I think people are possibly too quick to blame the F1 cars for the lack of overtaking. I tend to blame a) the new points system, b) the expenses, and c) (least) the drivers.

A good thing to do is the watch the GP2 races before the F1 races: the Canadian version of Speed Channel shows the GP2 Saturday feature race in full before showing each GP live (though I switch to TSN to watch the GP since they have the much better English commentary...anyway). Those cars are pretty close to the F1 cars in performance - not on a level, but close - and those guys overtake each other all the time. Sure, it resembles an LFS public server a lot more than the F1 race (i.e. a lot of the passing manoeuvres are wildly overoptimistic and end up with both guys in the kitty litter), but it's sure entertaining to watch, and they DO make the moves stick quite a lot of the time. Now those guys have a more aggressive points system, and they're also all trying to stand out and get picked up by an F1 team. The F1 drivers are driving for a points system that goes:

10
8
6
5
4
3
2
1

and have no incentive beyond the points to fight for a high place. Under the old system, the gap from first to second was actually worth fighting for - 4 points (and therefore an overall 8 point swing) is a big difference. Under the new system, if Schumacher's leading and Alonso is holding second, what incentive does Alonso have to even try a pass? Let's say he's got a 25% chance of passing, 50% chance of not getting past but keeping on running, and 25% of taking himself out of the race. If he stays in second, Schumey gains a huge two points on him in the championship. Oh, big disaster. If he manages to pass, he gains two points on Schumey, for a total difference of four points over staying in second place - that ain't much reward. If he takes himself out of the race, Schumey gains ten points on him (and his team will not exactly be happy with him for wrecking several zillion pounds worth of equipment). The risk and reward just isn't there for him to try and pass, so he won't - he'll just hang tight and see if he can get past in a pit stop, or through an error. No matter how amazing the cars, I think if the drivers had more incentive to attack, they'd do it more.

From my point of view the trouble with F1 these days is that it appears to be somewhat sanitised, a pale imitation of its former self if you like. Yes it's still the pinnacle of modern motorsports but if you sit and watch the footage of Gilles Villneuve in the turbo Renault and I forget who in the Ferrari going around Dijon Prenois in about 1980, it's much more exciting. They swap places about 4 times in one lap, lock the wheels going into corners and atually touch tyres going down the straight at god knows what miles an hour. Add to that the fact that Dijon Prenois is a fantastic swoopy circuit in the same vein as Brands Hatch or a shorter Spa and you get the picture.

To be quite honest these days I find Formula 1 with its computer assisted cars and flat tracks rather boring. Yes you still need to be a God amongst men to drive one quickly but the days of proper big balls racing are gone.[With the exception of Monaco where you need to have a lobotomy before stepping into the car]

I find myself happier in front of the WRC [even that's taken a serious dive] or the Aussie V8s especially the Bathurst , cos certainly in the case of the Aussie stuff it's much more exciting. 500+bhp and rubbing doors in a car about the size of a Vauxhall Carlton, now that's what I call racing...

Love the Aussie V8s (they're 600+hp btw ). The close racing is amazing, there are few drivers (if any) that are there just to make up the numbers and the championships often go down to the last couple of rounds. MotoGP, especially this season with all the new blood (go Stoner, Vermuelen, Pedrosa) and the fact that Rossi is having difficulty being quick atm, always has great close racing and borderline-insane balls-of-steel passing moves. Last race in Shanghai they were hitting 345+ kph on the back straight, drafting each other, outbraking and throwing the bikes into the next corner sideways. Niiice.

I still like F1 despite its recent excitement deficit and the number of tracks where you can't pass. I'd sure like to see a bit more close racing, like many F1 fans. I grew up watching it in the 80s where it was all giant slicks and ridiculous horsepower but still provided outstanding racing. There was no guarantee of victory if a driver got out of the pits in front of someone - he still had to fight tooth and nail to keep his spot. Too often these days if they re-join in front of someone, that's how the race ends unless there's trouble.

The LFS BF1 may lead to a bit of interest in RL F1, but in the end it's up to F1 itself to make its racing more interesting.

Quote from Cue-Ball :

So people who don't like F1 are not intellectual or technical?

Don't take it that way. To be ignorant is not the same as being stupid. Ignorant means you lack information. There is a lot going on with F1 from the drivers, teams, technical, rules, etc. If you don't get into a lot of the off camera stuff, it is harder to enjoy the sport. Watching golf is a prime example. If you have never played, you can't appreciate the skill it takes to make those shots. It is a thing of beauty and can be riveting.

I love F1. I think BTCC is fun, but it is more like bumper cars than racing (just my opinion). I prefer ALMS. Super fast and technical prototypes, cool sports cars, great drivers, and lots of action. I also like the SPEED World Challenge. Very cool stock cars racing. I have never gotten into the Aussie V8 series. I don't know the tracks or the drivers and I have lots of other racing to watch, so I don't try to get into it much. I am sure I would enjoy it if I took the time to get to know the series. You see, I am ignorant about it

I doubt the BF1 will increase the number of people who like F1. I think it will increase their respect for the drivers or the cars, but it won't make the sport exciting for them.

I must say: To like F1, u must know the Teams, the Drivers - and their History. I am a big Fan of F1, and i watch every race.

Last saison was very boring, itrs already better this year, and it will get even better next year when F1 will race on slicks again, and TC is forbidden.
Cant wait to get an updated BF1.

Hallen, I certainly appreciate the skill involved in golf as I've tried it a bit and sucked really, really bad However I still find it dull as heck to watch

I reckon you'd love the V8s - 5.7L V8s, 32 cars (two makes only - Ford & Holden four-door RWD family sedans) at about 1500kg & 600+hp each, all driven by very skilled pilots going hammer & tongs, nose to tail for the entire race, all capable of 300+kph (given enough room). Some rounds are made of 2 or 3 races which can test driver and machine pretty well. Throw in the 500km endurance races (and the Bathurst 1000) and you have a pretty sweet racing series.
Congratulations - now you're less ignorant

Formula One is the pinnacle of motorsport, in other words it is the perfect road machine... it's barely comparable to a vehicle. All the worlds cars are merely pieces of what Formula One has began. I have loved F1 since 1988 and I was only 6 years old at the time. When I grew older I wanted to know so much more about the history and oldschool drivers, so I researched.

F1 is like technology it may be upgraded, faster, lookbetter and be more efficient, yet it may not be as fun to watch/drive... check out some pre 1980,70 races and you will see exactly what I mean That's why i agree on taking ALL AIDS away from F1 and making the driver once again the difference.

Quote from Hankstar :

Congratulations - now you're less ignorant

to whom are you talking to?

Quote from Hankstar :

Hallen, I certainly appreciate the skill involved in golf as I've tried it a bit and sucked really, really bad However I still find it dull as heck to watch

I reckon you'd love the V8s - 5.7L V8s, 32 cars (two makes only - Ford & Holden four-door RWD family sedans) at about 1500kg & 600+hp each, all driven by very skilled pilots going hammer & tongs, nose to tail for the entire race, all capable of 300+kph (given enough room). Some rounds are made of 2 or 3 races which can test driver and machine pretty well. Throw in the 500km endurance races (and the Bathurst 1000) and you have a pretty sweet racing series.
Congratulations - now you're less ignorant

lol, Oh I have watched enough of it to appreciate the racing aspect. But it isn't just about the on-track action. I would have to follow the series for a year or so before I got excited about it. The problem is, we only see a few of the races here and they are all shown tape delayed, often by months, so it is tough to get into here on the top side of the globe.

hamma... an tongs....

Quote from Hallen :

lol, Oh I have watched enough of it to appreciate the racing aspect. But it isn't just about the on-track action. I would have to follow the series for a year or so before I got excited about it. The problem is, we only see a few of the races here and they are all shown tape delayed, often by months, so it is tough to get into here on the top side of the globe.

Damn shame. Similar situation with Superbikes here: they're only on cable now but they were on free TV for years. When we do get to see them on free TV it's a 5-minute wrap-up on the RPM show on Sunday afternoon. It's a damn shame because, once again, Aussies called Troy are pwnzxing it big-time We do get CART/IRL races though (real late on Monday nights), that's some wicked close racing there :up:

Quote from JeffR :

Depends on the track. On a street course, there's no real room to pass, but Spa is large enought that you have some passing that doesn't occur in the pits.

Uhmmm. Spa is a street course, the track at Spa is actually very narrow.
Narrower than most other circuits.
Spa is just a very great circuit and the layout of the circuit allows passes.

To enjoy F1 you have to go to the races your self, TV can get boring.. its not until you witness the speed and sound of an f1 live that u can truly appreciate their speed.

Heres a few pictures i took from this years Melbourne F1 for those that r interested

Inside a broken down Honda
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v346/tycron/Friday011.jpg

Second Red Bull team had a off during practice
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v346/tycron/Friday003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v346/tycron/Friday001.jpg

Quote from mrodgers :

If all you see is fast cars going around in a circle then you don't have a good understanding of Nascar and that is probably why you are at odds with the opinions of true fans. Nascar may be a little too boring or perhaps needing no skills for just turning left for the average couch potato sports fan to easily digest, but it is rewarding and entertaining once you take all aspects of the competition on board.

This is a good point, and well made. I concede that, if I knew as much about the background of Nascar as I do F1, I'd probably be hunting TV channels to find it.

I think it nicely brings us back round to the OP's question. Has the BF1 (or the insight into an F1 experience that the BF1 brings) increased the "watchability" of F1 for anyone who would, otherwise, not be watching F1?

Yes. For me it has, although I was already an F1 fan. Of our other team members, there ARE some who HAVE turned on the F1 on a Sunday, when they otherwise wouldn't have bothered.

Nope, in terms of watching F1 on the telly the BF1 has been inconsequential. I am an avid fan of F1 though

Quote from _Cash :

Uhmmm. Spa is a street course, the track at Spa is actually very narrow.

But it has a very long straight which allows for passing.

For BF1 racing to be fun, you just need longer / wider tracks which provides more of an oppurtunity to pass. For hot lapping, I find the F1 cars in various games to be the most fun, as it provides a good challenge for your sense of timing.

Quote from Sawyer :

I'm a big F1 fan and I really dont enjoy the new car. Its simple to fast for me. Still prefer FOX 100 times over BF1 and the fact that its driving only on fictional tracks doesnt help either.
Not saying thats its not well done.

I agree entirely. Must say that the BF1 disappointed me.