Singapore: The Future of F1

[555-04Q2]

Could you explain why though? The lights recreate daylight very effectively it seems, so the only difference we'll see is the night sky.

I see lights as a gimmick, to be absolutely honest. The reason I like the idea is it brings the race time to a decent time for most people who are avid F1 viewers and I dont have to:

A. Wake up at the crack of dawn to watch a race

B. Have to fight with the wife over watching F1 instead of the prime time movie on satellite

[aryan]

In addition, Nick Fry was quoted in F1 Racing as saying this is just the start. In a couple of years we could be seeing two races during a weekend, and reverse grids, all because F1 is entertainment and must put on a good show.

Well, since when is Fry giving directions about the future of F1? I'd be surprised to see him much longer in F1 to be honest. He's just a demoted team manager who is giving his own opinion. Is it of interest? Yes. Is it time to panic? No.

I can't see much wrong with night racing. As to the other suggestions, I'd say wake me up when there is actual talk about them. I reckon the "powers that be" will be concerned with messing with a formula that has served so well in the past 60 years.

Also, F1 being a TV show is nothing new. F1 has been broadcast on TV since '80s.

Nothing new here.

[acorn]

It seems from this report it's rather more than just those involved in the marketing side that benefit:

and from the itv website:

"The research also suggests that the Singapore government will see big benefits from its support of the city's inaugural race this weekend, having contributed around 60% of the estimated $100 cost of hosting the event."

who do i apply to to host one of these here f1 events as $100 sounds extremely reasonable.

[jens]

Two races per weekend? Reverse grids?
If Nick Fry has said that this scenario is going to take place, then I wonder what is the basis or evidence of his opinion. Has he got some kind of information that it's really going to happen? Because I still find it a bit difficult to believe they (FIA) are going to ruin the classical structure of a Grand Prix. Will they really turn F1 into a GP2? (feature race + sprint race with reverse grids??).

[schmenke]

...Having races at a convenient time zone for Euopean TV viewers...

[schmenke]

...I dont have to:

A. Wake up at the crack of dawn to watch a race ...

[Dave B]

It's nice for us Europeans to watch all the races at lunchtime, don't get me wrong. But half the fun of, say, the Australian GP is getting up at stupid o'clock in the morning - or staying up rediculously late on Saturday night. It's a tradition, and makes us appreciate all the more that the race is happening in a different timezone.

By only catering to a European / Middle-Eastern market F1 risks alienating the new investors it's trying to attract in Asia and the Americas.

[ioan]

Not at all Dave, it isn't nice at all, I rather have them all at 6 AM and than have a free day to go hiking, skiing, cycling and so on.
But I guess I'm not one of those who spends his Sundays at home in front of the TV set. :\

If what I saw today during the 2 FP sessions is the future of F1 than I can say that I'll have to find to watch some real racing in the future. I don't watch F1 for the flood lights, nor for the advertising, not even for the pit babes that they keep showing us more and more.

[jens]

I'm one of them, who don't like to have F1 Grand Prix's in middays. For better planning of a day it would be more practical if F1 races took place in the morning or in the evening, giving more and flexible opportunities for activities during the rest of the day.

[AndyRAC]

Not at all Dave, it isn't nice at all, I rather have them all at 6 AM and than have a free day to go hiking, skiing, cycling and so on.
But I guess I'm not one of those who spends his Sundays at home in front of the TV set. :\

If what I saw today during the 2 FP sessions is the future of F1 than I can say that I'll have to find to watch some real racing in the future. I don't watch F1 for the flood lights, nor for the advertising, not even for the pit babes that they keep showing us more and more.

Sadly, this is the way of the modern world - people having the attention span of a goldfish. While I disagree with the dumbing down of F1 - Who is going to tell Bernie? I see he has said he's interested in having Japan as a night race. Please no........