F1 used to be a dangerous sport because it was fatal for many. Today it is a dangerous sport because it kills enthusiasm for motorsports. Who agrees?
There are certainly some elements of modern F1 that are a total buzz kill. Throwing a VSC or SC for the slightest on track issue is absurd. The current use of these two in addition to Red flags is unprecedented in the history of the sport and it is BS stage managing by the FIA veiled under the guise of 'safety'
I believe FIA should imply a new rule that obliges cars (or allows is maybe even better) to take more fuel onboard (for instance for 10 potentially extra laps). Safety car is out for 5 laps? In that case 5 more laps are added to the race.
It's the fear of litigation that brought many safety procedures in motor racing in general. In the past, some families have sued organisers for the death of a relative, and officials have been taken to court. You must know the cliché "Lawyers running after ambulances".
Honestly, if you want motorsport excitement, get yourself a nice little Triumph, MG, Miata, etc. It's more fun to run around town in one of them than it is to sit on the sidelines at any race.
IMSA race management is even worse....ex., if a car goes off into the gravel, it's 15-20 minutes at Road America to get all the classes pitted, cars in order, commercials played. And BoP is used every race. It's a reach to call it racing. I didn't see Monza today, but am less agitated about the ending. Every bite isn't supposed to be candy. It's what William said above. Sent from my SM-A102U using FerrariChat.com mobile app
Tracks could have dynamic alternative configurations - each track would have 2+ sections. The section/segment where an incident occurred would be removed from the "live track" until the incident is cleared. This would keep the race going and increase the competition and safety. Similar to a round-about vs. a traffic / stop light.
This. Don’t know if I’m the only one over here, but I turned off the telly on lap 32 or something. I really care less and less about the sport. There are too many races (it becomes way too « common » like soccer). Also, there is an overkill of rules & regulations (seriously, how long did it take ‘em to come up with the « definitive » starting grid this weekend???). You need a lawyer to watch F1 these days.
The best racing atmosphere wise I've gone to is Historic racing in UK/EU. They still get used hard. The noise is absolutely mind blowing. Seeing Lola T70s, GT40's, E types, Ferrari 250s, mustangs, falcons, minis, Escorts and so on race is absolutely amazing.
For me, it's Limerock Park's Vintage Festival. They dedicated a straight to Paul Newman last weekend. My problem is that shows and races are a giant tease. Sure, it's cool to see all of the cars, but I want to race them on the track!
That's true! I imagine Limerock is excellent with vintage cars... in the lower classes it's still quite easy to participate in classic car racing (in Europe at least), an old mini or Rover SD1 and go...same goes for more obscure racing like MX5/Miata cup cars.
If you are in the States, any sprint of midget meeting gives more excitment that most other motor racing. A succession of short races, parity among cars, easy to follow races, no interruption of action with spectacular cars driven at incredible angles by daredevil racers provides non-stop action. It's grassroots atmosphere too, so no BS or pretending from officials or participants.
I dont expect as much as many of you guys so I'm good with F-1 right now. Yes, too many rules - too many penalties, but overall I think there is so much coverage that people expect it all to be amazing - I dont see any Racing sport where its just fantastic from lap one... Having followed F-1 all my life ( 55 years )... realistically 50 years .... this is about as good as its ever been. The danger is largely removed ( but still there ) and as for the races - there were races when Jackie Stewart just checked out - like Lauda, Fittipaldi - Prost, Senna, Schumacher etc... when they were winning - that is what usually happened..... I dont know what people expect = 100% every lap a battle for the lead? that just does not happen from karting to F-1. I'd say - remind your self that you are watching history - and the best in the world winning races.... Max Verstappen is right now the best there is.... in the Red Bull - the best car...its always great to see the best and highest in action. I remember Tyrrell being #1 with Stewart ( I was young but remember it) then Lauda took over with Ferrari, and then it was Williams and Brabham in the early 80's then Prost & Piquet, Mansell and Senna from 84 - ... but you usually knew who was going to win ... to me this is nothing new ... its how F-1 has usually been. I'm sad that Ferrari is throwing away its early advantage - and in the mean time wearing down Leclerc... but the contrary is Red Bull and Verstappen doing amazing.... good for him.
I've recently been catching up on '90s season reviews and think that may be the most interesting decade regarding competition and drama. And the ever higher banshee wails of V-12s vs V-10s vs V-8s on track together and refueling strategy is missed of course. I'd say the initial years of the hybrid era were a disappointment, although the last few have been much better. But the cars of today still sound like early '90s PC video game simulations of F1 cars, which I thought were laughable at the time..... As for Ferrari throwing away its early advantage, it's the Team more than Charles, although he clearly does not have the race craft or grit of Mad Max. It really doesn't matter lately if Charles is on Pole, I know Max can pass him by the end. Max is on fire, this is his moment! Same for his team, which has 5 WDCs in the post Schumacher era and it looks like #6 is basically wrapped up. Hey Mr. Horner.....do you like red??
For me personally, the years from 1988 to 1993 were the absolute Best in F-1 but the reason is that I was usually there in person, with paddock and pit access. In those days the cars were amazing - mean-looking and beasts... standing by the trackside - anywhere you could get - was allowable and it was amazing. To experience an F1 car flat out going 180mph just 4 ft from you... is an unforgettable experience. the thing that I remember the most is the smell... nothing ever smelled like an F-1 car burning toluene and all the exotic fuels at the time. In 89 I was at Montreal and saw Senna make one of his very few errors on track - and narrowly missed getting splashed by him just before he retired. 1990, France - great race in the heat, with Prost winning... being on the Mistral just before Cygnes the sound and smell along with the wind that hit you when they would come past... it was shocking. you could see and smell the brake material being burned off as they hit the brakes...... so much better than today's cars....
