2020 Formula 1 Season Thread

[The-Real-Deal82]

They should only keep the Williams name if the base is kept in Wantage really. If the new owners decide to relocate then it won’t be Williams anyway. We don’t want a repeat of Lotus where the brand is used but the heritage is not even remotely related.

 

[CWallace]

The PR also noted the team would remain at their current facility in Grove.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

The PR also noted the team would remain at their current facility in Grove.

I know yeah but I wasn’t talking about the press release, just long term.

Haas once said they’d stay in Banbury for a couple of seasons and relocate to the US. They realised having a base in North America was unrealistic in F1 and never moved. Teams have plans but these often change.

 

[pachyderm]

I know yeah but I wasn’t talking about the press release, just long term.

Haas once said they’d stay in Banbury for a couple of seasons and relocate to the US. They realised having a base in North America was unrealistic in F1 and never moved. Teams have plans but these often change.

yeah

IMHO that is also what derailed Michael Andretti's F1 career... and being teamed with Senna.

He was flying back and forth between the US and Europe.

 

[Glideslope]

Warning. Off Topic:

I know there are great race fans in here, but there is not thread for Moto GP.
Just wanted to share this link from yesterdays race at Styria. Fast forward to the final 3 laps. I think most in here will appreciate the skill level. I'm only posting once, as this is the greatest final 3 laps in a Moto GP I've ever witnessed. 😉

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Warning. Off Topic:

I know there are great race fans in here, but there is not thread for Moto GP.
Just wanted to share this link from yesterdays race at Styria. Fast forward to the final 3 laps. I think most in here will appreciate the skill level. I'm only posting once, as this is the greatest final 3 laps in a Moto GP I've ever witnessed. 😉

I stopped watching MotoGP when it went off TV and onto BT Sport. That pretty much killed it off in Britain and unlike F1 where I do occasionally watch highlights, I only watch clips on YouTube of MotoGP now

 

[Glideslope]

I stopped watching MotoGP when it went off TV and onto BT Sport. That pretty much killed it off in Britain and unlike F1 where I do occasionally watch highlights, I only watch clips on YouTube of MotoGP now

Yes. I remember the good old days when most sports were available over the air. I’m so dated. 😟

 

[michael9891]

Yes. I remember the good old days when most sports were available over the air. I’m so dated. 😟

Might have to pay for it, but Sky's F1 coverage is excellent. I often have the F1 channel on watching previous races etc.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Might have to pay for it, but Sky's F1 coverage is excellent. I often have the F1 channel on watching previous races etc.

I don’t particularly like their coverage to be honest. Sure it’s got all the fancy presentation but the presenters try desperately to be entertaining and funny and often it feels like you’re invading on their personal jokes. I can’t stand Brundle as a person either. I think the BBC nailed the coverage years ago and I could stomach Brundle then with Coulthard putting him straight. Even channel 4 have a good formula with a presenting team that are much more natural and amusing to watch in my opinion. I watched Sky F1 over a few years as I had a hacked box but these days I’d rather just catch the odd highlights on C4 here and there.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Yes. I remember the good old days when most sports were available over the air. I’m so dated.

It’s not dated, I think the sports are starting to realise free to air is better for sponsors than the dismal viewing figures they get from satellite channels.

 

[CWallace]

I find SKY F1 to be okay (ESPN just runs their feed here in The States).

 

[michael9891]

So the final races have been confirmed today. Istanbul, 2 in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. A 17 race season instead of the planned 24 isn't too bad considering the year we've had.

And for something a little random. Has anyone else noticed just how much Vettel has to adjust his mask during interviews because it's always falling down? You'd think he could afford one that fits. 😂

 

[Apple fanboy]

So the final races have been confirmed today. Istanbul, 2 in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. A 17 race season instead of the planned 24 isn't too bad considering the year we've had.

And for something a little random. Has anyone else noticed just how much Vettel has to adjust his mask during interviews because it's always falling down? You'd think he could afford one that fits. 😂

I don’t understand why they don’t just keep their helmets on. 17 races, but the last 4-5 will just be to decide 2nd or 3rd place at best.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I’m pleased they’ve added more races as I was starting to already see comments online in readiness for Hamilton possibly winning another world title and suggestions it wouldn’t be a ‘real one’ this year lol. Obviously if Max or Bottas win it instead, this viewpoint can be adjusted

 

[CWallace]

Giuseppe Farina won the title in 1950 with only seven official races, so... And Schumacher took the title after only 11 rounds (of 17) in 2002 so let's see if Lewis can win by the Eifel Grand Prix.

For the record, the minimum number of races needing to be held for an F1 Season to be considered official is 8.

 

[fridayxiii]

I find SKY F1 to be okay (ESPN just runs their feed here in The States).

How did you stomach the change from NBC/NBCSN to ESPN/SKY? I'm still somewhat shunted, just can't warm to Martin Brundle, DiResta & what's-his-name. (Especially the way Brundle ((I think it's him)) goes about four octaves higher on the opening lap of a race. Good god man, get a grip!) I really miss the days of Bob Varsha, Steve Matchett, David Hobbs, and Will Buxton. Hell, I'd even take Leigh Diffey right about now.

 

[CWallace]

How did you stomach the change from NBC/NBCSN to ESPN/SKY?

Well not going to commercial during a critical moment in the race helped. 😛

I agree Varsha, Matchett and Hobbs were the glory days for me. I started watching F1 in 1990 on ESPN with Varsha and Hobbs when they actually sent them to the races and adding Matchett provided some interesting insight into the team dynamics. And I liked Buxton as a pit reporter (followed him when he went to F2/F3).

 

[ivanwi11iams]

I miss the guys from MSNBC!
Still forcing myself to get used to the ESPN peeps. Not like they are going anywhere, soon 🙂

How did you stomach the change from NBC/NBCSN to ESPN/SKY? I'm still somewhat shunted, just can't warm to Martin Brundle, DiResta & what's-his-name. (Especially the way Brundle ((I think it's him)) goes about four octaves higher on the opening lap of a race. Good god man, get a grip!) I really miss the days of Bob Varsha, Steve Matchett, David Hobbs, and Will Buxton. Hell, I'd even take Leigh Diffey right about now.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Murray Walker for me. Alongside James Hunt. That was definitely the glory days for F1 commentary.

 

[TheIntruder]

How did you stomach the change from NBC/NBCSN to ESPN/SKY? I'm still somewhat shunted, just can't warm to Martin Brundle, DiResta & what's-his-name. (Especially the way Brundle ((I think it's him)) goes about four octaves higher on the opening lap of a race. Good god man, get a grip!) I really miss the days of Bob Varsha, Steve Matchett, David Hobbs, and Will Buxton. Hell, I'd even take Leigh Diffey right about now.

I'll be kind and just say that I'm not a fan of the Sky F1 presenters. The guy who gets overexcited is David Croft, not Brundle, of the nasally voice.

That, combined with the predictable results don't make for Must See TV for me.

I've even tried watching the Spanish language coverage on Univision, and didn't feel like I was missing much, despite not understanding most of the commentary.

When I first started watching F1, the races were being called by Bob Jenkins and the late Larry Nuber.

Varsha is still battling cancer, but getting back in the booth soon.

 

[fridayxiii]

I'll be kind and just say that I'm not a fan of the Sky F1 presenters. The guy who gets overexcited is David Croft, not Brundle, of the nasally voice.

That, combined with the predictable results don't make for Must See TV for me.

I've even tried watching the Spanish language coverage on Univision, and didn't feel like I was missing much, despite not understanding most of the commentary.

When I first started watching F1, the races were being called by Bob Jenkins and the late Larry Nuber.

Varsha is still battling cancer, but getting back in the booth soon.

Thanks for properly ID'ing the squealer for me 😆 I wasn't aware that Varsha had cancer, but I hope he beats it back. I always enjoyed watching whatever event he was presenting.

Well not going to commercial during a critical moment in the race helped. 😛

I agree Varsha, Matchett and Hobbs were the glory days for me. I started watching F1 in 1990 on ESPN with Varsha and Hobbs when they actually sent them to the races and adding Matchett provided some interesting insight into the team dynamics. And I liked Buxton as a pit reporter (followed him when he went to F2/F3).

I used to love the quizzical tone in Matchett's voice as the FIA would suddenly switch from two drivers jockeying for position to the lonesome leader, just churning out laps. You could hear the "WTF" going through his head. The ill-timed commercials were a bummer; I do like the lights-out to checkered flag coverage of ESPN, but I still miss the old team.

 

[CWallace]

Murray Walker for me. Alongside James Hunt. That was definitely the glory days for F1 commentary.

Back in the 1990s, CBC used to carry the BBC coverage of the race late that evening (like 11PM Pacific) so I could watch it live on ESPN that morning and then the next morning listen to Murray battle his way through the race commentary. 🙂

 

[2984839]

So with the return of the Turkish Grand Prix the COVID calendar is my favorite calendar. So many classic circuits making a return. Let's do this every year.

 

[2984839]

Murray Walker for me. Alongside James Hunt. That was definitely the glory days for F1 commentary.

Yep. They were the absolute best IMHO.

Crofty wouldn't be so bad if he would just shut up more. Not every spare second of air time needs his voice in it.

 

[pachyderm]

I'll be kind and just say that I'm not a fan of the Sky F1 presenters. The guy who gets overexcited is David Croft, not Brundle, of the nasally voice.

That, combined with the predictable results don't make for Must See TV for me.

I've even tried watching the Spanish language coverage on Univision, and didn't feel like I was missing much, despite not understanding most of the commentary.

When I first started watching F1, the races were being called by Bob Jenkins and the late Larry Nuber.

Varsha is still battling cancer, but getting back in the booth soon.

I'm not a fan of Brundle.