I’m not sure that I really like the way F1 is progressing!

[mikhailv]

Even when people look back and say how awesome 1988/9 was. Well, yeah, maybe. But I sat through the 89 Japanese GP when they had 60 min highlights on the BBC and my god it was dull.

You watched the wrong race then. Brazil 89 was a stunning race, as was Phoenix, Canada, France, Britain, Belgium, Portugal, Australia... and yet you chose Japan. Why? It was an intense race between Prost and Senna and had that ending, but not much else happened.

Yeah but 6 out of what, 15 races? Take the current calendar; Australia, malaysia, canada, monza, singapore, new jersey, brazil, spa.... erm..... where else always makes good races? Thats 8 out of 19. Doesnt really constitute brilliant seasons. Last year was great until spa when it went back to 2011 follow thy leader.

[Joey Zyla]

Even when people look back and say how awesome 1988/9 was. Well, yeah, maybe. But I sat through the 89 Japanese GP when they had 60 min highlights on the BBC and my god it was dull.

You watched the wrong race then. Brazil 89 was a stunning race, as was Phoenix, Canada, France, Britain, Belgium, Portugal, Australia... and yet you chose Japan. Why? It was an intense race between Prost and Senna and had that ending, but not much else happened.

Yeah but 6 out of what, 15 races? Take the current calendar; Australia, malaysia, canada, monza, singapore, new jersey, brazil, spa.... erm..... where else always makes good races? Thats 8 out of 19. Doesnt really constitute brilliant seasons. Last year was great until spa when it went back to 2011 follow thy leader.

New Jersey? Do you realize there hasn't been a race there yet?

In my opinion Melbourne, Sepang, Shanghai, Barcelona, Monaco, Montreal, Valencia, Silverstone, Nurburgring, Hockenheim, Budapest, Spa, Monza, Singapore, Suzuka, Austin, and Interlagos always produce great racing, although it might be a bit early to judge on Austin.

[phil1993]

It's the formula, not the circuit.

Spa 2002 was dreadful. As have been several races in Budapest.

[Joey Zyla]

It's the formula, not the circuit.

Spa 2002 was dreadful. As have been several races in Budapest.

Which ones?

[phil1993]

2002, 2004. Not much happened in 2008 either. 2005 come to think of it wasn't great.

[Joey Zyla]

2002, 2004. Not much happened in 2008 either. 2005 come to think of it wasn't great.

I guess I'll take your word for it as I've only seen the 2011 and 2012 Hungarian races.

[mikhailv]

Meant texas lol. I find suzuka boring to watch. Not much actually happens. Great track but its been a borimg procession for years. Shanghai boring, budapest doesnt produce good racing. Hock/nur arent great. Mostly entertaining for penalties.

i cant believe you say barcelona, monaco and valencia. Utterly boring races. Its not 5he tracks its deffo the Formula. But theyre boring races.

[phil1993]

Shanghai boring?

2005, 08 yes. But the other races have been pretty intense.

It is definitely the formula. GP2 has held some amazing races at circuits where Formula 1 has had dull ones. Suzuka's problem is that it's such a high downforce circuit that overtaking is very, very difficult. There's only really 2 places to try it.

Maybe I'm a bit of a purist. You hate Monaco but I love just watching the cars so close to the barrier. Much better than Yeongam.

[mikhailv]

I love watching the cars go round, i love seeing them through swimming pool, rascasse, mirabeau, comin out the tunnel, piscine etc. I just find practice and qualifying more entertaining than the actual race. Shanghai just.... i dunno. I dont like the track.

[Joey Zyla]

Meant texas lol. I find suzuka boring to watch. Not much actually happens. Great track but its been a borimg procession for years. Shanghai boring, budapest doesnt produce good racing. Hock/nur arent great. Mostly entertaining for penalties.

i cant believe you say barcelona, monaco and valencia. Utterly boring races. Its not 5he tracks its deffo the Formula. But theyre boring races.

You find Shanghai boring? I thought you were an overtaking fanatic. Shanghai has been near the top in terms of overtaking in each of the past few years.

[mikhailv]

Meant texas lol. I find suzuka boring to watch. Not much actually happens. Great track but its been a borimg procession for years. Shanghai boring, budapest doesnt produce good racing. Hock/nur arent great. Mostly entertaining for penalties.

i cant believe you say barcelona, monaco and valencia. Utterly boring races. Its not 5he tracks its deffo the Formula. But theyre boring races.

You find Shanghai boring? I thought you were an overtaking fanatic. Shanghai has been near the top in terms of overtaking in each of the past few years.

Overtaking Fanatic? What? Where'd you get that from, im one of the biggest DRS and KERS detractors you'll ever meet. I demand racing in which is close and you can demonstrate your attack and defence skill. lol!

[donald29]

Shanghai boring?

2005, 08 yes. But the other races have been pretty intense.

Hey, the suspense of whether or not they'd fix the drain covers was great in 05!

[TwistedArmco]

I realize that the Mercedes test controversy has overshadowed this topic a little, but I'd be interested to see what everyone made of Monaco in relation to the tyres and the caution with which some teams approached the race (like Vettel holding off until lap pointless).

It kind of seemed like a phantom issue, in that the potential for it to happen caused more problems for the teams than the actual symptoms of tyre deg.

[tderias]

If this tyre thing leads to a backdoor agreement by all the teams to slow down the pace, then I'm sorry but it would be completely farcical and the tyres should be changed immediately.

Today we saw no racing whatsover! Apart from a few overtakes here and there, there was nothing. If it wasn't a crash, it was a safety car period or simply a train of cars following each other while the leader slowed the pace right down. At least in Barcelona some teams opted to go flat-out with a four stop, and we actually got some racing...

[mikhailv]

I realize that the Mercedes test controversy has overshadowed this topic a little, but I'd be interested to see what everyone made of Monaco in relation to the tyres and the caution with which some teams approached the race (like Vettel holding off until lap pointless).

It kind of seemed like a phantom issue, in that the potential for it to happen caused more problems for the teams than the actual symptoms of tyre deg.

Teams went slower on purpose. Its unreal not to have any teams lapped bar those involved in incidents till 1st safety car. Merc purposely went slow. RBR purposely went slow. The field was boxed together.