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Hey, I just got back from the great Pacific Northwest, had a birthday, (better than not having one), and the lovely wife presented amoung other things the "50 Years of Formula 1 On-Board." DVD. Man, this woman has good instincts, but after 25 years one might expect that.
Having watched it three times now, the epiphany is not really so stunning. F1 was more fun a while ago, spectator-wise, but we knew that. Fangio manhandling the 250F around Reims, Moss in an early Lotus at the 'Ring, any number of guys pre-ground-effects on the power crossed-up at any of the classic circuits. Brands, Spa, Monza, etc. Definitely get it and settle in.
Point being, take away the ground effects. Let them run whatever engine config they choose (try not to soil yourself when Depaillier takes the Matra out). Men DRIVING the living daylights out of powerful cars on the edge - did the thousand or eight hundred horsepower matter? No, not really, it was the way the available power interacted with the traction afforded by those big slicks in the quick and capable hands of guys that loved doing it, and did it in oh-so-sublime a manner.
The answer to the current F1 conundrum of passing, and action, and blah-de-blah, is easy. Watch this dvd. See what is most compelling. It ain't Schumi blazing around Monza 2 years ago. It's the caressing of beast-like vehicles on the edge two or three decades ago - more power than traction, more speed than sense, reflexes obvious at every turn.
Makes one want to get back in the cockpit - this is why we love the Sport.
Having watched it three times now, the epiphany is not really so stunning. F1 was more fun a while ago, spectator-wise, but we knew that. Fangio manhandling the 250F around Reims, Moss in an early Lotus at the 'Ring, any number of guys pre-ground-effects on the power crossed-up at any of the classic circuits. Brands, Spa, Monza, etc. Definitely get it and settle in.
Point being, take away the ground effects. Let them run whatever engine config they choose (try not to soil yourself when Depaillier takes the Matra out). Men DRIVING the living daylights out of powerful cars on the edge - did the thousand or eight hundred horsepower matter? No, not really, it was the way the available power interacted with the traction afforded by those big slicks in the quick and capable hands of guys that loved doing it, and did it in oh-so-sublime a manner.
The answer to the current F1 conundrum of passing, and action, and blah-de-blah, is easy. Watch this dvd. See what is most compelling. It ain't Schumi blazing around Monza 2 years ago. It's the caressing of beast-like vehicles on the edge two or three decades ago - more power than traction, more speed than sense, reflexes obvious at every turn.
Makes one want to get back in the cockpit - this is why we love the Sport.
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