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Spec-F1 Discussion

Discussion in 'F1' started by Gilles27, May 26, 2009.

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  1. Gilles27

    Gilles27 F1 World Champ

    Mar 16, 2002
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    Jack
    #1 Gilles27, May 26, 2009
    While I have enjoyed this season's grid upheaval (thanks for keeping me off the 'eat crow' list Mike;)) I have also struggled with deciding what it all means about the sport. My feeling is that this season confirms F1 is first and foremost a constructors' series. In no way is this intended as a slight on Jenson Button other than to say that he's no Ricardo Rosset nor is he a Michael Schumacher. He's somewhere in between. But a team that came out of the remnants of a disappointing (failed?) Honda effort is now dominating F1 like few teams do, which has been integral in elevating Button to the top. So while I prefer to cheer for drivers over teams, it's also hard for me to reconcile the feeling that you can never really know how good anybody truly is in the sport.

    So while 'spec-series' are often two of the dirtiest words once can utter in the context of Formula 1, what if it was established (somehow) while maintaining the spirit of Formula 1? Which means creating identical machinery that pushes the envelope of engineering? It seems that the greatest fear of a spec series is the loss of that edge, rendering teams irrelevant. But with the current condition of F1, drivers are becoming irrelevant. I think we've shown that, given the right car, a number of drivers on the grid could find themselves exactly where Button is right now. But without that car, they're relegated to also-ran status.

    Thoughts? Comments?
     
  2. kraftwerk

    kraftwerk Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #2 kraftwerk, May 26, 2009
    I have no problem recognizing a good driver in the current form of F1, turn it into a spec series, I won't care because I won't be watching period.
     
  3. Bas

    Bas Four Time F1 World Champ

    Mar 24, 2008
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    #3 Bas, May 26, 2009
    GP2 is highly interesting to watch, great action on track but to make F1 in to a spec series will sort of ruin F1...Great way to cut costs but it'll no longer be the pinnacle of motorsport.
     
  4. FerrariF1v12

    FerrariF1v12 Formula Junior
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    #4 FerrariF1v12, May 26, 2009
    it would be a true way in evaluating whos THE BEST really are(spec-series).Yet i love the idea of this team sport.Well thats me,im Ferrari forever,so as long as they succeed and be better than other teams it makes it truly special.
     
  5. RP

    RP F1 World Champ

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    #5 RP, May 26, 2009
    Jack isn't that the nature of the sport? I mean if a good, maybe great driver, is relagated to the back of the pack, isn't it up to the engineers to make the improvements and get this driver to the front again? Even in a spec series, you still see certain cars and certain drivers in the back, they all do not have the opportunity to lead or win. Much of that can be car prep, much can be driver skill. I do not take anything away from a driver that is doing well because they have the exceptional chassis, Button this year, Hamilton last year. Assuming that drivers like Alonso and Raikkonen are the best, its up to their engineers to get them to the front.

    So I do not think that a spec series will change much. Whoever has Ross Brawn doing the prep on their car will be up front.

    Remember Ross Brawn came on board when the Honda was already developed for the season. So the 2009 car, albeit developed with Honda money, is the product of Ross Brawn, one incredibly clever race engineer.

    So nah, I don't think F1 is a candidate for a spec type rule book.
     
  6. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #6 VIZSLA, May 27, 2009
    Why do we need another GP2?
     
  7. jknight

    jknight F1 Veteran

    Oct 30, 2004
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    Central Texas
    #7 jknight, May 27, 2009
    Last edited: May 27, 2009
    exactly and why do people think that the new teams will be anything but backmarkers? yeah right, the US A1GP team with a Ferrari engine is a whopping success in that series. . . Marco's IRL driving is a carryover to A1GP - excerpts on tv always showing him wrecking. If FOTA doesn't get changes made then with reducing costs and new teams with little budgets coming into F1 with spec Cosworth engines, etc. then it is a spec series just like anything else . . thank goodness sports cars can experiement with new innovations and use them for real racing where the cars are different.

    Carol
     

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