, with his daddy issues. At least if the sport was being governed by real men/racers it would come off differently. And don't waste your time bringing up the motorsport bios for either Bernie or Max--they don't register on either account.

 

I completely agree... I just wish F1 went back to its racing roots and put all the money and egos aside

Listen if F1 keeps going to where it's headed... so be it... I follow it for the passion of the race... if that one aspect becomes secondary I have no problem following something else

F1 used to be the pinnacle of the sport and it should be but somewhere money became the sole factor of this sport

It is completely sad

 

None of us objected as the sport became more and more commercialized. This was the change that was more important than wing size, tire dimension, engine spec, etc. Ron made mention of "the auto industry" in his response and he is right about the state of the economy and the industry in general. But the main point is that the sport is now dependent on the health of the economy, and that is the big problem. There was a time when F1 was primarily contested by privateer teams with sponsorship from unrelated outside entities. Over the last 20 years we have seen the transition from those days when a bunch of rich guys went racing to a point where the racing budget is a line item on some auto manufacturer's corporate ledger. This is the change that impacts us most. The sport began its decline as a result of those changes; what we are seeing now is just symptomatic of the bigger issue - that the sport is now dependent on the health of the economy because it became a business rather than a hobby for a select few.

 

Cycle's of change my arse, there is only one needed THE REMOVAL OF A MORON CALLED MOSLEY

 

That the way I feel. Tomorrow's meeting in Monaco of the team principals, if made public, should be positive. The reality of a walking away from F1 has gone from threat to we'd better come up with a plan real quick. I have a feeling most of the teams, except Ferrari, will be on board with the budget caps, the big issue will be how to govern this.

I am hoping we see a lot of positive discussion between now and May 29.

 

Steve, you're going to be hell of a disappointed if he goes and nothing much changes, which is what I rather suspect might happen.

 

Ratings ?

F1 gets ratings ?

In the USA ?


You guys are all echoing the same thing I have been saying for the last 10 years.

It's funny how the decline of F1 parallels the rise of the NFL...

 

+ 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000


He may of helped F1 back in the early days but he has been at the helm for far tooo long. It's time to move on.

 

EXACTLY. sick of all this racing drama..

 

I'll take my chances with that Ian.. He's about as effective as a cat flap in an elephant house.

The man is as corrupt as the day is long, you have to admit that.

 

Steve, corrupt, as in .....?

 

Used to think that when his name was Balestre. Not any more.

The FIA will always select a president of like characteristics.

 

Good question to ask his wife.. and EU commissioner Karel van Miert.
I'am awaiting a book.

 

Probably quite correct, anyone that can't conduct themselves with any decorum will do.

 

I agree with you. I know things are different and have been for years (The Schumaker/Ferrari era was a rareity in modern history), but it seems to me that sports in general now have really lost their soul. Take US sports like baseball, basketball and yes hockey (sorry Canada it's ours now and we can blow you up, LOL. Just kiddn') anyway, it seems that every year it is a new team. Sure many stay but as soon as a better offer comes up they are gone. Now I am not going to get into a side argument, yes they are in it for the money too but there should be a balance. Granted teams prinicples don't have loyalty to the players or drivers either so it is a two way street.

It's just the new age (for quite a few years now ). The New Age sometimes gets old though. lol.