Anyone watch Formula 1?

[Herr_Poopschitz]

I know this board is full of guys that appreciate nostalgic drag racing, but do any of you follow Formula 1?

I'm excited about the new 1.6L engines and the energy recovery tech, and hopefully the end of Vettel's dominance.

 

[bobtile]

Too technilogically advanced for me to get into. I watch a few races. It's pretty amazing watching those things corner. I prefer a hammer and screwdriver in my toolbox and not a computer and someone who knows how to use it.

 

[mobileparts]

Don't watch Formula 1 .... but hope Michael Shumacher is okay after the skiing incident.... was
reported that they're considering taking him off the medically induced coma to start the next phase
of his (hopeful) return to good health.....

 

[super-bee_ski]

AUSTIN TEXAS Baby!

 

[Budnicks]

I casually watch a few races, I like almost anything with wheels that race, it's kind of the ubber-rich or European Manufactures Racing {High $$$, carbon fiber & ubber-Down force, full computerized electronic traction control & engine management, big turbo, small DOHC engines on kill, ultra hi-RPM, millions $$$ in technology each car, air tunnel tested, big tire, light car, highly engineered, drivers series}... it's really interesting, but don't follow it like Drag Racing or Nascar...

 

[Belle66]

i can't wait to see how the 2 Ferrari teams do this year...Team Alonzo and Team Raikkonen.

 

[2059]

short answer; no.

 

[Moparsmitty]

I don't watch a lot of F-1, but if I'm not busy and there's not much else on I will watch just because the cars are so over the top tech wise. I can also appreciate how much skill it takes to drive a car that weighs a little over 1400lbs and and might have 700+hp. The cars appear to be very twitchy to drive. The problem is that after a couple of laps and the cars get all strung out, there isn't a lot of side by side racing or even passing on the track. It seems to always come down to strategy, tires, fuel, or whatever. Kinda boring sometimes.

 

[Herr_Poopschitz]

I casually watch a few races, I like almost anything with wheels that race, it's kind of the ubber-rich or European Manufactures Racing {High $$$, carbon fiber & ubber-Down force, full computerized electronic traction control & engine management, big turbo, small DOHC engines on kill, ultra hi-RPM, millions $$$ in technology each car, air tunnel tested, big tire, light car, highly engineered, drivers series}... it's really interesting, but don't follow it like Drag Racing or Nascar...

Yeah, most racing is sponsor driven any more, F1 just has a lot of European OEM backing. In fact, Honda's getting back in as an engine supplier to McLaren in '15.

The cars are the pinnacle of engineering, which is why I like 'em - pushing limits...while the FIA tries to control spending to allow lesser-funded teams to compete. It may've been a while since you've paid attention to the regs...traction control has been out for a while. Next year they're only allowed 5 engine changes per chassis for the entire season, so they push reliability. They've used NA 2.4L V8s w/ an FIA mandated 18k rpm redline (mechanical springs can't control valve motion - pneumatic) since '06ish ...next year 1.6L turbos rumored to make 600 hp...w/ energy recovery systems that will allow short bursts of extra power equiv to approx 150 hp, I believe.

I've been watching for years and still can't get over 4+G lateral and 5G decel. I find it a shame there isn't good coverage over here. I usually get a Sky Sports feed...they cover it like our networks cover football, which lets you get to know the drivers and tech more in depth.

I really enjoy Kimi's attitude. I'm excited to see him back at Ferrari w/ Alonso. Hopefully they have a good car this year. Been hearing good things about Mercedes testing so far. Just as long as Red Bull doesn't dominate again, I'll be happy. I think Seb is overrated and most of his success is due to the car Newey designed.

Horrible news about Schumacher. Hope he makes a full recovery.

I've watched this a couple times and find it enjoyable. Tony Stewart and Lewis Hamilton trading cars at Watkins Glen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86lQaRq5N4U

Oh, and on a side note, yeah, they're really expensive. I've heard just the steering wheels cost anything from $80-100k to produce.

 

[satman72]

Yep!, Been watching F1 since the '70's. It's been my favourite form of racing.

 

[bobtile]

I think F1 is like soccer. For some reason, the rest of the world loves it. But here in the US, (more or less) we don't care too much about it.

 

[PoppaSmurf]

YES I watch as often as possible...course if it has 4 wheels and runs fast or QUICK...I watch it...my current Tour Managers son works for an Indy car team, I have walked or bike ridden the course at Monaco, several times...is smaller than appears on TV especially the Grand Hotel hairpin, last year we played the in-field party for the Indy, on carb day...have driven the course Dubai....But I also LOVE my NHRA and my Nascar

 

[Herr_Poopschitz]

... I have walked or bike ridden the course at Monaco, several times..

Lucky bastard...

I think F1 is like soccer. For some reason, the rest of the world loves it. But here in the US, (more or less) we don't care too much about it.

I think that's a financial issue, ultimately. Very little US business $ in it, comparatively. No US money + no US media coverage = no interest by the US public. The public is only interested in those things we're spoon fed by the media/magic box...cuz I have no other explanation for the success of shows like Honey BooBoo or the Duggars...it's not like the public was clamoring for shows like these.

I also think there's some national pride associated w/ it. We didn't create it...so it may be difficult for us to embrace it. Kinda like rugby and cricket...we just create our own derivatives...football and baseball. Heck, even 'God Save the Queen' and 'My Country 'tis of Thee'. Unfortunately we have no derivative of F1...it's fascinating. On the other hand, maybe the lack of interest could be loosely associated w/ the decline of math, science, and engineering curricula in America? Could explain the Duggar phenomenon as well...dunno.

 

[bobtile]

The public is only interested in those things we're spoon fed by the media/magic box...



Don't know if thats entirely true. When I first started watching Nascar, I really had to look for it. I think it was on wide world of sports for a half hour or so, so that was definetly not spoon fed to me.

 

[PoppaSmurf]

Heres a couple of things that might make you wonder...can you say engine management control

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BaR1Kc62Pk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr4zb-HHZs4

 

[bobtile]

YES I watch as often as possible...course if it has 4 wheels and runs fast or QUICK...I watch it...my current Tour Managers son works for an Indy car team, I have walked or bike ridden the course at Monaco, several times...is smaller than appears on TV especially the Grand Hotel hairpin, last year we played the in-field party for the Indy, on carb day...have driven the course Dubai....But I also LOVE my NHRA and my Nascar

Hey PoppaSmurf , would you be interested in getting into this game?


http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopar...-Em-quot-Game-Make-Your-Picks-and-Light-Em-Up!


Or this


http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopar...uot-Pick-Em-quot-Game-Here-We-Go-Racing-Again!!!

 

[Budnicks]

Wow musical computer operated "remote control cars !! but on a much, much more expensive level, I wonder if any teams have ever been caught, hacking into competitors computerized engine or fuel management systems, to take power away ?? or if there has ever been problems on-track caused by these computerized management systems... must be some kind of failsafe of some sort...

 

[PoppaSmurf]

Ya know that's a REALLY good question....there would have to be some kind of lockout/failsafe to prevent hacking of any kind...I mean seriously with all the telemetry now day in any kind of automotive racing.. you only a 1/4 step away from send info as well as rec'ving

I'll shoot off an email to my friend who works at Rahal and see how he responds... he helps with the engine mgmn't program (s)

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Bobtile yes I would be VERY interested in getting into......looks like I missed Pomona this time around...

 

[bobtile]

Ya know that's a REALLY good question....there would have to be some kind of lockout/failsafe to prevent hacking of any kind...I mean seriously with all the telemetry now day in any kind of automotive racing.. you only a 1/4 step away from send info as well as rec'ving

I'll shoot off an email to my friend who works at Rahal and see how he responds... he helps with the engine mgmn't program (s)

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Bobtile yes I would be VERY interested in getting into......looks like I missed Pomona this time around...

You missed this week, but you can jump in next week. Keep it in mind. You still have time for nascar

 

[Herr_Poopschitz]

Why are you guys talking about fuel injection like it's some advanced alien technology? It is 2014, right? Or am I in the Twilight Zone...?

Once the cars are on track, only the driver has control over engine, brake bias, etc. Two way telemetry hasn't been allowed in F1 for over a decade. Also, I'm fairly certain the same 'music' could be performed by any car w/ an OBD II port given the right software...it's just cooler w/ an engine that idles at 5-6k rpm.