Monday, February 26, 2018

F1: Now and Then...




The Pre-War #33 Alfa Romeo Tipo 308, which contested four Indianapolis 500 races on display at the IMS Hall of Fame museum in 2010. (The Tomaso Collection)
As thou late Dave Neihaus would say: "My, Oh, My!" Those sure are UGLY lookin' F1 cars...


Yeah, Y'all know the drill, Righto? As the glacier's move very slowly here on thou Isle 'O Nofendersville. As Thar won't be any riveting F1 Car Reveals or Formula 1 Spring Training notes here; but I digress...

Was fumblin' thru an F1 website I typically shy away from last Fall, especially since it's so Bloody annoying for Lucy', my Screen Reader to navigate!

But ran across an interesting story Thar nonetheless, describing how Formula 1 really hasn't changed much over the last 15 years. (Although this was in regards prior to this year's Halo...)


Although 15yrs ago Thar were NO GP2; Err FIA Formula 2 Feeder Series, as the sport was in the final throws of F3000 International instead, as drivers joining F1 presumably were older, before "The Brat!" (Max Verstappen) Rule was instigated, mandating all Formula 1 drivers be at least 18 years old!

As now the FIA has further tweaked its F1 Superlicense rules points system, requiring 40 points in order to qualify for the mandatory F1 license to participate in thou Pinnacle of Motorsports...


Yet that was long ago, before the FIA, and Jean Todt mandated the most hideous "Safety" device ever upon Formula 1, nee Halo...


For which I've still NOT heard a Peep 'bout how Drivers will extricate themselves quickly & safely in the event of a KERS/ERS failure!


Whilst obviously, the Grand Prix world was a different place over a half century ago. As I'm not saying that today's drivers are any less "Manly," or don't accept risks, but...

Obviously, It certainly was a very, very different world back then, for which sadly, Dying was part 'N parcel, unfortunately!


(Photo Courtesy of No Fenders ‘Offical Photographer CARPETS')