Blatman Posted March 21, 2005 Posted March 21, 2005 I always thought F1 was suppose to be the ultimate racing. Drivers are aware of the risks when they decide to be an F1 driver. I quite agree. My point being is that no amount of skill would have kept the three drivers named alive, so it's a poorly thought out argument. Is a shunt at 180mph more survivable than one at 200mph? The point about the safety aspect is that whilst the FIA claim to making the cars slower for public acceptance/PR reasons, in actual fact lap records keep coming down, and are approaching the fastest ever times (or they were). Safety appears to have been aimed at making the cars better equipped to deal with high speed incidents which happen sometimes due to lack of skill, and sometimes they happen because of catastrophic failures. Either way, the cars will *always* be fast enough to kill... Quote
adhawkins Posted March 21, 2005 Posted March 21, 2005 The argument the FIA use (and it's a valid one) is this. Imagine how fast the cars would be going if all the measures to slow them down hadn't been put in place... Makes you wonder... Andy Quote
Martin Keene Posted March 21, 2005 Posted March 21, 2005 It was once said, that if the rules hadn't been left as they were in 1986, then an F1 car with all the technology on it such as: turbo, circa ~2000bhp, active suspension, active aero, abs, traction, launch etc, would be able to go around the orignal Silverstone layout flatout... Quote
Blatman Posted March 21, 2005 Posted March 21, 2005 But I suspect the limiting factor would be either the grip from the tyres/aero package, or the drivers G tolerance... Quote
Martin Keene Posted March 21, 2005 Posted March 21, 2005 From what I understood the limiting factor would have been the drivers G tolerance. Thinking about it somemore, Patrick Head said not long ago, it is technically not that hard to do away with the driver altogether... Then it really would be boring! Quote
Carl Posted March 21, 2005 Posted March 21, 2005 it is technically not that hard to do away with the driver altogether I did hear a rumour from a mate at Silverstone when I worked there in mid 90's that a driverless Mclaren had actually done some exploritory laps. Quote
windy Posted March 21, 2005 Posted March 21, 2005 I reckon now Schumacher is getting so bored with winning from the start, he's backing off a bit until mid season, then will turn the taps on to make it more interesting later on. Just seen a DVD in car showing footage from Fangio, Jacky Stewart & co from years gone by. This was a whole load more interesting than it is now. I bet if some rival TV company was to start showing the old Grand Prix's again at the same time current F1 was televised you'd be seeing almost everyone switching channels to watch some proper racing. Quote
pistonbroke Posted March 21, 2005 Posted March 21, 2005 I bet if some rival TV company was to start showing the old Grand Prix's again at the same time current F1 was televised you'd be seeing almost everyone switching channels to watch some proper racing. Nice thought except there isnt much really good archive material pre the mid 70' s Some of the historic GP races would perhaps be more enjoyable. But even they lost most of the atmosphere of the early grand prix machines . A GP Maserati, BRM, Mercedes, are great to see today but nothing like it was on the original GP tracks when you could get right up close to the action and see the drivers eyes sticking out like saucers. I watched 5 laps of Sunday race and switched off I never imagined I would ever do that for a Grand Prix . Absolutely boring Quote
mark.anson Posted March 21, 2005 Posted March 21, 2005 I agree that there should be stability in the rules to keep cost down and give the poorer teams chance to get closer. However I also believe ther should be more freedom as regards engines. ie a few years ago the FIA decreed that all engines had to be a V10. 3 litre. Now they are dictating the format again with the 2.4 litre etc. Why cant the manufacturers have more freedom. I remember when Ferrari ran the flat 12, Renault had the V10 , Benetton were using the V8 etc. It might encourage different manufacturers into the game if there was more freedom in the engine department. Crutially though they should throw the concorde (dis)agreement in the bin, and start with a clean sheet of paper, especially with regards the way the finances are distributed. Ie Mr Ecclestone gets the minimum and the teams get the rest. Quote
KerryS Posted March 21, 2005 Posted March 21, 2005 I find a strange dilema with F1 now. I want to watch to find out what's happening but don't want to watch because it's not very interesting. At least when it's on at 7am it leaves the rest of the day free to do other things. A few years ago, the US CART series was covered on TV (pre-satelite) and it was really interesting. I have been watching F1 on TV since the days of Raymond Baxter commentating (anyone else remember that?) and it's all not-the-same anymore and I guess it never will be. Moss winning at Monaco in '61, Rindt at Monaco, the Monza GP of '6? all stick in my mind as greats. Sorry, feeling old!!! Is a shunt at 180mph more survivable than one at 200mph? There actually are relationships of speed versus deaths, in my industry anyway (rail) and don't forget that it's the energy involved in any collision that has to be dissiapted and there is 20% less at 180mph than 200mph, though it is all a very in-exact science. Kerry S Quote
Westfields Rock On Posted March 22, 2005 Posted March 22, 2005 whos going to the Classic Le Mans next year? Porsche 917ks. Real race cars. Quote
pistonbroke Posted March 22, 2005 Posted March 22, 2005 A few years ago, the US CART series was covered on TV (pre-satelite) and it was really interesting Was that with montoya et al doing there stuff ? great racing and lots of outbraking etc. similar to the old F5000 series which never caught on with joe public for whatever reason. F5000 used stock block engines the cars did not handle too well they were a great specticle and those v8's sounded fantastic I too can go back to graham baxter day.s I can only add that as a race commentator he left a lot to be desired Hmmm BBC black and white 405 line nostalgia Quote
Mikey Evs Posted March 22, 2005 Posted March 22, 2005 whos going to the Classic Le Mans next year? Porsche 917ks. Real race cars. got a stag doo with 30 odd lads heading out for all 4 days.... gonna be a terrible weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote
Paul Hurdsfield - Joint Manchester AO Posted March 22, 2005 Posted March 22, 2005 1) I find a strange dilema with F1 now. I want to watch to find out what's happening but don't want to watch because it's not very interesting. At least when it's on at 7am it leaves the rest of the day free to do other things. 2) I have been watching F1 on TV since the days of Raymond Baxter commentating (anyone else remember that?) 1) I wont give up my time to watch a GP live on tv now, I just stick a tape in, and watch it when I'm ready, that way I can fast forward the Ad breaks and rubbish bits and get the whole thing over with in about an hour 2) Waves hand in the air, me, me, me Quote
Megablade Paul Posted March 22, 2005 Posted March 22, 2005 There actually are relationships of speed versus deaths, in my industry anyway (rail) and don't forget that it's the energy involved in any collision that has to be dissiapted and there is 20% less at 180mph than 200mph, though it is all a very in-exact science. Kerry S Sorry to be pedantic but that's 10% less Quote
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