Since the BBC started to split races with Sky, I more or less totally stopped watching F1 as the races I want to watch don't always coincide with the BBC carrying them. Moving them all to Sky pretty much guarantees I'll never watch a race again (in the UK).
It started dying years ago. I always dubious of Schu's 'wins'. There was three Toyota engineers jailed, the huge fine for McLaren but no dirt on Ferrari. Were they really that clean with 'him' at the wheel?
Did Redbull really win FOUR times without any help? I remember Bernie wanted to show the big teams who was boss/break their dominance. Who knows maybe I'm a tinfoil hat-type but it seemed fixed in parts.
Then came double points and changes to qualifying. Since that I just view it as shennanigans, a joke.
They want me to pay to watch? I'd rather watch cricket.
The farcical way F1 is run reminds me of the way Dave and Georgie handle policies in government. Pretty much on the back of a fag packet and back down when public consensus is too much. Barnie seems to side with the opposition and really wants to stitch up Jean Todt and wheels out Mosely every now and then. It also looks like he wants to stitch up the teams by letting them claim they have control and listen to the fans only to to veto the vote.
The Sky deal stinks and the loop hole of making it free providing you have a dish I presume doesnt really cut it. Cant wait til they apply that to the world cup, olympics and England internationals.
Did Redbull really win FOUR times without any help? I remember Bernie wanted to show the big teams who was boss/break their dominance. Who knows maybe I'm a tinfoil hat-type but it seemed fixed in parts.
It does make me laugh when Christian Horner suggests Mercedes domination is bad for the sport - unlike Red Bull's domination, which was clearly good for the sport.
So they've gone to Sky because Sky is offering them a lot more money. (A lot more as it seems!). However, of all the things that are not going F1's way right now I think it's fair to say that a lack of money is not one of them. In fact, if I was to point to the number problem it would be the continuing decrease in the viewing figures. So how is putting the coverage behind a paywall supposed to help that?
Seen Bernies reply to the GPDA letter? I could precis it in 2 words, the second is "you'...
shermer75 - Member
So how is putting the coverage behind a paywall supposed to help that?
It won't increase viewing figures, but a smaller amount of people paying a lot of money brings in probably more money than free through the Beeb.
It's the same with watching races at the track. Deserted middle and far eastern exotic tracks, but Prince whatever pays Bernie shit loads of money to host it there and a handful of rich people and corporates pay for tickets. Bernie is happy. He couldn't care if real fans are not getting to watch or that proper racing died years ago.
Woken with some inspiration, following a chat with a friend yesterday about the mess of F1 and we were talking about qualifying in particular. Upshot being, here's a possible solution, anyone got Bernie's phone number?
Three 15 minute qualifying periods, with a mandatory minimum of say 5 laps for each car/driver. The grid is established from the average times from the flying laps in each of the three qualifying periods. No eliminations, meaning all the cars have to be present and going flat out.
Busy track, cars going fast, with a chance of improved grid position if another competitor has a bad lap due to traffic, mechanical, mistake etc. Keeps track spectators happy and something to watch for the hour or so that qualy lasts, furthermore, no empty track!
Sometimes, I surprise myself...
Will Gollop twin turbo 6R4 The good old days!!!
[img] 
[/img]
I used to be an avid fan of F1 on the Beeb but now I think I'll try and get to a few more Rallycross races this year with the boy. Walk through the paddock talk to the drivers and mechanics about the cars and ask for photos of the cars with my son.
Alonso out for Bahrain, Vandoorne in.
Should be interesting...
...certainly should. I know it had been talked about, but I expected him to be given the OK.
Anyway - have we done Roborace yet? Proposed car looks ace - HotWheels hits the racetrack!...
[img] 
[/img]
Fabulous styling, hopeless substance.
It's a computer simulation of racing; which looks a lot like it bit be a bit snoozy.
..... either that or it'll all go wrong, cause spectator carnage and be in the grave before it's born!
Don't think Alonso will be in a McHonda again...second crash and he's throwing in the towel I bet. The ribs 'injury' is the final knock to his McLaren return.
Someone made an interesting comment on sky's coverage a week past about McLarens online store not offering any Alonso merchandise yet Buttons is freely available...
Don't think Alonso will be in a McHonda again...second crash and he's throwing in the towel I bet. The ribs 'injury' is the final knock to his McLaren return.
And who could blame him? That was a brutal crash and, thankful to the safety improvements, he was able to walk away.
Yes but he wasn't exactly showing signs of cracked ribs. When I cracked two ribs Jesus I felt it and was doubled over.
I think it was a gamble returning to McLaren, the car crash (!)of the engine must have really rubbed his face in it. Then that crash, this crash (his mistake) must have said to him 'you can't drive this car with confidence..I.e trust the car)
A return to Renault 2017 after sitting out the rest of 2016?
Someone made an interesting comment on sky's coverage a week past about McLarens online store not offering any Alonso merchandise yet Buttons is freely available...
Maybe Alonso's merchandise is more popular then Buttons??
Ah yes, the "alonso to quit" rumour mill kicks off again, just like it did after testing last year, and at the end of last season, and before testing this year...
More popular?
I see a carefully worded sabbatical.
Alonso merchandise is still available....heavily discounted though! 😕
I think its Alonso's 2015 kit
http://www.mclarenstore.com/stores/mclaren/en/c/fernando
Jenson has launched his new range for 2016. Not sure about Alonso , just unlucky in choices in F1.
Really looking forward to Stoffel in the f1 car. If he can get close to Jenson and ahead of the other rookies then I reckon it wont only be Mclaren after him
If he can get close to Jenson
Not looking good so far. Only first practice though; he's used to going a lot faster in a GP2 car.
Inbred456 - MemberWill Gollop twin turbo 6R4 The good old days!!!
Best car ever!
Nope - Porsche 917. Cool, looked mean, went fast, sounded great, won. 🙂
That merchandise thing is quite weird! All the Alonso stuff is 60% off- like cheekymonkey888 said, it looks like 2015 stuff.
Button just gone 3rd fastest!
Give it another 45 mins and see if he's still there...
Button has probably done a qualifying lap and everyone else is on race runs.
Button is not going to worry the podium this year and I dont expect those who record the points to have to look him up very often.
Nah Chris the top 5 or 6 have all been out for quick runs on the supersofts - the Ferraris might have a bit of spare but that pace from button is looking genuine. I really hope it is.
On the BBC site....
Button finds the button
Posted at
16:55
When Jenson Button does leave F1 - and hopefully that's not going to be any time soon - I'll miss his sense of humour.After he was told he was P3 over the radio, he responded with: "I found the go faster button! I found it!"
😀
So P3 for Button. I noticed they've got Sensodyne sponsorship on the rear wing so expect they're glad to have something worth smiling about.
Please help a casual viewer
(and apologies if it's bindun (I did have a quick look back over the last page or two))
Watching the practice session repeat on sky - WTF is mclaren(? I think) doing with the sheets of mesh fencing behind their front wheels. Is it to catch bits of tyre when they explode ? 😀
Looks utterly non-aero so must be for a "good" reason
It's a piece of testing equipment to measure airflow from the front wing and wheel area.
As PJM says, to measure air flow.
There'll be a sensor at each mesh intersection (I think) so you get a good picture of the air flow. You then use this to check the results from your CFD tests.
The senaors are pito tubes. Like on a plane to measure wind speed. On that it show different air speeds at different levels.
Oooh! Thrilling qualifying - on the edge of my seat here!
People said Johnny Herbert shouldn't come back after his Brands shunt.
I never thought I'd say this - I'm out of love with F1, the lights are out for me, it bears no resemblance to the time me and my dad used to tour the European circuits in the 90s.
dull as a dull event
blinding last lap from lewis, being 0.5s back was a bit of a surprise for ferrari.
