2013 FIA Formula 1 World Championship

He's found his success in this 'new' F1 of control tyres, identical engines and 'tools' for artificial passing. No need for defensive driving, what's the point? No need to respect your peers on track, there's miles of run off... etc.

I feel that drivers like Alonso and Raikkonen (and to some extend Hamilton, who may have been in F1 for slightly less time than Seb, but who was at the pointy end much sooner) who are grounded in the early-mid 00s and the days of the tyre wars display more of a steely determination, and are truly the fastest drivers in F1, and this resonates with me more.

Vettel is successful, yes, but he makes Michael Schumacher appear interesting.

Ten years ago, F1 probably had it's best season for years. Schumacher, Montoya and Raikkonen were all gunning for the title, and at the same time Alonso was coming into prominence (His performance at the Spanish Grand Prix was incredible). Perhaps I'm just being nostalgic, but F1 just seemed to have more integrity back then. It was a truer indication of engineering and driving skill, and the drivers could really go for qualifying laps during the race.

you're not being notalgic, i completely agree, unless we both are, but the f1 of today has nothing on F1 of yester-year, thats for sure

It certainly wasn't perfect 'show' wise, and electronic driver aids were being used widely (although Mika Hakkinen often mentioned that he turned his TCS down to it's minimum setting). Remember Renault's incredible launch control?

I have been watching F1 since 1999, as a six year old, I used to watch the races religiously, it really caught my attention. By the time I was 10 I was quite well versed in F1 knowledge and history, so I did appreciate F1 to a high level around 2002/2003.

My now six year old brother couldn't care less about F1, it bores him! There's nothing exciting about a DRS pass, if anything, it eliminates any chance of seeing a true battle, as the drivers just wait til they get into the DRS zone before pushing a button and leapfrogging...

The 2005 Japanese Grand Prix was genuinely edge-of-seat stuff, and easily one of the best races of recent times. Unfortunately the people in charge were convinced F1 was broken, and needed fixing. How wrong they were...

yea, it's like the FIA is spoon feeding them now, it's still exciting (at points) yes, but its no where near where it used to be
missed the old days of F1 and the same applies for Moto GP
and V8s for that matter
and probably every pro racing series out there

nickyf1 wrote: perhaps it's because we've never actually seen how he fares in a struggling car...

Same could be said for Hamilton. And Seb drove for Toro Rosso; not exactly a brilliant car.

CRA Erebus wrote:he's so selfish though,

For having a desire to win? I bet if Mark overtakes Seb disobeying team orders there wouldn't of been such an uproar

nickyf1 wrote:He's found his success in this 'new' F1 of control tyres, identical engines and 'tools' for artificial passing.

Its not his fault that he was too young to race in the early to mid 00's. Are you saying that every drive who wins the title now hasn't done it on merit because of the modern sporting regulations?

Like it or not this is how Formula 1 is. It is an evolving sport. Sebastian has already wrote his name in the history books, in this current era of F1. Just like Moss, Rosberg, Hill, Mansell, Senna & Schumacher have. He isn't necessarily a driver I support, but sometimes it appears people just find every little thing to nit-pick about him. Like how he apparently 'can't race' despite showing his overtaking abilities on numerous occasions. Does he not deserve a bit of respect?

Kilroy8 wrote:

CRA Erebus wrote:he's so selfish though,

For having a desire to win? I bet if Mark overtakes Seb disobeying team orders there wouldn't of been such an uproar

Yeah, it's racing. People need to stop crying about it.

Agreed, Early 2000s was my favourite time for Formula 1. I watched from 1998 onwards religiously, and back then I couldn't miss a race. Now I am happy to watch the highlights, or have it on in the background. I keep finding myself watching videos from that period on YouTube.

I was supposed to be at the Grand Prix this weekend, but missus couldn't fly as since we booked she fell pregnant.

Hadn't been that bothered till I watched Qualifying yesterday lol!

Worst of it is, I won't be able to watch live as I've go to take the kids to a bloody party! (Third one this weekend!)

Hope it's a good race..

Warning: Motor racing can damage your tyres........................well only if you race on pirelli tyres.....................82 - 84 stops I heard in 1 race really piss boiler

Forza Ferrari though

ALONSO!

I think the answer is pretty simple here Duncan. And I saw the light during my time at Silverstone and watching the 6 hours of Spa!
SWITCH OVER TO SPORTS CARS! I have.

Don't get me wrong! I love F1 but not as much as I used to. I think the way the Pirelli Tyres degrade so much forcing all these amount of pit-stops during a race it's a joke. And of course we've had 3 tyre failures in 2 races with Hamilton, Di Resta and Vergne. So something needs to be done with the Pirelli's I think.
Also, I'm not a fan of the DRS rear wings either. There was only a couple of overtakes in that race where DRS wasn't involved. Alonso around the outside of Raikkonen and Hamilton through turn 3 on the first lap was one of them.

But it was a great victory for Alonso and quite clear that Ferrari have made a big step in performance compared to the rest of the field.
Mercedes pace was absolutely shocking and couldn't believe how far back they fell. Locking out the front row to being nearly a whole lap behind the race winner. Clearly they've got a lot of work to do.
Great performances by Raikkonen and Massa today and thrilled to see that Red Bull (well ok, the smug a-hole that is Vettel) wasn't quick enough to challenge for either a victory or a podium.

great to see Alonso pick up the win , but F1 still sucks ass.

Fernando Alonso has been called to the stewards about waving the spanish flag after he'd crossed the line.

So drivers are no longer allowed to celebrate a race win?

IndyCar drivers are allowed to get out of the car and climb catch fences.

NASCAR drivers can do donuts, get out of the car, wave flags, shoot guns in the air (No joke) and yet F1 drivers can't even wave a stupid flag?

F1 really is becoming a joke.

I think the main problem is the tires, Pirelli have been asked to make these degrading compounds and tbf they have achieved it.
Unfortunately it hasn't made the racing exciting which I suppose was the aim.

However rock solid tires were shitty too, FOM and Pirelli need to find middle ground, where drivers can push but there's still room for strategy and none of this conserving the tires for an entire race.

I watched a bit of the GP3 yesterday, and towards the end all the cars were skating around and had next to no grip. It was a bit of a joke, and that was Pirelli rubber they were using. The commentators even said 'Unfortunately this is the modern face of racing'

Glad to see Alonso get the win, and to see Massa up on the podium.

ARRRRGHHHH

Why is F1 being so sucky!!! Didn't help that it was Catalunya either.

Happy for the Ferrari boys, and Kimi is consistent again!

Kimi to Return to ferrari next year wow what wish forza ferrari still

Driving standards in GP2 are absolutely horrendous. Cecotto is a danger to everyone around him. How many incidents did he cause in the closing stages?
Too many guys crashing and not enough sensible driving. Something needs to be done, and soon!

money money talks in GP2.

Oh well

Matt wrote:Too many guys crashing and not enough sensible driving. Something needs to be done, and soon!

Quel suprise

Ballacks.

I remember that accident. Frightened the sh1te out of me!

I never really warmed to GP2. I always loved watching the F3000 for some reason... I still see Christian Horner as ''the old Carlin boss''.


Stick shifts!

The only thing I miss about the Speed to NBCSN F1 coverage change is we get sporadic GP2 now.

Last race was same day coverage (a first in the US) this week there was none at all.

Merceds really need to sort the tyre 'issues' out P2 to P11.... .just stupod