F1 coming back to the US (Austin, TX) in 2012

[Gh0stFT]

Well even i'm a long time F1 fan, i do enjoy Nascar too, its a complete different world, but its fun,
and they have not only ovals, see Watkins Glen. I loved to race online with Nascar from Papyrus,
a few years ago. I also watched Indycar racing, but then they split up into Cart Racing and Indycar
or so and thats crap.

@saggs
didnt Rosberg made the fastest lap at Monaco?? maybe i'm wong.

[saggs]

@saggs
didnt Rosberg made the fastest lap at Monaco?? maybe i'm wong.

   We're both wrong:

http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2010/829/6735/fastest_laps.html

Vettel put down the fastest lap on lap 71, which was just before the last Safety Car.  I think that Webber was just cruising at that point though, as he had a very comfortable lead.  I'd bet if Webber was pushing on those laps he would have been faster.

Rosberg had the 7th fastest lap, Schumacher the 5th.

[Cougar68]

MORAL:  You go watch your NASCAR and enjoy it, and don't let all the nasty, mean, old F1 fans take away from that, or hurt your feelings.   Cause you're gonna get made fun of, that's just a fact, sorry. 

There you go making an assumption that I'm some rabid NASCAR fan.  I'm not, haven't watched a full race in years.  I really enjoyed it back in the day where it was driver vs. driver but now the car technology reigns supreme.  Pretty much the same way it is in most of the major motorsports these days.  And I can promise you this, nothing that you've said or could say has "hurt my feelings."  I'm not small minded enough to let the mindless ramblings of an internet unknown ruffle my feathers in the slightest.  Just merely pointing out that the attitude you put forth can turn people off the very sport you're promoting. 

[68Wooley]

Didn't Sebastian Bourdais make the jump from Champ Car champion to F1 a few years ago?  (Bad example I guess, he didn't last long in F1, wonder what he's doing now)

I've often wondered why America can't produce a decent F1 competitor. There's probably more interest here in motorsport than anywhere else in the world, but with the exception of Jacques Villenueve in 1997, no one making the move from American open-wheel racing to F1 has cut it in the 20 years or so I've been following the sport.

And make no mistake - as much as American's hate to admit not being the best at something, F1 is the pinacle of motorsport and Europe (and Brazilian drivers) own it.

[whiteman]

to watch an f1 race here you have to be up at 4am most the time, that doesn't help that's for sure and keeps it in the back of most peoples mind in the US. I love road racing but the lack of it on at hours i can see it keeps me from watching, NASCAR, NHRA, IRL are on when I'm awake so I watch those and when ever an ALMS race is on. Out of sight out of mind is how F1 is for most people here.

As for NASCAR being a redneck sport you'd be surprised how wrong that is. My Asian buddies are trying to get me to go to the Texas race with them, said it's completely different in person.

[RTHolmes]

I've often wondered why America can't produce a decent F1 competitor. There's probably more interest here in motorsport than anywhere else in the world, but with the exception of Jacques Villenueve in 1997, no one making the move from American open-wheel racing to F1 has cut it in the 20 years or so I've been following the sport.

And make no mistake - as much as American's hate to admit not being the best at something, F1 is the pinacle of motorsport and Europe (and Brazilian drivers) own it.

strange isnt it? I was thinking about this watching indycar a while back and seeing all the brits doing well in it. I'm guessing probably the same reason that traditionally US doesnt build sports cars, whatever that is. It must come from the kind of driving and roads that most people are used to, just take a look at the roads that the scots and scandinavians are used to driving on everyday and you understand why they have a taste for going sideways at 90 on gravel and dominate WRC.


edit: glad to see F1 back in the US after the indianapolis fiasco a few years back, shame it wont be a street circuit tho.

[68Wooley]

...It must come from the kind of driving and roads that most people are used to, just take a look at the roads that the scots and scandinavians are used to driving on everyday and you understand why they have a taste for going sideways at 90 on gravel and dominate WRC....

Fair point, although it has to be said the Scots and Finns also manage to produce a disproportionate number of good F1 drivers. One thing I miss about Scotland is the great driving roads where you could take a 100hp Ford Fiesta and have way more fun than you'll ever have with a 500hp Mustang (in my opinion of course).

[morfiend]

I'm STILL waiting for my phone to ring.

Awesome news.  Looks like I'll be going to Austin in 2012.

 Read this and laughed.... I bet your waiting... I'd take the entry pay anyday,I'd heard that Shummie was getting 100K per point as a bonus in his last year with the "red" team!

 But Mazz,tell the turth,do you really think you could even launch an F1 car? I dont think I could but I'd sure like to try it as long as I dont have to pay for those clutches.........


   

[saggs]

I think there is a big enough population, and enough talent in the US to produce some F1 caliber race drivers.  The problem as I see it simply that most American driving talent is funneled into NASCAR, and it makes sense when you analyze it.

1) NASCAR is much more popular in the US, I'd bet an American F1 champion would get much less attention here the the NASCAR champion.
2) NASCAR is easier on drivers/drivers families since it's NA only so they don't have to travel all over the world, and be gone for several weeks at a time like F1.
3) It's easier to get into NASCAR, compared to F1 it has, more drivers, and less people wanting to be drivers (again because it's a US only thing, maybe 50 million US kids dream of becoming a NASCAR driver, while 100's of millions of kids worldwide dream about becoming an F1 driver)

All in all I think it's just that F1 doesn't have the popularity here to support a serious push for American talent in F1.  Look at Scott Speed, he didn't do all that well in F1, but at least he was in there, competing at the highest level.  But after only a couple seasons he comes home to race NASCAR, whether that was his decision or Red Bulls I don't know.  But if it was his decision I completely understand it, to be home with your family, instead of halfway around the world for 2/3rds of the year, makes sense to me.

My hope is that with a race coming back to the US, F1 will gain some popularity here, which needs to happen before we see a real American contender I think.

I agree with RTHolmes too, specifically about the Fins.  They grow up driving on crazy roads from the time they are 12, driving is just in their blood.  Mikka Hakkinnen will always be one of my favorite drivers.

[saggs]

to watch an f1 race here you have to be up at 4am most the time, that doesn't help that's for sure and keeps it in the back of most peoples mind in the US.

Don't most people with cable/satellite TV have DVRs now.  I don't even have cable TV, I have bunny ears that pick up only 5 stations.  But I still manage to download the race (BBC coverage) off the interwebz and watch them on my 'puter.

But I see your point.  Even a recorded broadcast doesn't have the same excitement as watching it live with the rest of the world.

[whiteman]

Don't most people with cable/satellite TV have DVRs now.  I don't even have cable TV, I have bunny ears that pick up only 5 stations.  But I still manage to download the race (BBC coverage) off the interwebz and watch them on my 'puter.

But I see your point.  Even a recorded broadcast doesn't have the same excitement as watching it live with the rest of the world.

yea i have a DVR but still it's only on the Speed Channel and if i don't see a commercial for it I forget about it, at that point it doesn't mater if i have DVR or not.

[crazyivan]

Well I for one am a Nascar fan. I did enjoy IRL back in the days of Unser jr. and Rahal. When I think of F1 the first name that pops in my head is Shumacher and Ferrari. I even catch a few late model dirt track races at local events.  Every league has its pros and cons. Oh and Saggs no need to worry about losing Montoya. You have a new priss in Massa.

[saggs]

Well I for one am a Nascar fan. I did enjoy IRL back in the days of Unser jr. and Rahal. When I think of F1 the first name that pops in my head is Shumacher and Ferrari. I even catch a few late model dirt track races at local events.  Every league has its pros and cons. Oh and Saggs no need to worry about losing Montoya. You have a new priss in Massa.

Is Montoya still in NASCAR?

Every time I think of him I think of his crazy overreaction to a bump on the head in this clip:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcGXT_7Dpiw

Then I think of good 'ol David Coulthard, being cool about a similar bump on the head and making fun of Montoya in this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSvl4AiUt30

And just for good measure my favorite DC interview answer ever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z15ZRdz6XcI&feature=related

EDIT: and since you mentioned Massa.  How about DC on Massa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv73fN8eJTU&NR=1

  

[MiloMorai]

What F1 needs is Kyle Busch. He can 'wheel' a car and is good at bullying his way to the front like the Schu.

[-tronski-]

F1 and NASCAR are very similar types of racing...its all about aero and race management

 Tronsky