Comments on: The state of Formula 1 in 2008 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/12/28/the-state-of-formula-1-in-2008/ F1 Fanatic - The Formula 1 Blog with F1 news, pictures, video, comment and analysis Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:53:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Noel http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/12/28/the-state-of-formula-1-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-230315 Noel Tue, 30 Dec 2008 11:26:05 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/?p=14696#comment-230315 GeorgeK - It's been hinted at by an insider I know that Richards doesn't want anything to do with F1 for at least a couple of years. Remember, Prodrive have recently pulled out of WRC and are laying off most of the rally staff, so I think it unlikely they'll splash out on an ailing F1 team. GeorgeK – It’s been hinted at by an insider I know that Richards doesn’t want anything to do with F1 for at least a couple of years.

Remember, Prodrive have recently pulled out of WRC and are laying off most of the rally staff, so I think it unlikely they’ll splash out on an ailing F1 team.

]]> By: Noel http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/12/28/the-state-of-formula-1-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-230314 Noel Tue, 30 Dec 2008 11:13:00 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/?p=14696#comment-230314 Anyone who thinks neither Max or Bernie have a solid plan for succession hasn't thought it through. Just like anyone in power, long-term plans are essential for both men. Both will have ensured things will go according to their plan should something unexpected happen. Such are the natures of politics and big business alike. Anyone who thinks neither Max or Bernie have a solid plan for succession hasn’t thought it through.

Just like anyone in power, long-term plans are essential for both men. Both will have ensured things will go according to their plan should something unexpected happen.

Such are the natures of politics and big business alike.

]]> By: Keith Collantine http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/12/28/the-state-of-formula-1-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-230224 Keith Collantine Mon, 29 Dec 2008 08:55:26 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/?p=14696#comment-230224 The limit - Interesting comparison with the IRL and NASCAR seasons. I thought Castroneves' late title charge in the IRL was gripping, and after what happened with Justin Wilson at Detroit you certainly couldn't accuse the IRL's governing body of trying to engineer a close championship finale! We can't expect every F1 championship to end like that - we'll probably never see anything like it again in our lifetimes. I hope in 2009 we see more exciting racing at most races generally and fewer Catalunya or Shanghai-style snoozefests. Snowcat - Nice quote! I intend to keep F1Fanatic as a 'noisy authority' :-) Sush - I know turbos were banned in 1989, the sentence is supposed to indicate that normally aspirated engines were made mandatory. The limit – Interesting comparison with the IRL and NASCAR seasons. I thought Castroneves’ late title charge in the IRL was gripping, and after what happened with Justin Wilson at Detroit you certainly couldn’t accuse the IRL’s governing body of trying to engineer a close championship finale!

We can’t expect every F1 championship to end like that – we’ll probably never see anything like it again in our lifetimes. I hope in 2009 we see more exciting racing at most races generally and fewer Catalunya or Shanghai-style snoozefests.

Snowcat – Nice quote! I intend to keep F1Fanatic as a ‘noisy authority’ :-)

Sush – I know turbos were banned in 1989, the sentence is supposed to indicate that normally aspirated engines were made mandatory.

]]> By: Racer X http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/12/28/the-state-of-formula-1-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-230218 Racer X Mon, 29 Dec 2008 05:00:46 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/?p=14696#comment-230218 how come all the cash parties have started buying these dieing teams, like Mallya bought spyker, now Salim is buying Honda..... what next? how come all the cash parties have started buying these dieing teams, like Mallya bought spyker, now Salim is buying Honda….. what next?

]]> By: GeorgeK http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/12/28/the-state-of-formula-1-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-230216 GeorgeK Mon, 29 Dec 2008 01:42:27 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/?p=14696#comment-230216 The latest is that Slim's son has denied any negotiations to buy the Honda F1 team. I think Richards is still the best-most realistic hope of getting that team to the start line of the first race in '09. The latest is that Slim’s son has denied any negotiations to buy the Honda F1 team.

I think Richards is still the best-most realistic hope of getting that team to the start line of the first race in ’09.

]]> By: Sush http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/12/28/the-state-of-formula-1-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-230212 Sush Sun, 28 Dec 2008 21:11:56 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/?p=14696#comment-230212 "of changes coming in 2009? The banning of ground effects in 1983? <blockquote>Normally aspirated engines in 1989</blockquote>? Narrow track grooved-tyre cars in 1998?" it was turbos that was banned. “of changes coming in 2009? The banning of ground effects in 1983?
Normally aspirated engines in 1989

? Narrow track grooved-tyre cars in 1998?”

it was turbos that was banned.

]]> By: Michel S. http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/12/28/the-state-of-formula-1-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-230209 Michel S. Sun, 28 Dec 2008 18:44:55 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/?p=14696#comment-230209 Slim might have <a href="http://planet-f1.com/story/0,18954,3213_4712204,00.html" rel="nofollow">bought Honda</a> [planet-f1], according to an Italian newspaper. If that is true, and he is indeed keeping Jenson Button, any idea what powertrain he might have negotiated? It beggars belief that Honda were to withdraw completely from the sport -- you'd think they could make an arrangement whereby the (already-frozen) engine could be raced as Mugen-Honda units, like during the late 90s where they even score victories with Ligier and Jordan. Slim might have bought Honda [planet-f1], according to an Italian newspaper. If that is true, and he is indeed keeping Jenson Button, any idea what powertrain he might have negotiated?

It beggars belief that Honda were to withdraw completely from the sport — you’d think they could make an arrangement whereby the (already-frozen) engine could be raced as Mugen-Honda units, like during the late 90s where they even score victories with Ligier and Jordan.

]]> By: Lady Snowcat http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/12/28/the-state-of-formula-1-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-230204 Lady Snowcat Sun, 28 Dec 2008 16:48:26 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/?p=14696#comment-230204 I think we'd have to say.... "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times"... In fact the whole quote seems apposite don't you think?... "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." But where would we be without comparison... it's a human requirement.... and let's face it... F1 is in trouble like the rest of the world... But has also never been better... Truly the best of times and the worst... I think we’d have to say….

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”…

In fact the whole quote seems apposite don’t you think?…

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”

But where would we be without comparison… it’s a human requirement…. and let’s face it…

F1 is in trouble like the rest of the world…

But has also never been better…

Truly the best of times and the worst…

]]> By: the limit http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/12/28/the-state-of-formula-1-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-230201 the limit Sun, 28 Dec 2008 15:37:01 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/?p=14696#comment-230201 You have to look at the positives at the moment. The demise of Honda from F1 was a huge shock to the system, but a necessary shock. I am pleased that the teams, the FIA, and Ecclestone have agreed to cut running costs for the teams, and I am thrilled about the ban on aero devices and grooved tyres. I am hoping we get an interesting start to 2009, with a midfield team leading the way due to the rule changes. The most thrilling aspect of modern F1 now is the uncertainty. I had the pleasure of watching all three major series in 2008, F1, NASCAR, and the IRL. I have to say, towards the end of the season, the NASCAR and IRL races were becoming predictable in that you could only see Jimmie Johnson and Scott Dixon walking away as champions. Their cars, and the teams around them, were just too good. Not so in F1. Both Ferrari and McLaren were making mistakes, as were their drivers, which left you not knowing who would perform better than the other come race day. Then there were the surprises. Robert Kubica, Heikki Kovalainen, and Seb Vettel all secured maiden F1 wins. There was the demise in form of championship defender Kimi Raikkonen, and the steller rise in form of his team mate, Felipe Massa. And, as if to prove his point, who should win F1s first ever night race, but Fernando Alonso, who in the final four races, scored more points than anybody. I thought last years title showdown was exciting, but this years surpassed that. To be in a room, with a large group of people, celebrating as Felipe Massa crossed the line to what 'WE' all thought was his first championship title, was amazing. To watch, in total disbelief, as less than thirty seconds later, Lewis Hamilon achieved the impossible and came home in fifth, was otherworldly. The room went quiet, some even started to weep. All in the space of a mere half minute, no more! That is sport at its best, its heartstopping best. One guy told me he had not felt so bad since watching the Challenger space shuttle explode on tv all those years ago, such was his disappointment at Hamilton's victory. This is what this sport means to some people. Incredible! If I could afford the ticket price, I would book an F1 race as my vacation right now. I cannot wait for 2009 and for what the people on this GREAT site have to say about it. You have to look at the positives at the moment. The demise of Honda from F1 was a huge shock to the system, but a necessary shock. I am pleased that the teams, the FIA, and Ecclestone have agreed to cut running costs for the teams, and I am thrilled about the ban on aero devices and grooved tyres.
I am hoping we get an interesting start to 2009, with a midfield team leading the way due to the rule changes. The most thrilling aspect of modern F1 now is the uncertainty.
I had the pleasure of watching all three major series in 2008, F1, NASCAR, and the IRL. I have to say, towards the end of the season, the NASCAR and IRL races were becoming predictable in that you could only see Jimmie Johnson and Scott Dixon walking away as champions. Their cars, and the teams around them, were just too good.
Not so in F1. Both Ferrari and McLaren were making mistakes, as were their drivers, which left you not knowing who would perform better than the other come race day. Then there were the surprises.
Robert Kubica, Heikki Kovalainen, and Seb Vettel all secured maiden F1 wins. There was the demise in form of championship defender Kimi Raikkonen, and the steller rise in form of his team mate, Felipe Massa.
And, as if to prove his point, who should win F1s first ever night race, but Fernando Alonso, who in the final four races, scored more points than anybody.
I thought last years title showdown was exciting, but this years surpassed that. To be in a room, with a large group of people, celebrating as Felipe Massa crossed the line to what ‘WE’ all thought was his first championship title, was amazing.
To watch, in total disbelief, as less than thirty seconds later, Lewis Hamilon achieved the impossible and came home in fifth, was otherworldly.
The room went quiet, some even started to weep. All in the space of a mere half minute, no more! That is sport at its best, its heartstopping best. One guy told me he had not felt so bad since watching the Challenger space shuttle explode on tv all those years ago, such was his disappointment at Hamilton’s victory.
This is what this sport means to some people. Incredible! If I could afford the ticket price, I would book an F1 race as my vacation right now. I cannot wait for 2009 and for what the people on this GREAT site have to say about it.

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