BGOL Ongoing Formula One Thread: 2025 Season
- Thread starter SIDESHOW
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That halo is the stupidest thing I've ever seen. The formula is, I don't know, too strict or something. What these cars do is not accessible to people without billion dollar research facilities. People watching just can't see the amazing tech that goes into them. Whereas, let's say WEC, it's obvious. You or I could drive a LMP car. F1 is moving further and further away from ordinary race fans and becoming more and more a niche sport and also (and this will kill it) a snob niche.
I know it will never go back to the 60s, when I started watching, but shit these little squeaky engines and gotdamned halos? I find it really hard to watch and not just because the same guy wins every week, it's been like that forever, but they've taken so many variables out of the racing now it's just bland. And there's no noise and smell.
I haven't raced a current F1 sim in years. I like GPL, that shit is hard. Keeping those cars on original Spa, Zandvoort, Monza with banking is crazy.
One more thing - I miss the fuck out of Group C and CanAm. You saw some weird, revolutionary and prophetic shit in those series.
F1 used to be like that, now the formula is so strict you might see a few millimeters difference in a wing. That's the big change. Fans can't see that. Not like 6 wheel cars or when chapman put the wings on or those enormous turbo intakes.
F1 used to be like that, now the formula is so strict you might see a few millimeters difference in a wing. That's the big change. Fans can't see that. Not like 6 wheel cars or when chapman put the wings on or those enormous turbo intakes.
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Williams Mercedes FW41
Man, they starting to look like the Lotus 77. lol.
I wish they sounded like it.
This looks so clean.
Ferrari must really have a great car because two teams have copied their design ideas so far.
Ferrari must really have a great car because two teams have copied their design ideas so far.
Williams Mercedes FW41
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Mayne I'm not even sure of HALF the stuff you said but you said it with so much conviction that I want to check out Formula-1. How did it even get that name?
And what is GPL?
*two cents*
lol. I hear ya. That's how I used to be around the circuits - sounded like they were speaking a different language; which in a way they were. If you watch any of the F1 races, especially the pre and post race shows you'll learn a lot. We don't have SKY TV where I live so I usually d/l the race and shows over the net because SKY has by far and away the best coverage of F1.
As for the name, the "formula" is just the rules. It's what is allowed in the cars and drivers in order to keep the races competitive. You have to meet certain guidelines. You can easily d/l and read the formula for next year. Warning - it's going to be boring as hell. Anyway, different levels of performance and weight are called "classes" but the rules of those classes are much less strict then the formulas. So, although classes can properly be called formulas really only the top performing OPEN WHEEL classes are - F1, F2, F3. As you can see, the top of the ladder, so to speak, is Formula 1. Everything else is below it in performance and weight.
GPL is Grand Prix Legends and it's a video game. Computer game actually. It contains the original layouts of some of the most famous circuits in the world. And cars from 50, 60 years ago. Man, trying to handle those bad boys is crazy.
Ask anything you'd like. I don't mind answering questions and if I don't know the answer someone else will.
Why is everyone so pissy about this thing called halo and quieter engines?
Why does the same teams "win a the time"? I thought the formula brings parity?
How much money is involved? It seems like NASCAR for the wealthy and corporate.
Also your take on getting rid of the grid girls?
*two cents*
The halo looks like shit and it makes the cars look like they have a cockpit. F1 has always been, and should always be, open wheel, open cockpit racing (check out youtube for some vintage F1 racing)
Part of the experience for us gearheads is the smell and sound of the cars. Those whiny little turbos sound like shit especially when you remember the V-10s and the big turbos. Think of it this way: you're on the street and you hear a Honda go by. Then a Camaro goes by with a big V-8. It'll certainly get your attention.
The same teams win all the time precisely because of money. Formula 1 is dreadfully expensive with cars costing up to 10 million apiece. The rich teams are "works" teams or factory teams which means they have the backing of a car manufacturer. Ferrari and Mercedes are the prime examples. The other teams are technically "privateers" meaning they and they alone build their cars. However, teams like Red Bull have massive companies behind them to inject the cash they need for development. Which brings us to...
the same teams win because they have more money to invest in the best engineers who can find little ways around the formula to eek out more speed. It's that simple.
Lots, and lots and lots of money is involved. As I said earlier, a car costa about 10 mil, that's not including the extra parts, mechanics, engineers who stream the telemetry (data) from the car during the race, actual constructors (builders) and probably some more I forgot. Top drivers make around 30 mil a year without bonuses. Then there's transport and lodging to the 17-20 rounds (races) per yer, each in a different country. Oh, yeah, each team races 2 cars each so double all that. So about 250 mil per year.
Surprisingly, you can still get decent tickets for a few hundred bucks. And that's for the entire weekend including supporting races.
Personally I could care less about the grid girls. They were nice to see holding the umbrellas and stuff but I've never really seen any that were drop dead gorgeous. Maybe a few at COTA weren't bad.
On second thought they should keep them. The contrast is nice.
Engine noise and cars being utterly ridiculous as a whole is against what brought most of us into the sport in the first place. I started watching in the early 2000s. Hearing those loud v10s roaring on my Frankenstein build surround sound, and seeing them dart back and forth like flying insects was an experience for anyone that enjoys cars on any level. Back then drivers were pushing THE ENTIRE RACE. Back then the tyre wars had tyre makers trying to make the tyres last as long as possible, and with refueling drivers were basically banging out qualy lap, after qualy lap until it was time to refuel and then do it again. It was the essence of man pushing himself, and his machine to super human levels. It was glorious... You felt like you were watching the best of the best at their craft and it was obvious that their skill level was far superior to that of anyone else.
F1 was, and has always been about big money. The same teams win, frankly because they have more money than anyone else. Period. You can be the best driver in the world, and if youre stuck in a shitty car it wont matter. IMO Alonso is the best as getting that extra from a car. Lewis is faster on pure 1 lap pace. But no driver can get more out of an avg car than Alonso IMO... Well... In his prime anyway. Look at what he did with that shitty McLaren though... Nico Rosberg was a decent driver that will forever be a world champion because he was in far and away the best car and Lewis had shitty luck. His talent level wasnt even top 5 in the sport, but you couldnt tell in that Merc. Their power unit is so powerful they only really cranked it up for qualifying. Ferrari was closer last season, but Mercs advantage was still obvious on power circuits and Ferrari had to push to the limit to keep up with them, which led to reliability issues later in the season. Ferrari has really been like the Knicks during Jordans run. Redbull had the better aero and won 4. Merc is more powerful and has won 4. Ferrari gets the bridesmade trophy in both eras. Why??? Because theres a cap on development, how much testing time you get, and how much you can spend. Ferrari has everything in house you need to build and develop a great car... But they cant use those resources like they once could. But even then... An F1 program from start to finish requires an immense amount of money to simply get cars to the grid the whole season, let alone actually compete.
As far as Nascar... Well you ever hear "money cant buy class"??? Similar deal here. Nascar is demolition derby, for people that cant grasp the concept of real racing. Its for the unrefined, and people that want to see carnage.
Grid girls... I never tuned in to watch them, but it was nice to see different women from all of the locales in their cultural dress. I hate kids, so I hate seeing them on TV. Honestly with the identity crisis F1 is facing I thought it was stupid to make 2 big changes no one was asking for.
SOLD!
Ok I'm a novice. I keep hearing the 'golden' era was late 70's to late 90's - when it was man at his apex wrestling a maxed out machine that either could fly or fly apart at any second- some true 'shaking hands with the devil' type shit.
What races would you recommend be watch on YouTube to start down the rabbit hole?
*two cents*
70s was really the last era before all the insane aero, where a fearless and skilled driver could win by grit. You still needed to be in a good car, but a great driver maxe a difference. I'd say the 84 Monaco GP. It was rainy, but you'll see Senna push himself in a shitty car, in treacherous conditions push himself farther than other drivers... Did I mention it was Monaco in the rain... I was never a fan of his racing style. But damn he was good. If you've tried to drive in the rain with TC off, you know on public roads there's no grip. Now imagine trying to race on them, with other cars, and guard rails everywhere waiting to punish you for the slightest mistake.SOLD!
Ok I'm a novice. I keep hearing the 'golden' era was late 70's to late 90's - when it was man at his apex wrestling a maxed out machine that either could fly or fly apart at any second- some true 'shaking hands with the devil' type shit.
What races would you recommend be watch on YouTube to start down the rabbit hole?
*two cents*
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SOLD!
Ok I'm a novice. I keep hearing the 'golden' era was late 70's to late 90's - when it was man at his apex wrestling a maxed out machine that either could fly or fly apart at any second- some true 'shaking hands with the devil' type shit.
What races would you recommend be watch on YouTube to start down the rabbit hole?
*two cents*
You've gotten some great replies in here and youtube will lead you to more and more races and clips. Bear in mind that TV coverage was also primitive by today's standards so races from, say, 15 years ago till today will look much better.
And don't forget to check out some Group C footage! Group C was a formula with basically no engine restrictions that got even more popular than F1. Cars were hitting 250 MPH during races on the Mulsanne straight.
Now here's a different take to get you up to speed - two movies to check out: Grand Prix (1966) and Rush (2013). Grand Prix is basically a hollywood behind the scenes tale of the drivers and their love lives, but it's also a damn good representation of their lives circa 1966. Plus, the cars (actually F2 and F3 cars) race on some legendary tracks and it's the last time the banking at Monza was used. And if you look at the list of drivers who did the actual driving it's like a who's who including Juan Manuel Fangio widely considered the best F1 driver ever.
Rush is the story of James Hunt and Niki Lauda (who's now the principle at Mercedes) and their battle in 1976. Here, let IMBD tell it:
Set against the sexy, glamorous golden age of Formula 1 racing in the 1970s, the film is based on the true story of a great sporting rivalry between handsome English playboy James Hunt (Hemsworth), and his methodical, brilliant opponent, Austrian driver Niki Lauda (Bruhl). The story follows their distinctly different personal styles on and off the track, their loves and the astonishing 1976 season in which both drivers were willing to risk everything to become world champion in a sport with no margin for error: if you make a mistake, you die.
I think your appreciation for F1 will be enriched greatly by those movies.
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I've never seen anybody pass like Senna. Nobody. Fangio usually ran in front and I didn't see him but I saw Senna. He was brilliant. Only one I saw pass on the Monaco hairpin in third. Freaking amazing.
***Raises hand*** I hate those boring shits. Might as well be watching slot cars there's so little passing chances.
How is it that VIA can be built and the passing is spectacular. Barber is also tremendous. I know they're not F1 spec, but it just goes to show it can be done. COTA is just okay. Let's face it, they wanted that oil money. All that land they had they should have made a 6 mile circuit.
Yes, I saw this. I like it better than that stupid halo but I still feel like the cars are looking too close to prototypes.
Another car inspired by the Ferrari .... Red Bull 2018 car.
This looks so clean.
Ferrari must really have a great car because two teams have copied their design ideas so far.
Crazy, this mean in-season development will make for some interesting upgrades and whoever strongest out the gate(I think RBR) will have a decent advantage.
I agree with this, they looked strong to close out last season. If they have their reliability issues sorted out, along with their aero(Newey) advantage seemingly everygoddamn year and 2 very strong drivers Redbull is gonna be a problem.
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Yep unless Merc finds another level with that PU, if Redbull gets as close as Ferrari did at the beginning of last season, they won’t slip-up on development. Once that Merc got in dirty air , they became mortal behind Ferrari last season.
That seems to be Ferraris issue every season. They start strong, even dominant up until about Spain every year, taper off until summer break, then limp the rest of the way home. I dont understand it.
Merc did find another level.
Mercedes was quick in all sectors of the lap - straights, long, fast corners and slow, short ones. For a car that last season had its limitations on slow-speed tracks and a narrow set-up window that made it difficult to balance across different corner types, that is especially worrying for the opposition. If Mercedes have kept the strengths of the 2017 car and ironed out its weaknesses, as that suggests they might have, the opposition could have a major problem.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/43246098
They sound a little better. Still nothing like those fire-breathing V-10s tho. I'm afraid those days are gone for good...
That halo is still wack AF.
Good to see Alpha back in there.
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