Formula 1 2017

[Jonboy]

I agree there does seem to be a high proportion of adverts on C4 catch-up..try a drama series weeek after week when they know you are captive, but that is the joy of not paying...is sky f1 ad free or do you pay to get advertised too?

[Andrew P]

Well done to Lewis for equalling Schumacher's qualifying record. The last laps from him and Seb were both very impressive. Not just them, many drivers did some great laps. When will Palmer get a break though, yet another mechanical breakdown after getting 7th in Q2.

 

Saw this on C4 catch-up. what a disaster area this is. I went to skip through the filler at the start of the program and was forced to watch* 3 lots of 9 adverts (*watching used loosely, putting kettle on, browsing RMweb etc) then when getting to the qauli rounds, there were at another 2 x 8 ad blocks plus all the ones in the post-quali section. They really are over doing it on the catch up, I'm sure the broadcast version doesn't stuff as many ads in. A part of me won't be sad to see C4's contract end.

I cant do catch up, I WON'T have Sky, so if C4 loses the contract what will people like little old me do?

 

I hope the Sky only deal can be reversed, I actually like C4's presentation, and no Adds during the Race policy, and I can live with add's in the Highlight programs.

 

Well done Lewis on a fantastic Qualifying.

[ess1uk]

If free to view F1 goes then I will be watching more BTCC.

Not many in the grandstand at Rockingham today though

[Tony Davis]

I cant do catch up, I WON'T have Sky, so if C4 loses the contract what will people like little old me do?

 

German satellite video and Radio 5 live audio?

[cal.n]

If C4 looses F1, I may consider formula E having watched a few races already.

[57xx]

If C4 looses F1, I may consider formula E having watched a few races already.

 

I watched part of a Formula E race and decided to take up knitting instead.

[Oldddudders]

Close racing and no mistake. But the Merc still just about has the legs, if not the handling. I suspect Perez will find himself Force-fed particularly hot curries if he keeps knackering his team's chances. Once might be bad luck, but this is just silly. Good fun to watch, though!

 

And why do commentators struggle with the names of the corners between Les Combes and Pouen? They are Rivage 1 & 2. Or were in the days when I was an annual visitor, not for the F1 but the 24-hr race in July. Of course the reduction of Spa from long public roads to an enclosed circuit has caused nomenclature to vary, but the layout there hasn't changed materially in more than a decade.

Edited August 28, 2017 by Oldddudders

[Dunsignalling]

I watched part of a Formula E race and decided to take up knitting instead.

Take care, if you are used to Formula E, knitting may be a bit too exciting.

 

It should suit Perez though, as he would get a second car to bend. 

Edited August 28, 2017 by Dunsignalling

[Andrew P]

Take care, if you are used to Formula E, knitting may be a bit too exciting.

 

It should suit Perez though, as he would get a second car to bend. 

Do they have a ''T'' Car, or is it that the Batteries won't last a full race distance? I've never looked into Fe (far to quiet I would imagine) so I don't know.

Edited August 28, 2017 by Andrew P

[Bill Radford]

Do they have a ''T'' Car, or is it that the Batteries won't last a full race distance? I've never looked into Fe (far to quiet I would imagine) so I don't know.

The cars only last half race distance, just with a bit of lift and coast. They all have to change cars with a minimum pit time so that all "seat belts" are done up properly, which makes it much less of a spectacle than Moto GP when they have to change bikes.

[Andrew P]

The cars only last half race distance, just with a bit of lift and coast. They all have to change cars with a minimum pit time so that all "seat belts" are done up properly, which makes it much less of a spectacle than Moto GP when they have to change bikes.

CHANGE BIKES? now I am confused.

[dvdlcs]

One of the things that I miss about Murray Walker and his presentation of the commentary was his impartiality. Yes, he had his favourites, but by and large he didn't allow that to colour his broadcasting.

 

Unfortunately the C4 coverage seems to have become a Lewis-lovefest. Of course, the broadcast team will have their favourites but for me it seems that every show has a "what will Lewis do?" and "didn't Lewis do well" sections.

 

Mind you. MW commentary was taken by a number of other English-speaking countries. Perhaps the C4 coverage is limited to the UK (and Ireland?) so there is less of an issue.

 

Its a personal opinion, but as someone who isn't as besotted with Lewis Hamilton as they appear to be, it is becoming rather tiring. Broadcasting standards slipping?

[dvdlcs]

Formula E completed its third season in July. The calendar for that series runs from October to July, so starts around the time F1 season finishes. Coverage was initially ITV3 then switched to Channel 5 for the third season, largely retaining the same broadcast team.

 

Having watched it since its inception, I am in two minds about whether to continue to do so. Some of the race tracks that are created turn out to be excellent, Montreal in July being a good example, whereas others turn out to be fairly uninspiring. Awarding points for pole position and fastest lap helps, IMO, as it can keep things interesting in the table and during the race too.

 

A number of former F1 drivers are present, particularly some names that you may have forgotten as they were only ever on the periphery of F1. There is normally good close racing to be had, but even then not always possible to pass.

 

In the beginning it was a little harem-scarem at times, some races being more like bumper cars, while they found their feet both with the cars and the rules. The first race of the first season was fairly unexciting until the second half of the final lap, partly because a number of cars were still in contention.

 

Audi, BMW, Renault, and Jaguar are all involved at the moment, with both Mercedes and Porsche scheduled to join in for the fifth season (starting October 2018). Not sure if any of the big motoring names are coming in this year for season four.

 

Edit: Forgot to include Audi in the original post.

Edited August 28, 2017 by dvdlcs

[Al51]

CHANGE BIKES? now I am confused.

When there is a chance of rain they have a spare bike in the pits with wet weather tyres on. If it does rain they can pit and change bikes. It would take to long to change wheels, although they seem to manage quite well at the IOM TT.

 

Al

[57xx]

CHANGE BIKES? now I am confused.

 

As Al mentioned to swap between wet and dry tyres (and vice versa). The spare bike is readied in the pits, engine running and held up by a couple of the pit crew. The rider comes in, "stops" parallel to the spare bike, first bike is grabbed by more pit crew, rider jumps off bike and onto the other. When I say jump, they have refined it to the point that they leap off the first bike before it has even stopped, straight onto the other bike and they're away. I recall seeing one rider (Marquez I think) come in a bit too hot, nearly take out the guy who was there to catch his bike and his momentum caused him to head butt the fairing on the second bike as he landed on it. Not that particular incident, but this shows the basic technique:

 

[davefromacrossthepond]

Having just starting watching F1, I have a question that I'm sure has a very simple answer, but I cant seem to find on my own.  When watching cars from behind there seems to be some sort of flashing orange/red light on the back of some in the corners.  What is this?  As an aside - I watched the recent Belgium race . . . very exciting.  I may be hooked.  

[dvdlcs]

Having just starting watching F1, I have a question that I'm sure has a very simple answer, but I cant seem to find on my own.  When watching cars from behind there seems to be some sort of flashing orange/red light on the back of some in the corners.  What is this?  As an aside - I watched the recent Belgium race . . . very exciting.  I may be hooked.  

 

The flashing light has multiple purposes.

 

In the pit lane it signifies that the pit lane speed limiter is being used.

 

On the race track it signifies that the ERS is harvesting energy for reuse (so car may be travelling slower than expected).

 

In a wet race, it is continually lit (and flashing) to act as a marker light.

 

There may be other uses too.

 

Hope that helps.

[57xx]

The flashing light has multiple purposes.

 

...

 

There may be other uses too.

 

It also indicates the power unit is in "de-rate" mode (you may hear the commentators talking about a car de-rating). This happens when the battery is discharged but the driver is still requesting power via the throttle e.g. on a very long straight or when there are technical issues with the power system. The car will be powered by the IC engine alone, with no electrical assistance. Being 160 odd hp down, the light flashes to warn following drivers that the car in front won't be travelling as fast as they expect. Note, the MGUK is not harvesting energy at this point as the driver is still on the throttle and brakes are not applied as they aren't yet at a corner. 

Edited August 29, 2017 by 57xx

[Bill Radford]

Formula E completed its third season in July. The calendar for that series runs from October to July, so starts around the time F1 season finishes. Coverage was initially ITV3 then switched to Channel 5 for the third season, largely retaining the same broadcast team.

 

Having watched it since its inception, I am in two minds about whether to continue to do so. Some of the race tracks that are created turn out to be excellent, Montreal in July being a good example, whereas others turn out to be fairly uninspiring. Awarding points for pole position and fastest lap helps, IMO, as it can keep things interesting in the table and during the race too.

 

A number of former F1 drivers are present, particularly some names that you may have forgotten as they were only ever on the periphery of F1. There is normally good close racing to be had, but even then not always possible to pass.

 

In the beginning it was a little harem-scarem at times, some races being more like bumper cars, while they found their feet both with the cars and the rules. The first race of the first season was fairly unexciting until the second half of the final lap, partly because a number of cars were still in contention.

 

Audi, BMW, Renault, and Jaguar are all involved at the moment, with both Mercedes and Porsche scheduled to join in for the fifth season (starting October 2018). Not sure if any of the big motoring names are coming in this year for season four.

 

Edit: Forgot to include Audi in the original post.

I agree about the tracks. Some, like Battersea Park, were far too tight and Mexico City(short part of GP track) when first used had far too many chicanes

 

I'll keep watching because there ain't that much racing on terrestrial which is why I watch the Moto GP. (OK, I watch it for the Doctor) I OD'd on Sunday with the GP and the BTCC. (much better when recorded and can be FF'd past Steve Ryder and the ads)

[davefromacrossthepond]

dvdlcs, 57xx,

 

Thanks!  Looking forward to the next race and I'll be definitely watching those lights.  Knowing how things like that work does make watching the race much more enjoyable for sure.  My next step is to understand the "team orders" aspect of F1.  It certainly is an interesting dynamic.  The two drivers for Force India certainly made the Belgium race somewhat exciting.  (I'm trying to picture Dale Earnhardt Sr. racing F1! lol).

 

Dave

[Ashcombe]

Dave: Ian and I recommend this website for reliable information about F1:-

 

https://www.pitpass.com/index.php?fes_local_timezone_cookie_set=1

Edited August 29, 2017 by Ashcombe

[Adrian Wintle]

 Some of the race tracks that are created turn out to be excellent, Montreal in July being a good example,

 

 

 

The Montreal Formula E race seems to have seriously annoyed a large number of Montreal residents. They have a (quite justified) question as to why a circuit had to be created out of downtown streets (including one of the main ones), disrupting the city for 3-4 days when there is an existing F1 track within walking distance (or 2-3 Metro stops away).

 

I do see their point.

 

Adrian

[Andrew P]

This is another good F1 Site.

http://www.espn.co.uk/f1/

[dvdlcs]

The Montreal Formula E race seems to have seriously annoyed a large number of Montreal residents. They have a (quite justified) question as to why a circuit had to be created out of downtown streets (including one of the main ones), disrupting the city for 3-4 days when there is an existing F1 track within walking distance (or 2-3 Metro stops away).

 

I do see their point.

 

Adrian

 

 

Formula E tracks are somewhat shorter than Formula 1 tracks in terms of lap length. Yes, there is a circuit, and a rather good one at that, in Montreal, but I don't know how available it was at the time, or perhaps what options there are for shortening the lap for the Formula E races. I think the only F1 tracks that FE has used are Mexico City and Monaco, and both were shortened compared to the F1 lap. Perhaps that wasn't an option at Montreal.

[cal.n]

Formula E tracks are somewhat shorter than Formula 1 tracks in terms of lap length. Yes, there is a circuit, and a rather good one at that, in Montreal, but I don't know how available it was at the time, or perhaps what options there are for shortening the lap for the Formula E races. I think the only F1 tracks that FE has used are Mexico City and Monaco, and both were shortened compared to the F1 lap. Perhaps that wasn't an option at Montreal.

 

IIRC, next time Formula E head to Monaco, they will complete the full circuit of the track. They had made a sharp left hand turn at Saint Devote (Turn 1 of GP track) and down a little road which brought them out the Nouvelle chicane (turns 10 and 11 of GP track).

 

It was thought that formula E cars would struggle with the hill from turn 1 up to casino square which is is much steeper than it looks on TV