What does everyone think about this track, especially this year? Good: Street track The novelty of a night race Crowded grand stands Rock concert makes this a true "event" Government support for the event Not so Good: Only night race (so far) - what's next, ovals?! Conditions of track poor - bumpy and very dusty due to surrounding construction No track run-off areas - high risk track Very odd placement of rumble strips throughout the course Few if any passing opportunites Exit to pit lane discourages acceleration to course speed The track essentially eats brake calipers for lunch. It is very unforgiving. Plus the KERVS is worthless (not totally bad unless you are a Ferrari fan ) To me, it is the worst circuit in the season. The race is not very interesting due to a lack of passing opportunities and the great possibility of full course yellows since any incident could bring one out.
I've always thought Monaco was the worst track. Even tighter, even less run-off space, and even less passing. Prestige and history aside, it's the biggest snooze-fest race in F1 each and every year IMO.
The Singapore track is without a doubt the most boring track on the planet. It has zero interest because there is zero opportunity for anything other than a procession. The fact that there is no-run-off area means the drivers take it easier and will not take chances passing on the outside or diving under in a corner. This race is typical of the financial motives that have driven F1 for the past several years. There is no reason to watch this kind of drivel The race is staged at night so that it is on during prime TV time in Europe. I bet the ratings are awful, especially after this year's race.
Both Monaco & Singapore are mostly just parades around the track. What excites most people I've talked to is the opportunity to pass other cars, but this is nearly impossible on most ( or many ) tracks in F1. There are too many corners and not enough straight areas. Yes, we need some corners so we dom't get just the "oval" tracks, but why do they need chicanes every few hundred feet? And why is it so much of a goal to "slow the cars down"? The cars are so evenly matched that it takes a bit of roadway to get up the speed difference in order to overtake, and this rarely happens on tracks with this many braking places. This one & Monaco do seem dangerous, with so little width, and so little run off area. just my 2 cents
The only decent street circuit in memory was Long Beach. Wide, variety of corners and even had terrain change! Singapore is too tight, and I agree about the odd curb placements.
Cool comments. INRE Monoco... It seems to me that the fans support this race even though it is not terribly interesting due to the venue, the fact that you can get very close and personal with the racers, etc., heritage and finally the royalty aspect. It is charming, but I fear it is an anachronism for the series. It should be relegated to demonstration or exhibition status.
Well, the problem with Singapore is that everything it aspires to be... Monaco already does, it does it better, and it has heritage to back it up. The only thing that makes Singapore unique is that someone said: "I know, let's have the racing in the dark so we have to use artificial lighting..." I didn't really find the race that interesting, to be honest... and that's not just because Ferrari didn't do well. Some of the brake failures later on were worth watching, but I spent much of the race bored half to death - I just don't find the circuit entertaining. If you must have street circuit racing on the calendar, keep Monaco but don't introduce new ones. As for the worst track in F1, I think Singapore and Valencia compete for that position with each other. I struggle to pick between them, but Singapore may just edge it for the gimmick factor associated with a night race. Both those circuits should be struck from the calendar, in my opinion. All the best, Andrew.
Talked to a friend of mine who actually was at the race and he would agree that this was one gigantic bore. He has been to other F1 races and liked them. He loved Singapore and thought the city and its action was neat, but the race was bad for the audience. Having experienced a similar race at Valencia, I would agree and have become a true hater of catch fences and city races.
I agree Singapore is a dull race, but it is a spectacle and that's what F1 is all about - the show. Hungary on the other hand - utter waste of time, no spectacle, and no excitement. I would chop Hungary before any of the others. Why can't modern track designers make a decent track like Spa anymore?
That depends on how you watch the race: If you watch it on TV, then yes Hungary is mostly boring. However go there in person and it is one of the best experiences in F1's calendar. Much more interesting than e.g. Monza or Silverstone. Actually some of the top drivers called Turkey "the new Spa" when it was built because of its speed and elevation changes. Yet people on here complain and moan about endlessly.
Monaco is like threading a jet fighter through a needle; a real drivers' track that showcases nerves and precision. (Just take a look at the Senna clips on YouTube.) Its one "parade" track I would never sacrifice.
And herein lies the problem. F1 is trying too much to rely on the "spectacle" and "show" aspect that the racing is suffering as a result. Apparently it is too much to ask for one helluva racing series where the racing is the #1 priority. I have lost a serious amount of interest in the last couple years because of the focus on the drama that is the F1 soap opera. Oh, and yes, Singapore bored the hell out of me.
I quit watching it midway thru the race and went to sleep. Woke up Monday and watched it all on fast-forward........waste of time.
I watched about 5 laps of it, I about died laughing when I watched these supposed 'esses' guys were driving almost straight thru. If you can drive a motorcycle straight thru without a wiggle - IT'S NOT AN ESSES!
Personally, I find this race the worst of the season. I don't think there is a track that has less overtaking. It's apparently at a marina, but you can't see the water or anything else for that matter. I will say that the lights reflecting off of everything make everything stand out and shine, which is nice....but the racing flat out sucks. I hate this track. This is the first race of the season where I actually got bored and fast forwarded.
Singapore and Valencia - I honestly can't decide. I really have no idea why they do this to the fans. As it is, f1 cars are not just ugly these days, they can't bloody overtake on tracks like Spa and Monza, and yet they fly off and sign deals to race on streets? Great great thinking.
As a race, Monaco and Hungary are probably the most boring to watch, but Monaco, between the people, sea, scenery, elevation changes, and watching the cars fly through those streets is spectacluar. IMO, Tabac is one of the best corners in F1 and the speed they carry through Massenet, virtually blind, is awesome. It's a little watered down with the changes at Ste Devote, Swimming Pool and Rascasse, but it's still great. It's always a boring race but I still look forward to it.
