3jawchuck wrote: ↑19 Jun 2017, 21:00
roon wrote: ↑19 Jun 2017, 18:49
In terms of what F1 "is" and "has always been," you could say that it was always a prestigious/expensive form of racing, competition and gambling. That it became i.c.e. motor racing specifically, was a reflection of technology available at the time—something which is always changing. Just as an understanding of engine position & suspension types changed over the decades of F1's existence.
The abscense or presence of unmuffled internal combustion engines is not an integral nor absolutely necessary feature of the sport. Were front engines? Because mid engines replaced them. Were skinny tires? Because wide ones replaced them. Were wingless cars? Because winged ones replaced them. Were unmuffled internal combustion engines? Because...
F1 was not solely created because people wanted to hear specific types of exhaust notes (of which people have various opinions of what sounds good). This was a single feature among many, a byproduct. Technologically F1 could become anything. The current engine formula is a preview of that.
I am in agreement with you on this. Can I ask you something totally subjective and OT? What do you think is the pinnacle of F1 and what do you think was the era of the best races in F1?
For me, the pinnacle was just prior to 1994, technology was really booming and the cars were simple yet complex. The best racing for me comes from the 1970s, although I was not alive then, I have seen some nice racing.
I'm no expert on the history, but the older eras of privateers & garages appeals to me. Little advertising, smaller teams, racers who had other tasks to perform--some even designed or helped build their own cars. Now everything is so specialized & perfected, although that too warrants appreciation. The sport's evolved into a state of perfection and mastery. So in that sense the pinnacle of the sport is now.
Aesthetically I think the peaks for the cars were the 1960s (wide tires, cigar chassis, exposed engines & no wings) and the year 2008 (peak aero complexity).
Race-wise, I'm more into lap times & results. Passing/overtaking doesn't so much concern me. So its hard to say which era had the best races. Maybe this is akin to a "reading the stats" type of baseball fan. Every era has something to appreciate.
I'm content to read about races, watch a little of them now and then, but I find most forms of motorsport boring to watch for extended periods of time. Ultimately driving consistency is needed whatever the series is, so you're gonna have long periods of no crashing and no passing. The only form with constant action like that is demolition derby. This is part of the problem I have with people wanting to "improve the racing." You can only have so many crashes & passes in a race. Good racing is often boring. It doesn't require watching every second of every lap.
Like, the original intent was that you'd be there in-person, in the grass, with a picnic, talking to people, having a drink. Not watching camera shots of cars repeating the same perfect lap seventy times. No wonder people get bored.
