2015 F1 Thread

[JessicaTam]

Well done GRO

 

[hummel]

Looks like that action came in the last lap or two.

Yep! Good drive by Grosjean though, deserved it!

 

[JessicaTam]

Yep! Good drive by Grosjean though, deserved it!

Indeed. I hope that keeps the creditors at bay for a bit.

 

[moa999]

Watching not posting. Simple 3rd for RIC gone begging, and KYV now has now points...

Anyone here for seating tips for Singapore???
Just locked in points stay at Sheraton to go with my previous cheap flights via Penang on the Air Asia's

 

[KLN]

good for Grosjean to get the monkey off his back from 2012 anyway. i hate Lewis! and bummer for Daniel Ricci. worth staying up for. that was the longest 4 weeks for us.
and Singapore. i've always sat on the mainstraight for the race and Qualy, but usually do other corners with the FP's are on.
not looking at Sing for this year, but def next when it's back to back with Malaysia. only problem is Malayasia in March is my favourite holiday, and now i'll have to wait a whole year.................... hmmmmm Abu Dhabi could be tempting though

 

[Buzzard]

As it was free to air I watched the race live too.
Munn the Cat was asleep on my lap so couldn't/didn't get up to grab my phone and do some posting.

 

[JessicaTam]

An interesting comparison: This time last year the F1 thread was up to about 380 posts; this year about 225. So down about two fifths.

I wonder if that translates to two fifths* fewer people viewing? And two fifths* less revenue?

*Wild assumptions, I know.

 

[moa999]

An sure combination of less races on FTA and performance of RB are equally responsible.

Since interesting articles in the F1 media that Bernie is worried that BBC may drop F1 entirely

 

[SeatBackForward]

An interesting comparison: This time last year the F1 thread was up to about 380 posts; this year about 225. So down about two fifths.

I wonder if that translates to two fifths* fewer people viewing? And two fifths* less revenue?

*Wild assumptions, I know.

There is likely to be a correlation, I certainly am not going to any extra effort to follow the F1 this year. If its on FTA I'll watch it, otherwise *meh*.

Not like its interesting much anymore either.

 

[hummel]

I'm still as interested as ever having got Foxtel solely for F1.

However come contract renewal in March next year I am not sure if I will continue.

If only Formula 1 had something similar to season pass like NHL/MotoGP etc where we could stream live races/quali for $x amount per year. Would happily pay for that.

 

[eastwest101]

I was watching but not posting. Was actually timeshifting and saw the start on Fox and saw the remainder on Ten. Did everyone else enjoy the dual commentary for a few laps on Ten when they had simeltaneous audio feeds from two different commentary teams? Had to go back to Alan Jones and Matt White in the studio which was itself a little funny as between the two of them they have about 1 persons working knowledge of F1, then they claimed it as fixed and we got back to two commentary audio feeds again!

Anyway - quite a boring race for Spa but was nice to see some craziness/bravery from Verstappen, good to see Grosjean and Lotus competetive and nice to see Ferrari taking some risks by one-stopping Vettel (even though it didn't work out for them this time) who did a pretty good job.

I think Bernie now has a number of issues to fix (in no particular order):

1.Dominance of Mercedes car and engine and lack of ability of other teams to "catch up" and be competative.
2. Which results in boring races, decreased attendance and decreased audience and TV revenue.
3.Nearly all the teams financially struggling/broke despite the F1 rules attempting to reign in costs (ie: lack of development of cars, decreased testing R&D etc).
4.Needs to do something about the sound of the cars, turbocharged hybrid cars probably even more expensive than natural aspirated engines anyway so defeating the whole cost saving idea, and decreasing the audio experience for those at the track.

 

[david1]

Less aero grip, more mechanical grip, and better tyres would improve the racing a lot. Letting drivers push the car more rather than just driving to numbers the whole race would be nice.

WEC races this year have been so much more entertaining, drivers can push harder, there is more passing, and this is in races 6/12/24 hours long! I keep up with F1 but the races are just dull too often.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I think Bernie now has a number of issues to fix (in no particular order):

1.Dominance of Mercedes car and engine and lack of ability of other teams to "catch up" and be competative.
2. Which results in boring races, decreased attendance and decreased audience and TV revenue.

I don't really see this as much of an issue. If one team dominates a season (And its not like that hasn't happened throughout F1 history) then good on them, there can still be plenty of good racing further back in the pack. TV cameras will always show the action, and sponsors don't mind being lower down the order, if they're getting more coverage.

3.Nearly all the teams financially struggling/broke despite the F1 rules attempting to reign in costs (ie: lack of development of cars, decreased testing R&D etc).

Yet Bernie isn't exactly struggling?

Now I think this is the real issue with F1, Ever seen the chart of how F1 money gets split - there's something wrong with the model for sure.

Barriers to entry are an issue. F1 was alive back in the days when 32 cars would have to qualify for 26 spots. No 108% rule back then.

4.Needs to do something about the sound of the cars, turbocharged hybrid cars probably even more expensive than natural aspirated engines anyway so defeating the whole cost saving idea, and decreasing the audio experience for those at the track.

I don't care much for the sound - as long as the cars are racing well, but the broader argument is that F1 cars should be the pinnacle of motor technologies. The counter argument is that F1 should also be seen to foster more sustainable solutions. I think the current balance is not too bad, unless there will ultimately be a merger with Formula E.

 

[JessicaTam]

I'm still as interested as ever having got Foxtel solely for F1.

However come contract renewal in March next year I am not sure if I will continue.

If only Formula 1 had something similar to season pass like NHL/MotoGP etc where we could stream live races/quali for $x amount per year. Would happily pay for that.

I have dropped the fox sports component of my subscription (back to the minimum entertainment package). I looked at the calendar and saw that I was only home for one or two of the subscription races. When cancelling the CSA had no comeback when I told them "It just isn't worth it".

 

[KLN]

and in sad news today, ex-Minardi and ex-Jaguar drive Justin Wilson has passed away, succuming to his injuries that he received in the Indycar race on Sunday.

 

[Buzzard]

Terrible news.

 

[Coops1]

Anyone here for seating tips for Singapore???
Just locked in points stay at Sheraton to go with my previous cheap flights via Penang on the Air Asia's

i have luckily just locked in a SIN stopover from 18-21 Sep, and now looking at tickets....
Did Malaysia in K1 grandstand this year, loved it, and will never do General admission in Oz ever again, nor stands...

So currently looking at combo Pit/Padang/Bay or Premier walkabout 3 days. Thoughts?

 

[moa999]

So currently looking at combo Pit/Padang/Bay or Premier walkabout 3 days. Thoughts?

Am about to pull trigger on Bay Combo (Pit/Padang/Bay).
Have been told walkabout is as frustrating as Melbourne - not many good views, although Premier much better than z4 only

 

[Coops1]

Am about to pull trigger on Bay Combo (Pit/Padang/Bay).
Have been told walkabout is as frustrating as Melbourne - not many good views, although Premier much better than z4 only

Cheers moa999, we are doing the same.......just on hold with ticketmaster to see if I can use gift cards (overseas event) and more than 5 at a time!
Have a great time

 

[Buzzard]

Maybe we need an AFF event around this: F1 Returns to Adelaide!