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NateDogg
Guest
"My Take" On The Lack Of Passing In F-1
Written by: Dave Despain
Charlotte, NC – 7/7/2003
As so often happens, opinions here spring from a viewer question. The question was, "Excluding starts, pit stops and mechanical failures, when was there last a pass for the lead in Formula One?" Speed Channel's F-1 brain trust agreed we should also rule out team orders, and then confirmed that there are indeed precious few passes for the lead in F-1.
Max Mosley would argue that Formula One is about strategy, like watching chess, which, of course, is killer TV entertainment. Eddie Irvine says lots of passing is like making love to 500 women a week. It quickly ceases to be special. Eddie may know - some say money is the best aphrodisiac - but isn't there a happy medium somewhere between zero and 500 passes for the lead?
Despite its comparative lack of passing, Formula One is the most popular form of motorsport - and motorsport television - in the world. If it ain't broke, why fix it? Because the only thing more exciting that Formula One cars...is Formula One cars side-by-side.
Granted, it wasn't for the lead, but Juan Montoya's ballsy move on Michael Schumacher at the Nurburgring was a memorable moment, and I was intrigued by the internet chat room response, which was clearly based on driver preference. One Speed Channel viewer thread, filled with anti-Montoya invective, characterized the pass as "illegal," though in truth it is not yet illegal to pass Michael Schumacher in Formula One.
Then there was a separate flap about Michael being illegally pushed out of the gravel, even though the rule says that's legal if the car is still running, which it obviously was. Conspiracy theorists were especially concerned about the guy in the shorts...did he run onto the scene from the grassy knoll adjacent to the track? Actually, I think he probably was the tow truck driver.
So, with all that excitement over a pass for 2nd, imagine what would happen if there really WERE passes for the lead? Not 500, to use Eddie IRVINE number, but let's compromise. I read somewhere that the average sexual frequency among adult males in America is twice a week. That strikes me as a great target...two passes for the lead per race in Formula One. If the rulemakers can make that happen - and the much-discussed ban on traction control is a move in the right direction - I for one promise to maintain appropriately breathless appreciation for the technological sophistication of the cars and the strategic nuances in the game.
That's my take...I'd like to hear yours.
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My opinion, thats a good take. Dave says it the way it is, whish is one of many reasons I like this guy. As much as I hate to admit it, he is right. We are loving these passes in mid pack but what if it was for the lead. Although I am mixed on the last sentance there.
Written by: Dave Despain
Charlotte, NC – 7/7/2003
As so often happens, opinions here spring from a viewer question. The question was, "Excluding starts, pit stops and mechanical failures, when was there last a pass for the lead in Formula One?" Speed Channel's F-1 brain trust agreed we should also rule out team orders, and then confirmed that there are indeed precious few passes for the lead in F-1.
Max Mosley would argue that Formula One is about strategy, like watching chess, which, of course, is killer TV entertainment. Eddie Irvine says lots of passing is like making love to 500 women a week. It quickly ceases to be special. Eddie may know - some say money is the best aphrodisiac - but isn't there a happy medium somewhere between zero and 500 passes for the lead?
Despite its comparative lack of passing, Formula One is the most popular form of motorsport - and motorsport television - in the world. If it ain't broke, why fix it? Because the only thing more exciting that Formula One cars...is Formula One cars side-by-side.
Granted, it wasn't for the lead, but Juan Montoya's ballsy move on Michael Schumacher at the Nurburgring was a memorable moment, and I was intrigued by the internet chat room response, which was clearly based on driver preference. One Speed Channel viewer thread, filled with anti-Montoya invective, characterized the pass as "illegal," though in truth it is not yet illegal to pass Michael Schumacher in Formula One.
Then there was a separate flap about Michael being illegally pushed out of the gravel, even though the rule says that's legal if the car is still running, which it obviously was. Conspiracy theorists were especially concerned about the guy in the shorts...did he run onto the scene from the grassy knoll adjacent to the track? Actually, I think he probably was the tow truck driver.
So, with all that excitement over a pass for 2nd, imagine what would happen if there really WERE passes for the lead? Not 500, to use Eddie IRVINE number, but let's compromise. I read somewhere that the average sexual frequency among adult males in America is twice a week. That strikes me as a great target...two passes for the lead per race in Formula One. If the rulemakers can make that happen - and the much-discussed ban on traction control is a move in the right direction - I for one promise to maintain appropriately breathless appreciation for the technological sophistication of the cars and the strategic nuances in the game.
That's my take...I'd like to hear yours.
============================================
My opinion, thats a good take. Dave says it the way it is, whish is one of many reasons I like this guy. As much as I hate to admit it, he is right. We are loving these passes in mid pack but what if it was for the lead. Although I am mixed on the last sentance there.