This season

[neilap]

In some ways it is entertaining but in others very frustrating. Its entertaining because someone else and another team is dominating?! Actually there is much luck involved in the race results. This is what kills me. I am a performance enthusiast not only a racing fan. I like to know the cars potential too, not just the drivers luck. In some ways I find it even difficult to give the drivers much credit for their "performances". In reality there was more of a luck factor involved in most of this years break through drivers. From a performance oriented aspect this season seems to be CARTed a little. However, the season has not as yet become boring. Hopefully it evolves into something that pleases both fans of the drivers and the technology.

[Mr V]

Unfortunatly Neil you can't have it both ways....

Performance = best car & driver package (on same fuel loads) = boring 2002 racing.

Entertaining = this seasons rules

[Tristan]

Nope, this season ROCKS. SUCH a breath of fresh air. I doubted the rules when I heard about them and I was WRONG. Three fabulous races, even if the last one was a little bit silly.

[BD]

But its not just the rules that have made things better. Ferrari seems to have hit a point where they cant improve much, and everyone else is catching up. Mclaren finally have pulled their head out, Renault is improving day by day. Even Jaguar is showing good speed. Williams has been a bit disapointing, but undoubtedly they have what it takes. Except for Ralf. Trade him for Fisichella. That would be exciting.

[shiny side up!]

But supposedly the '03 Ferrari is 1 second quicker than the 2002 car... 1 SECOND!!!! That is a huge step, if true. Ferrari is still the fastest with their old car, but bad luck and strategic/driver error have hurt them thus far this year... it can only be a matter of time before the quickest cars start winning races again...

[x_dt]

The key is not only the performance of the F2003-GA but also its reliability. If the new Ferrari breaks down any other race then even a 1 second advantage may not be enough.
(of course in 2002 Ferrari trounced its rivals in the reliability stakes as well)

And if the F2003-GA is unreliable that makes 2003 all the more unpredictable.

[BootsOntheSide]

I think it's been mostly brilliant. Three thrillers in succession, all packed with unpredictability, a variety of drivers in contention, no way of predicting the winner even halfway through (except Malaysia), new names at the front, proof that Schumacher isn't a true great, and so much to talk about. The rule changes have been the most positive thing for F1 since Mr & Mrs Senna concieved Ayrton only 5 years after the Prosts and Mansells did the same with Alain and Nigel.

[neilap]

I like the excitement but the other side of me hates not knowing where the teams stand. I don't like the inability to refuel before the race. Just about everything else is fine with me. The tire rules too are sketchy but its only because of the torrential rains in Brazil why it became an issue. Don't get me wrong I much prefer this year to last. I just want to see races where skill, strategy and performance lead to success instead of the luck of some and the misfortune of others. Maybe if RB had won I would have felt better. Hell if GF had won I would feel better. Its not necessarily the new or old rules its just the way the season has played out, largely because of the new rules but not entirely.

[ljakse]

Originally posted by neilap
Actually there is much luck involved in the race results. This is what kills me. I am a performance enthusiast not only a racing fan. I like to know the cars potential too, not just the drivers luck.

That kind of kills me too.
Some of my friends who are not really into F1 are asking me lately 'What's going on? What's wrong with Ferrari?', and when I tell them that I think Ferrari is still fastest out there they really don't know what to think - neither do I.

[Asp]

I wouldn't say that the rules are all perfect and should be left untouched for a top seasons racing.

We've discussed at length driver-aids; and neil's point about 'wet' tyres certainly needs looking at.

Didn't the FIA specify a review after Brazil? That's where these 'tweaks' could be implemented, making an exciting, with the element of performance still there for all to see.

[shiny side up!]

I think the FIA has postponed the review until after Imola...

[DNQ]

Originally posted by Tristan
Nope, this season ROCKS. SUCH a breath of fresh air. I doubted the rules when I heard about them and I was WRONG. Three fabulous races, even if the last one was a little bit silly.

You got it in one.

[paulzinho]

Ferrari have made mistakes this year, especially Michael. Thats hurting them more than anything. Not the rules, they showed in Brasil that they could still win, they just keep screwing up.

[Vw gti 16v]

I dont think that all of it is luck i mean people can choose thier own fuel loads i think that it is a good change for once and this is the start to the new f1!!!

[Lee Janotta]

Some of it's the qualifying rules, that's what we saw in Sepang... Likewise the fact that everybody, including McLaren, brought radically re-worked cars... Except Ferrari.

But most of all... IT'S THE RAIN!

[golem]

proof that Schumacher isn't a true great...

No way. The guys had a rough start, but I have absolutely no doubt Schuey will be fast as hell trying to get back on top. Not my fave but not damn good? Pah. He'd be almost as good as Fisi. Almost.

[kdr]

friends have said to me you must be happy with all the excitment now...all those crashes...

lets face it...brazil was nascar or saturday night at wimbledon stadium.

[Lee Janotta]

Originally posted by kdr
friends have said to me you must be happy with all the excitment now...all those crashes...

lets face it...brazil was nascar or saturday night at wimbledon stadium.

Yeah, it was great, wasn't it?

[kdr]

lee...how on earth do you know what wimbledon stadium is like on a saturday night?

[Lee Janotta]

That's when they have the greyhound races, isn't it?

And I sure as hell know what NASCAR looks like!

[Valve Bounce]

Originally posted by Tristan
Nope, this season ROCKS. SUCH a breath of fresh air. I doubted the rules when I heard about them and I was WRONG. Three fabulous races, even if the last one was a little bit silly.

I agree wholeheartedly. I got up at 2.30 am to watch the Brazil GP. There was no way I would get up last year to watch any race, and in fact, I taped most of them and watched them afterwards. Many of the races last year, I didn't even bother to watch the podium ceremonies nor the post race intrviews.

This year was

[Jukebox]

And i watched the race from 1am until 3am just to end up watching both Ferraris DNF

[Snrub]

So far we've gotten to see a lot more of the driver's input into the equation. Brazil was interesting because drivers go to pass and run competitively who were in all sorts of different cars. Good drivers like Fisi and Webber got to show their stuff. At the start we saw KR and JPM pull away. The other thing is that the cars are a LOT more evenly matched this year. Last year it was competitive in the midfield, but now we've seen other teams fight it out at the front too. Regardless, in a typical situation a Ferrari should find its way to the top because its the fastest car. The season could get boring quickly if there is less action. (although given what fans have put up with, most probably won't see it this way)

The new qualifying certainly adds more of an element of luck. We've had abnormal stuff happening at races so far too.

If the F2003 is unreliable that makes things more interesting than a morgue, but its still not good enough. We need genuine racing on a regular basis.

Frankly I'm shocked at the lack of enthusiasm around here over Brazil. Minus the crashes it was a brilliant race. (although that mixed things up even more) I get the impression people LIKE parades and artificial competition between drivers (new qualifying). Brazil offered something F1 hasn't really seen in a long time. Brazil should go down in history as a one of the great races of all time, like Monza '67. It was certainly the best F1 race I've ever seen.

[neilap]

We need genuine racing on a regular basis.

Thats what I am saying. I dont care if the starting grid is mixed up or if Ferrari has to start from the back. I want to see racing. So far its been down to tires, weather, poor decisions and bad luck. Maybe its the tire situation that is the problem. Last year Ferrari won because they were the best. It was hella boring but it was honest (you know what I mean). This year is much more exciting than last but hopefully when weather is not a factor it will remain that way.

[Mantis13]

I think is has been three great races this year. For me anyways, it has to do with the fact that it hasn't been a cake walk and we are seeing some different drivers/teams at the front. Things should get more interesting when Ferrari get the train back on the track and the Macs introduce thier new car.