Formula One for 2014

[airdave]

I used to be an avid F1 fan.
But if you're like me, you have lost a lot of interest in Formula One race over the years.
I miss the days of the very unique cars, Turbos, and more aggressive driving.
I miss Nigel Mansell and Alain Prost.
I miss Murray Walker and James Hunt commentating.

I'm all for safety, but some of the rule changes over the years seem to have damaged the
sport more than helped it.

And the car designs have become less "unique" and more "weird" (to me).
I'm not a fan of the raised noses, and all the little "fins" stuck all over the place.

Anyway, once again, a new set of car and racing rules have been implemented.
And the 2014 car design changes seem very interesting.

Turbos are back!
Smaller engines yes...but there seem to be other features that make up for that.

This video from red Bull explains some of the new rules and changes.



....
And, if anyone has never seen the new film from Ron Howard "Rush".
I recommend you give it a try.
I thought it was fantastic!

The film is done in technicolour type look...which reminds you of colour photography from the period.
And the effects are very well done.

I had seen an interview a few months ago with Ron Howard, and he explained how the entire film was shot with handheld Fuji DSLRs.
Apparently Fuji gave them a hundred of these cameras and they attached them all over the race cars.
In the same interview show, Nikki Lauda talked about himself and James Hunt, and according to him, the movie is spot on.

I think its a very well done film...and although James Hunt had such a short career in racing, its great to relive it.

[wag]

In some ways I agree with you Dave. The regulations have removed much of the innovation we remember. Things like a six-wheeled car or an engine-driven fan to create a vacuum underneath the car made the F1 of yesterday much more interesting than today. However, it's still the pinnacle of road racing and I'll still watch every race.
Wayne

[whulsey]

Will second the recommendation on seeing "Rush".

Not real into the look of the newer cars, still like the racing. Actually I don't really like any of the newer cars as the aero and grounds effects took (applies to street cars also). Sort of like when stealth starting being so important in military aircraft. A F-35 may be technically wonderful, but can't compare to the looks of a F-86 or a P-51. Guess I'm really becoming an old fogey.

[mbauer]

Hi Dave,

Jeez, thought you talking about F1 Hillclimbing: MAKE SURE THE SOUND IS ON!



Mike

[richkat]

Just watching F-1, OMG I hate the sound of the 2014 cars....Rich

[apollolem]

Good to see F1 fans here, I've been a fan since the mid 60's.

During the early '80's F1 came to the streets of Detroit here for a few years. Was thrilling to say the least.

Saw 'Rush' at the cinema and have it now also on DVD....great movie!

[airdave]

Originally Posted by richkat

Just watching F-1, OMG I hate the sound of the 2014 cars....Rich

Well, I wasn't a fan of the screaming sewing machine sound that
had evolved, but at least it was loud.

I agree the new engine sound is quite pathetic (from a car racing aspect).

I always preferred the sound of Indy cars...they had a loud V8 rumble
but screamed at you at full power. They really sounded like powerful cars.

And of course, Formula One when everyone had different cars with
different engines.

[richkat]

Well you see I am a HUGE fan of 2-stoke engines, cried when they went away. Love the simplicity of them, just a piston and a crank, no valves, no cam just bunches of POWER. The F-1 engines of the last few years kind of had a 2-stroke sound. And the thought of those pistons and valves moving at 18,000 RPM is just crazy.....Rich

[retunga]

Originally Posted by richkat

Just watching F-1, OMG I hate the sound of the 2014 cars....Rich

The sounds of the cars are not any different to the cars of the 1980's with turbo's.

I went through my archives of footage that I am and I also got the top gear episode where Leiws drove Senna's 1988 Mclaren and listening to the car then and now they are about the same, they have a bit of a higher pitch and sound a bit different but for the best part they are the same as the 80's.

I found the other day an interesting webpage that some guys have put quite a lot grand prix results on the web and the scary part of it is that the results that are noted go back to 1894 !!! wow, and also many other results that include racing during WW2 up to 1941 I think and after WW2 in 1945!!!

worth a look and even a bookmarking.

Welcome to the F1 GP Results and History.

R

[whulsey]

Retunga, thanks for that link and you're correct -- its worth a bookmark. Really like the early info. Besides the late 50's-early 60's, my other favorite era is the pre-1920 period with the monster engined cars.