Formula 1.

[Nobby]

Predictions for this year.
Piastri to win title.
Hamilton to beat Leclerc
Dutch fella to sign for the Germans
Williams Finnish 3rd in championship

[Cousin Jack]

Don't really care any more.
It is all about money and no longer a sport.
Winner will probably be determined after the races by a court.

[MrLongbeard]

Don't really care any more.
It is all about money and no longer a sport.
Winner will probably be determined after the races by a court.

Well ain't you just the cheerful ray of sunshine

[Count Steer]

It will be interesting to see what Hamilton can do with the Ferrari and whether it's another smart move or just a last bank topper-upper before retirement.

That's about my only interest this year really. Haven't followed it in any detail since it went off free-to-air. The new circuits seem pretty meh and team 'lawyers' seem almost as important as the drivers.

[mangocrazy]

I'm going to enjoy the (probable) spectacle of the entitled Dutch chap and his odious father throwing their toys out of the pram both on and off track when their car is off the pace (as seems likely). Also looking forward to seeing if Sir Lewis can produce one last hurrah. It's also good to finally see the true pecking order after all the second-guessing and sandbagging of testing.

Predictions? I might make some after the first race...

[Cousin Jack]

Don't really care any more.
It is all about money and no longer a sport.
Winner will probably be determined after the races by a court.

Well ain't you just the cheerful ray of sunshine

A truthful ray of sunshine. It is a shame but it is a fact.

[MrLongbeard]

Don't really care any more.
It is all about money and no longer a sport.
Winner will probably be determined after the races by a court.

Well ain't you just the cheerful ray of sunshine

A truthful ray of sunshine. It is a shame but it is a fact.

It really isn't, but if you perceive it as such just ignore it, move along, get on with your life and stop interacting with stuff you don't enjoy / like / care about.

[Yorick]

I used to watch the highlights programs but rarely a full race.
But always followed the results with interest.

But when I watched that fly on the wall thing a few years ago, I quickly hated it. The poison around the place was horrible.

I'll follow the results to see if Hamilton wins.

[Rockburner]

Looking forward to it.

Last session was a good turn around from the previous couple of seasons, 4 teams with a chance of winning races, and the dominance of one team being reduced.

This year promises some interesting stuff:
Can Lewis still be competitive in the Ferrari?
Will Norris finally get out of the shadow of his friendship with Verstappen?
Can Newey make a difference at Aston and will Alonso make a return to form with Newey there? (No point wondering how Stroll Jr will do)
Can Antonelli survive?
Will Russell finally not cock up the last lap and full his promise?
Will Leclerc ever be as fast in a race as he can be in qualifying?

Going to be an interesting year.

[Rockburner]

I used to watch the highlights programs but rarely a full race.
But always followed the results with interest.

But when I watched that fly on the wall thing a few years ago, I quickly hated it. The poison around the place was horrible.

I'll follow the results to see if Hamilton wins.

The Drive to Survive programme really hams up the tension and drama to make it watchable for TV audiences who don't/didn't think racing was interesting. Ie the type of audience who enjoy unrealistic US cop dramas.

I don't believe for a second that the paddock is anything like as bitchy as that program portrays it. (I still watch it. )

Yes there might be a few characters who are less than bosom-buddies, but that's life. The operation wouldn't be able to run if it was truly like it's shown in DtS.

[Nordboy]

I'm hoping my lad gives me the password for his NowTv so I can catch a couple of races. I used to watch it religiously but have been dipping in and out for the last 5 yrs, well, since the Abu Dhabi/ Masi debacle where it seemed more about the entertainment rather than the cars/ drivers. And some of the decisions since haven't swayed me from that.

But, this year does look to be a bit more interesting, especially with the rookie drivers and so many driver team changes. I'm actually not sure which team I'm going to support. Was Merc but I just can't warm to G russell at all.

[Dodgy69]

Sorry, but it ain't for me neither. My lad loves it though. Each to their own and all that.

[Nobby]

Looking forward to it.

Last session was a good turn around from the previous couple of seasons, 4 teams with a chance of winning races, and the dominance of one team being reduced.

This year promises some interesting stuff:
Can Lewis still be competitive in the Ferrari?
Will Norris finally get out of the shadow of his friendship with Verstappen?
Can Newey make a difference at Aston and will Alonso make a return to form with Newey there? (No point wondering how Stroll Jr will do)
Can Antonelli survive?
Will Russell finally not cock up the last lap and full his promise?
Will Leclerc ever be as fast in a race as he can be in qualifying?

Going to be an interesting year.

I think Lewis will be pulling Ferrari up in a similar way that Schumacher did. Time will tell whether he has enough time.
Newey won’t have any impact on this years car unless it’s found to be an absolute dog, and he’s asked to give it a once over.
Mercedes are in a position to out Antonelli if he doesn’t cut it, or Russell if he does. Either way expect a Dutchie in the seat either way next year.
The unanswered question is who gets the main gig at Horner Towers ?

[formula400]

what I know about F1 has come from 7 seasons of "drive to survive"

Lando to win

failing that, any English lad

[Cousin Jack]

Race results decided after the event - again. Both Ferrari drivers disqualified.

Not so much a race, more of a courtroom drama.

[MrLongbeard]

Race results decided after the event - again. Both Ferrari drivers disqualified.

Not so much a race, more of a courtroom drama.

Just without a courthouse or drama.

All motorsports have technical regs that the vehicle must meet before during and after the race, without them all motorsport would either not be happening or a free for all. And if you go a lookin' you'll find post race disqualifications in most if not all of them.

It's no different to athletes having their results cancelled and being banned after failing a doping test.
Whip your horse too many times down the final furlong, that's your result thrown out etc etc etc etc etc.

For someone who states they don't care you sure do invest a whole heap of time and effort into complaint about it, what's the alternative that would work across all sports that would make you happy bearing in mind it needs to encourage close racing / results and be safe?

[Count Steer]

I thought the bit in this article about the nuanced differences in their driving style and how the 'lack' of front grip, ie understeer, impacts the drivers differently was quite interesting. (Certainly supports the idea that you can't drop just any bod into the fastest car and they'll win).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/ar ... dyvmz990eo

[wheelnut]

I quite enjoy the Netflix documentary on F1. It’s better viewing than the actual racing.

[Cousin Jack]

For someone who states they don't care you sure do invest a whole heap of time and effort into complaint about it, what's the alternative that would work across all sports that would make you happy bearing in mind it needs to encourage close racing / results and be safe?

Time and effort? 21 words, not too much effort, and even at my typing speed, not much time either.

[MrLongbeard]

For someone who states they don't care you sure do invest a whole heap of time and effort into complaint about it, what's the alternative that would work across all sports that would make you happy bearing in mind it needs to encourage close racing / results and be safe?

Time and effort? 21 words, not too much effort, and even at my typing speed, not much time either.

Fair enough, I figured at your age you'd not want to waste any time no matter how little you argue it may be.

So anyway, what's the alternative to sporting regulations then?