The OFFICIAL 2013 Formula 1 thread!

[z31maniac]

Well since you're a bit new to Formula One, don't bother watching races from the Schumacher era because Vettel's "pure unadulterated bullshit" is remarkably similar to the bullshit displayed by a seven-time WDC.

And hell, if you're a fan of Ayrton (enough of a fan to start following F1,) then even Vettel's most controversial moves shouldn't be as offensive as you make them out to be.

This x INFINITY. There are SO many people here demonizing Vettel, who must never have seen some of the shit that Schumi and Senna pulled back in the day.

This in no way disparages my rabid love of the sport, but F1 now is TOUCH FOOTBALL compared to what it was 10-20 years ago.

You guys are comparing aggressive driving to disobeying team orders.

Two different things.

[unevolved]

Yeah, but people hated on Senna and Schumi back in their day too. It's definitely a "love to hate" relationship.

[Jand3rson]

Well since you're a bit new to Formula One, don't bother watching races from the Schumacher era because Vettel's "pure unadulterated bullshit" is remarkably similar to the bullshit displayed by a seven-time WDC.

And hell, if you're a fan of Ayrton (enough of a fan to start following F1,) then even Vettel's most controversial moves shouldn't be as offensive as you make them out to be.

This x INFINITY. There are SO many people here demonizing Vettel, who must never have seen some of the shit that Schumi and Senna pulled back in the day.

This in no way disparages my rabid love of the sport, but F1 now is TOUCH FOOTBALL compared to what it was 10-20 years ago.

[TDE30]

This x eleventy billion. This isn't racing. It's a whiny bitch not getting his way and forcing a potentially dangerous situation to get it.

I just started watching F1 last season after seeing "Senna" on Netflix. I wasn't decided on a favorite driver yet, but now there's no way I could root for Vettel.

Sorry to beat a dead horse, but I think calling what Vettel did "racing" is pure unadulterated bullshit.

Can't wait for the next race!

Well since you're a bit new to Formula One, don't bother watching races from the Schumacher era because Vettel's "pure unadulterated bullshit" is remarkably similar to the bullshit displayed by a seven-time WDC.

And hell, if you're a fan of Ayrton (enough of a fan to start following F1,) then even Vettel's most controversial moves shouldn't be as offensive as you make them out to be.

[Cephas]

Good FIGHT: one driver with a detuned car running 16k rpm holding station vs a driver with 18k rpm and charging against a driver who thinks the race has ended, isnt that exciting.

A norrow minded viewpoint if I do say so...

This x eleventy billion. This isn't racing. It's a whiny bitch not getting his way and forcing a potentially dangerous situation to get it.

I just started watching F1 last season after seeing "Senna" on Netflix. I wasn't decided on a favorite driver yet, but now there's no way I could root for Vettel.

Sorry to beat a dead horse, but I think calling what Vettel did "racing" is pure unadulterated bullshit.

Can't wait for the next race!

[z31maniac]

I think the regulations are necessary. Cars could be much faster, I don't think anyone's arguing that. Current technology being what it is, costs would spiral out of control, effectively dooming the sport. No one would watch if it was just two teams going at it.

Not too long ago they let teams make whatever they want (Can-Am) and the cars rapidly outpaced the safety systems of the time, and we lost lots of great drivers. That could become a problem again. Like they talked about not too long ago with the whole closed-cockpit thing, but bigger.

As I've said before, open the regs, institute a spending limit.

That would be far more interesting. To me at least.

[TDE30]

Echoing earlier posts, that was a pretty stellar race. How about Checo?! Good that someone is checking to see if Button still has a pulse. I was a little surprised to see Mercedes not perform well, especially Hamilton. Rosberg was driving like a dodgy bastard for most of the race, but I figure that was mostly out of desparation for constructors' points. Glad to see my favorite finger-waving driver put the conspiracy bullshit in the rearview.

[Hick]

Alonso = the man. One extra pit stop, non-working DRS and finished 3 seconds out of 5th place.

Great race at tr beginning, I am surpised some of these guys were not knocking front wings off. Later on, Perez took it to Button. Team won't like the foreign rookie pushing around their golden child.

[GAbOS]

Wow.. Great race.

And Lotus is sitting pretty well now in constructors. ;>

[hfabricius]

I've gotta say this has been the best race so far this year, or at least the most entertaining. So much one on one battles and some incredible blocking.

[Jand3rson]

Nice to see Nico get pole, but I am afraid his race pace will not be as competitive. I am enjoying the tight races and unpredictability this season.

I was saying this earlier on FB, Rosberg does't have the pace to hold a pole and take it to the end. Vettel will be RIGHT UP his ass as soon as the lights drop, he KNOWS it and he won't hold onto it for even the first half of the lap.

As much as I love my IRBR boys, I'm secretly hoping for another Raikkonen win. I'm just really enjoying watching the whole field, this year. I'm kind of rooting for everyone. I find myself pulling for Button and McLaren a little more now that Hamilton is gone. I'm okay watching McLaren do well now.

[PReta]

Yes! Amen to that. I love not knowing whose gonna win. I'm tired of seeing vettle dominate every race. I think kimi and the lotus boys have the best consistency so far.

[GillesBigCowboy]

Nice to see Nico get pole, but I am afraid his race pace will not be as competitive. I am enjoying the tight races and unpredictability this season.

[unevolved]

I think the regulations are necessary. Cars could be much faster, I don't think anyone's arguing that. Current technology being what it is, costs would spiral out of control, effectively dooming the sport. No one would watch if it was just two teams going at it.

Not too long ago they let teams make whatever they want (Can-Am) and the cars rapidly outpaced the safety systems of the time, and we lost lots of great drivers. That could become a problem again. Like they talked about not too long ago with the whole closed-cockpit thing, but bigger.

[markd248]

The FIA is the one mandating the awful tire compounds Pirelli is making.... I understand pace/performance balance but guys cruising around at 80% of the cars capability is stupid. Guys running one lap in qualy. You don't need to be a world class driver to get 80% out of a car. Avg lap times were around 15sec slower than qualiy. Time how long that is. Its a long time. The FIA have gone off the deep end in terms of tire degradation... If I wanted to see manufactured racing Id watch nascar. Ill watch old races on http://www.justin.tv/bwass244_8

To the same effect though, the cars and technological advancements are limited by the FIA. Bring back adjustable skirts so that downforce can reach absurd amounts due to the low pressure created underneath the car. Honestly, I'm pretty okay with the Pirelli compounds, its just an artificial difficulty created to make the races more interesting and open. I'd argue that so far they're successful. Drivers like Raikkonen, Button, and Alonso have shown that you can run an effective and efficient race this way.

Do you guys think F1 and MotoGP should just let the teams work unhindered by regulations to create ungodly fast machines or are the regulations that help keep the smaller teams in (but also keep the cars/bikes slower) are a fair trade off?