F1 - 2015 Season!

Yep, disheartening to hear Lewis say it was impossible to Pass Seb, even though Merc could clearly travel faster.

GP2 is quite good fun, SKY shows those on race weekends. More overtaking, cars have very simple front wings. British Winner with Alex Lynn (2014 GP3 champion) today.

Still good old BTCC too, has improved again recently after being in doldrums for a while, no front wings at all and a handicap system!

Great for TV ratings maybe

Which is why they do it...Not sure TV ratings are all that though?

Many previous F1 followers gave up years ago.

Monaco in 2 weeks for another procession. Like playing one football match a season where the goals are only 3 foot wide.

Bruce

Put them back in karts. All the same spec. That would get them racing again.

G

A good mate of mine has a fairly senior F1 job. He doesn't even watch the races!

F1 has a problem, and it has to realise pretty soon or it will decline.

Bruce

I must admit I amost fell asleep yesterday so I watched this instead!

It was a joke Tony. 

I'm still an F1 watcher but the highlights are often enough these days.

G

Agreed F1 has a problem,  its clear we have three distinct ability levels on the same track & that is just killing the racing.   Part of the problem is leading edge technology,  yes we must push the envelope as part of the related development of automotive engineering for the public sector;  problem is that has a price tag that few teams can realistically afford to stay competitive.  And I am not just  thinking £5m for each power unit;  the cost of R&D facilities, resources & materials is huge & around an additional £5m - per car - & how many engines & cars are used per season. (& that's just fag packet math)  

I am not saying the answer is to dumb it down & not chase the technology to balance up the less able & funded teams, but something needs to be done as the real petrol head fans will just not want to go to the races,  the glamour of Monaco is the only reason why people go to the most impossibly stupid circuit on the calendar. Then ask why no German F1 this year,  you don't need to dig too far before Ecclestone & money gets mentioned.  It seems to me that Ecclestone promoting the development of circuits in areas that frankly have little interest in F1 but do seem to have rulers/governments willing to pass over insane amounts as "promotion fees" is not helping,  what Putin is willing to approve will not be matched by individual countries racing federations.  

I watched until Lewis made his first pit stop yesterday - turned over until I guesstimated when the next would be - then did the same until the chequered flag but keeping an eye on the iPad just in case. 

However if Lewis had gone from start to finish in first place - I would have continued to watch (or at least until he crashed or retired if either happened sooner) 

I did watch all of the race, true it was not edge of your seat stuff, but the differing tyre options gave for a while the possibility of a race for first place, unfortunately Mercedes conspired to foul that up.

There was enough "action" lower down to keep up the interest level.

Admittedly it was tame by GP2 standards.

We did learn that McLaren "chrome" paint is 1.2 Kgs heavier than this new colour scheme though.

We also learned that front jack men have big if not bruised cojones.

Someone should put an epilepsy warning on that! Good though.

G

Best race for a long time , hope Bernie reads this forum for some inspiration .

Once he see's that he'll be bricking it .

G

He could probably be World Champion too . 

I don't know about the BTCC handicap system, but it sounds terrible. Handicap adjusted competition has its place, but not at the highest levels of any sport.

In some lower grades of motorcycle racing, there is a tacit understanding that you can cheat a bit with your bike spec, as long as you're not winning (or placing). Only the podium bikes are scrutineered closley (safety notwithstanding). The low budget guys further down can get a bit of illegal assistance to keep the fields bunched up a bit, but if you are starting to do well, you'd better get your bike compliant.

The FIA Strategy Group has proposed some reg changes for 2017 intended in part to enliven F1 as a spectator sport.    

Wider tyres

Reduced weight

Changes to aerodynamic regulations

- collectively these potentially will make cars 5 or 6 secs a lap faster.

Refuelling reinstated

Higher revving & louder engines

More visually aggressive cars.

2016 season: F1 teams will choose which two of Pirelli's four tyres they run at each race. (currently its Pirelli who select the compounds).

Engine allowance from four to five was rejected. 

Even more complex Aero packages & larger front wings

= more reduction in down force when following another car

= even less overtaking on the track

Are you sure about that.

Sounds like the trailer of the latest Mad Max movie.

Its in the F1 www press yesterday

http://www.formula1.com/conten...-return-in-2017.html

Wtf?

Right, I'm cancelling that order for an S-Class.

+1

steve