Formula 1. It's exciting. It's dramatic. It's the most technologically-advanced racing machines on the planet being driven on the ragged edge by 22 of the world's best drivers.
Why then, did I find myself taking as much interest in my morning breakfast as I did in the television while I watched the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday morning?
Yes, the bacon and eggs were delicious, and no, I don't have HDTV yet, but I don't think those were the reasons for my lack of interest. So, following the process of elimination, we must conclude that I simply found the race boring.
Sure, I understand that Ferrari was blowing the doors off the competition, so there was never any doubt about who would win. And the way today's F1 cars are designed can make overtaking very difficult. Also, I'm 16 years old, and since teenagers generally have the attention span of a small rodent, maybe it wasn't such a huge surprise that I found the racing dull.
But hang on, lets back up the truck a bit. F1 teams do thousands of kilometres of testing at Barcelona every year. As a result, most of the drivers know the track better then their backyard (probably because you can fit a half-dozen Wembley Stadiums in their backyard, but you get my point). So the amount of times they make mistakes will be few and far between.
Furthermore, there are virtually no overtaking spots to be found at the Circuit de Catalunya. I mean, after the first few laps, I only recall seeing two successful passes. Since the track's arrival onto the F1 calendar in 1991, only four pole-sitters have failed to win the race. That is simply ridiculous.
To avoid processional races such as last weekend's, it would be in the best interests of the sport, and its fans, if Formula One Management (a.k.a. Bernie Ecclestone) dropped circuits like Barca's, in favour of the ones that fall into at least one of the following categories: The Classics and The Bernies.
The Classics are the tracks that are often steeped in history. Some of them are quite old, and have become strong fixtures on the F1 calendar over the years. Others haven't been around as long, but they are races that the drivers and fans look forward to, and usually produce exciting moments time and time again. The circuits that fall into this category are:
- Silverstone (Great Britain)
- Monza (Italy)
- Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)
- Monaco
- Interlagos (Brazil)
- Montreal (Canada)
- Albert Park (Australia)
The Bernies are recent additions to the calendar that may or may not produce exciting racing. All of these tracks have the following in common:
1. Are located in lucrative markets that attract new audiences and, most importantly, sponsors.
2. Have state-of-the-art grandstands and paddock facilities.
3. Are designed by Hermann Tilke, so the racing quality may be hit-or-miss.
The name refers to Bernie Ecclestone. As many of you know, he is the president and CEO of FOM, and the guy who basically calls the shots when it comes to which tracks go and which tracks stay. What Bernie wants, Bernies gets, it's as simple as that. The Bernies include:
- Sepang (Malaysia)
- Sakhir (Bahrain)
- Shanghai (China)
- Istanbul (Turkey)
- Singapore
Over the next few years, more and more "Bernies" will be added to the F1 calendar, and other tracks will be excluded as a result. As a fan who appreciates good racing and the sport's history, I think it would be sad to see any of the "Classics" get axed. While F1 expands into new markets, blend the old and the new, and you will achieve balance.
And maybe some overtaking, too.
comments (3) write a comment »
write a new comment
5 months ago
I agree. I'm with you on most of the classics. But I think you forgot a crucial pont which happened this season. The U.S. GP is gone, and last year would have been on your list of classics. It was steeped in history. The last turn at Indy is one of the most famous and one of the favorites of the drivers because it allows straight acceleration until Turn 1. It is a shame. I do not enjoy Shanghai or Bahrain. Singapore is up in the air but I have been looking at the track and it looks like the same turns over and over again (that is sharp, angled turns, there are not many benders), but I think it will be exciting. This stupid Valencia race where the Euro GP is going to be is almost a sham off Monaco. Talk is they want to move the French Grand Prix from the famous Magny-Cours to Paris (another city-race then for 09). Then add a possible Indian and Russian GP, Mexico wants one, too. Sadly, some of the classics are going to go (I'm pissed about it too). The first ones will be the non-European ones, like the Canadian replaced for Mexico, Brazil may be replaced by India, Australia by Russia. It is not looking good, and I think the dismissal of the U.S. GP may be a big turning point for F1.
5 months ago
When you say F1 is the most technologically advanced racing, I respect your opinion. I am of a different opinion. I could be wrong and often am. Even so, it seems to me that when an F1 car lacks basic performance and safety enhancements available on retail street cars, it can hardly be considered the most technologically advanced. Even my old 2001 Corvette has traction control and active handling. To me, the really high tech racing is confined to the 24-hours of LeMans. Check out the improved miles per gallon, reduced noise, and totally awesome torque generated by the Audi and Puegeot's.
As for the "classics," please add Imola and Nurburgring (both already gone).
Although it isn't a "classic", I lament the passing of Indy in the U.S.
dave
5 months ago
Good point, Dave, I totally see where you're coming from with regards to racing technology. But while F1 cars lack some of the enhancements you mentioned, I believe the amount of research and development that goes into refining the aerodynamics and some of the mechanical aspects of the cars are unsurpassed in motorsport. And with the introduction of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems and eco-friendly technology over the next few years, this will only continue. That being said, I really appreciate the feedback and I thank you for enlightening me on the topic.
-Mark
write a new comment