F-1 season start...

Tim_41

did'nt they ban some of the driver aids for this year?

J.C.A._3

So it begins. O.T.

A race of attrition...

All who finished scored points. A case of too many rules spoiling the spirit.

I miss the old days of "Run what you brung"...and driver beware.

I'll watch next weekend and decide if it's something I'm still as enthusiastic about as I once was.

Rules have ruined too many things in racing. I'm starting to get jaded. Chris

Paul Fredricks_5

AHHHH!!!

Don't give anything away! I didn't stay up to watch last night. I'm going to watch the rebroadcast at 1:30 PM today. In fact, I won't even look at this thread again till afterward.

J.C.A._3

Yes Tim.

Traction control is gone,qualifying has changed "for the green"(less wasted fuel) and the rev limiters are set to 19,000. They are also all using an engine computer(ECU) designed by Microsoft and Mclaren. No conflict there!

The penalties are also being handed out too often and with no regard for the sporting aspect in my opinion.

The rules, as always ...seem to be aimed at certain teams more than others. The powers that be are making the "Pinnacle of Motorsport" a joke. They are regulating the technology right out of the game.

In the old days, it was who could make the next big step forward. Driver safety is paramount,(Check out Robert Kubica's crash at Montreal last year on U tube...he hurt his knee and was ready to run at Indy the next week...but the doctors stopped him) but killing the technological aspect is killing what could be better for road going cars.

The drivers have to tame the machines a bit more now, but you know that just like all racing....it usually comes down to who can cheat the most, without getting caught.I'll give Mclaren the inside line this year as they helped the build of the ECU in all cars.

I wish the breakaway series that the manufacturers wanted came to fruition. THAT would be racing! Chris

Paul, I purposely didn't say anything about the results, as I knew there would be a few waiting to see the replay. JCA.

J.C.A._3

I'm watching th re-broadcast....

I see that Alonso passed under yellow, on the first lap.

The world feed saw that...do you think the F-1 marshals will?

Maybe it's time for a new racing series. Cheat , cheat...never beat. Chris

Tim_41

The biggest thing I would like to see is the drivers having to push the clutch in and shift. Even in the WRC they use the paddle shifters. To me, it reduces the driver aspect that much more. When I rallied, I loved the shifting part of things. If you were rough on it you were certain to break the tranny (especially the subaru tranny).

J.C.A._3

Pedal clutches?...

They've been gone since the 80's in F-1.

Another great advancement in the auto industry, IMHO.

Check out some of the "trip-tronic" devices used in some of the best road going cars in the world right now. A direct decedent of the technology from F-1. Among the others...Anti-lock brakes, front end "crumble zones",SEAT BELTS!!! and tires that work in all weather conditions. That's just the beginning.

Just like the space and heating industries....many of the forward movements in auto technology come from the minds of "forward thinkers". More importantly..the safety features and faults show themselves when things are pushed to their limits...and get dealt with. Chris

Tim_41

f1

No doubt its great technology but I just like seeing the drivers having a more "hands on approach" instead of relying paddle shifters and traction control,etc. Check this out. Its Walter Rorhl in a Audi back in the early in the day. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGIiarIrUCI
You drive a rally car with the brake just as much as with the steering wheel. He is controlling all aspects of the car and to me, its just exciting stuff.

J.C.A._3

TimS,

I've been a race fan long enough to remember when Audi got banned from multiple series with their "new fangled" all wheel drive system.I also remember them driving with 3 feet trying to control the "turbo- boost"(or lack there-of)function.

I have photo's (somewhere) of the early 80's Quattro's doing wheelies downhill at Bridgehampton and Limerock raceways...and leaving all those silly Japanese cars wanning in the flames coming from the tailpipe.

I also have some of the Mazda RX7's spitting flames almost 8 feet from the exhaust pipe coming down the same hill...1 year later.

I love the Rallye racing...but MOST of the technology has been developed and then customized from F-1. If they could use the AWD that was developed there first, then banned...I'm sure there would be more and better systems available today.

So Paul...what are your thoughts for the season? Chris

Paul Fredricks_3

Just got back to the PC

Well that was an interesting race. I don't remember the last time that only 7 cars finished a race on a sunny day. I missed all the qualifying so I only have what the commentators said in pre race. Looks like a lot of teams had a lot of early season shake down problems.

I was very impressed with Kimi's drive. I don't care if he was on softs or not, the man flew through the pack. Reminded me of Michael at his peak. Bad luck with the pit timing and the safety car seemed to take away all his moxi. I am glad he finished off the podium, I hate listening to him talk.

Lucky for Hamilton he was able to stay away from the frey. Looks like a great start for McClaren. Hopefully he has grown out of some of the rookie mistakes that cost him the title last year.

Kubica and BMW looked good, not sure they can bring it to McClaren, but Kubica has shown a lot of promise since he entered F1.

Kudos goes out to Niko on his first podium. I'm sure his dad is proud.

Paul Fredricks_3

Hey

Chris, for only $5,280.00 you can see all days of the Canadian Gran Prix including pit privileges!!!

...ahhhh, dreamer, nothin but a dreamer....

Paul Fredricks_3

About the rules and regs:

I like the new rules, anything to put more on the driver. Personally I wish the cars were all identical so that it really becomes a drivers championship. I know that will never happen and that that was a different race series. The money goes away if you take the manufacturers out of the picture.

I just read on F1.com that Barrichello was DSQ'd due to the pit lane red light violation. That gives Ferarri and Kimi 1 point. Great start!

Tim_41

f1

crazy finish. I felt bad for Bourdais. He had a clean run going. Hamilton was flawless. I think it will still be a Mclaren/Ferrari show with the BMW's after them. Alonso may sneak in some top 3 finishes but he may also end up wreaking a lot. I still can't believe Toyota. That has to be the most expensive venture in sports to never win. Crazy things

J.C.A._3

But Paul....

On the 1st lap...did you see Alonso pass under a yellow flag?

I did...it's there on tape...yet no one said anything about it.

I think the rules are prejudiced..and the big names are being given a free pass...as long as the asses are in the seats.

Sporting rules are being compromised as long as F-1 and their associates are collecting the payments. JMHO.... Bring back the "Run what you brung" rules. Chris

Paul Fredricks_3

Somehow I missed that. They didn't seem to say much about it during and nothing after the race. Maybe there's more to it. I didn't see anything about it on F1.com or on speedtv.com's discussion forum, unless I missed it.

I think if those problems really existed you'd here it from the commentators. OK sure they could be protecting F1 inc, but I'm not convinced of that.

Chris, you may have a better perspective since you watched it twice.

As far as run what you brung, have you ever watched the SCCA nationals on TV. Great racing in all classes. And how about the british touring car championships. ROad race meets demolition derby. Great racing.