So farewell then...

**pineapple stu** · 20/03/2025, 12:43 PM

Used to enjoy watching the races back then - Schumacher's debut, the great win in the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix (probably the wettest ever GP; Pedro Diniz coming flying out of control through a heap of cars early on, taking out half the field and then crawling away himself to continue the race), Heinz Harald Frentzen and Damon Hill coming close to a major title, the cars with their "cigarette sponsorship" on them (Bitten & Hisses and angry wasp decals). Eddie seemed a great character at the time too with the F1 rock gigs.

Stopped watching after they faded away, and haven't watched a full GP in 20 years now I'd say. It looks quite monotonous these days though.

**Razors left peg** · 20/03/2025, 1:08 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Used to enjoy watching the races back then - Schumacher's debut, the great win in the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix (probably the wettest ever GP; Pedro Diniz coming flying out of control through a heap of cars early on, taking out half the field and then crawling away himself to continue the race), Heinz Harald Frentzen and Damon Hill coming close to a major title, the cars with their "cigarette sponsorship" on them (Bitten & Hisses and angry wasp decals). Eddie seemed a great character at the time too with the F1 rock gigs.

Stopped watching after they faded away, and haven't watched a full GP in 20 years now I'd say. It looks quite monotonous these days though.

I had stopped watching for a while too after Jordan but the Drive to Survive series on Netflix got me back into it a few years ago, and it's brilliant. There's more over taking now than there ever was back in the day. I was at the Las Vegas GP last season and I can safely say it's more popular than ever.

**pineapple stu** · 20/03/2025, 1:21 PM

Is the overtaking not a bit artificial with the DRS mechanism or whatever it was?

But you also know Verstappen is going to win and nobody's engine is going to explode in a fun puff of smoke at a random point in the race (and granted F1 isn't the only sport that's increasingly predictable these days). The start of races can be amazing to watch but it's a bit too processional for me after that. And that's not to discount the huge amount of skill the drivers have of course.

**Razors left peg** · 20/03/2025, 1:50 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Is the overtaking not a bit artificial with the DRS mechanism or whatever it was?

But you also know Verstappen is going to win and nobody's engine is going to explode in a fun puff of smoke at a random point in the race (and granted F1 isn't the only sport that's increasingly predictable these days). The start of races can be amazing to watch but it's a bit too processional for me after that. And that's not to discount the huge amount of skill the drivers have of course.

Im not a huge fan or the DRS system if Im honest, for exactly that reason of its a bit artificial but it does add drama. This year McClaren are looking very strong and it wouldnt be a foregone conclusion that Verstappen will win this season. But the processional bit with one driver being better than everyone was always there, Max has a lot of Schumacher in him and in the Schumacher days it was more predictable. There a big rule changes coming in 2026, where the cars are being made smaller and lighter and also a new engine and its all to make the sport even more exciting.

Id recommend watching Drive to Survive, it has brought a lot of fans back to F1