F1 2018

[Deckerd]

Suddenly gets more interesting. Hey Daniel you car’s broken but just win this one anyway mmkay? No worries, mate.

My takeaway moment was (I was watching the Channel 4 coverage) when David Coulthard and Mark Webber tried to interview an American Football star gracing F1 Monaco with his holy presence, and were harassed on live national TV by a bunch of security people who said ( no kidding) who the fuck are these guys?

 

[arch101]

I usually put the lone Auto Racing thread up every spring which is sparsely attended through the season, but I just haven't gotten to it this year. So, Thank You Deckerd for putting this one up.
F1 really needs some work. The cars were almost fixed for this year appearance wise until the hideous HALO was stuck on. Penalizing drivers on the grid for technical failings instead of docking Constructors' points seems to lay punishment in the wrong place. And, people who don't know the sport that well don't understand all the technical infractions.
Too many tire variations. Good lord- even Crayola only has 64 colors in their box.
Funny thing is- I'm a Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes Benz fan- I should love the environment they seem to be thriving in.
I personally think IndyCar is on the verge of a major comeback. They've figured out that fans love the retro look car and deliberate aerodynamic tinkering to induce passing and bring the driver back into the equation by making the car more difficult to drive. They've taken most of the downforce out, now they're talking about adding 100-150hp. I've been finding the IndyCar races more interesting than the Grands Prix this season.
NASCAR still sucks, has for years. Moreso without Jr.
The IMSA races I've watched have been pretty decent. I should bite the bullet and get their app so I can see all the races as their current TV package is crap. Next year, IndyCar and IMSA will both be on the NBC app together and that will be super. Along with a (hopefully debugged) F1 app, the cord-cutting will commence.

 

[rahullak]

Vettel at Silverstone and Hamilton at Hockenheim. Poetic justice!

Boy Hockenheim, what a race! Rivals Baku 2017! This year is probably the most unpredictable in a long time.

 

[arch101]

I have to say, more passing in F1 this year than in many a moon.
Of course, the passing in Indycar has been rediculous with the new car. I know I’m biased but I do believe thet is the most competitive series out there right now. IMSA has put on some pretty good shows this year also.

 

[rahullak]

Last race of the season. We already have a new 5 times world champion. Looking forward to next year, lots of changes in the line-ups. TNG looking to come up.

 

[arch101]

I think that Vettel blew his last chance at another championship. LeClerc will give him zero quarter at Ferrari next year and I expect him to outperform Vettel by seasons end.
The other shoe dropped on why Williams now has 2 drivers not bringing money, one of them with a partially functioning right arm- because Kubica DID bring money in the form of a Polish oil company. I really wonder if his arm will last the season.
I'm going to enjoy following the multi- disciplinary adventures of Fred Alonso as he moves from IMSA to WEC to Indycar, with (rumor suggests) a NASCAR race or two before the end of the year to prepare for the Daytona 500 in '20.
I'm betting that, with a year of learning in the books, the Penske IMSA team will clobber all comers in Dpi next year.
Looking forward to Indycar (and IMSA) on NBC next year. They have good racing, great drivers, cool looking cars, they're just missing a dedicated broadcast partner to get this series moving in the right direction. The NBC deal should do it.
Don't watch much NASCAR any more but I think Chase Elliot is on the cusp of greatness, Jimmy Johnson is heading for the door, and Kyle Larson could be great with another team. (Stewart-Haas?)

That's my racing wrap-up for 2018 for all you half dozen racing fans at Trek BBS. See you for the Rolex 24!