F1 bores Mansell
- Thread starter happygrump
- Start date
If you take Michael Schumacher out of the picture Formula 1 would be very competitive and fun to watch. But it could be much better. So we all wait for Michael to retire?
For the most part I do agree with Mansell's assertions. I think what people need to understand is that Formula 1 is a sport 54 days of the year. The rest of the time it's a business to the car companies that use this venue as a means of marketing their brand around the world. As long as you have this dynamic you are going to be hard pressed to get the teams to give up much of their technological advantages to suit "better competition." The idea that the technology makes the car’s “easier” to drive is funny as well. I remember Nikki Lauda making the same remark before getting behind the wheel of the Jaguar and spinning the car on every turn. It’s not as “easy” as people think it is. DeMatta and Andretti learned the hard way.
Only when the people stop going to the track will things get better.
For the most part I do agree with Mansell's assertions. I think what people need to understand is that Formula 1 is a sport 54 days of the year. The rest of the time it's a business to the car companies that use this venue as a means of marketing their brand around the world. As long as you have this dynamic you are going to be hard pressed to get the teams to give up much of their technological advantages to suit "better competition." The idea that the technology makes the car’s “easier” to drive is funny as well. I remember Nikki Lauda making the same remark before getting behind the wheel of the Jaguar and spinning the car on every turn. It’s not as “easy” as people think it is. DeMatta and Andretti learned the hard way.
Only when the people stop going to the track will things get better.
F1 bores Kev too.
When Mansell said "just about anyone" he wasn't talking about any of us. For sure those that are in an F1 car are in an elite group when if comes to driving race cars. But with all the driving assistance tecnology developed today driving on the edge is alot easier than 5 years ago.
If you have ever played a Playstation 2 or XBox F1 game. They have settings in the game that have driver assist. If you go into a corner to fast, brake to late or are going to crash into another car any errors like these the computer takes over and makes the corrections. By placing transponders stratgically around the track and with the use of GPS F1 is able to mimick driver assist like you see in these video games. F1 teams have the ability to "almost" take driving the car out of the hands of the racers and leaving it up to a computer chip. Thats where the potential for racing is these days. So i agree with Mansell when he says "just about anyone."
If you look at a F1 steering wheel it has so many buttons the driver can play with. Launch control, traction control, brake bias, pit speed limiter, radio, and on and on. I would like to see any technology that directly helps the racer eliminated. Like launch control. I know they banned it once and they should do it again along with anything else that gives aid to the driver.
They should also reduce the amount of time F1 teams can test. Less testing would mean that teams would be more inclined to use parts that have already proven themselves worthy, instead of spending more money to find that extra edge. And just for the hell of it put the shifter back beside the drivers thigh where it belongs. --- Kev
When Mansell said "just about anyone" he wasn't talking about any of us. For sure those that are in an F1 car are in an elite group when if comes to driving race cars. But with all the driving assistance tecnology developed today driving on the edge is alot easier than 5 years ago.
If you have ever played a Playstation 2 or XBox F1 game. They have settings in the game that have driver assist. If you go into a corner to fast, brake to late or are going to crash into another car any errors like these the computer takes over and makes the corrections. By placing transponders stratgically around the track and with the use of GPS F1 is able to mimick driver assist like you see in these video games. F1 teams have the ability to "almost" take driving the car out of the hands of the racers and leaving it up to a computer chip. Thats where the potential for racing is these days. So i agree with Mansell when he says "just about anyone."
If you look at a F1 steering wheel it has so many buttons the driver can play with. Launch control, traction control, brake bias, pit speed limiter, radio, and on and on. I would like to see any technology that directly helps the racer eliminated. Like launch control. I know they banned it once and they should do it again along with anything else that gives aid to the driver.
They should also reduce the amount of time F1 teams can test. Less testing would mean that teams would be more inclined to use parts that have already proven themselves worthy, instead of spending more money to find that extra edge. And just for the hell of it put the shifter back beside the drivers thigh where it belongs. --- Kev
I'm with Nigel....it bores me to and no one seems to care. Other than Ferarri everyone at the front part of the grid has gone through the cycle of building, showing strength and then a period of unreliability. Unfortunately Schumi has had the most reliable and best designed car to work with over the past 4 seasons. Although I'm not a fan of his and believe that his success is as much a by-product of the car he's had to work with, he really can drive when he feels like it. Almost like he's toying with the field.
Prior to Michael's arrival, Ferrari went through a pretty long drought and regrouped. No one else on the grid has been able to build and maintain their momentum. As a result, there's been little competition for the red cars. There was a glimmer of hope for this year, but the gap seems to be getting bigger.
Prior to Michael's arrival, Ferrari went through a pretty long drought and regrouped. No one else on the grid has been able to build and maintain their momentum. As a result, there's been little competition for the red cars. There was a glimmer of hope for this year, but the gap seems to be getting bigger.
I agreee with most that has been said in this thread and would just like to add the following.
Let me start by saying that except for motorcycles, i watch and am a fan of just about anything that moves.
Formula 1 was always, and is today about technical advantages and advertising. This goes right back to the days when Mario Andretti introduced tire stagger to the F1 circut. It is the elite in terms of technology. Once 2 laps are in the books very little happens. If you want to enjoy F1 then it is mandatory that you appreciate and UNDERSTAND just what these cars are capable of from a technical point of view. Otherwise it will be a big bore to most people watching.
Having said all that, we have to understand that virtually all motor sports have reached a point where the rules now have to consider safety and SLOW the cars down otherwise they would all be going much faster than they do right now.
Get rid of all the electronics. Hey the traction control even in my personal car drives me nuts. The first thing I do in the rain is turn it off so I have control!
Let me start by saying that except for motorcycles, i watch and am a fan of just about anything that moves.
Formula 1 was always, and is today about technical advantages and advertising. This goes right back to the days when Mario Andretti introduced tire stagger to the F1 circut. It is the elite in terms of technology. Once 2 laps are in the books very little happens. If you want to enjoy F1 then it is mandatory that you appreciate and UNDERSTAND just what these cars are capable of from a technical point of view. Otherwise it will be a big bore to most people watching.
Having said all that, we have to understand that virtually all motor sports have reached a point where the rules now have to consider safety and SLOW the cars down otherwise they would all be going much faster than they do right now.
Get rid of all the electronics. Hey the traction control even in my personal car drives me nuts. The first thing I do in the rain is turn it off so I have control!
