Purist vs Spectacle?

[N12ck]

Those who want DRS, who want tyres that self destroy, sprinklers at the side of the track, machine guns mounted to the sidepods, 007 style smoke screens, are those who dont see it as a sport and see it as a 'spectical', where have we heard that one before?? I think those who have watched f1 for years and dont care if there wasnt much overtaking but love the race anyway are those who are proper fans, and I believe these are the people we need to make sure are happy.

Those who complain about how we need all these 'trick' devices are the people who like watching whacky races (although I used to enjoy whacky races) and would rather watch coronation street if there isn't much overtaking.

Although we need to widen the scope of formula 1 to more audiences, re-enacting whacky races is not the answer.

The answer for me is, remove DRS, make tyres that last, bring in a budget cap, and let the regulations run for about 5 years without any change, which should give teams time to bunch up

the essence of formula 1 for me is purity in racing, the limit of engineering, not necessarily overtaking, and the interaction between man and machine acting as one at 200mph+

I apologize if I have rabbited on too much

[xpensive]

While this might go off in a philosophical direction, I believe that F1's problem today is the need to "entertain" in an ever growing competition from this brave new era of communications. 48 TV-channels at the flick of a switch, internet with facebook, youtube and whatnot, always offering instant satisfaction to whatever xcitement that could possibly turn you on.

In that context, I find it difficult to get my 13 year-old to focus on an F1 race with cars of different colors for 100 minutes.

Way back when, when a race sometimes offered little in terms of overtaking, there was always other kinds of xcitement,
would that screamer last the distance, or simply the technical aspect of a different car or engine, all raising attention?

[Pup]

If the drivers could tweet from the cockpit - I'd watch that.

[Kiba]

I liked it when there were different fuel strategies in qualifying and it influenced grid positions at the start of the race and pit-stop time (in terms of how much fuel went into the car and how that affected tyre performance during that stint, etc.). There are a few factors that are influenced by that rule which made it a little more exciting for me to watch as compared to DRS or KERS. Formula 1 was exciting enough when DRS did not make it easier for the driver to make a passing maneuver. I remember those tense moments where a car would inch closer every lap or every sector to get in the zone where the driver could brake late or have better traction at the exit of a corner to make a pass. DRS makes things easier yet less exciting (to me). Few other things I can think of but I've got to jet!

[Cam]

If the drivers could tweet from the cockpit - I'd watch that.

Pup, your comment is actually not that far fetched. F1 does have a strong technical aspect and I see no reason why the entire sport, or individual teams, couldn't stream some data to us. The F1 app is terrible and I don't use it. It's also token data and not really anything I cannot get watching the broadcast or seeing online.

With 'interactive' becoming the norm, F1 should consider some of these moving forwards. Not only would it likely increase fans it could also increase revenue.

This concept sits well with me from a tech purist view and a spectacle view. FTW

[Slife]

If entertainment was the only goal, I wonder if F1 could be like WWE?

[Cam]

I don't watch WWE so I have no idea what you're referring too ............. maybe you could elaborate so your comment can be put into context.

[Slife]

I don't watch WWE so I have no idea what you're referring too ............. maybe you could elaborate so your comment can be put into context.

WWE is scripted.

[Cam]

F1 is scripted, too a point. Have you not watched F1 in the past years? Drivers have won championships purely for reason outside of 'they were the best driver'. You only have to look at the controversy behind Schumacher at Renault, Senna & Prost plus loads more. I'm completely certain more happens behind the scenes to effect outcomes than we ever know - and yes, it's all for the show and for commercial gains.

Most of the time I get it and I accept it as part of the game (every game has rules you must abide when choosing to play), but his year and those F&^$%# Pirellis make me so mad, it's gone too far and I'm starting to hate F1 itself.

MrE is caught up in a huge bribery scandal. If that doesn't suggest scripting events, what does?

[strad]

If entertainment was the only goal, I wonder if F1 could be like WWE?

It's not? For some time now I have been wondering.

[SeijaKessen]

While this might go off in a philosophical direction, I believe that F1's problem today is the need to "entertain" in an ever growing competition from this brave new era of communications. 48 TV-channels at the flick of a switch, internet with facebook, youtube and whatnot, always offering instant satisfaction to whatever xcitement that could possibly turn you on.

In that context, I find it difficult to get my 13 year-old to focus on an F1 race with cars of different colors for 100 minutes.

Way back when, when a race sometimes offered little in terms of overtaking, there was always other kinds of xcitement,
would that screamer last the distance, or simply the technical aspect of a different car or engine, all raising attention?

Which is why I think the idea of placing such severe restrictions on the technical aspect actually only serves to decrease excitement, rather than to increase it.

Most people who have an interest in cars, get excited when they see the various technological innovations new road-going cars have, as well as various engines. If every car on the road had the same engine --maybe minus or plus a few HP here and there-- people would grow disinterested in cars.

Spec racing series do produce overtaking more frequently, and a lot more close battling.

The flipside is something like Le Mans, I don't see too many people whining and moaning over the potential lack of overtaking there. Innovation reigns supreme, and you know what? Quite frankly, it's exciting. It reminds me a lot of what F1 used to be in previous eras. If you do get battles, it's a nice benefit.

The reliability of the F1 cars is actually boring now. Like you say xpensive, there were plenty of other things to focus on in the race other than who is winning the race. The turbo-era was fantastic just to see who could last the race distance. Being a frontrunner didn't even much matter due to never being quite sure if you would have enough fuel to last the entire race.

[xpensive]

Agreed, just watching an Alfa turbo-V8 in self-destructive mode could easily make the race for me and waiting to behold Nelson's 1300 Hp BMW spewing burning toluene and dry-ice and all over the place was a reward in itself.

[Slife]

Those who want DRS

Am I right that DRS is an aid for the driver that helps overtaking? Traction control also helps the driver, yet one is banned because it is a driver aid and the other is not banned even though it is also a driver aid.

What I don't get is why people want to ban one thing so it is more about driver skill but sanction another thing because it removes driver skill from the equation (DRS).

[SeijaKessen]

Those who want DRS

Am I right that DRS is an aid for the driver that helps overtaking? Traction control also helps the driver, yet one is banned because it is a driver aid and the other is not banned even though it is also a driver aid.

What I don't get is why people want to ban one thing so it is more about driver skill but sanction another thing because it removes driver skill from the equation (DRS).

I am against DRS and traction control. Professional race car drivers should not need such things.

While on this one, I'm most likely in a distinct minority, I do believe the cars should be running 6 speed H-pattern gearboxes. No offense, but shifting gears is a skill, and drivers should be forced to operate a foot clutch pedal, as well as have to manually change gears with a stick shift. I think things would get a lot more interesting out there.

[Pup]

Those who want DRS

Am I right that DRS is an aid for the driver that helps overtaking? Traction control also helps the driver, yet one is banned because it is a driver aid and the other is not banned even though it is also a driver aid.

What I don't get is why people want to ban one thing so it is more about driver skill but sanction another thing because it removes driver skill from the equation (DRS).

A lot of people are against both.

But to answer your question, it's not the technology, but how it's implemented. DRS is specifically implemented to aid one driver in a battle for position - it tilts the odds to create an artificial advantage. If it were available to both drivers at all times, I'd be ok with it. Likewise, if traction control were only available to one driver, I'd be against it.