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beige_alertToday I watched the European Formula One Grand Prix (at the “new” Nürburgring in Germany) and the Indianapolis 500. It was pretty much auto racing overload.
I’ve been a big Formula 1 fan since, um, last year. Watching the Indy 500 reminds me of why I like F1. Now, I do have the bias that I’ve been watching every Grand Prix since last year, I know who the drivers are, which team is which, who’s competitive and who’s a rolling chicane, and what the rules are. Indycar, not so much. Still, I kept waiting for something to happen in the 500, and while some people eventually crashed, it was just really dull. They hardly slow down, and thus hardly speed up, never turn right, and though they turn left constantly, the turns are so gentle that it hardly seems like a turn. The Formula 1 guys will stand on the brakes, shift all the way down to first, whip around a hairpin, and accelerate away, shifting up through the gears back to seventh, before getting to the next corner.
People complain that F1 is dull because the drivers hardly ever pass each other. They may not pass often, but when they do, it’s really exciting, with endless laps trying to get into position to pass and a daring move at a turn. The Indy racers passed each other all the time, but with few exceptions, you have to be watching closely to even notice. Most of the time, it’s as exciting as passing on the Interstate. First and second will change hands with about as much excitement as an F1 leader passing lapped traffic with the blue flag out (blue flag meaning let the guy pass, you’re down a lap and just in the way).
Excitement comes to Indianapolis in three weeks, with the US F1 Grand Prix at the track. They set up some actual turns in the infield so they can turn the wheel in both directions and use both the throttle and brake pedals.
Also, Speed Channel does a much better job of covering races that the networks. A half hour of pre-race show that mostly contains actual information relevant to the race, the race, the post race interviews of the podium finishers, a few minutes of replayed race highlights, and done. None of this hour-and-a-half of pre-race stuff. Much more knowledgeable announcers, too.
I’ve been a big Formula 1 fan since, um, last year. Watching the Indy 500 reminds me of why I like F1. Now, I do have the bias that I’ve been watching every Grand Prix since last year, I know who the drivers are, which team is which, who’s competitive and who’s a rolling chicane, and what the rules are. Indycar, not so much. Still, I kept waiting for something to happen in the 500, and while some people eventually crashed, it was just really dull. They hardly slow down, and thus hardly speed up, never turn right, and though they turn left constantly, the turns are so gentle that it hardly seems like a turn. The Formula 1 guys will stand on the brakes, shift all the way down to first, whip around a hairpin, and accelerate away, shifting up through the gears back to seventh, before getting to the next corner.
People complain that F1 is dull because the drivers hardly ever pass each other. They may not pass often, but when they do, it’s really exciting, with endless laps trying to get into position to pass and a daring move at a turn. The Indy racers passed each other all the time, but with few exceptions, you have to be watching closely to even notice. Most of the time, it’s as exciting as passing on the Interstate. First and second will change hands with about as much excitement as an F1 leader passing lapped traffic with the blue flag out (blue flag meaning let the guy pass, you’re down a lap and just in the way).
Excitement comes to Indianapolis in three weeks, with the US F1 Grand Prix at the track. They set up some actual turns in the infield so they can turn the wheel in both directions and use both the throttle and brake pedals.
Also, Speed Channel does a much better job of covering races that the networks. A half hour of pre-race show that mostly contains actual information relevant to the race, the race, the post race interviews of the podium finishers, a few minutes of replayed race highlights, and done. None of this hour-and-a-half of pre-race stuff. Much more knowledgeable announcers, too.
