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Im somewhere in-between - not my favorite, not my worst … I do appreciate him and his consistency …
I’ve wondered about Lewis and MB as well? How many seasons does MB have of living in the shadows of Red Bull and resting on their lourals of yester-year before big changes come in? Espeically with Ferrari nipping at their heels.
Love that McLaren is relevant again…
I’ve also wondered how long Ricciardo will remain relevant … with many up & comer’s (both in the pack and with alphatauri) how long does he have underperforming before he’s sent out to pasture?
Originally Posted by dkmura
Let's repeat the warning: F1 has become more a media "spectacle" and less a race. It's built to be a money generating machine, and in the process, has lost a little bit of soul. As for Max and RBR? It wasn't long ago that everyone was sick and tired of Lewis and Mercedes taking all the wins and championships. Get ready for more of the same in'24. That's one thing that hasn't changed with F1- once a driver and team find the right solutions for a particular set of regs, they mow everyone down, and stick a hose in the mouth of those who didn't drown!
Yea, Dave - youre spot on … I dont think it’s a 1000% bad thing … it’s definately drawing eyeballs and filling seats and I do think it may help revive some motorsports in the states.
What if Vegas built a dedicated track?
Sounds like Accent is up and going out by Denver International could possibly host something like F1? I believe Miami is dedicated?
Yea, Dave - youre spot on … I dont think it’s a 1000% bad thing … it’s definately drawing eyeballs and filling seats and I do think it may help revive some motorsports in the states.
What if Vegas built a dedicated track?
Sounds like Accent is up and going out by Denver International could possibly host something like F1? I believe Miami is dedicated?
We have a dedicated track. Actually, we have two. There's LVMS which already hosts NASCAR. There's also a track 50 miles outside Vegas called Mountain Springs. It's a huge motorsports country club and wouldn't take much work to make it suitable for F1. Either of these would be a better place for F1 than the Las Vegas Strip.
We have a dedicated track. Actually, we have two. There's LVMS which already hosts NASCAR. There's also a track 50 miles outside Vegas called Mountain Springs. It's a huge motorsports country club and wouldn't take much work to make it suitable for F1. Either of these would be a better place for F1 than the Las Vegas Strip.
Actually, the multi-use track in Pahrump, NV is Spring Mountain Motorsports Club. I've driven there on a couple of occasions, but none of the layouts are anywhere near the FIA specs that F1 demands. But the truth is the F1 race in Lost Wages will not be moved as long as it serves its intended use of publicizing the casino industry. That's what F1 has become, a sporting event that has been used to legitimize countries and industries. Someday. I hope it'll get cast off as the "next big thing" comes along, and maybe it'll go back to being just an auto race series. But Vegas will always be looking for the best way to generate buzz.
Actually, the multi-use track in Pahrump, NV is Spring Mountain Motorsports Club. I've driven there on a couple of occasions, but none of the layouts are anywhere near the FIA specs that F1 demands. But the truth is the F1 race in Lost Wages will not be moved as long as it serves its intended use of publicizing the casino industry. That's what F1 has become, a sporting event that has been used to legitimize countries and industries. Someday. I hope it'll get cast off as the "next big thing" comes along, and maybe it'll go back to being just an auto race series. But Vegas will always be looking for the best way to generate buzz.
I used to run track days for motorcycles out there before it was renamed SMMR (Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch). It was actually built by a guy named Rupert. He built it as his own private track. Eventually he started letting us run track days out there. He was kind of a dick. He once made us pay him $1k to use his ambulance after we had already paid Pahrump for them to send one. Like I said... dick. A couple of my clients have condos out there. I don't think it would take more than $20M to $30M to bring it up to spec. LVMS already has a track the works for NASCAR though. But your right, it's not about the race. It's about the $800M it brings in to the casinos.
So a bit of off season ruminating.... I mentioned this tidbit in a different post but as I did so, I recall my first hearing this a few weeks ago and started to gnash my teeth all over again thinking about it.
There's been a rumor going around (with solid evidence to its truth) that FIA and/or organizers of the Spanish Grand Prix - usually held in May at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya - are considering moving the GP to a new, as yet to be determined "track" through the streets of Madrid.
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO MORE STREET RACES!!!!!!!!!! Especially replacing an excellent F1-grade track like CDBC where the GP has been run for over 30 years!
Sadly, again,it's all about the money, not the racing. All of the pretty people who want to be seen will go to Madrid not Barcelona. Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh......
OK, here's the thing. I went to one of the very first (if not THE first) F1 "street race" in Long Beach, CA (waaaaay long ago) and I've been to the original Las Vegas GP back in the 80s. Not that impressed and remain somewhat negative on watching these types of races when every (TV) view of the cars are "instance" corner shots of carts on a course surrounded by concrete and metal barriers. I can go to my local indoor karting place to see better but similar views of racing.. (And lots more fun too!)
But I'm just venting that the sport has been so commercialized, pandering to the rich weekend-wannabes. Nothing wrong with crass commercialism - we're all guilty of it in some way - but doesn't mean I have to like what they're subjecting real race fans to. Fact of life I guess and I won't lose any sleep over it but boy, my teeth are losing more enamel every time I hear stuff like this. Like Vegas wasn't bad enough?
I agree with you, Mic. But that won't have any impact on the decision makers at Liberty Media, FIA or F1. More eyeballs on the show is all they're interested in. Get ready for more urban GPs and fewer of the traditional circuits. When given the opportunity to drive at one of the older F1 tracks like Estoril in Portugal, I was impressed with what it offered. Fast circuit with many interlinked turns and huge runoff areas. It's now a fading club track and even the latest Portuguese circuit in the Algarve (built to modern F1 standards) has only been used once during the pandemic. I also got to sample the Canadian GP circuit (in a rental car) and was equally impressed, although Estoril was such a monster.
The last F1 race I actually attended was the 1984 Detroit GP and after seeing what F1 has become, it could be the last ticket I buy (or afford).
I stopped watching street circuits in other racing series. I think that it is time to stop watching F1 in street circuits too. And if that means not watching F1 at all.. so be it. Monaco, Azerbaijan, Vegas, Miami.. Boring..
Gotta love all the money grubbing video people on YouTube taking the "F1 rumor mill" to new lows with teaser titles about all of the false F1 garbage. No, Stroll hasn't left Sauber (nee Aston Martin)... yet. No, Oscar Piastri is NOT taking Checo's seat at RBR. No, neither is Charles LeClerc. No, Ricciardo is not going to Ferrari to take the seat vacated by LeClerc moving to RBR. And so on....
I refuse to watch any of these anymore despite them being a big part of my daily feed.
I mean, how come no one has created a video about me going to Petronas-AMG to take that Hamilton dude's seat while he retires from F1 to go run NASCAR? More to that than any of the other stuff.
Silly Season 2024 (for 2025) starts early! Even before the current season starts! So whudya all make of Hasbe... er, Lewis Hamilton, moving to Scuderia Ferrari in '25?
My initial reaction to my pal who talks more F1 than I do (matter of fact, she sent me the Hamilton news before I even woke up this morning): "Oh, nice, now Ferrari can continue losing with not one but two whining prima donnas..." 😈🤡
Going to be interesting! Who do you think will get the nod for Mercedes? Elevate George Russell to #1 seat (even if they claim there's no ranking) and hire from the grid? Of course, but WHO??
OK, my money's on them offering the spot to Lando Norris. McLaren is a Mercedes motor team, so it could happen considering how many teams are interested in him. He will not jump at it initially; playing the "loyalty card" citing his desire to "win with McLaren". And he has expressed a desire to race with Max over at RBR if they boot Perez (and they will for whatever silly reason, maybe all the fails). But then deep inside Lando's actually jumping for joy and ready to hang up his McLaren fire suit in glee to hop into the cockpit of the MB AMG W16. So I'm going with that.
This is really going to set the seat shuffle in motion, probably enough to keep it going throughout the season!
Alternate (simultaneous) possibilities.... Perez out of RBR with no immediate destination leading to -->
Ricciardo into RBR seat 2 (that wouldn't be good... or would it?) or maybe -->
Yuki Tsunoda from Alphatauri, er, I mean "Visa Cash App RB" (laaaaamo... better to just call 'em "Red Bull Second Fiddle F1 Team who uses the parts Red Bull Rejected") gets the RBR second seat or chucks it altogether and goes to McLaren to take the seat vacated by Lando.
But a question looms -->
Where's Carlos Sainz gonna go after being booted from Ferrari to make room for his majesty? Indycar or swallows pride and goes to a mid-pack team?
And what happens to Alonso when "Was Aston Martin But Who Knows What They'll Be Called When Daddy Sells The Team And Lance Goes To Play Tennis"?? Alonso could also be a contender for Lewis' vacated seat since they are also a Mercedes customer team. Hmmm.... the thot plickens....
One different move changes everything!! What if MB AMG puts Piastri (gag me) into Mercedes seat 2 (which could happen since he drives a Benz powered car now)? that would open a slot at McLaren. If that were to happen, maybe one of the Haas drivers like K-Mag takes Piastri's seat at McLaren while Haas gets sold to Andretti following rumors the team is backing out of F1 and......
Oh, and then there's Chloe Chambers, possibly the first female F1 driver in a long time (like 3 decades). She might factor in at Haas (if they don't withdraw) in 2025. Remains to be seen. Or... being American, she could possibly contribute to the Andretti F1 effort. We'll see. Just more idle chatter. <Laff>
And so on and on and on...
Well, you get the idea. Gonna be musical chairs played in revolving doors. And we thought previous years shuffling was nuts?! I'm enjoying this as much as my 'Niner fanatic friends discussing player trades.
Man, I haven't followed F1 since 2014. Right when they made the switch to the small block hybrid V6s. It was a complete disaster and there was ZERO sport in it. It became about the builders & technology to see who would even finish a race (Mercedes dominated, wonder if it's because they owned/controlled the hybrid management software). I know things have changed a lot since then. But I miss the sound of the previous generation F1 cars. These V6 hybrids just don't do it for me. These days I get more enjoyment out of watching Hill Climb shorts on YT.
Man, I haven't followed F1 since 2014. Right when they made the switch to the small block hybrid V6s. It was a complete disaster and there was ZERO sport in it. It became about the builders & technology to see who would even finish a race (Mercedes dominated, wonder if it's because they owned/controlled the hybrid management software). I know things have changed a lot since then. But I miss the sound of the previous generation F1 cars. These V6 hybrids just don't do it for me. These days I get more enjoyment out of watching Hill Climb shorts on YT.
Cheers!
-Icer
And that's where we share the passion. Hill climbs are the BEST! I like them because they're on the same types of roads I love up in the Santa Cruz mountains. Only thing that I miss from those events are the conspicuous absence of non-Euro cars, e.g., Z cars or anything Japanese. I get that most - if not all - of the hill climb events are European in nature. Only thing close here in the States, Pike's Peak. And I watch those with great pleasure as well. Those racers are nuts.
F1 is a game to me. I don't take it that seriously but as you can tell from my posts, it's never about the cars but rather the politics, or drivers going about their shenanigans.
F1 is a game to me. I don't take it that seriously but as you can tell from my posts, it's never about the cars but rather the politics, or drivers going about their shenanigans.
This is so true. F1 is like the man's version of Desperate Housewives in real life format.
I miss driving in the Santa Cruz mountains. I haven't taken my Z up there in a while. Mainly because I moved from MV to Brentwood. But my brother in law lives in Felton and I do visit from time to time in my trusty commuter. I really miss driving Skyline and getting back into the La Honda area. Speaking of my Z, I'm pretty much done with the mechanical and exterior work now, so I'll be driving it a lot more often. This spring I'll be tackling the interior refresh. I still have a major holiday update to post in the "what have you done" thread.
Hope all is well in your neck of the woods Mic! Btw, I need to ask you a QQ, I'll PM you.
Cheers!
-Icer
As Mic says, the Silly Season is underway before the current season even begins! It was surprising to see Hamilton make the move to Ferrari at this point and that creates a lot of uncertainty for the rest of the driver market. Also, a lot of uncertainty for AMG Mercedes for 2024, as they want to do well, but can't afford to reveal much to their current driver as he takes his leave to a competitor. I also wonder about Carlos Sainz Jr, who has paid his dues in gaining F1 experience and developed his skills with Ferrari. I think he'll be considered by Mercedes, but might be on the short list for Sauber-Audi as they become a works team.
In the meantime, the 2024 F1 season itself gets underway in four weeks. Like Mic, I'm a casual observer of this circus, and let the games begin.
Im sorta sick of Lewis Hamilton if Im being honest … I feel that he has been on his way out since his glory years and has been riding on his laurels for the last 5years or so? I am going to predict it’ll be more of the same at Ferrari…
Appreciate the discussion Mic!
Originally Posted by MicVelo
And that's where we share the passion. Hill climbs are the BEST! I like them because they're on the same types of roads I love up in the Santa Cruz mountains. Only thing that I miss from those events are the conspicuous absence of non-Euro cars, e.g., Z cars or anything Japanese. I get that most - if not all - of the hill climb events are European in nature. Only thing close here in the States, Pike's Peak. And I watch those with great pleasure as well. Those racers are nuts.
F1 is a game to me. I don't take it that seriously but as you can tell from my posts, it's never about the cars but rather the politics, or drivers going about their shenanigans.
Hill Climb:
You guys every catch wind of the Gamblers Edge Hill Climb? DK probably remembers? But I thought that was going to be an annual thing and I dont know that it ever came back after 2015?
Im sorta sick of Lewis Hamilton if Im being honest … I feel that he has been on his way out since his glory years and has been riding on his laurels for the last 5years or so? I am going to predict it’ll be more of the same at Ferrari…
Appreciate the discussion Mic!
Hill Climb:
You guys every catch wind of the Gamblers Edge Hill Climb? DK probably remembers? But I thought that was going to be an annual thing and I dont know that it ever came back after 2015? https://youtu.be/UKl6wob3VKg?si=jqkZmPq6s3txrNiQ
in for 2024 as well … let the games begin!
Yeah, the "Gambler's Edge" rally was more a promotional tool that one of our local SCCA racers set up to sanction. It went the way of the dodo after a few years because of the lack of funding (both from the casinos and overall entry). Plus, it tied up the road to the Blackhawk casinos, and we all know that keeping the money flowing is the main objective.
Back OT, what's not being said among the threads here is Ferrari's pitch to Hamilton must have been effective. They showed him enough to convince him that he stood a better chance of winning with the Scuderia than the silver arrows. Yes, it's a risk, but so was signing with Mercedes (who hadn't yet become dominant) from McLaren where he started his career. I submit that Hammy took a big risk there and came away golden, so I wouldn't bet against his instincts as a racer in the future.
OK, never mind Also-ran Hamilton. This rant isn't about him (other than that there's been so much press and coverage about his desperation move to Ferrari that I don't give a shi... er, no longer care about him other than "Good, you'll lose there too."
No, this now about the greed and politics in F1.
Anyone following the "11th Team" saga?
Well, the FOM (or Formula One Management) people have rejected the Andretti-Cadillac entry as the 11th team on grid. Their contention is that the Andretti-Cadillac team will benefit more from an entry into F1 than "F1 will benefit from having them". AND, get this, FOM feels Andretti-Cadillac will "not be competitive".
Not be competitive?? Gimme a fuqqing break. Sorry, that's just their lame way of saying "We don't want to share OUR money." Listening to the vitriolic rationale presented by that *** Toto Wolff (Mercedes AMG) and Lawrence Stroll (Aston Martin) explaining how Andretti-Cadillac isn't competitive is like a losing football team claiming that Brock Purdy nor Patrick Mahomes are good quarterbacks and that their teams don't belong in the Stupor Bowl. Psh. Mercedes has one win in the last two years and Papa Lawrence has his son driving their F1 cars into walls and maintaining how "competitive" they are with ZERO WINS. Period. Talk about trying to cover one's ***.
Then you have Vasseur, head of Ferrari, stating that "The American market for F1 can't be won with an American team, it's about putting American drivers into F1". Uh huh, I see how well that's working for Logan Sargeant who is a pretty good driver, but trying to compete in a losing CAR, is a waste of talent.
So, I say to the FOM and all of the negative nelly team bosses: Buck up and strap on a pair. Stop trying to only protect your own interests and just admit that you're scared of what an Andretti-Cadillac entry might do to all of your back marker and mid-pack teams. "Not competitive", indeed.
Well, now that the political scam involving Red Bull Racing and their leader, Christian Horner is finally over with, can we get back to the business at hand and start the racing season?
Christian Horner - or, as the general public seems to insist upon referring to him as "Mr. Geri Halliwell" or worse, "Mister Ginger Spice" Ugghhh.
After what seems like an interminable off season of often times lame commentary, idle, unfounded speculation (OK, guilty as charged), the new season is finally upon us and I look forward to seeing how things shape up on the grid.
There does seem to be some consensus amongst many of the "I know F1 YouTubers" is that Max and RBR are the favorites to fourpeat the championship. I tend to agree but who knows? Other teams seem to have made some progress in designing and building "competitive cars" vis a vis Red Bull, the most notable being Ferrari.
But my opinion [you've been warned, laff] is that Charles LeClerc ("the Monegasque", as so many feel he needs to be labeled), while a fine driver, his record hasn't been that great of late; despite how heralded he is - especially notable with a long term contract in place for him at the Scuderia. (It is speculated to be five years beyond this season, a lifetime in F1) I personally would like to see them give Max some competition beyond what they have been doing. In other words, I call Max for the win but having to earn it instead of just walking away.
The other troubling thing for Ferrari, again, IMO, is that LeClerc is still partnered with Carlos Sainz, another driver capable of winning (which he proved with the only non-RBR win in 2023) But lets face it, he's out and will be a lame duck driver this year, shoved out to make room for Sir Big Head. (Ooops, did I just say that.... yes, I believe I did.) Who's to say though, give him a competitive car and maybe he'll podium enough to garner him a good seat for '25 and beyond. Hope so. Hmmmm, could he take Checo's seat at RBR? Hmmmm. You saw that here first. Haha!
Then there's the other end of the spectrum. Williams, sadly, will remain a backmarker, as will AlphaTau, oops, I mean "Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team" with Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo at the helms. That doesn't just roll off the tongue does it? I'll think I'll just call them "VISA F1".
Then you have Aston Martin who was very competiive early last season with Fernando behind the wheel. Sadly, they fell off in the last half.
Oh, and Daddy is still employing son Lance. Talented kid, just a bit too much emphasis on "rush" versus "fluidity". He needs to take some "drive calmly and decisively" lessons from the late great Jim Clark.
Now here's something very sad to me. Renaul, er, sorry, Alpine, (and need I remind, the pseudo-parent company of our beloved Nissan) who used to be a pretty competitive team fell to sixth in the F1 championship in 2023 after a respectable fourth in the constructor's championship in 2022. 2024 seems to be all doom and gloom at Alpine following the Bahrain testing these past couple of weeks. Everyone, from the team principal to the drivers and so on have already stated that the '24 car - a completely new design direction - is not performing well. And the testing numbers show it. There is fear that Alpine will now move to the back of the grid as a back marker. Sad that Pierre Gasly moved there a year or two ago. I think Pierre and teammate Esteban Ocon deserve better. Tough break.
Oh, and then there's the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team. And that's all I have to say about that.
Anyhow, enough rambling about this since not that many actually care about it. And sadly, I am an enthusiast but with little care who actually wins the championship. This nonchalance started after Seabass won the championship four times, relatively unchallenged. Then LewHam did it seven times in unchallenged domination (which is why I loved when Nico took the championship from him in 2016 and I was there in Europe watching them go head to head), and now there's Max/RBR having little competition three years thus far.
Kinda weird that I don't really care considering how much of a zealot I was back in the day. '70s-80s (Long Beach, baby!), and especially during the Senna-Prost-Mansell-etc era in the early 90s. Now that was racing mano e mano with a healthy dose of rivalry and real wheel-to-wheel racing!
The Vegas saga continues... Bunch of businesses here suing F1 over all of the money they lost from F1 construction diverting traffic away from their businesses.
12-03-2023, 09:31 PM
