Formula 1 2024

[Mike Q]

Anybody else ready for preseason testing?

[KingClinton]

I am not a 4 wheeled fan at all, much prefer my MotoGP thanks.
But I can say that F1 became very processional racing and lost the fans interest, I see there is a new campaign to reverse that.
The same trend is happening with MotoGP, to much aero development has led to difficulty with the racing.
, this should change with new technical regulations due in 2027.
Enjoy the testing, today MotoGP kick off two days testing at Qatar before the first race of the season at the same venue.

[Graeme1858]

I've watched Formula 1 racing on and off for years. A few years ago I started to pay more attention but back then we only had one telly in the house so it was difficult to concentrate on the ongoing tactics and strategies with a family running about!

I just had a look at the F1 Schedule for this season. I see Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are first off, I'm not familiar with their tracks. If I recall correctly, Australia, third race, had just started when I used to watch.

Hamilton (now Sir Lewis!) was up and coming and then went on to be World Champion with McLaren so my interest was resurrected when that happened! I've not watched his Mercedes races so much. I thought I heard he was going to move again but I see he is still with Mercedes this season.

Will you be going to Miami in May?

Graeme

[OzEclipse]

I just had a look at the F1 Schedule for this season. I see Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are first off, I'm not familiar with their tracks. If I recall correctly, Australia, third race, had just started when I used to watch.

Graeme

The Australian GP started in the early-mid 1980's.

Joe

[Graeme1858]

The Australian GP started in the early-mid 1980's.

Yeah, I'm quite old! However, looks like I'm mixing Australia up with someone else, maybe I'm thinking of when you moved your F1 from Adelaide to Melbourne?

Who else started their F1 racing in the 90s/00s?

Will you be watching Joe?

Graeme

[OzEclipse]

Won’t be watching. Like others have mentioned, it is very predictable these days and we only see most of the races behind a paywall. As a result, I have lost interest.
Joe

[KingClinton]

I do know that MotoGP go to Philip island for the Aussie round.
One of the most scenic venues on the circuit.
Stunning to see the sea and surf in the background whilst watching motorcycles go around in circles.

[Graeme1858]

Won’t be watching. Like others have mentioned, it is very predictable these days and we only see most of the races behind a paywall. As a result, I have lost interest.
Joe

It's a great shame that you have to buy a Sky TV subscription to watch the F1 but we get highlights for free on Channel 4 here in the UK.

I would say though that it's not in the least bit predictable! There's the top drivers and the top constructors but there's always surprises and is that not the way in all sports? My missus used to say that it's just watching cars go round and round. Well it is with the hoover going and people getting in the way! But it is hugely interesting when you get to concentrate on the tactics and strategies.

Looks like this is Hamilton's last season with Mercedes and is moving to Ferrari next year.

Graeme

[messier 111]

unfortunately I have lost my taste for the F1 circus.

[Mike Q]

We are lucky here in the States. F1 is on the normal cable channels. We get all the practices, qually and the race with no extra costs. I have been watching it since the 70s and it seems like it has always been he who has the best car/driver combo will win. Right now it looks like it will be Red Bull. Back up and it was Mercedes, Red Bull and then Ferrari. Go further back you can add McLaren and even Williams. What has changed is reliability. The cars today are almost bulletproof compared to what they were 20 years ago.

[Graeme1858]

I would say the drivers have something to do with it as well.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/arti ... wh9nX.html

Max Verstappen did a great job in the Red Bull yesterday. If it was just the car then we could expect Sergio Perez to do the same later today.

Graeme

[Mike Q]

I've watched Formula 1 racing on and off for years. A few years ago I started to pay more attention but back then we only had one telly in the house so it was difficult to concentrate on the ongoing tactics and strategies with a family running about!

I just had a look at the F1 Schedule for this season. I see Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are first off, I'm not familiar with their tracks. If I recall correctly, Australia, third race, had just started when I used to watch.

Hamilton (now Sir Lewis!) was up and coming and then went on to be World Champion with McLaren so my interest was resurrected when that happened! I've not watched his Mercedes races so much. I thought I heard he was going to move again but I see he is still with Mercedes this season.

Will you be going to Miami in May?

Graeme

I have been asked several times if i was interested in working as an intervention marshal for the American races. I politely declined, i have come to appreciate watching it on tv from the comfort of my recliner

[Mike Q]

I would say the drivers have something to do with it as well.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/arti ... wh9nX.html

Max Verstappen did a great job in the Red Bull yesterday. If it was just the car then we could expect Sergio Perez to do the same later today.

Graeme

The age old argument, is it the driver or the car. I dont think that Perez is as good of a all around driver as Max is. Max has something that Perez doesnt have. Perez is better, usually, on certain types of courses, but overall Max is just a better driver

[starfield]

Looking forward to the season, but wonder if anyone can touch Verstappen.

[Mike Q]

If that car is as good as it actually looks, he will easily win another title

[messier 111]

I can't wait to see what happens with Hamilton and Ferrari.

[Graeme1858]

Zhou Guanyu went third quickest in the Kick Sauber in the closing stages of testing – but it is very unlikely he’ll be in that position the first race next weekend. Similarly, Red Bull were fourth-best through Max Verstappen, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc topping the timing table – but that is not a fair reflection of the pecking order.

From the F1 site:

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/arti ... 31hhE.html

[Mike Q]

Testing doesn't really tell us all that much. Everyone is running their own program. At best we can guess that Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari and maybe Aston Martin will be battling out as best of the rest. Red Bull would not have changed the car as drastically as they did if it wasnt even better then what they had. Adrian Newey is just a aero genius.

[KingClinton]

Still don't care for 4 wheeled racing but this drone footage is outstanding!
Would love to see this in MotoGP.

[Mike Q]

Well lets see if anyone has enough in the tank to challange Red Bull. Just a reminder the grand prix is today and starts in about 30 minutes