My interest level in F1 is plummeting fast, and I know I'm not the only one. What a sad display.![]()
30 March: Malaysia
11 May: Spain
8 June: Canada
6 July: Britain
24 August: Belgium
7 September: Italy
5 October: Japan
12 October: Russia
23 November: Abu Dhabi
I note that the last race of the season next year will be Abu Dhabi rather than Brazil. I'm not sure this is a great idea since even though in theory the fact that double points are available could see more drivers wanting to try and overtake and finish in a higher position if it will affect the championship, overtaking at this circuit is difficult so it could end up quite boring with the race effectively be decided at the first corner or in the pits. Remember back in 2010 when Alonso got stuck behind Petrov.
I note that the last race of the season next year will be Abu Dhabi rather than Brazil. I'm not sure this is a great idea since even though in theory the fact that double points are available could see more drivers wanting to try and overtake and finish in a higher position if it will affect the championship, overtaking at this circuit is difficult so it could end up quite boring with the race effectively be decided at the first corner or in the pits. Remember back in 2010 when Alonso got stuck behind Petrov.
Why not?I didn't find that race boring
I didn't find that race boring![]()
Why not?
Wouldn't you prefer to have it decided by racing on the track though rather than decisions on when to pit or a failure? Had it not be so difficult to overtake, Alosno could at least have had a chance of still winning it on the track rather than having the title effectively decided by pit stops.Vettel came into the race 15 points behind Alonso. When Webber pitted Ferrari chose to try and cover it by pitting Alonso. In doing so they gave the Championship to Vettel. I would not have predicted that result before the pit stops occurred. Vettel still had to win the race to take Championship and so a car problem for Vettel or some people between him and Alonso could still have decided the Championship result.
Wouldn't you prefer to have it decided by racing on the track though rather than decisions on when to pit or a failure?
But at a circuit where overtaking is very difficult, you can be as close to the car in front as you want but it makes no difference if you can't overtake. Had it been a circuit where overtaking was easier then Alonso may well have been able to overtake Petrov. Even if Hamilton had caught Vettel, overtaking would have been a very diffrent matter. If overtaking is so difficult then even if you are the fastest driver you could still end up with no way to pass. I remember back to Monaco 1992 where Mansell had a late puncture and after going to the pits, rejoined and quickly caught Senna and tried repeatedly over the next few laps to overtake but could not.I think that having races potentially decided by all three makes it more interesting and unpredictable. It was partially decided on the track through Alonso's inability to pass the traffic as fast as the Ferrari tacticians thought and the other drivers' ability to stop him passing. Vettel also had to drive fast enough to beat Hamilton who was only 10 seconds behind him at the end.
But at a circuit where overtaking is very difficult, you can be as close to the car in front as you want but it makes no difference if you can't overtake. Even if Hamilton had caught Vettel, overtaking would have been a very diffrent matter. I remember back to Monaco 1992 where Mansell had a late puncture and after going to the pits, rejoined and quickly caught Senna and tried repeatedly over the next few laps to overtake but could not.
Should overtaking need to rely on your opponent making a mistake though rather your ability as a faster driver/having a faster car? In the case of Coulthard/Bernoldi in Monaco 2001 I don't think there's much doubt who had the faster car. If overtaking was too easy though it could also get quite boring with the fastest cars just going straight to the front and staying there all race.
..... If overtaking was too easy though it could also get quite boring......