Formula One

I'm going to start off the new Automotive Discussion Forum by talking about my favorite form of racing: Formula One.

Now, I must admit that I grew up on NASCAR and never really knew much about open wheel racing, except that that's what ran at the Indy 500 every year.

In my adulthood, I didn't own a TV for about twenty years, so I didn't watch much racing or anything else for that matter.

Then when I did finally get around to buying a set, I rediscovered racing and found myself glued to the TV for most of the NASCAR races that came on broadcast TV.

Then just a few years back, I finally got cable and discovered the Speed Channel and Formula One and boy have I been hooked ever since.

I know a lot of people knock F1 for being a high speed parade, but I really like the sport and consider myself to have been fortunate to have discovered it while Michael Schumacher was still in his prime.

I just had my cable expanded to include the Speed Channel in anticipation of the new F1 season, having had to cut it back at the end of last season, due to financial constraints. Jury duty put a crimp in my finances.

Anyway, with talk of Alex Zanardi returning to racing in an F1 car and with a new star rising in Fernando Alonzo and a new set of racing rules, this season promises to be interesting, to say the least.

What say ye?

And this just in!

Marco Andretti will be making his F1 debut when he tests a Honda RA106 at Jérez.

"I am thrilled that Honda has offered me this incredible opportunity," said Andretti. "2006 was a fantastic inaugural year for me in the IRL [IndyCar] and I look forward to fighting for the championship next season. However, as you would expect of any racing driver, when Honda offered me the chance to drive [the formula one car], I grabbed it with both hands. I can only imagine what an awesome experience this is going to be and I'm just going to enjoy every moment."

Michael Andretti is also certain that his son, who finished a couple of lengths ahead of him in the Indy 500, has the potential to become a really great driver. "He's way beyond where I was at 19," he said. "I think the thing he has that I didn't have and his grandfather didn't have is patience."

sport.guardian.co.uk...

www.alex-zanardi.com...

[edit on 2006/12/11 by GradyPhilpott]

I've always found the no holds barred technological battle between the world's great manufacturers (hence, Chevy doesn't compete in F1).

My favorite driver is the late, great Ayrton Senna.

"Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose."

RPM Monkeys, not just for 20,000 anymore...

It's good to know there will be at least one more member watching the new season with anticipation.

I'm glad that some are trying to expand American interest in the sport, but I regret that Speed Channel has lost some of the race season to broadcast TV.

David Hobbs, Bob Varsha, et al., do a really fine job of covering the races and it just left me flat when "that other guy" tried his hand at it.

Next year, I see that Fox Sports and Speed are teaming up to do the season, so maybe the coverage will be more consistent.

msn.foxsports.com...

[edit on 2006/12/12 by GradyPhilpott]

F1, the ultimate chess of racing(where NASCAR is somewhere between checkers and hockey), I do so enjoy the rare occasions I get to watch it. The closest this we have around here in WI is American LeMans which comes to Road America, an absolutely gorgeous track (I may be biased): something I never miss. The engineering in those cars never ceases to amaze me; although I am saddened by efforts to even the playing field, it still is the most no holds barred series around, and its led to the fastest, safest racing on earth (maybe NASCAR needs to look to the F1 series). Maybe if Chevy competed and drew more Amercan's into open wheeling, an American could do something in that series, instead of looking like second class drivers.

F1 is a great race but my favorite race is the 24hr of LeMans (great stuff) but F1 put me at the edge of my seat too.

I really wish some American car company's join but........well you guys should now why they won't join.

*tisk*

F1 has a very important part in this family though. You see I have a baby sister and you see we watch the races often. We use to watch sooooo much now the only thing that will make my baby sister happy is the sound F1 engine! Cute right.

Oh by the way I really feel NASCAR is a joke I could understand why people like the race but it not fun too watch. F1, WRC, and the 24hr of LeMan are the big dad of racing the F1 has to take first and the greatest.

Originally posted by El Che
I really wish some American car company's join but........well you guys should now why they won't join.

Hell, Honda ran everyone everyone out of IRL and if they hadn't pulled out of CART, they would probably be the sole engine provider there, as well.

American auto manufacturers could compete if they would get their acts together, but as it is they can't even produce a decent family sedan.

If it doesn't weigh 2.5 tons and get less than ten miles per gallon, forget it. Detroit can't make it.

I can't wait till Honda gets into NASCAR.

I used to watch all the F1 races with my mum when I was a kid and so now as an adult I love them too
I used to work on the main road in Melbourne behind the F1 track we have there around Albert Park Lake and boy that was just as exciting to watch as being there! Of course nobody ever got any work done that day lol

Originally posted by Mirthful Me

My favorite driver is the late, great Ayrton Senna.

Senna was my mum's favorite too and so became mine until he passed

I then had a thing for Coulthard when he started out (not exactly sure why now lol) but don't have a fav as of late as I haven't been watching as I used to.

I really hope the upcoming season is aired on the Armed Forces Network




[edit on 12-12-2006 by ImJaded]

May I say a few things? As in course names!!!!!

F1 Courses Past and Present

Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari - San Marino
Autodromo Nationale - MONZA!!!
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez - Hermanos Rodriguez Raceway, Mexico City
The tight streets of MONACO!!!!
Circuit de Paul Ricard - Paul Ricard circuit in France
Autodromo Interlagos - Between The Lakes Sao Paolo
Kyalami Circuit - Kyalami, South Africa
Hocheneimring - Hockenheim Circuit, Germany
Circuit de Never (Magny Cours) - Never, France
Albert Park - Melbourne, Australia
Adelaide Circuit - Adelaide, Australia
Circuit de Gilles Villenuve de Ile de Notre Dame - Gilles Villenuve Circuit on the Isle of Notre Dame, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Spa-Franchorchamps - Spa, Belgium
Suzuka Circuitland - Suzuka, Japan

And returning to the Formula 1 arena to host the 2007 Japanese Grand Prix.

Fujiyama Circuit, Near Mt. Fujiyama, Japan.

[edit on 12/13/2006 by gimmefootball400]

Originally posted by gimmefootball400
And returning to the Formula 1 arena to host the 2007 Japanese Grand Prix.

Fujiyama Circuit, Near Mt. Fujiyama, Japan.

[edit on 12/13/2006 by gimmefootball400]

OMG it's going to be HERE ?!! I have been in japan for almost a year now and will be here til '08 and I've been bored ishless (lol) although I bet the ticket's are gonna cost a pretty penny *sigh*

Oooooh this is still exciting though! Thanks for the info gimmefootball!!

wooohooooooo

[edit on 13-12-2006 by ImJaded]

Don't leave out the US Grand Prix held at the site of the most famous race course in the world in Indianapolis.

Truth be told, I'm not much of a race fan, and personally I dislike Bernie Ecclestone as much as anyone associated with any sport anywhere. But the Grand Prix is an awesome event that attracts a very different crowd to the city. And I mean that in a good way. Not that the Indy 500 or NASCAR crowds are inferior, but the international flavor of the Grand Prix is a nice change of pace.

2007 Formula 1 Schedule.

1 ING Australian Grand Prix Australian Grand Prix Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit 18 March 14:00 03:00
2 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix Malaysian Grand Prix Sepang International Circuit 08 April 15:00 07:00
3 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix Bahrain Grand Prix Bahrain International Circuit 15 April 14:30 11:30
4 Gran Premio Telefónica de España Spanish Grand Prix Circuit de Catalunya 13 May 14:00 12:00
5 Grand Prix de Monaco Monaco Grand Prix Circuit de Monaco 27 May 14:00 12:00
6 Grand Prix du Canada Canadian Grand Prix Circuit Gilles Villeneuve 10 June 13:00 17:00
7 United States Grand Prix United States Grand Prix Indianapolis Motor Speedway 17 June 13:00 17:00
8 Grand Prix de France French Grand Prix Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours 01 July 14:00 12:00
9 British Grand Prix British Grand Prix Silverstone Circuit 08 July 13:00 12:00
10 Grosser Mobil 1 Preis von Deutschland German Grand Prix Nürburgring 22 July 14:00 12:00
11 Magyar Nagydij Hungarian Grand Prix Hungaroring 05 August 14:00 12:00
12 Petrol Ofisi Turkish Grand Prix Turkish Grand Prix Istanbul Park 26 August 15:00 12:00
13 Gran Premio Vodafone d'Italia Italian Grand Prix Autodromo Nazionale Monza 09 September 14:00 12:00
14 Belgian Grand Prix Belgian Grand Prix Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps 16 September 14:00 12:00
15 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix Japanese Grand Prix Fuji Speedway 30 September 14:00 05:00
16 Sinopec Chinese Grand Prix Chinese Grand Prix Shanghai International Circuit 07 October 14:00 06:00
17 Grande Prêmio do Brasil Brazilian Grand Prix Autódromo José Carlos Pace 21 October 14:00 17:00


Sadly, La Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari - San Marino will not be hosting a Formula 1 race in 2007

Oh wow I am also going to be home in melbourne around the 18th too

this is just grand I usualyl can score free tickets to the one at home.

woohooo

Now if Formula 1 would scrap Indianapolis and go back to where the true United States Grand Prix was held. If you are confused as to what circuit I am mentioning, it is Watkins Glen International Raceway in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. The Glen, for short, was taken off of the F1 schedule in the late 1970s. However, the track owners have upgraded the facility in recent years due to the Indy Racing League maikng a stop there now.

I'm not an overt fan of F1 racing, but as any sport, I do follow it and keep up with it. I can honestly say though, I do not like Michael Shumacher at all. I think my distaste for him began in 98 when he and Hakkinen battled for the championship. I was always a big fan of McLaren, especially in the years with Mika & Coultard as teammates.

Ferrari has always been the Yankees of F1 through my experience with it.

Now I ask our members to lower their heads for a moment of silence. It is time to rejoice the memory of Jacques Villeneuve.

.......What? He's alive? What? He's still racing?

The guy is a ghost, redefining the term LOSE on every race he enters. As a young guy he dominated INDY for a season, winning everything he touched. Joined the ranks of F1 and was equally as impressive. Unfortunately a season or two does not make a career, in my opinion.

The guy needs to pack it in. If his car does not fail on him, he normally blows it for himself.

Although a shining moment of glory in the sport, was when Villeneuve snagged the title in 97 (I believe) from Schumacher, who tried to run him off the road.

For me though, I bleed NASCAR. Big fan of the sport.

When the NHL went on strike a few years ago, I become rapped up in the sport of racing. More than ever, when I was younger. I had never understood the extent of the sport, and how much went into it. I had a new found respect for any racer in any league.

I admit it, Jaques did win and was very dominant in his Champ Car and his days in Formula 1, albeit two seasons. As for memorable battles in Formula 1 history. Give me Senna/Mansell, Prost/Hill, and Schumacher/Hill anyday of the week.

Originally posted by gimmefootball400
As for memorable battles in Formula 1 history. Give me Senna/Mansell, Prost/Hill, and Schumacher/Hill anyday of the week.

Don't forget what was possibly THE most moemorable F1 race, at least for british fans.

1987, the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Williams were dominating that season, with Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet, both Williams drivers, battling it out for the championship.

Back then the rules were a little different. (and better, in my view). NO fuel stops allowed.. tire stops only. Williams had planned a no stop strategy for both of them, but by halfway through the race, Mansell was falling behind, and decided to stop for new tires. He came out of the pits 26 seconds behind, with 26 laps to go. Fresh rubber meant he could lap faster, but would it be fast enough?? The first lap on new rubber, we was less than a second per lap faster than picket, not good enough, but as the tires warmed up, he picked up the pace.... and for those who knew Mansell's racing style....Aggressive, risk taking, most fired up when he's CHASING someone...

What followed was the single most exciting GP I've ever seen, and it was all about the clock. the laps counted down 1 by 1.. the gap reduced, second by second... first it looked like he would catch him... then it looked like he wouldn't... finally, with barely a lap to go, he caught up, but could he pass?. Unfortunately this clip doesn't do the race justice, but here it is..

Mansell vs Piquet 1987 Silverstone

Another great Mansell chase, this time at Monaco, against the late great Ayrton Senna, 1992.

Mansell vs Senna 1992 Monaco

That's what F1 is all about.

In his autobiography, Michael Schumacher says that he felt a sense of relief after leaving Formula One. I think that is entirely understandable.

I remember when a reporter asked Michael Andretti if it was less stressful to be a team owner than a driver and the look on his face said more than his words ever could.

Of course, Andretti nearly had his head removed in a CART race in Australia just a year before, if my memory serves, so I would guess that every driver, no matter how much he loves the race, must also pay a price for the thrill.

Schumacher's comments about his emotions are also interesting considering how he has been characterized during his career.

www.sportinglife.com

Well, the new F1 season is gearing up and the opening race is only a couple of months away.

I can't wait. I even got me a DVD recorder in anticipation of the season.

The teams are introducing their new cars.

planet-f1

itv-f1

formula1

autoracingdaily

casinotimes

And, of course, the drivers are playing musical teams.

gizmag

And, the US Grand Prix remains as controversial as ever.

paddocktalk

I love F1. But I love watching vintage f1 racing more. Those guys were one part amazing, two parts crazy. Phil Hill driving an aluminum torpedo on bias ply tires as wide as a coke can. Gotta love it.

not quite that vintage... but you gotta love Youtube. this guy's put a load of 80s "golden years" F1 footage up... the orginal BBC broadcasts and commentry as well. I was glued to the TV set every sunday watching these as a youth, and this brings it all back...

Plenty of classic Prost, Senna, Picquet, Mansell, Lauda etc footage here!

F1 1985-1988 FIA Season reviews

Well worth making a cup of tea and putting aside an hour for.

Ahh.. and here's more on that 1987 Picquet /Mansell clash... (awful post commentry though)

Mansell/Piquet 1987 again..

I can't believe I remembered the gap times and mansells stop lap(almost), 20 years after the fact!

[edit on 19-1-2007 by nowthenlookhere]