Petition: Get rid of all night races

[zako85]

Let's be honest about one thing. The only reason night races exist, and they all are in Middle East and Asia, is because Bernie wants Europeans to watch a live broadcast at the prime time. At the same time, the North American fans are normally screwed. If the races in places like Singapore or Abu Dhabi started at the normal day time, a night owl like me could watch the race on Saturday night at midnight or say 1am, depending on the time zone. And then people wonder why F1 racing is not popular in the US. It's because most of the races start at 4-7am on Sunday morning.

[henners88]

I'm European so I vote to keep them. Screw the rest of the world!

[AndyL]

Even as a European viewer, I like the Asian daytime races. Having to get up early on a Sunday, like for the 6AM (BST) start at Suzuka, gives the race more of a sense of occasion. Plus it really frees up the rest of the day

So does that mean I agree with Zako, because the Asian races should be at 1 or 2PM local, or I disagree with Zako because it's good for races to start at 6AM or 7AM? I can't quite work it out.

A 7AM BST start would have been perfect for Singapore - the end of the race would have matched perfectly with the start of Superbike Sunday on Eurosport, making an uninterrupted 10-hour live motorsport binge

Singapore does look pretty awesome as a night race though.

[dj_bytedisaster]

Fuck the Americans. F1 is a European product. Keep the night races.

[Alfa Fan]

It was so much better when they were in the much early hours. A late, late Saturday night watching the likes of Hill, Schumacher, Hakkinen etc... Rather than getting up at 6am for today's rubbish.

[henners88]

I don't mind the Asian races as I used to set them to record and get up about 7:30-8am and start watching without the need get up early. Now with the coverage split I have lost a little interest anyway so generally catch the highlights because it takes up less of my Sunday. Even having Sky F1 has not increased my excitement. I've only watched 2 full races this year, hence why I rarely comment here any more.

In all seriousness they can put them on at any time they like, i'll still watch at my convenience.

[N. Jones]

I'm happy with them, except UAE. That tracks sucks!

[Warriwa]

Agreed. That circuit is an abomination. Maybe one day in the distant future when more money is flowing in from the rest of the world it will be the European races that will have to change their starting times.

[Rollo]

And then people wonder why F1 racing is not popular in the US. It's because most of the races start at 4-7am on Sunday morning.

Is it?
Or is it because F1 is on pay-TV?

I wouldn't care if races started at 4-7am on Sunday morning. In Australia, the Brazilian GP would be at 4-7am on Monday morning and I'd still get up for it.

[Tazio]

I'll take F1 as it comes. I'm usually up at 5 am anyway.