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Good morning/Good afternoon/Good evening.
Sorry, just returning to normal life.
Well, how was it for you? How did we judge the first ever Grand Prix race to be run at night?
To have been there must surely have been a thrilling experience, especially in such an intoxicating city, a place that combines the best of British (as it used to be) and the charm and romance of the East.
Writing in The Times of London, Matthew Syed noted that a few old coves had surfaced on the message boards to gripe about such a radical move for the sport. Some of these ‘old coves’ are simply people who love motor racing and don’t feel they have to follow every trend in the pursuit of television ratings.
To borrow a line from the great blues singer Eric Burdon, please don’t let me be misunderstood. I am not averse to watching sport under floodlights and I have enjoyed many a football match in the hours of darkness. I simply believe that motor racing is not doing itself any favours with this development.
The problem for me was the wire fences and the vertical shafts of light – the cars looked as if they were racing round the perimeter of a huge prison camp. And, like Valencia, there was virtually nowhere to overtake. Had it not been for Piquet’s accident, and its effect on the race, there would have been little in the way of excitement. We know there was a huge crowd but we never saw them in the blackout behind the lights which, for obvious reasons, had been set up to negate any kind of shadow. Bright light without shadow is strange.
The secret, I sense, is to be there, be a part of the occasion, and I have no doubts this race will become a very popular fixture on the calendar in years to come. Shame it’s so far away then, but many of us will be making strenuous efforts to be there for the next one.
While Ferrari shot themselves in both feet, snatching defeat from victory, so Renault triumphed in adversity. Funny old world is Formula One. Then Hull City beat Arsenal. Funny old game, football. There, that’s about as many clichés as I care to have in just one paragraph – but the point is that it was, once more, a great weekend for sport. What we missed, while watching the majestic progress of M Schumacher, was this unpredictability that sport so desperately needs.
Martin Brundle, as ever, got it absolutely right. I too have always felt that Fernando Alonso is still the best there is if only he could get back into a competitive car. After a horribly silly and irritating failure in qualifying, he got his head back together and drove a really superb race. This is the mark of a true champion.
Meanwhile Massa appeared to drop into the doldrums following an equally frustrating mistake in the pits. The energy must surely now be with Hamilton and McLaren. But we said that this time last year.
Perhaps the happiest men in Singapore were Messrs Williams and Head. At last a decent bag of points and Rosberg on the podium. They really needed this result and, for me, it’s vital that the last remaining independent teams stay in the game. The sigh of relief must have been heard all over Oxfordshire.
Finally then, we can celebrate the success of the first race to be held in darkness. For those that were there, it must have been a most dramatic happening. For us at home it would have been just as exciting in daylight, perhaps even more so, as we would have seen this fine city and the huge crowds.
Did Tiger (the cat with a new fan club since Friday) stir himself to watch? No, but his mate Buster did, glued to the action for 15 laps on my own lap. But then he’s always been a night owl of a pussycat.
Good night, and let’s hope the last person to leave the paddock remembered to switch off the lights.
Aleš Norský, September 29th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
The problem I see with night racing and Singapore (special exemption from litter laws so the drivers can throw away visor strips…they are not fooling around, are they) is that this is just another step into the era where Formula One is all about the glamour of the location, and the size and glitter of the paddock. I am sure that it works fine for Flavio Briatore, but not too many ordinary fans get any benefit from that, while the sport and racing itself take a step back. As for the spectacle, I admit that the cars look cool under the lights but overall, it had an element of a concrete tunnel appearance. Plus, we have yet to experience rain at night and/or some fans getting clubbed by Singapore authorities for spitting on the sidewalk. But as I said before, there is more night races in our future for sure. So right now I just hope that Fuji is not held in another monsoon (as opposed to normal rain).
Rich Ambroson, September 29th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
I thought the pitwalk comments we heard in the U.S. of A. by way of Peter Windsor reminded me of the hype surrounding ChampCar’s further delving into “festival” racing events a few years ago.
Let’s just say my interest in CART/ChampCar started waning right about then.
The F1 I fell in love with didn’t have refueling, full-course yellows, or a plethora of street circuits. Looks like I’m coming back home to Le Mans type racing. And MotoGP. Farewell, F1. It was majestic, till the body snatchers got ahold of you. Or was it the farmers with their golden goose?
Filipe Amoroso, September 30th, 2008 at 7:59 am
MotogGP, of the 800cc 4-stroke variety, is running a single tyre next season. A bit different from the bikes Schwantz used to get squirrely with.
In Le Mans, thanks to the rules, diesels are ruling the roost. Not exactly my cup of petrol.
But there were reasons for the changes. And no doubt these will further be tweaked in favour of the show. And anyway, we gladly got up to see Rossi crowned at Motegi, and felt smug to see Audi’s triumph against the odds.
Night racing in F1 is similar, I suppose. It’s not a magic racing-enhancer. But used with care, it can be a great ingredient, especially in street circuits.
Garry, September 30th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
A very dissappointing article.
I have watched Formula 1 for well over 20 years and I remember all to well how wonderul (sarcasm) it was to watch Senna 45 seconds ahead on a dull as cement track with no chance of anything happening via the pits stops.
Now you suggest that a sport that is supposedly the most technologically advanced in the world should go back to yesteryear.
The sport is lacking in some areas but surely what we have just witnessed cant be one of those areas???
Goodwood is a favourite but it is certainly not what F1 wants in the 21st century.
Garry Honiball
Johannesburg South Africa
P.S. Photo’s of pets in Motorsport, now thats entertainment!
Timmy Green, September 30th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Ales:
For all sports, the greater the number of spectators/fans/interested parties/participants the higher the eventual calibre competition - simple probability. To truly grow on a global stage, where spectacle is the bedfellow of new-blood attraction (not to mention cash-flow injection; note the recent Olympic ceremonies and how much more interested people/youngsters are in athletics as a result) an event has to compete in more ways tthan just the field or track.
There is so much other entertainment on offer, and so many more media platforms to offer this entertainment (not to mention truly global accessibility) that ‘all the stops’ will need to be continuously pulled out to prevent stagnation. Agreed, it may dilate the ‘old guard’ approach to racing, but it will win new, and crucially young, devotees, which crucially will feed the sport; motor racing, like everything, must evolve to survive.
There will always be ‘revival and historical’ series and races to attract the ‘purists’ but being the perceived pinnacle and ’shop window’ of global motorsport, F1 must keep pushing forward and trying new things.
Furthermore, I didn’t realise motor racing was a European exclusive activity, so that “many of us will be making strenuous efforts to be there for the next one”? What about all the huge amount of fans based in the East who want to go to a race but often find it is ‘too strenuous’ to get there?
I accept that the government-backed funding of these new races will certainly attract the favour of Bernie E. et al, but at the same time what good is a tired circuit with little or no investment and nothing new to offer the spectator for the last 50 years (not mentioning any names somewhat closer to home!)?
It is this arrogant attitude that is more dangerous and damaging to the future of F1 than any amount of floodlights and new ideas.
Ales Norsky, October 1st, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Hi Timmy. I appreciate your point of view, but really cannot agree with it. Of course, there is nothing wrong with putting up a show as long as it does not make the sport worse. And sadly, this is what is happening with Formula One and other auto racing. You talk about other sports evolving, but I have not noticed that footbal, golf, tennis, or cycling have changed at all. The penalty kick is still a penalty kick and the net at Wimpledon is not higher or lower than it used to be. It is still the same as it was 50 years ago and people love it for what it is, while in Formula One everybody seems to think that the very format of the sport needs to change dramatically to provide better entertainment. I don’t care if they want to put up fireworks, cheerleaders, or a Broadway show during the race weekend, but leave the basic principles of racing alone. What people really want is for Formula One to be less elitist and more fan-friendly, but that is going in exactly opposite direction. The race tracks are getting worse too, again the location is more important than the race. It is no coincidence that the classic circuits usually provide best and most entertaining racing. The most ridiculous attempt at ’spicing up he show’ is the use of safety car. Sure, there is a place for it, but it took 23 years for the first safety car to be deployed and another 20 years for the next one. Just think about it, Mario Andretti, Gilles Villeneuve, Keke Rosberg, Alan Jones, Jacques Laffite, Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell…they never were in a race with the Safety car and Jackie Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi, Ronnie Peterson, Carlos Reutemann, Jody Scheckter, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna did once. All those rivalries did just fine without superficial interference, although there was a debatable disqualification now and then. Now, we have safety car at every third race and every single time it just destroys somebody’s day. Is that really better? If all that makes me a purist fine, but I hope that I won’t be exiled solely into the world of revival racing. Anyway, on page 54 of the most recent British edition of F1 Racing Nick Fry compares Formula One to soap operas, so I am affraid that we would have to take it from there… Best regards.
Drood, October 2nd, 2008 at 6:50 am
Okay, I’ve been a fan of F1 for 21 years now. Here are my thoughts:
The first night race was a spectacle, and F1 NEEDS spectacle. If the racing itself isn’t spectacular, then the venue had better be! And Singapore most certainly was an awesome sight to behold. Will the novelty wear off? Probably. While I dislike NASCAR, watching them under the lights is a lot more satisfying than F1. The cars look better.
Refueling needs to die. NOW! There is no good reason for it’s continued existence. It adds unnecessary danger to the pitstops (as has been evidenced many many times) and ruins the racing because a driver knows he can win a race in the pits. While F1 has improved considerably from when Schumacher was ruining it, the fact is strategy has by and large wrecked the racing.
I find the earlier commenter saying about going back to Le Mans type racing hilarious. 1) I wasn’t aware one had to give up watching other forms of motorsport to watch F1. And 2) Of the three things you condemn, sportscar racing has TWO of them. (Refuelling and full course yellows.)
I am a diehard F1 fan. I’ll be among the last they lose. F1 is a deeply flawed beast. Next year should be interesting. This year, the interest has always been generated by safety cars or the weather.
I am hoping for a HUGELY wet race in Japan and China, with downpours messing with qualifying and jumbling up the grid. These days, that’s the best you can hope for a good race.
rob widdows, October 2nd, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Dear All
This is good. We cannot all agree. It is more interesting that we agree to differ. What is good is that we all love Grand Prix racing.
I think I have been slighly misunderstood. I enjoyed the night race on TV and it must have been a great experience to have been there. I was simply suggesting that the arrival of night racing is not, for me anyway, the eureka moment of this sport.As an annual ‘happening’ in Singapore I’m sure it will enjoy a place in the calendar for some time to come. What I do not want to see is a gradual move towards night racing in an effort to improve TV ratings worldwide. That’s all.
Right now I am firmly back in the real world and trying to find a place to stay in Zandvoort for the A1GP race this weekend. Michael Andretti will be in town to talk about Team USA and so it’s an opportunity to get his views on A1GP and life in general. The field may be pretty thin as the new cars are still being built and there may be many retirements due to a lack of testing. But it’s a good series and deserves to succeed.
Meanwhile Nigel Mansell is playing the “answwerphone” game with me as I chase him around for comments on his time with Williams. Either that or he’s avoiding me.
Not been a great week all in all as I missed my chat with Dan Wheldon last night after we got our phone numbers all mixed up between little old England, Panther Racing’s PR department and Indianapolis.
I think I’ll take to the hills and hope it’s better when I get back.
Ah, yes, the comment about Europeans and F1. No, of course I don’t think it’s just for the “white & wealthy” or whatever you meant. I simply reckoned that many people, in many different parts of the world, might be thinking of a trip to Singapore next year to soak up some atmosphere. I do not know the cost of the tickets but yes, I expect it will feel like sucking on a lemon.
RW
Rich Ambroson, October 2nd, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Drood, I never said one had to choose one or the other type of racing. I just will spend less of my rare leisure time pursuing F1 news and tidbits, or the races and practice/qualy for that matter. More of my time will go towards Le Mans.
And yes, there ARE refueling stops and full course yellows there, but it is a conceptually different type of roadracing than Grand Prix racing.
As for IndyCar racing, it has always been a far distant second to F1 to me. F1 has just backed itself up behind it in it’s pursuit of novelty and gimmicks. So if F1 is going to be ChampCar Lite, I’ll just watch the closer thing to the original, IndyCar.
When it comes down to it, Le Mans was always my first four-wheel racing passion. But there really can be no question, that even though they’re not on the fearsome 500cc bikes I had the pleasure to see such as Schwantz, Doohan, Cadalora and others on at Laguna Seca, the MotoGP riders bring us the best racing of any series on the planet. (though I do love the Isle of Man TT…)
Simon, October 6th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
OK guys, I may be a bit late (can anyone be late on commenting a blog spot?), still I’m going to share my thoughts on the Singapore Grand Prix.
I totally agree with Ales and Rob in that F1 doesn’t really need to have a race in glamorous places such as Singapore. I also find it strange that Formula 1, as the ‘pinnacle of motor racing’ and the No.1 showcase of the future of the car industry supports night racing. They’re using use maybe 100-times the energy they’d otherwise need to have a great motor race. All this happens in a very critical period on Planet Earth. Some of the biggest car manufacturers try to persuade us, the customers, to switch to more environment-friendly diesel fuels and green power. Amongst them there’s Toyota and Honda who run their F1 team under the most artificial circumstances one can imagine (floodlights).
Do we really need this type of racing just for the glamour and spectacle? I, for one, could surely get on without all this fuss.
However, as a hardcore Formula 1 fan for 22 years, I welcome the return of street racing to F1, as I still believe that this is one of the best ways to separate men from the boys.
rob widdows, October 7th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Yes, Simon, this is exactly the point I was trying to make, in amongst all my other ramblings.
Unless we all make some kind of effort, however small, to save this planet from the machinations of mankind - there won’t be any motor racing, never mind Grands Prix at night. Modern F1 racing is, for the most part, a very spectacular show, especially at the circuit. TV tends to lessen the drama.
So, yes, we need not be luddites, but we do have to see our beloved motor racing as a part of our world and not an activity that is somehow a privileged exception to the laws of common sense.
My alarm will be set for Japan - I reckon we’re in for a great run to the end of the season.
And yes, late blogging is quite acceptable. On a monthly magazine we are not permanently in a rush!
RW
Rich Ambroson, October 7th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Hi Rob,
Completely agree with you. I still love the concept of Grand Prix racing. While I think the direction of technological exploration in that series has been irrelevant for a few years (as opposed to the development companies like Honda were able to do in the 80s for one thing), I agree that we need not be luddites.
I think that the ALMS and the 24 Hours of Le Mans provide excellent arenas for technological development. And as so many races in the ALMS the last few years have shown (including last weekend’s incredible Petit Le Mans, and last June’s 24 Hours of Le Mans), there is just fantastic competition in that series. F1 would do well to have as much. And no, I’m not looking for endless back and forth “meaningless” passes, just good racing. Not “managed competition” like Bernie and Max are going more and more for.
Cheers!
Rich Ambroson, October 7th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Wow. I just read BCE is dropping the Canadian GP for another race in a country with little F1 tradition. Looks like the ALMS will now be my “must watch” four-wheeled racing, and F1 is becoming more and more of a lame marketing exercise that I have no time for.
Like NASCAR but without the integrity… ;-)
rob widdows, October 7th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Yes, Canada has been dropped in favour of Abu Dhabi at the end of the season. This is bad news for those who love the race in Montreal - it is always one of the most exciting races of the year and such a great circuit.
I would have thought F1 needed at least one race in either Canada or the USA but then I am not as astute as Mr Ecclestone, and I do not understand the commercial detail.
Having covered the Brazilian GP twice now, I also think it’s a fantastic end to the season because it has so much atmosphere and the circuit is very dramatic.
The world is changing, and fast. And not always for the good, in my view.
But - as ever - I will be following the Grand Prix season - either at the races or on the TV. If he takes Spa out of the calendar, I might have to re-consider.
RW
Rich Ambroson, October 7th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Hi Rob,
For sure, I love watching the Brazillian GP. Great circuit (still, in this day and age, at least for racing. Not sure about for you media folks), and the atmosphere is cool too.
The world is changing, and I want change, myself. Unfortunately, the changes are all 180 degrees from the direction that would seem beneficial to all of us talking monkeys, even us gearhead talking monkeys. I guess I’m just a kneejerk reactionary, as I prefer the likes of Spa and Monza to Abu Dhabi and Singapore.
Nothing against the Mideast or Asia. If they ran the old circuit in Tripoli they ran in prewar times, that would be exciting. I love the Malaysian GP and the track. What more needs to be said about Suzuka (oh, which got taken away because of lucre…)?
Change can be good, for sure. Unfortunately, F1 is changing for the worse. No matter, there are many billions out there for Bernie to exploit, and he doesn’t need your or I at this point it would seem.
RIP, F1. I know for a fact I’m not the only one outraged by the latest slap in the face of tradition.
ALMS, here I come.
Rich Ambroson
aka Crazy8
Aleš Norský, October 8th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Ok now, I am sure that this ‘Crazy8’ must stand for something. But about Canada, as Rob says, none of us are obviously the commercial geniuses Mr.E had proven to be times and again. One would think that North America and the USA especially are important for Formula One and all the car manufacturers involved in it, because I doubt they are collectively selling very many cars in the desert kingdoms of the Middle-East or even Malaysia, for whom Formula One is strictly a tourism boosting tool. I have been following Formula One for some 35 years, so I am not going to stop probably ever, but for sure it is getting harder as the sport is being reduced to mobile phone text message updates.
rob widdows, October 8th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Hello Everybody
Well, tomorrow is the day for my scheduled pit stop (the Chief Mechanic at the local hospital wants to remove some things from my right hand which are causing problems with a finger) so I will not be typing for a couple of weeks. Or driving. Ugh!
If, more likely when, I cannot resist joining in the debate I will ask my wife to type my dictation!
So, it’s wide awake at dawn on Sunday with hand in plaster, arm in sling and brain in gear. Going to be an exciting run in to the finish.
Hey, I don’t think many manufacturers are selling new cars. Could be serious for F1. The Renault garage keeps phoning me to offer me better and better deals on replacing my car. I don’t think I want to buy a new car while the banks appear to be collapsing.
Crazy times. Time to hunker down, me thinks.
RW
Rich Ambroson, October 8th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Hi Aleš,
Crazy8 is just the screen name I use on a couple of Formula One message boards. Also used to do a bit of racing photography and that was the “company name” so to speak.
I’ll still keep up with F1 like I did in the 80s, by way of magazines like Motorsport (though as a young ‘un back then, it was Road & Track for me as I hadn’t been made aware of Motorsport…), or the occasional online review. I love the history, I love its potential. But it’s a marketing exercise. Or, worse. I love reading about Nigel Roebuck talking to Chris Amon years ago, and Chris saying something about “here’s to pre-mafia Formula One” while looking at a picture, or something like that…
Anyhow, all the best to Rob, hope the hand heals up well.
Cheers,
Rich
Aleš Norský, October 9th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Hi Rich. Maybe you can change it to ‘Crazy∞’ by now. When you talk about history, I think that the knowledge that there was Formula One before Schumacher, or Senna, or even Stewart is the reason I still keep up with all that is going on lately, because it allows me to see things in a broader concept. Do you remember ‘Circle Track’? That was a great little magazine here in the US. And yes, cheers and speedy recovery to Rob. We certainly don’t want to burden his wife too much!
Rich Ambroson, October 9th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Hi Aleš
That’s an element in the logo for Crazy Eight Photography and Design actually! ;-) The eight gets crazy, goes sideways, and voila, we’re in an infinite loop of Rich’s hot air about racing… :-)
I remember Circle Track, also On Track, too. I didn’t read Circle Track as I was primarily into roadracing at the time, but I know it was very popular and well read by the folks that followed the series it covered.
I’m so glad to have Motorsport. It is definitely keeping the tradition alive, and I’m fortunate to have one of DSJ’s books as well. I love pre’68 F1 the most, even though it’s mostly before I was born…
All the Best,
Rich
P.S. Forza Felipe! :-)
Aleš Norský, October 9th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Now when you said it…I did, in fact, mean ‘On Track’ magazine. Ten months ago I was sure that Kimi is going to walk this Championship, but now it would be hard for Hamilton to blow it…again.
Derek Douglas, October 14th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Night racing, no passing, penalised passing, vulgarity prevailing across the paddock. Welcome to F1 2008 - the motorsporting equivalent to WWF wrestling.