Time was, there used to be a lot of F1 discussion on this BBS.

[herr_oberst]

Every session of every round used to be discussed, now the entire Suzuka race has come and gone, and no one has chimed in.

For that matter, there used to be a lot more racing threads of all kinds on the BBS.

Without giving anything away, this is one of the best F1 seasons in a long, long time. Anything can happen and is happening.

[pcar964]

I think as F1 has become more and more confusingly regulated, some of us have lost interest. That's just part of it for me. The other part? I'm not really sure.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

For that matter, there used to be a lot more racing threads of all kinds on the BBS.

Without giving anything away, this is one of the best F1 seasons in a long, long time. Anything can happen and is happening.

I became interested in F1 almost 30 years ago now. Until the last ~decade, each team had unique cars that were driven by unique drivers and entries regularly failed to finish in unpredictable and spectacular ways. There was lots of passing and the cars tried to (and occasionally did) kill everything they touched. It was amazing and macabre and beautiful all at the same time.

Now...not really. Any advantage is erased as quickly as it is ID'd. The drivers are well mannered. The cars all look essentially the same with different paint and sponsors. No spectacular engine failures. It's still dangerous but it's not nearly as interesting and has been over-regulated to near irrelevancy.

[pcar964]

Originally Posted by pavulon

I became interested in F1 almost 30 years ago now. Until the last ~decade, each team had unique cars that were driven by unique drivers and entries regularly failed to finish in unpredictable and spectacular ways. There was lots of passing and the cars tried to (and occasionally did) kill everything they touched. It was amazing and macabre and beautiful all at the same time.

Now...not really. Any advantage is erased as quickly as it is ID'd. The drivers are well mannered. The cars all look essentially the same with different paint and sponsors. No spectacular engine failures. It's still dangerous but it's not nearly as interesting and has been over-regulated to near irrelevancy.

I'm glad the cars are safer now, I don't think any of us wants injuries or deaths for our amusement. However, good point about the homogeneity of the cars - extremely boring. And the regulations are terrible and always changing.

[dennis in se pa]

I was an F1 fan since the early 70's. Watkins Glen, Long Beach etc. I was thrilled to find it was broadcast on SPEED. It no longer interests me. It was different back then. It is BS and just about money now. The thrill has gone. I never pay attention at all anymore.

[Reg]

Seems it is more about who brought $$ to the table vs talent. The cars at the back stay at the back - also rans. The formula is part of the problem or the lack of $$ sponsors toss at the sport maybe?

There has been some pretty good moments throughout the year though. A big difference is these moments used to last for laps or even races, not just moments.

[Jim Richards]

Bernie killed my interest in F1. I haven't watched a race in a long time.

[TheMentat]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Bernie killed my interest in F1. I haven't watched a race in a long time.

You've been missing out! As stated earlier, this has been one of the best seasons in decades.

If any driver deserves the title this year, its Alonso. He's been driving the wheels off of that dog of a Ferrari!

[LakeCleElum]

Watching a recorded Japan right now........Talladega when I get home 2nite........

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by pavulon

The drivers are well mannered.

*cough* Grosjean *cough*

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by nostatic

*cough* Grosjean *cough*

Considering his history, I'm surprised he only got a 10 second stop-and-go.

[VINMAN]

I was at my peak of fanatical F1 fanmanship ( is that a word?) back when Mansell was racing. After that it has dwindeled down to zero. It has become boring as hell.

[Schumi]

Cars are slower, engines and gearboxes don't explode anymore..

The only excitement is caused by driver error. Which, being F1 and all... is far rarer than other motorsports.

[DanielDudley]

If you want to talk F1, go over to the Rennlist OT forum. They speak it there.

[Henry Schmidt]

Anything could happen but Sebastian Vettel closes a season better than anyone I've ever seen.
Everyone else is racing for second.

Korea........ Vettel country ...... 2010 engine failure from the lead (pole) 2011 1st
India........ Vettel country ....... 2011 1st
Abu Dhabi..... Vettel country...... 2010 1st 2011 1st lap puncture from the pole
United States .......... who knows?
Brazil....... Vettel country........ 2010 1st 2011 2nd (gave 1st to Weber)

[Captain Ahab Jr]

Some of the rule changes have been safety driven as the cars became dangerously quick for the circuits eg. more restrictive rear wing geometry, extra wheel tethers, cockpit side protection panels etc

Some of the rules changes have been for cost and to keep it to a reasonable amount of teams. It was becoming an arms race where even spending $1 billion would be no guarantee of success so manufacturers started to leave. eg cost capping, multiple race engine/gearbox life, single tyre manufacturer etc

Some of the rules changes have been to keep the competition tightly bunched as this year with many different drivers on the podium and a championship that will go down to the wire. eg tyres again, limit on windtunnel time, limit on testing, restricting innovative new solutions

Some of the rules have been to embrace a green future, these for me are BS but necessary eg KERS, 2014 small capacity engine with restircted fuel flow

Some of the rules have been changed to add more excitement, these have probably been the least thought. Some very bright minds have spent a lot of time coming up with them which should give an idea of how hard it is to get right eg DRS, no fuel pitstops

Almost forgot, at least one rule changed because I was good at my job, sorry what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas

Most of the technical rule changes are discussed by the teams and then proposed to the FIA, the FIA set the rules and these changes effect the excitement of the racing much more than any effect Bernie has. Sure he will be behind the scene's lobbying and sorting out deals.

I have to agree with a lot of what's been said, the above are not excuses, just a few observations of how F1 has changed while I've been 'involved' in it from 1996 until now.

As for the new 2014 1.6ltr V6 turbo era don't expect F1 to go back to the glory days of the 80's

[motion]

I still watch every race, but.... its all watered down now. The passing is artificial. The cars are a full 10 seconds a lap slower at the beginning of the race with obscene fuel levels. The cars are not attractive and only have 650 HP. Its still an amazing spectacle, but for those of us watching now, just as with the FIRL, we know the good days are gone. I hope things turn around some day.

[flatbutt]

I've gotten bored with it lately. It just isn't as exciting as it was. MotoGP is similar so I watch Moto 2 and Moto3 religiously. The kids are far more exciting.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by motion

I still watch every race, but.... its all watered down now. The passing is artificial. The cars are a full 10 seconds a lap slower at the beginning of the race with obscene fuel levels. The cars are not attractive and only have 650 HP. Its still an amazing spectacle, but for those of us watching now, just as with the FIRL, we know the good days are gone. I hope things turn around some day.

Not looking good with the turbo V6 for 2014. But even Ecclestone knows that now. How long have I and many others here said that flat bottom cars with single element wings is the only way? These road glue machines are great to watch for the first 2 corners. That's it with a few exceptions. And this has been one of the better years!

I guess you guys don't remember the season MS won 13 out of 16.
zzzzzzzzzzz. The best racing was for 10th place, but the cameras were never there.

[cairns]

I was at my peak of fanatical F1 fanmanship ( is that a word?) back when Mansell was racing.

Same here. I still watch but it isn't the same. To the OP's point is has gotten more interesting in the last few years (and there are some very talented drivers) but I don't live for it the way I did back then.

Maybe it was the years of watching Balestre/Senna's death/Ferrari/Schumacher domination (yawn)/Max Moseley/Flavio Briatore/stupid crap like KERS and an influx of money that makes the GNP of three or four medium sized countries look like small change. Williams doesn't pay drivers any more. Drivers pay Williams.

Besides I'm not getting up at 1:30 in the morning to watch a race in Japan or bothering to set the Tivo when I can google the results as soon as I get up.