Will They EVER Come Back?
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From: Santa Monica, CA
Porsche did rule F1 back in the early 80's though, with McLaren, Lauda and Prost. It's a high stakes gamble though, especially in terms of what they would have at stake in image, and I too would be surprised to see them take the plunge...
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From: San Diego (Point Loma)
I should have said will they ever return to F1 or LeMans in my original post. Which is what I was actually thinking.
I also should have been clear on what I meant by "returning to F1". I would consider supplying an engine or any other major component/s to a team as participating in F1.
I also should have been clear on what I meant by "returning to F1". I would consider supplying an engine or any other major component/s to a team as participating in F1.
Last edited by Island Boy; Jun 21, 2004 at 10:37 PM.
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From: yorba linda, ca
Originally posted by 996garage
I haven't seen the race on tv yet, but it appeared to me that they got there as quickly as they could without endangering the rescue crew.
I haven't seen the race on tv yet, but it appeared to me that they got there as quickly as they could without endangering the rescue crew.
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From: NW NJ
I guess perspective is everything here. I wasn’t at the race this year but from the TV coverage it felt like eons before anyone got to the car – particularly as it initially looked like he was not moving.
Of course what we don’t know is whether he was happily chatting to them on the radio saying something like “I’m OK but I’m not budging until those cars have slowed down a bit”.
Given all the sharp CF all over the track though I think I would concur with the earlier thoughts (and expressed by the SPEED TV commentators) that the race should have been red flagged.
Speaking of the commentators – I think the SPEED guys do a great job. Very knowledgeable and their obvious enthusiasm for the sport really shows.
Barry
Of course what we don’t know is whether he was happily chatting to them on the radio saying something like “I’m OK but I’m not budging until those cars have slowed down a bit”.
Given all the sharp CF all over the track though I think I would concur with the earlier thoughts (and expressed by the SPEED TV commentators) that the race should have been red flagged.
Speaking of the commentators – I think the SPEED guys do a great job. Very knowledgeable and their obvious enthusiasm for the sport really shows.
Barry
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From: Indiana
Originally posted by houldsworth1
Speaking of the commentators – I think the SPEED guys do a great job. Very knowledgeable and their obvious enthusiasm for the sport really shows.
Speaking of the commentators – I think the SPEED guys do a great job. Very knowledgeable and their obvious enthusiasm for the sport really shows.
As for the USGP, I thought the camera coverage was horrible. They seem to miss all that action and/or had terrible angles and the editing was so choppy. Does speed control the editing in the races in the US? I know they are at the mercy of the world feed for the races not in the US (usually make reference to the coverage provided by the home country). So do they have control of the US coverage?
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From: cheshire
I agree with the majority that Porsche are very unlikely to get involved with F1 in any way , be it engine supply or whatever. I also believe that F1 is on the way out and will attract less of a TV audience , the current racing is , accidents and screwed up pitstops apart, fairly boring. I don't know what will replace it , those circuits need to be put to use somehow !
Meantime , Le Mans was always a strong part of Porsche racing heritage , and the expert bean counters at the 'most profitable sports car manufacturer in the world' might be persuaded that factory involvement is worthwhile. Not a brilliant TV show admitted , especially at night , but a highlights programme would work.
Meantime , Le Mans was always a strong part of Porsche racing heritage , and the expert bean counters at the 'most profitable sports car manufacturer in the world' might be persuaded that factory involvement is worthwhile. Not a brilliant TV show admitted , especially at night , but a highlights programme would work.
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From: NW NJ
Oldtimer
I can’t say that I agree with your assessment of F1 this year.
While it is true that Schumacher is again pulling away I feel that the racing has been much more interesting this year. New faces on pole and on the podium, BAR and Renaux are both now competitive and the racing this year has been much less of a procession than prior years.
Certainly when you compare it with Nascar and Kart it is leaps and bounds ahead – even to the point that my red neck brother-in-law has switched and now watches F1 and WRC while ignoring Nascar completely.
It’s not the good old days of Mansell, Prost and Senna but things are changing and moving around and even though he is a God there is a limit to how long MS will be able to keep so far ahead – and I don’t feel that it is that far away.
Barry
I can’t say that I agree with your assessment of F1 this year.
While it is true that Schumacher is again pulling away I feel that the racing has been much more interesting this year. New faces on pole and on the podium, BAR and Renaux are both now competitive and the racing this year has been much less of a procession than prior years.
Certainly when you compare it with Nascar and Kart it is leaps and bounds ahead – even to the point that my red neck brother-in-law has switched and now watches F1 and WRC while ignoring Nascar completely.
It’s not the good old days of Mansell, Prost and Senna but things are changing and moving around and even though he is a God there is a limit to how long MS will be able to keep so far ahead – and I don’t feel that it is that far away.
Barry
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From: Indiana
houldsworth1 makes a very good point. The state of Formula 1 is not because of the tracks, the cars or rules, it is more a function of how good MS is. If you take MS out of the equation things are rather exciting. The current "the sky is falling" mentality some have with regards to wanting to change the rules and the cars to make things more interesting is absurd. A driver like MS does not come along all the time. His dedication, driving, ability to have people want to work for him is what makes Ferrari so dominate. Take him away and Ferrari aren't near as good.
People forget that Ferrari have always had a huge budget but have not always been competitive. Situations like a weird design of the starter area that disallowed the ability of the starter being inserted into the car at certain angles (i.e. Montoya at USGP) is what use to happen all the time to Ferrari.
I too miss the days of Senna. But remember what made it so exciting was that during Senna's years there were also some very competitive drivers that pushed Senna (ie. Prost, Mansell, etc.). This seems to be problem currently. No one really consistently hounds or pushes MS. It seems the combination of MS's driving talent and his ability to get people around him organized and motivated (same thing happened at Benetton) makes him so much more superior to the current drivers. However this level of performance is going to more and more difficult to maintain as he gets older. Not to mention the other teams just seem determined to self distruct.
People forget that Ferrari have always had a huge budget but have not always been competitive. Situations like a weird design of the starter area that disallowed the ability of the starter being inserted into the car at certain angles (i.e. Montoya at USGP) is what use to happen all the time to Ferrari.
I too miss the days of Senna. But remember what made it so exciting was that during Senna's years there were also some very competitive drivers that pushed Senna (ie. Prost, Mansell, etc.). This seems to be problem currently. No one really consistently hounds or pushes MS. It seems the combination of MS's driving talent and his ability to get people around him organized and motivated (same thing happened at Benetton) makes him so much more superior to the current drivers. However this level of performance is going to more and more difficult to maintain as he gets older. Not to mention the other teams just seem determined to self distruct.
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From: dune acres, Indiana
From my perspective at corner 1, Reubens would have won the race easily if Michael wasn't there. Does anyone think Ruebens is that much better than Juan Pablo? It was a long time til Ralf was out of the car, and the ambulance parade lap was a joke.
The stranger thing was the Montoya black flag after 50+ laps. What was that about? Risk your life for an hour before the FIA decides to disqualify you?
Lastly, the commentary on televised F1 is fine, the feeds suck. One thing you can count on is the wrong shot or breaking away from the right one just when it's getting interesting. It's like a non-fan is picking the camera. Something needs to change. AS
The stranger thing was the Montoya black flag after 50+ laps. What was that about? Risk your life for an hour before the FIA decides to disqualify you?
Lastly, the commentary on televised F1 is fine, the feeds suck. One thing you can count on is the wrong shot or breaking away from the right one just when it's getting interesting. It's like a non-fan is picking the camera. Something needs to change. AS
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From: LA
chris walrod, maybe in hindsight they should have red flagged the race after Ralf's crash, but your point does not make any sense when you say:
"I am shocked they didnt do so as there were carbon toothpicks all down the front straight, maybe what caused the shunt a few minutes prior with the Renault.."
How could all the carbon toothpicks from Ralf's car crash cause Alonso's accident which occurred PRIOR to Ralf's crash??
After seeing the tv coverage of Ralf's crash, they failed to show all of the cars that were continually flying by the crash scene. They kept cutting away from the crash scene footage and did not show the many cars that were still zooming by. It definitely was not entirely safe to run out there. I know because I was sitting 50 yards from where Ralf's car stopped. (I took several photos while standing on my seat)
It stinks that Montoya got black flagged so late, but it definitely gave the 30,000 Columbian fans something to cheer about for the first 2/3's of the race. Otherwise I think you would have seen a riot...
"I am shocked they didnt do so as there were carbon toothpicks all down the front straight, maybe what caused the shunt a few minutes prior with the Renault.."
How could all the carbon toothpicks from Ralf's car crash cause Alonso's accident which occurred PRIOR to Ralf's crash??
After seeing the tv coverage of Ralf's crash, they failed to show all of the cars that were continually flying by the crash scene. They kept cutting away from the crash scene footage and did not show the many cars that were still zooming by. It definitely was not entirely safe to run out there. I know because I was sitting 50 yards from where Ralf's car stopped. (I took several photos while standing on my seat)
It stinks that Montoya got black flagged so late, but it definitely gave the 30,000 Columbian fans something to cheer about for the first 2/3's of the race. Otherwise I think you would have seen a riot...
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From: MN
I just came wandered into this thread. Island Boy I think you ask two great questions. One about racing and the other about the purist holding back the company.
On the purist thing, I think attempts to keep them happy has held Porsche back. How would you like to be among the worlds greatest automotive engineers and be given the assignment to build the best $70k sports car in the world. Your only restrictions are that you must hang the engine off the back bumper, you can only use a 6 cylinder air cooled boxer engine, you need to have big fenders no matter what it does to aero dynamics, etc, etc. I love all 911s but I'm not sure how much longer the design can be competitive. And it's not just the purists, its the "for $70k I better get full leather and a navigation system" crowd as well. I would love to say to the engineers, build the lightest, fastest, simplest, funest car you can sell for $70k and see what they come up with.
On racing, Porsche is alive and well racing cars very close to ours. This spring at the track I broke a rear tie rod. I borrowed one from the spare parts for a GT3R just like the one that won the 24 hrs at Dayton last year. My club racing 996 has a dozen different parts (all legal) from the cupcar. Take a close look at a new cup car or an RSR. You will be amazed at the similarities with our cars.
Would it be fun to see Porsche in F1. Sure but it isn't going to happen. Would it be fun to see the next 917/962 endurance racing. Sure but frankly I would rather see them racing cars like ours and continuing to sell reasonably priced race cars to those of us that would rather do than watch. actually do AND watch.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Jim
On the purist thing, I think attempts to keep them happy has held Porsche back. How would you like to be among the worlds greatest automotive engineers and be given the assignment to build the best $70k sports car in the world. Your only restrictions are that you must hang the engine off the back bumper, you can only use a 6 cylinder air cooled boxer engine, you need to have big fenders no matter what it does to aero dynamics, etc, etc. I love all 911s but I'm not sure how much longer the design can be competitive. And it's not just the purists, its the "for $70k I better get full leather and a navigation system" crowd as well. I would love to say to the engineers, build the lightest, fastest, simplest, funest car you can sell for $70k and see what they come up with.
On racing, Porsche is alive and well racing cars very close to ours. This spring at the track I broke a rear tie rod. I borrowed one from the spare parts for a GT3R just like the one that won the 24 hrs at Dayton last year. My club racing 996 has a dozen different parts (all legal) from the cupcar. Take a close look at a new cup car or an RSR. You will be amazed at the similarities with our cars.
Would it be fun to see Porsche in F1. Sure but it isn't going to happen. Would it be fun to see the next 917/962 endurance racing. Sure but frankly I would rather see them racing cars like ours and continuing to sell reasonably priced race cars to those of us that would rather do than watch. actually do AND watch.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Jim
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Originally posted by Alexander Stemer
The stranger thing was the Montoya black flag after 50+ laps. What was that about? Risk your life for an hour before the FIA decides to disqualify you?
AS
The stranger thing was the Montoya black flag after 50+ laps. What was that about? Risk your life for an hour before the FIA decides to disqualify you?
AS
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From: San Diego (Point Loma)
Jim B,
Thanks for being the only one to comment on my other question involving the purists. I agree I would love to see what they would come up with if they had free reign.
Thanks for being the only one to comment on my other question involving the purists. I agree I would love to see what they would come up with if they had free reign.