For 3 laps, then it's follow the leader. For cars running 10th to 20th, it's pretty much pointless. No pun intended. And then we also get a preview of the tire performance which gives insight to strategies ran in the race.
Brundle has become a bore, I don't tune in to watch him pontificate like some elder wise man...let him do his track talks in between the sessions.
Sadly I think they still do tire management. I don't think we've seen a push to the max stint since they took away refueling. Even though there was plenty of complaints about passing in the pits back in the mid 2000's, at least they would go balls to the wall for those 15-25 laps.
Now that full historic races with English commentary are available on YouTube and other sources, I watch historic races more often than current these days. I really like the days of different engine/tranny/tire setups and real pit strategy with refueling. And banzai disposable turbo qualifying engines. Turbo 4s, 6s, even 8s. NA V-8s, V-10s, V-12s all on track together.....
I remain in awe of Brundle’s 2014 exchange with Horner CH: “Pity you’re too old to have driven here (Singapore), you would have enjoyed it” MB: “Pity you were too slow to drive in F1”
That was a classic! One day when Martin retires from broadcasting, it will be nice to see someone put together some of his "classic moments" on Youtube so we can all have a laugh.
How do I put this? The whole F1 circus has to become more palatable for the new, average fan - to keep the masses watching. My example: In the 80s (who watched F1??, one would have to check the numbers) mostly die-hard automotive people had an interest. Here comes Schuhmacher, and suddenly every beer drinking, local sunday-soccer-watching dude became a F1 fan! In 1999 I complained about the lack of "depth" of the german commentators - only for them to become an award! Because the numbers of people watching went up. The level of F1 fan got dragged down to influencers and their followers, all to get klicks, airtime, minutes, ... - You get what I am saying. F1 became a mass-sport. If they allow the grid girls back, I watch again ;-)
