Official F1/Motorsport thread

[Roddie]

I still find the knockout sessions interesting to watch, whereas I only ever watch the last 5 minutes of the MotoGP qualifying.

[Shez]

I agree with senna as it goes - Carbon brakes are one of the main problems when trying to overtake, bringing back steel options would be a good move in my opinion.

As for qualifying, I never watch it these days, it's boring in it's current format - I'm not saying the old one was great, but the current system isn't an improvemnt either.

[Richard.John]

I don't know why they don't give one point for P1. It would make the drivers/teams try harder and discourage them from playing safe. As for carbon brakes, well, they have had a place in F1 for a long time so, the powers that be obviously feel that they are not part of the problem. In terms of improving things, I assume you guys are implying that steel brakes would lead to increased braking distances thus a greater window for overtaking.

A boost button of some kind would help. Maybe will will see that with KERS.

[Shez]

We will see that with KERS - I was surprised to read that KERS is optional for 2009, but it is expected to offer a 6 second boost when the saved power is used.

A lot of teams appear to be struggling to get the most out of it at the moment.

[Richard.John]

So Hamilton didn't win the Beeb's award. If he can't win it after becoming the youngest WDC in history, could it be an indication of his general unpopularity in the UK?

[vanpeebles]

You can't read anything into that, it was a mad selection of people and each one deserved it. Had it not been an Olympic year he would of had it easy.

[Shez]

I think you can read something into it - Damon Hill for example won the personality award in 1994 (F1 runner up) and again in 1996 (title win) - One of those was in an olympic year too.

I thought Hamilton was a shoein for the award, but it figures he's not as popular as some may think.

[vanpeebles]

Who won three golds in that year then?

[Shez]

No one did.

But yeah I know what you're saying, however Sally Gunnell was more of a winner than Damon Hill was in 1994, and in 1996 Steve Redgrave was doing his thing in the rowing (Both were runners up to Hill)

Make your own mind up, but it's quite clear that Hamilton hasn't got the rapport of a Mansell or a Hill...yet.

[vanpeebles]

Its a fair point but I think everyone still loved motorsport and F1 then. These days its seen as self indulgent and low on entertainment.

[Shez]

Yeah that's true. I think to be fair too, it shows our love of losers when Hill won in 1994 - He didnt deserve to really.

Hamilton is a breath of fresh air in respect that he is a winner - People will take time to warm to him, especially here in the Uk.

[VR46]

Suzuki have pulled out of WRC after just one year, a real dwindling Championship with just three manufacturers supporting it now.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/world_rally/7783076.stm

[vanpeebles]

Rallying is another sport thats failed to recapture its glory days. Too many pre swept courses and too many tarmac rallies. Some of the cars were more like touring cars. Bring back RWD and proper rough mud and gravel tracks.

[Senna]

The problem with rallying at the moment is a certain Mr Loeb.

Just the best rally driver there has ever been IMO, he's unstoppable. He was faster than both McRae and Sainz at Citroen, and although in some part this could have been down to the language barrier and the suitability of the car to Loeb's driving style, the evidence in times was still there.

Throw in that factor, the loss of emblematic rallies such as Kenya, and the loss of 'characters' such as Burns, McRae (him most), Sainz, Makkinen, Martin, Kankunnen (sp?), and they all start to add up.

Shame because it's still incredible to see these cars sliding around corners on full opposite lock.

[Roddie]

I heard the 2009 WRC season is losing a lot of Loeb's favourite rallies; think there might only be one or two tarmac ones.