Things you miss about F1...

[David AGS]

Those massive tyres (big slick tyres)
Attrition (those who finished all scored points)
Manual Shift Gearboxes (drivers changing gear wih one hand, steering with another)
Sparks (Low ride height)
Underdogs
Minardi
Cracking Race Tracks (Imola, Old Hockenheim, Portugal etc)


What I DO NOT MISS is waiting for the race delayed for an hour at best after it starts because a certain network preferred to show their Sunday movie, then a newsbreak and then preview the race etc, and Not watching qualifying at all. Its all very good now though.

[GroupLotusRenault]

Underdogs performaning well and even scoring a podium. Also Gentleman racing and racers like Graham Hill jackie Stewart Jim Clark Stirling Moss Fangio etc all these old school names and then F1 was all about being the best, but also gentleman racing. Also keeping the times of the cars the wifes of the racers now some ie Lewis puissycat dolls g.f are dumb popstars who know nothing about F1

[MansellsEyebrows]

Ligier
Jordan
Arrows
Minardi
Simtek

Jacques Villeneuve
Juan Pablo Montoya
Kimi Raikkonen

wider cars
A1/Oesterriech-Ring
the Mexican and South African Grands Prix
Adelaide (but I still love Melbourne)
turbo engines
V10 engines
those Ferrari V12s
Those humerously unreliable Peugeots
Honda engines (not their team though)

[Reverie Planetarian]

Wider cars

Colorful teams

Having multiple engine types all on the same grid

Bigger grids

Attrition

Skidplate sparks

Oddballs (the 6-wheelers and other funky examples of lateral engineering)

Tracks with corners with names

Four-digit horsepower numbers

More freedom of sponsors

Rivalries that were less like comparing scores and more like wars

Flukes

A Williams that you can be proud of

Colorful drivers

[koza]

- drivers desperately trying to qualify or even race in their team mate's car (after damaging their own). It was quite often seen even in nineties
-spare cars! i wonder how the grid would look like after pile-up like Spa 98

[Malinth]

Definitely the ear-piercing sound of the V10's and V12's. I was lucky enough to be in the grandstand for the inaugural Malaysian GP, and I tell you what, the massive noise the cars made just had us all on our feet, it felt bloody awesome. Unfortunately I've never heard a V12 up close, but all the clips you can find on the internet tells you enough!

Call me mad, but I rather liked the pointy bits of the 2004-2008 cars. To me, it made them look liked aggressive monsters.

Wheel to wheel racing is definitely another thing. Spain showed that DRS isn't a massive help, and although the tyres spice things up a tad bit, it's still not bringing us back to the good old wheel banging stuff. I feel as though F1 need the 80s regulations back. The budget restrictions nowadays mean that the cars will be overtaking-inducive, while there still isn't such a massive gap from first to last. Also, we need to get rid of crummy 'easy penalties', their totally discouraging risk taking.

[Ferrim]

Unrealibility has already been mentioned and explained by dinizintheoven.

Waking up (or rather not going to bed) at 4 AM to watch the Australian GP.

Minardi. Particularly, Minardi scoring points.

Engine development.

Cars painted on yellow, orange, light blue.

[Vepe]

Attrition
Small teams just barely hangin´ on there
Different engine configurations (1.5l I4,V6,V8 turbos and 3.5l V8,V10,V12 naturally aspirated engines)
Many tyre companies
not-Tilke tracks
30-40 drivers competing for grid positions
innovations

and the list goes on and on and on...

[FullMetalJack]

Attrition
A1 Ring
Jos Verstappen
Minardi
Jordan
Arrows
SOOPAH AGURI
Takuma Sato
Jean Alesi
Williams being a competitive team
Backmarkers that got in the way of every driver e.g. Alliot and De Cesaris
James Hunt's commentary, especially slating other drivers
Drivers not getting penalties for contact

[AndreaModa]

This might sound silly, but I really miss the haphazard, mish-mash collections of advertising hoardings that used to characterise tracksides, particularly Imola and Monza if you look at old races from the 80s and 90s (not sure why Italy was such a big fan!) but I was reminded of it today in Monaco where that style is very much still in force! I guess it's not here any more because of partly the corporate pressure, but also the smaller number of sponsors for most races, it was probably only different for Monaco because they're queuing up to advertise there as so many watch it.

[Dan B]

Attrition
The FIA being harder on drivers who screw up royally (see Hamilton at Monaco 2011)
Drivers from multiple racing series
Minardi, or more preciesly, pre-Paul Stoddart Minardi (seriously, from 2001 on those Minardis just looked bland compared to the ones from 1995 to 2000)
Larger grids
The old FIA intro
Engine regs so anyone can run anything if it's at least at a certain displacement
Large variety of teams
Colorful liveries (Yellow Jordans, Telefonica Minardi, Orange Spykers, Bright blue Ligier/Prosts, etc)
Multiple tire manufacturers
Oddball cars
Mismatching wheels: I remember in 1998 Sauber ran cars with 5 spoke rear wheels and 6 split-spoke front wheels
Heck, various wheel shapes: 4 spokes, 3 spokes, list goes on

[nigellamansell]

James Allen.....only joking

Actually what I miss most are 2 fat wheels at the back, and 2 small ones on the front

[sulman]

This might sound silly, but I really miss the haphazard, mish-mash collections of advertising hoardings that used to characterise tracksides, particularly Imola and Monza if you look at old races from the 80s and 90s (not sure why Italy was such a big fan!) but I was reminded of it today in Monaco where that style is very much still in force! I guess it's not here any more because of partly the corporate pressure, but also the smaller number of sponsors for most races, it was probably only different for Monaco because they're queuing up to advertise there as so many watch it.

You beat me to it. I was just thinking this, having been reminded of it watching the Senna docu.

Also, Kerbs. Different shapes and sizes, and paint! Monaco today reminded me why we need the old steeper kerbs back, and stop moving the bloody walls!

[dnhrudi]

I miss wide cars and fat tyres, Brands Hatch, characters like Reggazoni, and interesting helmet designs, I wont go on, will start to get all emotional and wondering why I'm still watching.......

[Thunderer]

Drivers who celebrated a win with a celebration other than a solitary finger.

[Barbazza]

You beat me to it. I was just thinking this, having been reminded of it watching the Senna docu.

Also, Kerbs. Different shapes and sizes, and paint! Monaco today reminded me why we need the old steeper kerbs back, and stop moving the bloody walls!

Totally agree. They always used to have a surplus of sky blue paint lying around at Ricard didn't they, judging by their kerbs?

[WeirdKerr]

Attrition
The FIA being harder on drivers who screw up royally (see Hamilton at Monaco 2011)
Drivers from multiple racing series
Minardi, or more preciesly, pre-Paul Stoddart Minardi (seriously, from 2001 on those Minardis just looked bland compared to the ones from 1995 to 2000)
Larger grids
The old FIA intro
Engine regs so anyone can run anything if it's at least at a certain displacement
Large variety of teams
Colorful liveries (Yellow Jordans, Telefonica Minardi, Orange Spykers, Bright blue Ligier/Prosts, etc)
Multiple tire manufacturers
Oddball cars
Mismatching wheels: I remember in 1998 Sauber ran cars with 5 spoke rear wheels and 6 split-spoke front wheels
Heck, various wheel shapes: 4 spokes, 3 spokes, list goes on

http://youtu.be/p7c3R-wdvpM this intro?

[Dan B]

Attrition
The FIA being harder on drivers who screw up royally (see Hamilton at Monaco 2011)
Drivers from multiple racing series
Minardi, or more preciesly, pre-Paul Stoddart Minardi (seriously, from 2001 on those Minardis just looked bland compared to the ones from 1995 to 2000)
Larger grids
The old FIA intro
Engine regs so anyone can run anything if it's at least at a certain displacement
Large variety of teams
Colorful liveries (Yellow Jordans, Telefonica Minardi, Orange Spykers, Bright blue Ligier/Prosts, etc)
Multiple tire manufacturers
Oddball cars
Mismatching wheels: I remember in 1998 Sauber ran cars with 5 spoke rear wheels and 6 split-spoke front wheels
Heck, various wheel shapes: 4 spokes, 3 spokes, list goes on

http://youtu.be/p7c3R-wdvpM this intro?

But of course.

[mario]

This might sound silly, but I really miss the haphazard, mish-mash collections of advertising hoardings that used to characterise tracksides, particularly Imola and Monza if you look at old races from the 80s and 90s (not sure why Italy was such a big fan!) but I was reminded of it today in Monaco where that style is very much still in force! I guess it's not here any more because of partly the corporate pressure, but also the smaller number of sponsors for most races, it was probably only different for Monaco because they're queuing up to advertise there as so many watch it.

You beat me to it. I was just thinking this, having been reminded of it watching the Senna docu.

Also, Kerbs. Different shapes and sizes, and paint! Monaco today reminded me why we need the old steeper kerbs back, and stop moving the bloody walls!

That is down to Bernie, and FOM - they have a subsidiary company which has control over what advertising can and cannot be shown during the race weekend (and there was a brief argument last year where FOM threatened to use those powers against FOTA). I guess that they go easy on Monaco because of its unusual status, though...

I miss wide cars and fat tyres, Brands Hatch, characters like Reggazoni, and interesting helmet designs, I wont go on, will start to get all emotional and wondering why I'm still watching.......

To be honest, Brands Hatch had to go - the safety measures were inadequate for the lap times, and average lap speeds, that the cars could do, even back in the 1980's (Mansell still holds the lap record at Brands Hatch, with a sub 1m10 lap in the 1986 British GP). As we saw saw during the Superleague race last year, and during a BTCC race too, an airborne car could easily come down in a dangerous area (the BTCC crash was more worrying, since a marshall was nearly hit by the car as almost landed on top of a marshalls post).

[AndreaModa]

This might sound silly, but I really miss the haphazard, mish-mash collections of advertising hoardings that used to characterise tracksides, particularly Imola and Monza if you look at old races from the 80s and 90s (not sure why Italy was such a big fan!) but I was reminded of it today in Monaco where that style is very much still in force! I guess it's not here any more because of partly the corporate pressure, but also the smaller number of sponsors for most races, it was probably only different for Monaco because they're queuing up to advertise there as so many watch it.

You beat me to it. I was just thinking this, having been reminded of it watching the Senna docu.

Also, Kerbs. Different shapes and sizes, and paint! Monaco today reminded me why we need the old steeper kerbs back, and stop moving the bloody walls!

That is down to Bernie, and FOM - they have a subsidiary company which has control over what advertising can and cannot be shown during the race weekend (and there was a brief argument last year where FOM threatened to use those powers against FOTA). I guess that they go easy on Monaco because of its unusual status, though...

True, but there's always the same bunch of companies advertising at each race (obviously Pirelli, but also Shell, DHL, UBS, etc, etc.) it's just that Monaco had them arranged much more nicely, randomly around the circuit whereas normally you'll see certain portions of the circuit given over to each company - for example at Silverstone last year Shell had Copse and the run up through Maggots and Becketts.

I want random advertisement placement dammit!

[dnhrudi]

This might sound silly, but I really miss the haphazard, mish-mash collections of advertising hoardings that used to characterise tracksides, particularly Imola and Monza if you look at old races from the 80s and 90s (not sure why Italy was such a big fan!) but I was reminded of it today in Monaco where that style is very much still in force! I guess it's not here any more because of partly the corporate pressure, but also the smaller number of sponsors for most races, it was probably only different for Monaco because they're queuing up to advertise there as so many watch it.

You beat me to it. I was just thinking this, having been reminded of it watching the Senna docu.

Also, Kerbs. Different shapes and sizes, and paint! Monaco today reminded me why we need the old steeper kerbs back, and stop moving the bloody walls!

That is down to Bernie, and FOM - they have a subsidiary company which has control over what advertising can and cannot be shown during the race weekend (and there was a brief argument last year where FOM threatened to use those powers against FOTA). I guess that they go easy on Monaco because of its unusual status, though...

I miss wide cars and fat tyres, Brands Hatch, characters like Reggazoni, and interesting helmet designs, I wont go on, will start to get all emotional and wondering why I'm still watching.......

To be honest, Brands Hatch had to go - the safety measures were inadequate for the lap times, and average lap speeds, that the cars could do, even back in the 1980's (Mansell still holds the lap record at Brands Hatch, with a sub 1m10 lap in the 1986 British GP). As we saw saw during the Superleague race last year, and during a BTCC race too, an airborne car could easily come down in a dangerous area (the BTCC crash was more worrying, since a marshall was nearly hit by the car as almost landed on top of a marshalls post).

Still miss the place though... you know what it was with that place? it was the big elevation changes, so little of that these days. F1 lacks swoop!

[dr-baker]

That is down to Bernie, and FOM - they have a subsidiary company which has control over what advertising can and cannot be shown during the race weekend (and there was a brief argument last year where FOM threatened to use those powers against FOTA). I guess that they go easy on Monaco because of its unusual status, though...

True, but there's always the same bunch of companies advertising at each race (obviously Pirelli, but also Shell, DHL, UBS, etc, etc.) it's just that Monaco had them arranged much more nicely, randomly around the circuit whereas normally you'll see certain portions of the circuit given over to each company - for example at Silverstone last year Shell had Copse and the run up through Maggots and Becketts.

I want random advertisement placement dammit!

Didn't Jamie and Enoch describe a lap of Monaco by using the advertising hoardings on a podcast a year or two ago?

[Bleu]

About adverts: When new track is added to F1 calendar, I have actually used adverts to identify parts of the track. Like "turn 8 is just after DHL sign goes over the track"

I have done so for few years now, basically Valencia, Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Yeongam. Have to do with India too.

[Stramala]

I may get a lot of hate for this, but I like this more than The Chain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2R8C-qZl0A
But well, I do like Apollo 440 rather a lot...
The 2003 intro was pretty sweet too.

I miss stop-go penalties too. Watching Schumacher agonisingly waiting in his pit box while cars flew past was satisfying

[JeanDenisAlcatraz]

That was a classic intro. Back when ITV was (just) bearable.

Can't remember if it's been said before, but the big, chunky old yellow/black/blue graphics that F1 used in the 90s were classic.

[Benetton]

Old intro on the Finnish MTV3 channel. Best F1 intro ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oV69wZeRYg&feature=related

[dr-baker]

Old intro on the Finnish MTV3 channel. Best F1 intro ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oV69wZeRYg&feature=related

Sorry, but you can't beat anything with The Chain, but particularly with the 1994 graphics unveiling that year's Williams-Renault. Can't find it on YouTube at the moment though.

[DOSBoot]

Even though they didn't play it here in the U.S., I've seen enough clips on youtube to know that this starting grid theme is something that will be missed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjyh-nDx ... re=related

[FullMetalJack]

Even though they didn't play it here in the U.S., I've seen enough clips on youtube to know that this starting grid theme is something that will be missed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjyh-nDx ... re=related

YES! That was amazing.

Another thing I miss, The French Grand Prix.

[DOSBoot]

YES! That was amazing.

Well, "The Neverending Story" happens to be one of my all time favorite movies, so I had to post that song.

[FMecha]

The Japanese TV F1 intro song (Truth) and it's rather-awesome animated 3D renders: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXXWjDcHa58

[Faustus]

I miss not knowing which teams will score points before the weekend starts. The status quo is pretty much set and upsets like Onyx getting a podium are things of the past.

[JeanDenisAlcatraz]

I miss the excitement I used to feel as the lights went on. Maybe it was because I was a child, but I used to get butterflies in my stomach every time.

Anyone who's watched the most recent episode of South Park will understand the how I feel now.

[Dan B]

I miss the excitement I used to feel as the lights went on. Maybe it was because I was a child, but I used to get butterflies in my stomach every time.

Anyone who's watched the most recent episode of South Park will understand the how I feel now.

I still get those feelings. I'm always expecting some large crash at the first corner as the whole circus rampages towards it.

[LionZoo]

SSSSUUUPPPAHH AGURI!
Takuma Sato at his peak.
Mika Hakkinen vs Michael Schumacher
My local 2002 coverage. Clearly the best ever (not very good, though...)

Jos Verstappen, he's 39, younger than Schumi and PDLR. Give Massa the boot, Jos the Boss in.

Well, Nigel Mansell is only several years older, he's only what, 57?

I too miss Takuma Sato.

[Bleu]

By the look of yesterday's GP, races in really wet conditions.

[BabyG]

OK, so the reasons not to stand in the middle of a grand prix circuit are obvious, but I miss the chequered flag man standing out on the trak to wave the victor home!

[AndreaModa]

I miss the times when the cars used to be parked up on the side of the track once they'd retired! No safety cars needed for umpteen laps to wait for some slow tow truck to get the car halfway round the course to a 'safe place'!

[FullMetalJack]

I miss the times when the cars used to be parked up on the side of the track once they'd retired! No safety cars needed for umpteen laps to wait for some slow tow truck to get the car halfway round the course to a 'safe place'!

This.

[Waris]

I miss Jacques Villeneuve ;.; and the United States Grand Prix (luckily it's coming back, and at a half-decent track too, by the looks of it).
I miss when there were more different colours on the grid, and when a team could enter a season halfway through, or just at a few races, like Mercedes and Lancia did in 1954 and Renault in 1977, and also privateer entries/private teams.

Most of all, though, I guess, I miss the time when F1 was more compatible with other types of racing, especially IndyCar (or should I say "American open-wheel racing", since the name IndyCar didn't exist back then). From 1950-1960, the Indianapolis 500 counted for the World Championship. When I first found out about that, I thought it was so bizarre and cool. (I'll never forget first taking a look at the 1950 drivers and teams and wondering why there were so many Americans...) Sadly, they took it off the calendar just when those worlds were beginning to mix a little. In 1952, Alberto Ascari entered the Indy 500 in a specially designed Ferrari. In 1959, Roger Ward (that year's Indy 500 winner, I think) entered the United States Grand Prix at Sebring with a Kurtis Kraft midget car. Then in the sixties, there was Brabham, Stewart, Hill, Clark... taking part in the Indy 500, with Hill and Clark even winning. Brabham, McLaren, March all designed cars for Indy, at some point March was even the sole chassis supplier, I think.
I'd love to see F1 cars go round on an oval, WITHOUT nasty accidents...