Formula 1 2017

[Gareth Collier]

I've really tried to like Formula E but it just hasn't grabbed me. They sound terrible, they need 2 cars to complete race distance, laps are shorter and the most bizarre bit is the 'Fanboost'. Using social media fans can vote for their favourite driver and give them a power boost in the race. A close finish can be decided on the drivers social media following rather than the car or talent! If it was introduced in to F1 be ready for shots of the pit crew sitting in the garage frantically pressing the send button on their mobiles to give their driver a bit more oomph down the main straight!

[ejstubbs]

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 don't think there is a lot of scope for shortening the lap of the Circuit Gilles Villeneueve.  Most of the open space in the middle of the circuit that would be needed for a short-cut is actually water!

 

 

Also, according to Wiki only two race weekends per year are permitted on the track.  One of those is the F1 weekend.  If Formula E wanted to use the track then whatever uses the other race weekend would have to get bumped elsewhere.

[Chrisr40]

Brands Hatch Indy circuit....perfect I think for Formula E. Brilliant viewing all round, relatively short circuit, doesnt need setting up and taking down like the inner city tracks. Just need a few extension cords to charge the cars up ☺

[njee20]

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

Seems surprising given the massive amounts of torque most electric road cars have.

[RJS1977]

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).

 

 

 

The "little road" (Avenue J F Kennedy) is in fact the escape road for the chicane during the Grand Prix, and a fairly major road in Monaco when there's no racing on (the area round Tabac/the swimming pool is used as a car park the rest of the year, so all road traffic through the tunnel goes up that road).

[cal.n]

Brands Hatch Indy circuit....perfect I think for Formula E. Brilliant viewing all round, relatively short circuit, doesnt need setting up and taking down like the inner city tracks. Just need a few extension cords to charge the cars up ☺

 

From the start, one of the principals of Formula E is that every track is a inner city street circuit for proximity to fans and atmosphere. Hence why Monte-Carlo will probably be the only place lap times can be compared with F1.

 

 

I don't think there is a lot of scope for shortening the lap of the Circuit Gilles Villeneueve.  Most of the open space in the middle of the circuit that would be needed for a short-cut is actually water!

 

 

Also, according to Wiki only two race weekends per year are permitted on the track.  One of those is the F1 weekend.  If Formula E wanted to use the track then whatever uses the other race weekend would have to get bumped elsewhere.

 

Interesting photo, I assume the corner on the left is turn 2 and the wall of champions is visible on the right, but where is the pit complex?

Edited August 30, 2017 by cal.n

[ejstubbs]

That photo is dated 1978, the year the track was first used.  Up to and including 1986 the pits were at the other end of the island, immediately after the hairpin.

 

Source: http://theracingline.net/racingcircuits/Canada/index.html

Edited August 30, 2017 by ejstubbs

[RJS1977]

I don't think there is a lot of scope for shortening the lap of the Circuit Gilles Villeneueve.  Most of the open space in the middle of the circuit that would be needed for a short-cut is actually water!

 

 

Also, according to Wiki only two race weekends per year are permitted on the track.  One of those is the F1 weekend.  If Formula E wanted to use the track then whatever uses the other race weekend would have to get bumped elsewhere.

 

The lake internal to the island ends just to the right of the picture, beyond which there are some internal roads so it would be possible to configure a shorter circuit.

[57xx]

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

 

Got to hear you getting in to the sport, As for understanding team orders... have fun There were team orders, then they were banned, then there were team orders done "in secret" (but not very well*), so the ban was lifted, then drivers started to pick and choose which ones to obey. All fun and games!

 

*Google "Fernando is faster than you" for some entertainment.

[57xx]

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

 

Just thought I'd say why I placed a Funny tag on your post - this had me remembering our old milkman crawling up the hill in his milk float back in the 70s.

[PhilJ W]

Seems surprising given the massive amounts of torque most electric road cars have.

Try running after a trolleybus when its leaving a stop. (When we had trolleybuses).

[ejstubbs]

The lake internal to the island ends just to the right of the picture, beyond which there are some internal roads so it would be possible to configure a shorter circuit.

 

I think "might be possible" is more accurate that "would be possible".  True, looking at the roads north of the lake it looks like something could be done using Chemin des Floralies - the wee link road that the map shows as leading back on to the track from the roundabout at the east end could possibly be adapted, although when you look at it on streetview it's actually two separate car parks at the moment.  That would lop about 1km off the 4.38km of the current circuit.  (The Avenue Pierre Dupuy is a non-starter, I think, because the slip road to it takes you westwards, away from the island.)  How much shorter does the circuit need to be for Formula E?

 

It would still be necessary to find a way past the restriction on the number of race weekends per year.

Edited August 31, 2017 by ejstubbs

[Dunsignalling]

From the start, one of the principals of Formula E is that every track is a inner city street circuit for proximity to fans and atmosphere. Hence why Monte-Carlo will probably be the only place lap times can be compared with F1.

 

 

Atmosphere? Not motor sport atmosphere for sure.

 

With the tight urban corners, and all the safety fences in place, most Formula E "circuits" resemble kart tracks in the middle of building sites. As a consequence, Formula E usually looks rather down market.

 

Monaco has always worked for F1 because it isn't a typical city. Old commercial centres are too "tight" for properly fast racing and don't provide the pizzazz required. That's why all the other F1 "street circuits" are in new cities that have been laid out with much more flowing highways. Even then they (for me) lack atmosphere compared to a proper race track.

 

John

Edited August 31, 2017 by Dunsignalling

[RJS1977]

I think "might be possible" is more accurate that "would be possible".  True, looking at the roads north of the lake it looks like something could be done using Chemin des Floralies - the wee link road that the map shows as leading back on to the track from the roundabout at the east end could possibly be adapted, although when you look at it on streetview it's actually two separate car parks at the moment.  

 

It looks to me as if the area off the roundabout (where the grey car is parked) is accessible directly off the roundabout (the pavement is dropped to street level and there are tyre marks on it). From there it appears to be directly connected to the circuit, with just a broad painted line (or possibly a removable plastic speed bump) in the way. I suspect the link is there to enable amulances, marshalling vehicles etc to access the track and to be somewhere failed cars can be pushed out of the way. Either way though, as you say, it's immaterial owing to the restriction on the number of days' use.

[RJS1977]

Atmosphere? Not motor sport atmosphere for sure.

 

With the tight urban corners, and all the safety fences in place, most Formula E "circuits" resemble kart tracks in the middle of building sites. As a consequence, Formula E usually looks rather down market.

 

Monaco has always worked for F1 because it isn't a typical city. Old commercial centres are too "tight" for properly fast racing and don't provide the pizzazz required. That's why all the other F1 "street circuits" are in new cities that have been laid out with much more flowing highways. Even then they (for me) lack atmosphere compared to a proper race track.

 

John

 

The thing that's put me off going to the London events (apart from date clashes) is the apparent lack of any form of support series. Consequently there's a gap of several hours between qualifying and the race while cars are charged up (and possibly repaired!) when nothing happens on track.

 

Likewise the amount of 'filler' between races on ITV's BTCC coverage gives the impression there's a lot of time there when the spectators don't have much to watch - or are there other races we don't get to see?

[The Blue Streak]

Formula E ?
I watched my first race and quite frankly I was unimpressed. Then I thought "You can't judge a series from one dud race" So I gave it a fighting chance and watched a couple more and I'm still unimpressed.
 
If F1 has become a bit of a snooze fest then F E will put a viewer into a Coma !!
 
If this is the way of the future then count Me out I'm afraid. I'll be off watching Historic Formula 5000's or Big Banger Group C Touring cars and when the petrol runs out I'll be watching old Youtube Videos !

[The Blue Streak]

Of Course if they can get their nancy girl, politically correct, Electric Can Openers to spit fire and sound like this I might reconsider. (This is the neighbor friendly version with mufflers) Turn Your Speakers up and treat your ears to some sweet sounds - it really kicks off at 27 seconds.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBqU6dY6Fdk

Edited August 31, 2017 by The Blue Streak

[PhilJ W]

Some twenty years or more ago a street curcuit was laid out here in Basildon for demonstration purposes only. It was even suggested that it could become a venue for the British GP but the whole idea was ruled out on cost grounds. Even for the Sunday on which the event was held the disruption was horrendous so just as well. I remember it well as our model railway exhibition which was then held in the town centre was effectively killed off on the Sunday.

[newbryford]

I went to watch another version of F1 over the weekend.............

 

This is from a couple of years ago - but my nephew is the race winner.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qdRODaigYE

[great central]

I went to watch another version of F1 over the weekend.............

 

This is from a couple of years ago - but my nephew is the race winner.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qdRODaigYE

 

Belle Vue on Monday I presume? Was considering going myself but starting work at about 04.45 then driving back from Manchester from 21.00 or so onwards didn't seem like a good idea.

I went to Ipswich in June, first full Brisca meeting I've done in best part of 40 years, world final now has getting on for 90 cars booked I think, shame I'm working. Hope to make Kings Lynn on Saturday.

For those interested in some of the not quite mainstream motor sports a new free channel has launched today, they had Brisca F1 on this afternoon apparently but I can't seem to get it. Info from Stoxnet.com. I think it needs a Freeview HD box? Hope it'll appear on Freesat at some stage, not there yet.

 

https://www.freesports.tv/index.php

[Mike Storey]

If you think C4's coverage is poor, try watching it on French TV. Adverts during live race coverage. C4 do not do that. But the French do provide a far superior technical explanation prior to each race, something from which C4 could learn a lot. But, on live coverage, French commentators get very, very excited, until you realise they have completely misunderstood what is going on, to the extent that they make Murray Walker look accurate, which takes a lot of effort. Don't get me wrong- Murray's commentaries were passionate, wonderful and memorable, but usually for all the wrong reasons!

[Mike Storey]

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?

 

Sorry mate, but complete spherical objects. This season's programmes have featured Mad Max, Soporiphic Seb, Last Chance Felippe, Apolopleptic Alonso and Mr Happy Raikkonnen as their drivers of the moment, let alone WTF Palmer, so your prejudice is clearly subjective, rather than broadcasting standards. They keep finding any reason to question Hamilton's dedication to hip-hop as the reason for his continually predicted demise, and yet he keeps destroying every prediction of his demise, including obviously yours. Is it cos he's black, or just from Stevenage? I would strongly support the latter, as it is a sh1thole.

[Chrisr40]

Why is it any time some one says they don't like Lewis they have to run the gauntlet of being branded a racist ?

Here's a thought perhaps it's just because in some peoples opinions - which they entirely entitled to - he is a bit of a berk.

I think Vettel is a prat but that doesn't make me anti German.

It's a very dangerous assumption to make suggestions with regards prejudices you believe somebody else holds when you have never met them. How do you know for example that the person making the statement is not of the same race, ethnicity, background, religion or beliefs as the person they are saying they aren't keen on.

Lewis being black has absolutely no bearing upon his ability to drive a racing car. He is unquestionably very talented but his personality is marmite. I dont recall anyone being accused of being anti venezualan or racist when they laughed about captain crash Maldonado.

Sorry to get all serious but guess what boys and girls its only a sport and we all entitled to have our heroes and villains. I really hoped that fans of this sport had gone beyond the shame of discriminating based upon things like the colour of a person's skin.

Edited September 1, 2017 by Chrisr40

[37114]

 

 

Likewise the amount of 'filler' between races on ITV's BTCC coverage gives the impression there's a lot of time there when the spectators don't have much to watch - or are there other races we don't get to see?

I used to go to the BTCC races at Thruxton and they have numerous support raaces, used to be Formula ford, Renault clio cup etc. Certainly never had to wait more than 30minutes between a race.

[Andrew P]

Lets get back to the Racing Guys.

 

I'm looking forward to Monza, yes again I wish it was Live, but we now have Spa and Monaco Live so that's always good. I think like Spa it will be close, and even Closer if VB has a better day, KR has no vibration issues, MV finishes and DR is smiling.

 

I still want Lewis to win, and I'm not ashamed to shout that from the roof tops.

 

Arm chair and remote booked.