F1 Fanatic

For me it has to be 1996. ’96 saw the the introduction of the 107 % rule (mainly to get the Forti’s off the grid xD), the cars look basically the same, some cars used V8′s, plus other rules haven’t changed much (apart from the pre-2003 qualiy system).

Feel free to correct me :-D.

Depends on how you define ‘modern F1′. From an aerodynamic point of view, I would say 1970 when Lotus introduced the 72. From a sportsman’s point of view, probably 1991 when Schumacher made his debut.

To me, there are several ‘new eras’ in the history of F1. Like @andae23 mentioned, the early ninetees is a good example. Not only Schumacher (and Hakkinen) debuted, but also great champions as Mansell, Piquet, Senna and Prost retired (or died). After Imola 1994, there were no world champions on the grid! Also Bélastre was succeeded by Max Mosley as president of the FIA. So to me modern F1 started in 1994.
But mid 2000′s is also a watershed. The Schumacher (1)-era ended and Alonso and Raikkonen picked up the glove. Also Hamilton and Vettel debuted.

On a technical point of view, I’d say modern F1 started in 1989, the first year without turbo-engines. But you can also pick 1998, the first year with grooved tyres, or 2009, the first year with slicks and a revised aero-package.

There are a lot of “turning points” in F1′s history. Any of them could be defined as the beginning of the modern era. Take your pick.

1950: The beginning of F1 itself. After all, there have been championships before F1, so F1 in and of itself can be the beginning of the “modern era”.
1958: First season without Fangio in it, first title won by a rear-engined car.
1968: Death of Clark, birth of sponsorship (Gold Leaf Lotus), the Cosworth DFV engine, and aerodynamics with wings.
1978: Aero grip moves ahead of mechanical grip in importance with the birth of ground effect.
1983: First season without Gilles in it, first season after ground effect ban.
1988: Beginning of Prost-Senna rivalry at McLaren.
1994: First season after Prost’s retirement, death of Senna, first title won by Schumacher, last title won by Ford.
2000: Schumacher’s first title with Ferrari.
2003: First major change in points system since the 60s, beginning of parc ferme rule after qualifying.
2007: First season after Schumacher’s first retirement, debuts of Hamilton and Vettel.

I alway’s thought it was a shame that there were no Official (written) F1 season review’s pre-2004.

I’d love to write them from ’96-’03.

This could be defined in several ways i guess

Im going on the period of F1 i’ve studied and seen and spllitting it between cars and F1

Cars
1968/70 – 1978 – Lotus’s revolutionary cars 49+72 with Innboard breaks, radiators in the side pod. Air box and fixed wing suspensions
1978-81: Ground effect end of really dangerous cars
1982-89:Turbo and Mclaren era. Much more cash stars coming into the sport influencing design
1990-1993: – Elecrtic aids and Williams computer controlled domination
1994-1997 – Computer Aids gone, The old Guard of drivers left cars get really wide!
1998-2008 – Ferrari V McLaren with the final saftey changes from Senna’s accident come through
2008-Present – Major focus on the rear of the car defuses and exaust gasses as designers get desprite to find progress with the strict design rules

F1 in general
1970-1974 – Multi event drivers – Le Mans F2. Sponsers take over cars as the final national team colors leave.
1974-1988 – f1 still under the radar as drivers focus on F1 alone. Bernie tightens grip on power
1988-1993 – Sport grows with the strongest driving pool of drivers from huge countrys dragging in fans
1994-95 – Schumacher and hill battle drags in massive audience F1 becomes far more commercial
96-present. I’d say its not changed to much in the last 20 years. Much less european races and the side by side driving is less hard but that apart very similar sport