[rooze]

Pirelli's instruction by the F1 bigwigs was to force more tire changes / pit-stops. They admit that 4 is too many and they're working to correct it. But the whole premise was to make racing more exciting for the spectator. Whether or not forced equipment-induced pit-stops is exciting or not is debatable.

As for dropping things like KERS, DRS and electronic gear boxes, I disagree with the logic. Much of the reason the big car makers are involved in F1 is for the development and testing of these innovative new systems so the technology can trickle-down into production vehicles where there will be some financial payback. Look at paddle shifts, composite materials, aerodynamics, to name but a few spin-offs from F1 into mass markets. It's a partial justification for the high cost of entering F1, take it away and you'll loose some of the big players.

I also think that's part of the reason for going to smaller, turbocharged engines; to parallel the shift in the commercial world to smaller more fuel efficient engines with high relative power. It's making F1 development useful outside of the sport, a requisite for the high investment involved.

However - somewhere in all of this rationale is the obvious fact that the sport has lost some spectator appeal, so clearly the mix isn't quite right. Though having seen Ferrari return to the core principles of racing in Spain last weekend I'm not even sure if there's too much to complain about.

It's still a great sport whatever the problems 

[FullRangeMan]

F1 is a reflection of what their leaders are.

[ltr317]

However - somewhere in all of this rationale is the obvious fact that the sport has lost some spectator appeal, so clearly the mix isn't quite right. Though having seen Ferrari return to the core principles of racing in Spain last weekend I'm not even sure if there's too much to complain about.

It's still a great sport whatever the problems 

I agree with most of what you said, but F1 has not lost spectator appeal.  There will always be some disgruntled fans because the rules don't appeal to them.  Just like Hifi, there is no perfect system for everyone.  There is no lack of fans though, either attending a race or watching it on TV.  Last year's F1 season was the most exciting and unpredictable that I can recall in the past 25 years.  As a former racer, I talk with dozens of my former and current racing buddies throughout the season and we all agree that the racing is better now than a few years ago.  Maybe we watch the race a little differently, concentrating on how the driver and car is reacting in different corners and situations, but in general terms I fully appreciate the highest level of motorsports. 

[rooze]

I agree with most of what you said, but F1 has not lost spectator appeal.  There will always be some disgruntled fans because the rules don't appeal to them.  Just like Hifi, there is no perfect system for everyone.  There is no lack of fans though, either attending a race or watching it on TV.  Last year's F1 season was the most exciting and unpredictable that I can recall in the past 25 years.  As a former racer, I talk with dozens of my former and current racing buddies throughout the season and we all agree that the racing is better now than a few years ago.  Maybe we watch the race a little differently, concentrating on how the driver and car is reacting in different corners and situations, but in general terms I fully appreciate the highest level of motorsports.

I don't disagree with anything you've said. My thoughts on spectator appeal were really born from some of the other comments here where people seem to be disgruntled about one thing or another.
I've enjoyed every race this season and I think it's only going to get better. It will be interesting to see what happens when Ecclestone steps out of the loop.

[Gzerro]

While skeptical at first, I really like the addition of DRS. One of the things that always frustrated me about F1 was when a clearly superior car would get stuck behind a backmarker because some tracks just have noplace to pass, especially near the end of the race with the klag buildup. As long as the advantage gained isn't so great as to make passing trivial, it it a nice addition that makes the races more interesting.

On the other hand, the tire situation is really irritating. Its frustrating to watch the drivers putzing about at 8/10ths for most of the race because the tires can't hold up to normal race pace. Hopefully we will get more runs like Alonzo's in the near future.

[ltr317]

While skeptical at first, I really like the addition of DRS. One of the things that always frustrated me about F1 was when a clearly superior car would get stuck behind a backmarker because some tracks just have noplace to pass, especially near the end of the race with the klag buildup. As long as the advantage gained isn't so great as to make passing trivial, it it a nice addition that makes the races more interesting.

On the other hand, the tire situation is really irritating. Its frustrating to watch the drivers putzing about at 8/10ths for most of the race because the tires can't hold up to normal race pace. Hopefully we will get more runs like Alonzo's in the near future.

It may be frustrating for you to watch but no professional racer drives at 8/10ths, otherwise they won't be driving very long.  Even Mercedes the fastest qualifiers at the Spanish gran prix, and who had the most problems with the tires during the race, was only a second (Rosberg) and a second and 1/2 (Hamilton) on average per lap slower than the winner Alonso.  If both Rosberg and Hamilton were driving 8/10ths they would have been 4 or 5 laps behind at the end of the race.  It's frustrating to the drivers because they are usually driving at 99-100 percent, so when the team tells them to drive at 95% it's very slow to them.  Besides, driving at 8/10ths wouldn't warm up the tires and there would be no tire degradation. 

[richidoo]

rooze is right about the junk tires. Pirelli said right from the beginning that these tires are crap, and you can blame Todt.  If you want to force more pit stops, you have to make them fall apart, not just get slow. But it was not specifically designed to force more pit stops, it was designed to make strategy more difficult. All teams until now had chosen to run safe on less pit stops. They have designed their cars around this strategy, sacrificing grip for tire longevity. I think Ferrari has chosen this year to optimize the car for speed and plan an extra pit stop. Since they have been near the front at every race so far it seems like their novel approach is a surprise to the other teams. It was nice to see Ferrari's 4 stop strategy work so well this race, but it did tip their hand.

It was nice to see RedBull finish close, but off the podium - much more satisfying than DNF.

Alonso has been at the front every race this year. If not for accidents and DRS failure he'd have 4 podiums already. The Ferrari is the car to beat, and now even faster back in Europe. Alonso is the best driver and my favorite since the day he first beat Schumacher. Unfortunately I am not a big fan of Ferrari and I thought it would finally fall totally apart for them this year. I picked Button to win the championship this year! hahaha

Massa is fast when his lead driver develops the car to be fast, and easy to drive. All credit to Schumacher and Alonso for Massa's success. Yes he has skills, nobody could replace him after his accident, because they couldn't operate the car and they weren't fast. But Massa is not a top tier driver. He can never be a #1 driver. He is a whiner when things are not going his way, and depressed loser when his contract is threatened. He can't drive in the rain. And he knows he is done when Ferrari lets him go. But he is the perfect #2 for Ferrari so I think he will stay at least as long as he can keep up with Alonso. It is too bad Montezemolo did not run for Italian President as he threatened to do. Because his driver fetish will probably lure Vettel there and ruin the team again, just as they finally got back on their feet.

I am glad that McLaren seems to taken Perez' side in the domestic arguments. He wiped the floor with Button in Bahrain, and is the #1 driver at McLaren in my view, much to Button's surprise and chagrin.  McLaren will take ponts anyway they can get them. Perez is their future.

Kimi already looking toward RedBull next year? He has proven to have good instincts about choosing his ride. Except maybe the NASCAR truck. 

With totally new formula coming next year it is likely to be more of a lucky winner season than an engineering victory. Interpreting the new rules in a novel way will allow huge advantages as it did with Braun GP. It takes a couple years to iron out the rules to achieve what we have now. Time to screw it up with complete  formula overhaul.

I'd like to see a racing series that pays a 10 million dollars cash to the winner. Run whatcha brung. Anything goes. Nuclear powered 2WD motorcycles? Fine. Turbines, active suspension, whatever. And run on public roads. The host town receives 50 million to clean up. I think the TV ratings would be off the charts. People want to see technical innovation, and they want to see bravery. F1 has stymied both of those in recent years with budget controls, junk tires, rules to reduce speed, engine freeze, etc. DRS has been a boon, allowing faster cars to actually get ahead especially on Tilke designed tracks that have no passing zones, and worse with clag. The racing is excellent now, and the cream is allowed to rise. Good time to change everything. But I will still watch it, because it will still be a great spectacle.

I have to say that I am impressed with NBCSports coverage so far. Varsha should be back on there next year, but Leigh Diffey is doing an excellent job. Matchett is a fairmonger and that really annoys me.

oops, sorry so long...

[ArthurDent]

I'd like to see a racing series that pays a 10 million dollars cash to the winner. Run whatcha brung. Anything goes. Nuclear powered 2WD motorcycles? Fine. Turbines, active suspension, whatever. And run on public roads. The host town receives 50 million to clean up. I think the TV ratings would be off the charts. People want to see technical innovation, and they want to see bravery.

Once upon a time there was a series like that, not the money (or public roads), it was called the CAN-AM Challenge Cup. It didn't survive, though many of it's technological developments live on today.

[carusoracer]

Now THAT was an all out racing series!! Too bad I was not old enough to see it. I've always wanted to see the early Chaparral's and McLaren's in there heyday. Not mention the spooky fast 1000hp Porsche

[ltr317]

Now THAT was an all out racing series!! Too bad I was not old enough to see it. I've always wanted to see the early Chaparral's and McLaren's in there heyday. Not mention the spooky fast 1000hp Porsche

The last series of the Porsche 917-30 produced in excess of 1,100 hp.  Some years after the series ended a Porsche collector bought one of the 917s and the factory rebuilt the engine and dynoed it at 1,200 hp.  This has to be one of the most powerful road racing engines ever.   

[FullRangeMan]

Those boxers air cooled engines were great.

[ltr317]

Those boxers air cooled engines were great.

You said it.  12 cylinders is music to my ears. 

[FullRangeMan]

GP2: 17 cars crashed in Monaco at first curve(Sainte Devote), a crash started by Johnny Cecotto Jr.(son from the Venezuelan World Champion bike)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Cecotto#Motorcycle_Grand_Prix_results
Johnny missed the braking point and went straight into the first corner, unfortunately other 16 unskillful pilots also failed to deflect and hit Ceccoto car.
Ceccoto was only guilty of his car did not win the curve, but the direction of the race suspended him from the second GP2 race tomorrow.

If the FIA bosses want excitings races Johnny do it, the 9:21 video is impressive:
http://globoesporte.globo.com/motor/noticia/2013/05/apos-acidente-cinematografico-na-largada-nasr-e-quarto-em-monaco.html
This first race final result was:
1 -  Sam Bird (Russian Time) 42 voltas
2 -  Kevin Ceccon (Trident) + 22s0
3 -  Mitch Evans (Arden) + 23s2
4 -  Felipe Nasr (Carlin) + 23s4
5 -  James Calado (ART) + 29s5
6 -  Stefano Coletti (Rapax) + 1m00s5
7 -  Rene Binder (Lazarus) + 1m02s4
8 -  Adrian Quaife-Hobbs (MP) + 1m08s4
9 -  Stephane Richelmi (DAMS) + 1m12s1
10 -  Daniel de Jong (MP) + 1m22s4
11 -  Tom Dillmann (Russian Time) + 1m29s3
12 -  Jon Lancaster (Hilmer) + 1 volta
13 -  Simon Trummer (Rapax) + 1 volta
14 -  Jake Rosenzweig (Addax) + 1 volta
15 -  Sergio Canamasas (Caterham)  + 1 volta
Não completaram a prova:
     Daniel Abt (ART) - na volta 41
     Rio Haryanto (Addax) - na volta 26
     Johnny Cecotto Jr (Arden) -  na volta 1
     Fabio Leimer (Racing Engineering) - na volta 1
     Jolyon Palmer (Carlin) - na volta 1
     Julian Leal (Racing Engineering) - na volta 1
     Robin Frijns (Hilmer) - na volta 1
     Marcus Ericsson (DAMS) - na volta 1
     Alexander Rossi (Caterham) - na volta 1
     Nathanael Berthon (Trident) - na volta 1
     Kevin Giovesi (Lazarus) - na volta 1

[FullRangeMan]

Another crash today in Monaco: Massa braked the car over a bump and the tires lost contact with the road.
Video from this crach at left top of the page:
http://globoesporte.globo.com/motor/formula-1/noticia/2013/05/rosberg-segue-soberano-em-monaco-massa-bate-e-fica-em-15-no-3-treino.html
F1 Monaco GP starting grid:
1 - Nico Rosberg (ALE/Mercedes) - 1m13s876
2 - Lewis Hamilton (ING/Mercedes) - 1m13s967 - a 0s091
3 - Sebastian Vettel (ALE/RBR) - 1m13s980 - a 0s104
4 - Mark Webber (AUS/RBR) - 1m14s181 - a 0s305
5 - Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Lotus) - 1m14s822 - a 0s946
6 - Fernando Alonso (ESP/Ferrari) - 1m14s824 - a 0s948
7 - Sergio Perez (MEX/McLaren) - 1m15s138 - a 1s262
8 - Adrian Sutil (ALE/Force India) - 1m15s383 - a 1s507
9 - Jenson Button (ING/McLaren) - 1m15s647 - a 1s771
10 - Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA/STR) - 1m15s703 - a 1s827
Eliminados no Q2:                           
11 - Nico Hulkenberg (ALE/Sauber) - 1m18s331 - a 2s343
12 - Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/STR) - 1m18s344 - a 2s356
13 - Romain Grosjean (FRA/Lotus) - 1m18s603 - a 2s615
14 - Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Williams) - 1m19s077 - a 3s089
15 - Giedo van der Garde HOL/Caterham) - 1m19s408 - a 3s420
16 - Pastor Maldonado (VEN/Williams) - 1m21s688 - a 5s700
Eliminados no Q1:   
17 - Paul di Resta (ESC/Force India) - 1m26s322 - a 2s870
18 - Charles Pic (FRA/Caterham) - 1m26s633 - a 3s181
19 - Esteban Gutierrez (MEX/Sauber) - 1m26s917 - a 3s465
20 - Max Chilton (ING/Marussia) - 1m27s303 - a 3s851
21 - Jules Bianchi (FRA/Marussia) - no time
22 - Felipe Massa (BRA/Ferrari) - no time

[won ton on]

Man what a boring race that was,maybe they should change it from F1 to' lets see how slow we can go'. Good to see Nico win though.

[won ton on]

Also they should file that race under joke of the day.

[FullRangeMan]

A interesting race, many crashes and overtakings.
Great overtaking of Perez in Jeson Button his team mate and over Alonso.
Incredible the esquire Massa lost the car again in the same Sante Devote corner and cant defend his knight Don Alonso...

[HAITIMAN]

Vettel is on his way.

[FullRangeMan]

Ferrari technical chief Pat Fry exempted Massa from any resposability in the crash sunday on the race, despite not yet have detailed information about what caused the fault in the car's racing team.

Fry said: The accident on Sunday seemed very similar to what happened in the third free practice, but actually two accidents were very different. Unlike Saturday, Sunday the accident can be attributed to a problem on the left front of the car. It is still too early to say precisely what happened, and in the coming days, we will try to find out the exact cause in Maranello.
In Maranello?? Coming days?? Mr.Fry completly forgot there is dozens telemetry sensors in the car.
Looks like will need a boardroom meeting to decide the source of the accident.

[Habs Fan]

Also they should file that race under joke of the day.

The worst Monaco I can remember.Just glad to see Nico show Lewis the way.