I've been a fan for a couple of decades, have been to many European races and even some race day paddock visits.
But my interest is waning. The biggest reason is perhaps the fact that it will be pay-per-view only in the UK from next season onwards. I won't be paying someone to watch a race interrupted by commercials, especially as Murdoch is the only option.
Also, it has become less like a sport and more like a corporate club with the 2 or 3 big players making it difficult for new challengers - just as in the corporate world. There's too much money involved and too many corporately-muzzled people coming out with the same sound-bite rubbish every single week.
The drivers are becoming less interesting. The majority of them (not Hamilton) are talking like PR managers. Personality is not allowed and the majority aren't well connected to their fans.
And as for on-track - the technical rules work against excitement and the big teams clearly don't want to change this. Some tracks are exciting - Spa is one of them - but the actual competition is more based on strategy rather than on-track racing.
And finally - European races are under threat. Western governments are less likely to underwrite the tens of millions required to stage a race than dictatorships with oil money chasing tourism. Whilst Baku look lovely - and well done to them for getting the race - it's not a racetrack, is it?
Looks pretty ominous for the rest of the season, the way Vettel just cruised past Hamilton.
It certainly does and Hamilton knows it as well. The Ferrari was in a class of its own yesterday and the next 2 circuits they visit will be very favourable towards Vettel
I thought the commentator said that Monza, up next, would be very strong for Mercedes?
I thought the commentator said that Monza, up next, would be very strong for Mercedes?
Without the ads, you would be asked to pay an even greater premium.R/e ads on Sky, fair enough to them that they never actually interrupt the game/race with ads, but by the heck outside them they do - especially the cricket. Evert three or four overs, or wevery wicket, there's a shouty ad or trailer (by heck, why do we need all those trailers??) so the mute button comes in handy. If Sky were free-to-air or dirt cheap, then fair enough, but we pay a permium and for that they should be totally devoid of interruptions. And every sport should have a commentary-free option, which Eurosport Player often has.
Half of the "ads" are trailers, ant I'd actually pay a bit more for ad-free coverage.Without the ads, you would be asked to pay an even greater premium.
just back form a weekend away and had a chance to see the Spa crash. That could have ended in much worse news!
The halo certainly did its job. Alonso could have taken Leclerc's head off without it
Sky having no ads during the race was because they didn't want to lose viewers to the BBC for the races that they both showed live and didn't want the unfavourable comparison with the BBC for the races they had live exclusively. When Channel 4 took over from the BBC Sky were happy to continue with no ads as this forced C4 to have no ads which hurt C4's finances (they would have been able to charge more for in race adverts). Now that Sky have exclusive live coverage I wouldn't be surprised if, sooner or later, ads reappeared during races, starting with ads during safety car periods.No problem with the amount of ads with sky f1 for me. 10 minutes before lights out all the way past the trophy ceremony not one ad. A few during the build up as expected but who really cares about the build up?
Lando Norris is to replace Stoffel at McLaren for 2019! Could be 3 Brits proving Williams see sense & get in George Russell!