F1 in 2012

[Pete McCluskey.]

I gonna have a bet each way here. I agree with those that say the racing so far
this season has been terrific. Four races and four different winners from four different teams. Lots of passing and lots of stuff going on throughout the race,
in terms of strategy.
However, I can also see where Grand Dad is coming from even though he sounds
like a grumpy old white guy.
Formula1 IMHO is supposed to be the pinnacle of motor sport. All the rules being bought in to "Cut costs" or help it "become greener" are really only to try and make the sport more saleable for Television.

I think Formula Libre I.E. no rules except for safety would be a better way to go.
Now that would mean the team with the deepest pockets would end up winning all the time so its not practicable. Or is it? I remember a bloke called Chapman who had relatively little money coming up with some innovative ideas and did O.K. against the big boys.
We have to be careful that in pursuit of a "better show" for T.V. F1 doesn't become a motorised version of Ringside Wrestling.

 

[Terry Oxandale]

I agree Pete. I don't think F1 is where it should be, but IMHO, its still the best (sans V8 SuperCar) show in town for me.

 

[Mesa]

In Can-am it was all McLaren, until Porsche came to crush them. Then it was all Porsche until death. While technically very interesting, it was in a sense boring too.

Somewhere in the middle is the answer and the ability to keep Bernie looking attractive to ''too-tall'' women and the required eventual alimony payments...

 

[Keith]

However, I can also see where Grand Dad is coming from even though he sounds like a grumpy old white guy.

Whoa there Bruce, that there comment is right down in the dunny mate...:shout:

But accurate...

 

[Mark]

Agree with the sentiment Pete. But the days of Privateers turning up and Spanking the Big Boys will never happen again. It simply cannot. Back in the day, even the manufacturers had no access to anything greater than a guy in his shed. Not so now I'm afraid, so it is unfortunately a moot point.

 

[Ian Anderson]

There could still be a way forward.
Ban all electronics
Engine has to have a single wire connection to ignition switch
No fuel injection - has to be carburettor fed
No Carbon fiber brakes
Wider tyres
Flat bottom of the car - no diffuser
Wings max size front and rear
No Telemetry
Manual Gearbox

Then the best driver would make a difference not just the team with the biggest budget

Ian

 

[Dave]

I don't know?

I am really enjoying this years racing and I am actually looking forward to the next round. With Kimi the Iceman back and pushing so hard it makes for great watching.

 

[Keith]

Nice sentiment but there's a flaw in your optimism. For example why is McLaren and Mercedes suddenly on the back foot?

These two teams spent millions over the winter making their car as good as it could be. Because the teams are on fly aways there is very limited development that can be done not having access to the full factory.

Now, all of that work is negated, at least in China. These two teams in particular were punching way below their weight and it wasn't because all the other teams have developed their cars better, or the drivers having suddenly come awake (OK in Raikkonens case, maybe!)

The difference is in 4 black rubber circles. This kind of artificial manipulation brings nothing to the tech table - making a tyre deliberately wear out at an unpredictable rate. I am quite sure that Bridgestone said no to this strategy, which is why they pulled out - and I think they were right.

I hope you're correct about Raikkonen being able to maintain his streak, but if this 'lottery' continues, who's to say he will even make Q3 next time out?

You wouldn't mind if the tyres were predictable from track to track - it would at least enable some kind of benchmark.

Sorry, this sucks. Look out for a change of direction within the next few races.

 

[Dave]

Can they make tyres (sorry Tires for you Yanks) that wear at random rates? Left to right, front to back? Surely the tyres are just made to
not take any sort of punishment or they shit themselves.

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

What an interesting grid for today's race. Poor Lewis he must be shattered.
Tyre strategy will be all important.

 

[Jim Craik]

It's an amazing year, at various times all these teams have shown to be very fast:

Mclaren, Merc, Red Bull, Sauber, Lotus, Ferrari and now........Williams!

 

[Frank Catt]

I reckon little Eccles has a thing going with the tyre manufacturer, different winner in each race as far as can be manipulated !

 

[Frank Catt]

On the improbable basis that I am right, and following todays result , any guess which team / driver will win Monaco ?

 

[Jeff Young]

I don't see anyway they could manipulate tire compounds and keep it quiet.

"malfunctioning" KERS and DRS is (and has been) way more likely.

Lotus wins next obviously. Kimi is FAST in that car at times.

In fact, I think Kimi is a dark horse canidate for the world championship.

 

[Keith]

I was going to say how chaotic and silly the Spanish GP was today and then it suddenly dawned on me that F1 has now become a reality racing game that mimics arcade or console play. Dial in your difficulty level (tyres) and have at it. Stick a pin in a list, draw a number, pick a card.

I also realised in a flash of inspiration that what I knew as F1 has completely disappeared and that therefore I had no right to comment on an activity I know nothing about or even understand any more.

This circus is designed for football fan boys with nothing to do in the off season - the big new demographic inevitably pandered to by the likes of Sky.

I will say however, that Frank W had a marvellous 70th birthday present and that no one deserves it more.

No more for me until they sort out these stupid tyres. What is the point of developing the ultimate chassis/aero combo, if the car goes backwards after 8 laps?

It's total bollocks.

PS I'm sure though that this new style F1 will appeal to the new American audiences.

 

[Jim Rosenthal]

Ian, didn't you just describe NASCAR? I hope not. I love motor racing and I still can't stay awake through a NASCAR race. One of my friends said you could get the same effect by putting Skittles in the toilet and flushing it....

 

[Jim Craik]

What a fabulous race!

Congratulations Frank, a well deserved win!

Dick why don't you stop bitching about EVERYTHING, try enjoying life for a change. Are you so dilusional that you would think that Bernie could or would stiff Ferrari and Alonzo in Spain.......on purpose?

Talk about Bullocks!

This is one of the greatest, most competitive, most exciting seasons EVER! Try enjoying it. Or at least let us enjoy it.

 

[Jeff Young]

I've really enjoyed the racing this year. Seems to me that the tire degradation has made driver more important again, over pure grip/aero/chassis/mechanical/design. It also has highlighted the different strengths/weaknesses the cars have at various circuits.

Just so much close racing and passing this year, I love it.

For what it is worth, and our cranky Brit friends may not like this, but the best Nascar Winston Cup racing used to be at places like Bristol, and Rockingham (our Rockingham) and Darlington where the tires would go off in 10-15 laps and the driver had to figure out a way to make the car go fast.

I think you really saw that today. Alonso had tire issues and still hustled the car BUT..not as good as Maldonado. And love him or hate him, but Hamilton had an awesome drive from the back and with just a two stop strategy you know that car was a handful those last few laps. Beautiful drive.

 

[Jim Craik]

Jeff,

I agree 100%

Just a few years ago we traveled half way around the world to see the Belgian GP. They could have turned off the red lights and thrown the checkered flag at the same time. Nothing would have changed, there was no passing..........none. Nothing changed in almost two hours of racing..........

But I was in Spa, sitting at Eau Rouge and I loved it. But then as you all know, I'm a little odd, I like to look at the bright side of life. I guess that is un-British.

But today...................much, much better, even with the first two rows finishing virtually as they started.

I'm thinking Grosjean at Monaco, I'm sure Bernie can make it happen

 

[Keith]

Who is Dick?

"First 2 rows finishing as they started" seems at odds with the your "no passing" statement that you hated a few years ago.

You always feel safe to attack when Mr Young is about - you should get your own coat tails mate.

I made a personal statement of an opinion Crack, it's mine and no one least of all you, can naysay it because of that, so don't try your gobbledygook racist "un British" crap on me. I do not represent the "British" I represent Mr Hardy & Mr Hardy only. Do not taint my fellow countryment with comments that are my sole opinion and no others and that also may not sit well with your world view of people you have never met, never likely to meet and know nothing about.

Your opinion on ANYTHING is yours and yours alone. I cannot say you are wrong or misguided, only if I have certain knowledge otherwise and only then if your opinion transcends known facts.

No further debate - you were labelled once as the forum "Nazi" and here you are again denigrating a race because of one person's opinion and that I should shut up because it is spoiling your enjoyment so, fuck off.

Like I said - it has become very "American Friendly". Perhaps that was the idea all along.

You can have it.

By the way, if I didn't look on the "Bright Side" as you put it, I wouldn't bother lugging oxygen cylinders, mobility scooters and other medical crap around with me trying to live a "normal" life you obviously take for granted safe in your Skyline Boulevard Nirvana - I would be sitting here being grumpy at all the assholes that constantly put me down..

Ah, I see the flaw in that statement..