How to fix F1?

[coppice]

I think it was Denis Jenkinson who coined the term Micky Mouse , and applied it to anywhere which didn't maim or kill a driver or two at a Grand Prix. Jackie's focus was on safety - so Micky Mouse Nivelles instead of Spa, Ricard instead of Clermont Ferrand - etc.

[S griffin]

I think it's probably called Mickey Mouse because the circuits belong at Disneyland, but I could be mistaken

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by jimclark

(jimclark, please, I have respect for Jimmy)

I don't know the term "mixer" but from the context, 'a clue. Not so. Just opinion like everyone else.

Originally Posted by Graham Hill 1968

I am sure that it wasn't Jimmy's fault at Hockenheim. Everyone was taking that curve fiat out, and Jimmy was the best man in the race—and best in the world. He was that because he just had all the requirements; he was a natural athlete with very good muscular coordination and a very good eye. He had a springy step; he was light on his feet. He had rhythm. His judgment was excellent, and his reactions were very fast.

Emphasis added.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by coppice

I think it was Denis Jenkinson who coined the term Micky Mouse , and applied it to anywhere which didn't maim or kill a driver or two at a Grand Prix. Jackie's focus was on safety - so Micky Mouse Nivelles instead of Spa, Ricard instead of Clermont Ferrand - etc.

I couldn't find anything about Denis Jenkinson coining the term Micky Mouse. However, he did come up with the classification of a driver's effort into "tenths". Ten/Tenths being the highest.

[Adam43]

Wasn’t Mickey Mouse circuit first used when referring to the Le Mans Bugatti circuit when used for its only F1 race in 1967?

[jimclark]

Originally Posted by wnut

Nobody who actually knew him ever called Jim, Jimmy. Only American broadcasters and ignorant journalists used Jimmy.

"Ignorant" broadcasters? Or are they just using "Jimmy" as we (in the States, certainly I) use as a "name" of endearment?

If someone were to ask me who I thought was the best driver ever I would reply Jim Clark ('would find it real hard to use James). As I explained why, I would most certainly slip into the fond use of Jimmy.

(Richard, Richie; Samuel, Sammy; Susan, Susie; Joseph, Joey; Millicent, Millie; Francis, Fran; etc., etc.)

[wnut]

Originally Posted by jimclark

"Ignorant" broadcasters? Or are they just using "Jimmy" as we (in the States, certainly I) use as a "name" of endearment?

If someone were to ask me who I thought was the best driver ever I would reply Jim Clark ('would find it real hard to use James). As I explained why, I would most certainly slip into the fond use of Jimmy.

(Richard, Richie; Samuel, Sammy; Susan, Susie; Joseph, Joey; Millicent, Millie; Francis, Fran; etc., etc.)

Fair enough, I would do the same, however some people have a thing about it, my mother for instance, and apparently Jim.
Have a friend Mike who is driven round the twist with Mick, who knows!

Why, I have no idea totally in your camp on "names of endearment".

[Richard C]

I expect any public figure can’t control what names might be used for them. Even if it is a term of endearment and with well meaning. But no doubt for the true friends they know what is allowable. For example, it is not terribly uncommon for some who I have just met to call me “Rich”, but none of my friends or people who have known me for a long time use that and I typically try to quietly correct people to let them know I prefer “Richard”

Richard

[Aysedasi]

My son is James. To me, he will always be James although many call him Jim or 'Jimmer'. He doesn't mind. But he'll never be a Jimmy.......

[Peter Mallett]

My name is Peter and I don't mind whether I'm called Pete or Peter. But I do rail at being called Algernon Ftang Ftang, Bon-Bon Biscuit Barrel Smith.

[Aysedasi]

Yes, but you're only slightly silly......

[Mike Bell]

Only slightly?

‘Mick’ to a ‘Mike’ is totally off limits. A well known figure in UK racing used to insist on being addressed as Christoper, never Chris, and a racing friend James cannot be addressed as Jim or Jimmy.....

Now what was the thread topic again?

[Aysedasi]

How to fix someone called 'Fi', I think........

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

How to fix someone called 'Fi', I think........

And what better way to start with the 'Fix' than to address how drivers are referred to?

How can people be expected to embrace the sport, when they aren't sure if they are watching:

Sergio or Checo
Fernando or Fred
Sebastian or Vettee

[chillibowl]

i'd like it more if HamSandwich caught on!

[Aysedasi]

Then there's that Scottish driver, Hamish Lewilton.........

[Armco Bender]

I like this thread,it just needs a theme song...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b5aW08ivHU

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Then there's that Scottish driver, Hamish Lewilton.........

He is very famous.

[jimclark]

'Has been getting the job done, no?

[chillibowl]

some fairly strong words by Brawn about the gap between the top 3 and the rest of the field.

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/14...eptable--brawn

"Two podiums from a total of 123 [across the two seasons] is unacceptable, especially when it comes with an ever increasing technical and financial divide

"It's a problem we are tackling together with the FIA and the teams, because the future of Formula 1 depends on it.

"There are various solutions on the table and we must all accept that we can't go on like this for too much longer."

however it remains to be seen what if anything he or FOM can or will do about this but at least they acknowledge it...which i suppose is something.

[EffectiveSprinkles]

What's strong about them? He's pointing out the obvious yet offers no solution. I'm not even sure there is that big of a problem.

[jimclark]

Originally Posted by EffectiveSprinkles

He's pointing out the obvious yet offers no solution. I'm not even sure there is that big of a problem.

As usual, my stand.
Solution? Solution for what?? The best are on top, where they should be. This is F1, not Indycar.
As usual, I don't see a problem at all. Rules set...do your best. That's always been F1.

[EffectiveSprinkles]

If Renault were anywhere near where they should be there would be no complaints anyway.

[coppice]

I agree , and some of the trouble with less informed fans is that they view F1 as just another motor-based TV entertainment . Hence they make spurious comparisons with entirely different disciplines , such as NASCAR and Moto GP.



BUT ...that doesn't mean I have to accept that whatever dish F1 cooks up I will like more than its previous ones.



What is key is this , I think -



- overtaking need not be frequent , but it must happen, on track and not in the pits , nor with the intervention of artifice like DRS. One car needs , with driver skill, to be able to overtake the one it has caught. And to do so without every move then being at the risk of being protested and (for Chrissake ) 'investigated'



- penalties need to be reserved , not for mistakes , nor engine blow ups but only for cases where the motive for a move is to push the other guy off



- cars need to be spectacular enough in looks , speed , noise and body language to be a thrill to watch , and for the driver's skills to be apparent , even if a car is running by itself and not in a fight for position



- cars need to be diverse , especially in looks and noise. That points to different engines being used and more freedom being given to exploring different approaches to the same problem



- budgets become absurd when car manufacturers are involved , especially when they are teams in their own right as opposed to funders, or makers and sellers, of engines. They show no interest in the sport's long term objectives , have far too much leverage but can walk away on a whim



- F1 has proved itself incapable of showing any understanding , or interest, in what the people who ultimately pay their wages (you and me ) want. They think we think that tyre compounds are fascinating , they think we agonise about pit stop strategies and they think it isn't just them who care much about constructors. We don't , not really , we care about the drivers


I could go on ....

[EffectiveSprinkles]

Some good points but I wonder what the problem with DRS actually is? This year it's proven its worth, providing exactly what you say should happen. DRS makes it possible for cars to get close to attempt a pass. This was very evident in Brazil for example. DRS made the car behind get close, but he still had to do the work.

DRS is in essence nothing else than allowed active aerodynamics. The rules surrounding it could use a tweak or two but other than that I see no reason why people get their pitchforks out about it. The only reason I can think of is a vague calling it 'artificial' because it's not old school.