OK Formula 1 Guys

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badexcuse

1,000+ Posts
As a long-time NASCAR guy, I'm ready to start following Formula 1. What's a good way to start learning, follow and watch races given the overseas nature?
 
I am the apprentice to Mandingo and others here. I suggest you do the same and Mandingo is our prophet. He will see this in short order. Prepare to be really excited.

Did you know that those cars can drive upside down?
 
I'll tell you how I learned and still learn to this day...watch all the practices, qualifying sessions, and races on SPEED. Listen intently to what the commentators have to say throughout each show from start to finish (practices are on Friday, qualy on Saturday, and races are on Sunday. They're often aired very early or at odd hours, so set your DVR and allow for it to run long). Sure, some of it's a little biased in regard to who they root for (mostly Peter Windsor, who's now off running USF1, sorta), but from a technical or race experience perspective, they are outstanding and offer immense background. They also strive to make the sport understandable and more enjoyable for new fans.

If you want to get a good feel how F1 works early on, you need to watch all of these shows for several race weeks on a row to get a feel for the way the technology never remains static. It's always changing, sometimes even during just one practice session. Miss one week and you'll probably miss one or more substantial technical developments.

The next thing I did was to start following the discussions at the SPEEDtv.com F1 discussion board. The Link

There are many posters there with an HPSlugga-esque depth of knowledge of F1's workings, be they technical, political, historical, or behind the scenes drama, drivers moving from team to team, inter-team intrigue and espionage, and on and on and on.

Welcome to F1! I think you may have picked a great season to start watching.

Prepare to become addicted.

Thanks also to l00p for the compliment. I'll do the best I can to answer any questions you may have, and I know there are others here who follow F1 a bit as well. They just don't post as much about it as I do.
 
M'dingo, have you seen this?
The Link

Sumbtich, it's like a video game only in this one you are freaking flying down a wet track and your punishment can be death.
 
Wow, man...that was...awesome.

Thanks for starting my day off right!



Bahrain Practice next Friday...I am more pumped for this season than any to date. Alonso to Ferrari is one reason....Schumacher's back to rejoin the fight, more fast teams than in a long while, etc. Going to be fun!


ETA: Look above the steering wheel at how the monocoque body is built around the driver and how little room it leaves his legs. Amazing.
 
Yes, watch some races on Speed channel. Unfortunately, most come on at 6 a.m. on Sunday mornings. The pre-race coverage always includes a fast lap filmed from a real race competitor during a practice session to show you how the track looks from inside an F1 car. I love that part.
Then there is the banal on-the-grid interviews for about half an hour, where the roving reporter walks around trying to get quotes from drivers or celebrities hanging around. I could do without that feature. Then there is the standing start, always exciting to watch, although too many crashes mar the races on the first corner. But at least they don't all crash each other out during the last 10 laps like NASCAR does every week, resulting in parade laps to the finish all the time.
The obligatory champagne dousing session on the podium is next, followed by the winning driver and team's national anthem. There's nothing like the Italian national anthem playing following a victory in Italy-the fans go nuts.
The wheel to wheel racing, the technical innovation week to week, the racing in the rain, the Gran Prix of Monaco, I love it.
 
I love Monaco, and I always look forward to it, but man, now I just can't wait for or get enough of Spa. Maybe the greatest track in the world.



The Link , The Link

Note the drop in engine revs through the dip at Eau Rouge due to the 5g of compressive force pulled through there.



The Link

Spa + Alonso + Water!


ETA:

In reply to:
Click to expand...
 
badexcuse, you can also follow F1 news stories, of which there are always a few new ones daily, at PlanetF1.com, autosport, the BBC, and several others...

The Link
The Link
The Link

You can also get some good info on race strategy in the post-race interviews, where they interview the 3 podium-winning drivers.
 
Cool, thanks for the feedback so far. Amazing stuff. Looks like I need to get the DVR set. Keep the comments coming, please.
 
you picked a good year to start with the new teams and regulations. A lot of us long time fans don't know what is going to happen. Could be a surprise like last season.
 
Wow...just read that the March 15 cover of Time Magazine's U.S. edition will feature Tom Hanks. Everywhere else in the world F1 will be front and center.
 
Recorded my first practice this am to watch this evening or tomorrow. Got qualifying and the race teed up. First step, understand what's going on, and next step pick a favorite driver/team. Seems there are really only four constructors capable of winning a championship, right?
 
looking forward to it as well.

In past seasons I've never watched the practice sessions and only a little of the qualifying. although the qualifying is fun to watch.

But this year I am going to try and watch more of those
 
I would not put any rush or timetable on picking a team or driver. Just let it happen after a couple to few races on its own. You may even go the entire season without wanting to pick one and do so after when any drama is resolved or better yet, unfolding.
 
Yup, something that somebody does or says will rub you the wrong way and you won't really get why. You won't be able to put your finger on it but it will really annoy you to no end and you will fervently root against that driver and team doing well in the next race. Then you will do the same for the next race and find yourself rolling your eyes, like you were Deion Sanders, at something they say.

Congratulations because you just picked the team or driver you hate. Half the battle is over.

You may find yourself with the tie breaker for the driver of choice in sponsors. One may have cooler products or items you actually like or use. It can sometimes break down to this. You may even end up not having a specific favorite but rooting for anybody but Driver X who annoys you. ANYBODY but them, all the time.
 
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