The Speed > NBC switch deal is done. America’s NBC to show F1 on terrestrial channel (GPUpdate.com)
I figured they would be on the NBC Sports Network. I was flipping channels yesterday and the NBC Sports channel has America's Cup racing. Talk about your small viewing audience. F1 can at least triple that.
I want to say this is likely another example of denial being a sign something is true, but I absolutely believe Montezemolo this time. This is pure Ferrari logic...and it makes sense as well IMHO. Montezemolo: Vettel will not partner Alonso (GPUpdate.com)
So, if he doesn't consider Massa a Rooster, he must be a......... FWIW, I agree with Montezuma that it would not be a workable situation, so it must be a done deal then, right? I mean, since it defies all logic and this IS Formula 1.....
I liked the race. I agree you just have to watch the rest for fun. I like Seb. He is the next all time great one. He proved that in the TR winning his first race in the rain. He and Alonzo would work as well as Alonzo and Hamster. He should wait for Alonzo retires then go to Ferrari.
You know, I think we already discussed this in another thread - and I'm not trying to hijack this one - but the year Dennis Conner took the Cup back from the Aussies was some pretty must-see TV! That was the first time they had all the crew and the boat mic'd up and it was facinating to hear them discussing strategy, not to mention that the boats were absolutely pounding in the swells. It was gripping and exciting in a way that you would not think sailboat racing could be - cause it's usually about as much fun as watching paint dry, and just as fast! Point being, content and presentation is really important to a good show, and having weather circumstances just added to the mix. F1 not only needs a good announcing team, they need to present the show right - not interrupt it every 2 minutes for these messages and have announcers that actually know what they're doing - like Matchett and his comments about the Hamster's roll bar.
Hopefully the powers that be at NBC will keep at least Hobbs and Matchett. I like Varsha, but I think all his other duties at Speed might keep him there unless they kill off the other stuff he does too.
You know if the FIA would only let teams have a limited number of suspension pieces it would cut down on the wheel to wheel banging. :devil: :lol:
Onboard w/ Jérôme d’Ambrosio around COTA in a Renault R30: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90VTEqc224k]COTA First Lap, no commentary - YouTube[/ame]
That first corner should be great during a race but I expect a log jam and carnage on an F1 standing start first lap.
Here are videos of the most recent FIA tests of solutions meant to make drivers safer from flying debris. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-7cwSlB3nM]FIA Institute roll hoop test - YouTube[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upqcj296l6w]FIA Institute canopy test - YouTube[/ame]
Looking at those tests, I'd think the roll cage would be better in some ways. If the driver is under a full canopy, then they'll have to come up with some way of cooling the cockpit (it's hot in there), keeping it from fogging (and sweaty I bet), clearing rain from it (difficult enough with the visor), etc. All that might add weight and complexity, though some of it could be alleviated with the same special coatings the visors have, I suppose. Also I think it would detract from the spirit of the sport somewhat. There are other venues I can watch with closed cars. On the other hand, the cage could restrict vision somewhat, which could ironically cause the accidents it's seeking to protect the drivers from. So many variables, I don't envy the decisions those guys have to make.
The most consistent arguments I've read against all this roll cage / canopy talk are 1) it's already difficult to extract an injured driver from a cramped F1 cockpit, adding structure robust enough to deflect massive objects at high speed will make it almost impossible, and 2) F1 is open cockpit racing, full stop, and open cockpit racing is dangerous, deal with it. 1 is probably something they can figure out. If they go with a canopy there could be an instant release or something else so corner workers could remove it in an instant from the outside in case the driver is unable. On the other hand, it has to be fool proof and can neither jam nor self-release because of impact or incident. 2 is all about expectations. F1 is always changing (though much less recently than in the past) but the one consistency since the very beginning has been exposed heads and wheels. Cover either and some say it's no longer F1.
A bit of racing history, just for fun Sir Stirling Moss drives a 1959 Cooper Climax a few laps. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXVReKCrEw0&feature=related]Stirling Moss shows how to drive the 1959 Cooper-Climax - YouTube[/ame] And Sir Stirling Moss wins the 1956 Monaco GP [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBmdzpAYGaE]Sir Stirling Moss wins the 1956 Monaco GP - YouTube[/ame]