At least the racing is (slightly) better
F1 Fanatic race ratings 2008-2009 (click to enlarge)
The political deadlock dominates the F1 headlines but on the hunch that many of you are as sick of it as I am I thought it would be a good time to write about something a bit more positive.
We’ve had many discussions about whether the new technical rules for 2010 would improve the quality of racing in F1 and the early indication is positive. Looking at the result of the post-Grand Prix “rate the race” polls shows consistent, albeit minor, improvement over last year.
The only exception is the Malaysian Grand Prix, which was abandoned at half distance as its late starting time meant it was not possible to complete the event after a rain shower hit the circuit.
Although rain helped make the Chinese Grand Prix much more exciting than last year’s procession, the stronger result for the dry Bahrain Grand Prix is encouraging.
There may be other explanations for why the ratings have gone up: perhaps the shake-up in the competitive order has been well-received. On the whole i think we have seen some improvements this year, but there is more to be done. I’m optimistic that the banning of refuelling next year will make the competition even more interesting and entertaining.
If there is any racing in 2010, that is, but we’ll leave that discussion for elsewhere.
Do you think the quality of racing has improved this year? And is having slightly better races worth having such strange-looking F1 cars?
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Ronman said on 17th May 2009, 22:16
It’s been Excellent so far i think, the sideshow hasn’t helped much but the shake up i believe is the main culprit in making the racing more interesting.
as for the strangeness of the cars, i kind of got used to them. they are getting to look normal to me as each race goes by….
I’m really pumped up for Monaco, to see how the new leaders are going to deal with it…
HounslowBusGarage said on 17th May 2009, 22:32
I’ve read a lot of the post so far and I agree with a many of them in that it’s far more entertaining to see an underdog team (ie not Ferrari, MacLaren or Renault) winning.
But, being an armchair anarchist, I’m growing bored of Brawn domination already and I long for the utter chaos of a St. Devote first lap that could bring Force India to the fore.
The racing has been better this year – and I think we have seen more overtaking – but if Brawn continue with wins and points beyond Silverstone I will be supporting BMW!
The politics are another matter; I love the chaos and uncertaintly they bring. At the moment we have a four sided argument with two parties roughly allied alongside each other (Frreri and FOTA versus Bernie and FIA), and it’s wonderful entertainment to see these four leviathans tussle their way through these problems. But it wouldn’t take much for FOTA to turn against Ferrari or for Max to sue Bernie. Very exciting!
DGR-F1 said on 18th May 2009, 8:55
I have to agree with you Hounslow, its been interesting so far having the most unlikely leaders at the front of the pack instead of the usual dudes, but I have noticed that after the first couple of laps it all becomes the same old routine unless a Red Bull or a Torro Rosso is able to pass a slower car or two in the mid-field.
The cars do appear to be racing closer together, but could someone who has been trackside confirm this is the case and not just a perspective thing you get from the TV? Surely if the cars are still finding it difficult to overtake, somebody should be talking to the OWG about it?
verasaki said on 17th May 2009, 23:50
does anyone still think they are strange looking f1 cars? i thought most everyone got over that before the season started. if not, take a look at that 6 wheel monster that raced in the ’70′s and get back to me.
this has been a better season. whoever is dominating, at least it’s a change from the old guard and there are more noses up tailpipes than i recall seeing in quite awhile. maybe i’m just feeling smug because after—er, um, more than a decade—- REFUELING IS BANNED! as in no more,nada mas,rien and nicht refueling, nonono refueling, it is an EX regulation. now who can complain about that?
LewisC said on 18th May 2009, 2:12
Definitely getting used to the new-look cars very quickly. I think it’s a touch odd that the front wings are wider than the front wheels; but the rest is great… at least partly because slicks look so much nicer.
Antifia said on 18th May 2009, 12:22
Ah well, Jenson is winning isn’t he? And apart from Australia, it pretty much coincides with a low spell from LH in 2008….I like Jenson, much more than I could ever like the stab-on-the-back-your-mecenas-and-your-racemanager-who-supported-you kid. But this season is a bit of a put off so far. Ugly cars, low level of competition…it just looks weird.
scunnyman said on 19th May 2009, 2:38
So what does everyone think of the quality of the F1 grid at the moment?
I personally think it is is pretty low and here is how i have greaded each driver.
1. Jensen Button: a fair driver in a good car, but nothing special.
2. Rubens barrichello: also a fair driver in a good car (just as he was at Ferrari) the odd bright star at times.
3. Sebastian Vettel: very good driver with a bright future.
4. Mark Webber: lower quality, gets a lot of bad luck (much like Johnny Herbert used to) Not my favourite driver but nice guy.
5. Jarno Trulli: A bit of a has been. I’ve never really rated him. He should have done better with his potential.
6. Timo Glock: Has potential to be a good driver with multiple wins.
7. Nick Heidfeld: Not really shown what he can do, should have won by now, wither in the williams or the BMW. Don’t really rate him.
8. Robert Kubica: A good driver and a possible champion. I like him.
9. Fernando alonso: Overrated, Lucky to win 2 championships in my opinion. Nvere liked him (hate blakmailers).
10. Nelson Piquet jnr: Need i say anything?
11. Sebastien Bourdais: A poor racing driver who dominated in a reacing series where he had a totally dominating car (like a ferrari in gp2). Not going to be here long.
12.Sebastien Buemi: Yet to show true potential. Not decided on him yet.
13. Nico Rosberg: Really does show good speed and consistency, just needs a good car, whether in a Williams or a new team maybe hamilton’s new teammmate Or at Renault.
14. Kazuki Nakajima: Too erratic, only at Williams because of engine deal. Not impressed.
15. Adrian Sutil: should not be in F1.
16. Giancarlo Fisichella: Woulda Coulda Shoulda. Never rated him.
17. Felipe Massa: Although he took championship to the wire i don’t rate him, in the right car at the right time. maybe he will impress if he can win in Monaco from down the grid. Usually only wins from Pole.
18. Kimi Raikonnen: Does he really care about F1?????
19. Lewis Hamilton: Proved over and over he is a great driver. Not the best though. A battler like Mansell.
20. Heikki Kovalainen: A middling type of driver, not good- not bad needs a chance to prove he could be a champion. Will he get that with hamilton as teammate? Likable guy.
Comapred to previous generations of grids i think this one is poor. We nned more drivers who are willing to go for gaps and passes that most would back off from.
Scumacher/Mansell/Senna/Montoya and Hamilton are in that category in my opinion. Of course at the moment the drivers are being penalised for trying too hard to pass. This needs to change.
Stubie said on 29th September 2009, 18:31
Keith,
I would love to see an update of this post with the latest races in the mix.
Maybe the resurgent McLarens, Renaults and Ferraris have something else to show?