The Golden Age of F1: Right here, right now!

I watched Grand Prix over the weekend and wondered what would happen if they banned wings in F1 and focused on mechanical grip...

 

You'd have slipstreaming.
Natures DRS.

 

Emmmm... Have you ever heard of a guy called Sebastian Vettel and a beverage called Red Bull?

 

That is too bad, The gents above are some of the best long distance endurance racers of all time. Derek Bell, can be seen on You tube - type in Porsche 956 Nurburgring, he does a lap with an in car camera at speed. Jackie Ickx passes him full speed....
Holbert and Ludwig were IMSA greats - Sports car racing in the USA circa mid 80's like Group C racing in europe. While these guys were not as well known as Lauda, Prost & Senna, they were still the best of their age & racing class. Bell also drove for Ferrari in F-1 back in late 60's ...

 

+1

 

I would argue that what is good for business is what's good for sport.

Let me explain... at the end of the day, the competitors are there because they want to win - and they want to win because so many people watch F1 so that winning means something, because everyone sees you winning, and by extension, sees you beating the other guy.

That means opportunity and opportunity means potential to capitalize. Some think that's where sport goes bad - I disagree. Because what is good for F1 is to have the most people watching and attending, and that won't happen because of good advertising but rather because of exciting action on the track.

There will always be people who as nostalgic for the "good old days", but it is part of the human condition to forget the negatives of the past and remember everything as if it was all roses. Nostalgic romanticism aside, F1 has never been better - as evidenced by the numbers.

 

Well, you might be really old and it could be true The knee of that curve is much closer than people think... and it's a car guy's wet dream. Electrics make all their torque down low, don't really need geared (in general), and are much lighter and more reliable. When all the right checkboxes are marked for EV's to tickle consumers fancy, it will be another golden age of cars.

It is quite badass! I can't even conceive of what the best engineers would be able to develop if they were not hampered by as much red tape as they are now.

 

Not wanting to get OT but I agree with that ^^^^^^.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2vr5BO6YU0[/ame]

 

Agree, but we're talking about a longer timeframe here. I suppose that F1 and FE will coexist for quite a while, while the fears here seem to be that F1 will switch to electric rather sooner than later.

 

Would agree with most everything Mike. I do believe that safety has become a priority for the FIA. They have stated that they want to prevent problems instead of reacting after the fact. Simple logic.

I sure do not have a problem with increased safety measures, including canopies. There is no need to fully enclosed the wheels, just a simple nerf bar front and back.

I can not understand any argument against increase safety, especially preventative safety. I do not go to any form of racing to see accidents, I prefer every car that starts, finishes. So comments that canopies will take away from the sport are really silly. Even after watching most every race this past season, the only two helmets I can pick out, remember, are Schumacher's red and Massa's yellow. I am not sure, but I think Vettel's helmet has the red bull on it? The point being, I watch the cars, not the helmets. I sure can not see Tony Stewart's helmet, but I recognize his car. If a canopy would prevent another Massa incident, then why not?

And I have no problem with engineering progress, including the type of engines. Isn't that what F1 is all about?

The sound? I have a feeling that will not be an issue. I have a friend that is legally deaf, and he enjoys watching the races despite not hearing the engines. I guess some of us are into competition, which, still is not good enough in F1.

As for the Golden Age, there have been many in F1. I do not think this past 2-3 years surpasses the 1950s and 1960s, the 1980s, and for Ferrari fans, the Schumacher era. But I do believe the new Golden Age will start in 2011.

I definetely agree with your assessment about BE. If Bernie moves on, I believe chaos will set in in the form of egos from the owner's side, and the sport will potentially become another CART failure. I do not think that Todt is enough of a "bastard" to replace Bernie, and some beancounter sure as heck will not do the job. I hope BE has picked someone as his replacement that is as much of a jerk.