Last Race of the Decade

[Bezza]

The first race in Abu Dhabi in November will be the final race of the "Noughties" - the end of another decade of F1. Amazingly to me, the year 2000 will soon be a decade since, and how has F1 developed over this time?

We started in 2000 another battle between Hakkinen in the twilight of his career and a Michael Schumacher coming into the form of his life. There were some great battles in a great season, Schumacher coming out on top with a record 9 victories. This heralded a new era of Ferrari domination, 2001 and 2002 saw Schumacher canter to the title, with new boys Montoya and Raikkonen, the former never quite realizing his potential in F1, the latter most certainly doing so. 2003 was a close fought year between the trio, however Schumacher’s experience pulled him through again, before another record breaking year in 2004 gave Schumacher his final seventh title. Then came a new era. 2005 saw Alonso and Raikkonen battle for the title with Schumacher only a peripheral figure, Alonso winning and then following up in 2006 with Schumacher having one final tilt at the title. 2007 and 2008 saw intense rivalry and stunning action between Alonso, Raikkonen, Massa and Lewis Hamilton – another new age beginning. In the end, Raikkonen and Hamilton took their first tiles respectively – both in the final race and both by a single point. And then we catch up with now – 2009 – an unusual season, lots of changes, and a shift in the pecking order of F1 – Brawn, a completely new team, win the title with Jenson Button, with Red Bull, another fairly new team, runners-up.

Whatever you call the next decade – “the teenies” ? It is looking promising, with Alonso and Massa vs Hamilton and probably Raikkonen in theoretically the top two teams, with Button defending his title – will it be a difficult second season for Brawn and Red Bull?

I can’t wait.

[ArrowsFA1]

Oh dear. Another F1 decade gone. That's my fourth!!!

Who'dhave thunk it. At the start of this one Ferrari hadn't won a championship for years, and Schumacher had only won two.

[pettersolberg29]

I can't believe I have sat through a whole decade supporting Heidfeld, yet failed to see him win even one measly time...

[Sonic]

Now that's dedication! One more chance for Nick this year then.

Current drivers who saw out the last decade include only trulli, Fisi & Rubens. So who of the current grid will still be around at the end of 2019? Probably Hamster but who else?

[F1boat]

Now that's dedication! One more chance for Nick this year then.

Current drivers who saw out the last decade include only trulli, Fisi & Rubens. So who of the current grid will still be around at the end of 2019? Probably Hamster but who else?

Likely Vettel.

[UltimateDanGTR]

Current drivers who saw out the last decade include only trulli, Fisi & Rubens. So who of the current grid will still be around at the end of 2019? Probably Hamster but who else?

Super Hammy almost definate IMO, The Vet, Kubi. Maybe Alonso? Would be a very long career, most probs most races ever if alonso was to go to 2019, but i wouldnt put it past him.

Plus, who knows what other superstars we will have around at that time..........

[pettersolberg29]

Alguesari and Grosjean will be here still if they turn out to be any good.

[TMorel]

Just think how many scandals would Alonso not be implicated in should he stay till 2019!
Hey, do you think Toyota might win once if they stayed around that long too?

[woody2goody]

Massa might still be here in ten years time, you never know.

Rubens probably will be at this rate :D

It is amazing that this decade has passed so quickly, since Jenson and Nick debuted, and ten years since Minardi had the bright yellow/green Telefonica colours.

Having said this though, I think the last three years have been unbelievably good.

[raikk]

The first race in Abu Dhabi in November will be the final race of the "Noughties" - the end of another decade of F1. Amazingly to me, the year 2000 will soon be a decade since, and how has F1 developed over this time?

We started in 2000 another battle between Hakkinen in the twilight of his career and a Michael Schumacher coming into the form of his life. There were some great battles in a great season, Schumacher coming out on top with a record 9 victories. This heralded a new era of Ferrari domination, 2001 and 2002 saw Schumacher canter to the title, with new boys Montoya and Raikkonen, the former never quite realizing his potential in F1, the latter most certainly doing so. 2003 was a close fought year between the trio, however Schumacher’s experience pulled him through again, before another record breaking year in 2004 gave Schumacher his final seventh title. Then came a new era. 2005 saw Alonso and Raikkonen battle for the title with Schumacher only a peripheral figure, Alonso winning and then following up in 2006 with Schumacher having one final tilt at the title. 2007 and 2008 saw intense rivalry and stunning action between Alonso, Raikkonen, Massa and Lewis Hamilton – another new age beginning. In the end, Raikkonen and Hamilton took their first tiles respectively – both in the final race and both by a single point. And then we catch up with now – 2009 – an unusual season, lots of changes, and a shift in the pecking order of F1 – Brawn, a completely new team, win the title with Jenson Button, with Red Bull, another fairly new team, runners-up.

Whatever you call the next decade – “the teenies” ? It is looking promising, with Alonso and Massa vs Hamilton and probably Raikkonen in theoretically the top two teams, with Button defending his title – will it be a difficult second season for Brawn and Red Bull?

I can’t wait.

wow I feel nostalgic now.. I never even thought of the last race as being the last one of the decade.. good summary Bezza

[harsha]

damn...it's gonna be close to 16 years of watching f1....

[call_me_andrew]

Well technically, since there was no year zero, the decade doesn't end for another year.

[christophulus]

Wow, this is the sixteenth full year of F1 I've watched..

Looking forward to next year, Massa/Alonso in the Ferrari vs. Hamilton/Raikkonen? in the McLaren should be tasty.

Plus Brawn and Red Bull should be there or thereabouts. 26 cars, half of which could be genuinely competitive.. it's all shaping up nicely!

I'm hoping the last race of the year/decade in Abu Dhabi is a classic, nothing to lose from most drivers!

[V12]

Yeah it seems weird, seems only yesterday Jenson Button was the insanely inexperienced 19 year old who everyone thought Frank Williams was mad for hiring. I hadn't even HEARD of Kimi Raikkonen, and Fernando Alonso was a wayward F3000 driver with about as much potential as Enrique Bernoldi.

To be honest back then I was already missing the early 90s, but looking back it was a pretty good time, Michelin were on their way back, Montoya was on his way, the calendar was mostly traditional events, even the impending arrival/return of all the manufacturers was a nice novelty at the time, and even Schumacher's title kind of felt good even if I couldn't stand him, because at the time Ferrari hadn't won anything in ages!

Wonder if I'll look back and miss this year in 2019?

[Josti]

2000 and 2001 was a joy for us Dutch fans, with Jos Verstappen driving that beautiful orange Arrows and putting up some great performances in it. Other than that, 2003, 2007, 2008 and this year were quite spectaculair for the general public. Looking forward to the next decade!

[ShiftingGears]

I started watching in 2006, and the F1 seasons have been very entertaining. Especially the last two.

[harsha]

hey...the racing from 2005 onwards has been pretty good....

2005 - close fight between Raikkonen / Alonso

2006 - close fight between Alonso / Schumacher

2007 - three way fight between Alonso / Hamilton / Raikkonen

2008 - very close fight between Hamilton / Massa

2009 - so many different cars and drivers making the podium esp in the second half of the season

[Copse]

Well technically, since there was no year zero, the decade doesn't end for another year.

The simplest way to get rid of such nonsense is to just consider the first decade, century and millennium to have been one year too short. That lets us celebrate when the dates look like milestone dates, instead of one year later.

[Sonic]

Well technically, since there was no year zero, the decade doesn't end for another year.

Were you one of those guys then? Humbug its not the millennium. ;) :D

[woody2goody]

Yeah it seems weird, seems only yesterday Jenson Button was the insanely inexperienced 19 year old who everyone thought Frank Williams was mad for hiring. I hadn't even HEARD of Kimi Raikkonen, and Fernando Alonso was a wayward F3000 driver with about as much potential as Enrique Bernoldi.

To be honest back then I was already missing the early 90s, but looking back it was a pretty good time, Michelin were on their way back, Montoya was on his way, the calendar was mostly traditional events, even the impending arrival/return of all the manufacturers was a nice novelty at the time, and even Schumacher's title kind of felt good even if I couldn't stand him, because at the time Ferrari hadn't won anything in ages!

Wonder if I'll look back and miss this year in 2019?

I enjoyed Schumacher's first two titles immensely, before he started showing up the oppostition.

You're right though, even Mark Webber wasn't in F1 then, and he seems to have been around for ever.

Jarno was still at Jordan, and Marc Gene was racing for Minardi.

I liked the fact most of the 'traditional' tracks remained. Even though Bahrain, Turkey, Shanghai and Abu Dhabi are fantastic tracks, they don't quite have the soul of Imola, Indianapolis, Montreal, Hockenheim (which was still the old one back then) etc.

[CaptainRaiden]

I liked the fact most of the 'traditional' tracks remained. Even though Bahrain, Turkey, Shanghai and Abu Dhabi are fantastic tracks, they don't quite have the soul of Imola, Indianapolis, Montreal, Hockenheim (which was still the old one back then) etc.

Wait for 3 more decades, and these soulless tracks will become soulful. ;)

[F1boat]

I liked the fact most of the 'traditional' tracks remained. Even though Bahrain, Turkey, Shanghai and Abu Dhabi are fantastic tracks, they don't quite have the soul of Imola, Indianapolis, Montreal, Hockenheim (which was still the old one back then) etc.

I agree. I miss Imola and the old Hockenheim. Indy no, I think that is is a dull track, except for the oval part.

[Mark]

F1 never felt right at Indy. Like it was just a side event at a venue designed for something else entirely. Which isn't what F1 is about.

[Valve Bounce]

F1 never felt right at Indy. Like it was just a side event at a venue designed for something else entirely. Which isn't what F1 is about.

I don't think the four car race gave anyone lasting fond memories. I do like Monaco - walked part of the circuit. I didn't realise that it was so hilly or challenging. Maybe the cars had difficulty overtaking, but the armco certainly wasn't very friendly either.

[ozrevhead]

This has been my first full millenum (i started half way through the 90!)

it feels like only yesterday i was counting down the sleeps till Marks first race with Minardi!

I miss the old Hockenhim, Imola and most of all I miss Adelaide - the sound of the cars booming into my grandparents place and the party atmosphere when the F1 circus came to town :(

I miss the battle between Mika and Schumi - it was special as they had great respect for each other and brought out the best in each other too

future looks bright if Buemi, Vettel, Alguesari and Grosjean turn out to be long term F1 drivers.

I can look back on the last year of the naughties with happiness knowing that Mark's year was the best of his career by far with 2 race victories and contray to popluar belief hasnt being Vettel's lapdog or had his career ended by Seb either :rolleyes:

Bring on 2010 and beyond

[Mark]

I do like Monaco - walked part of the circuit.

Only part? I did the whole lap, slacker. Although it took me about 2 hours, with stops along the way :D

I certainly agree the hill is a lot steeper than it looks on TV.

[Valve Bounce]

Only part? I did the whole lap, slacker. Although it took me about 2 hours, with stops along the way :D

I certainly agree the hill is a lot steeper than it looks on TV.

Went there with my better half, and she was not feeling well. :(
I was surprised with the amount of building going on while I was there. We did go to the cafe in front of the Casino, and a pidgeon crapped on this girl sitting at the next table. :D

[ShiftingGears]

future looks bright if Buemi, Vettel, Alguesari and Grosjean turn out to be long term F1 drivers.

Buemi, Alguersuari and Grosjean have all suffered from the testing ban and have not really done anything that has seriously impressed me.

[Valve Bounce]

Buemi, Alguersuari and Grosjean have all suffered from the testing ban and have not really done anything that has seriously impressed me.

What about Piquet Jr?? Well, maybe not.

[woody2goody]

Buemi, Alguersuari and Grosjean have all suffered from the testing ban and have not really done anything that has seriously impressed me.

I think Buemi's been impressive this year. I know he had done a fair bit of testing before, but he was quick right off the bat, scoring points in Melbourne.

Alguersuari has done a good job, but I've been a bit disappointed with Grosjean. Piquet was about even with him when he started.

Maybe getting rid of Nelsinho wasn't the best option, even though I did think he was useless.

However, while we're on the subject of the decade gone by, many people thought Massa and Heidfeld weren't particularly good after their first seasons in F1, and look at them now - dependable, seasoned veterans. Sato likewise is one who went from crashaholic to reliable and fair competitor in the space of a couple of years.

Ralf Schumacher was very wayward at first back in '97, and he turned out to be a fairly safe pair of hands.

[UltimateDanGTR]

being the last race of the decade we know what the cars look like currently. But what do you think they will look like in 10 years time? 10 years ago they were quite simular to last year, just with less wingy bits back then. This year it is all new will new wings and less bargeboards etc.

my guess is the cars will not be too different, maybe with covered top-front of the rear wheels perhaps.

[F1boat]

being the last race of the decade we know what the cars look like currently. But what do you think they will look like in 10 years time? 10 years ago they were quite simular to last year, just with less wingy bits back then. This year it is all new will new wings and less bargeboards etc.

my guess is the cars will not be too different, maybe with covered top-front of the rear wheels perhaps.

Depends on the new FIA boss...