Formula Fun: I Was There This Time!

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivAzHZDZRpc&spfreload=10[/youtube]
Now, I may have talked some big game going into this weekend about doing posts every night wrapping up the day’s events. Well, no plan ever survives contact with the enemy, and in this case, the enemy was lemon drops, Jameson, and Gin and Tonics. That, and a tad bit of food poisoning almost torpedoed my entire trip. But, thankfully, I recovered so I could go to the race today. This race was probably most interesting to me in that there were more reasons to be at the track and watch it there, than those at home. So some of you out there are obviously saying “But Patrick, races are always better in person!” Long story short, no, they usually aren’t. If you don’t have access to any info, the race gets confusing, and you can’t see all of the action on track. I adore COTA, and they get the screen thing mostly right, and I love going there to see the grand prix, but I do have to admit I always make sure to go home and immediately watch the race with commentary and multiple angles. Now, I am not talking about the atmosphere and fan interaction you get while there in person. There is nothing on earth that beats all that. The way a city embraces F1 is always awe inspiring to me. The atmosphere at the track was electric, and I noticed something that Will Buxton of NBCSN told me while we chatted at his meet up. No matter what team someone supports, they are always down to talk to everyone. The team loyalty is just one aspect of our sport, not the whole thing. Will also was nice enough to give me some great advice, and he is just all around one of the most lovely people I have ever met.
Anyways, at the track, the racing was excellent, seeing Massa’s amazing close pass at turn 2 was breathtaking. Hearing the engines pop, whine, and go was amazing. The wave from the drivers, the roar of the crowd, the close passing and contact. All of it lead to some fantastic action on track. Sure, Hamilton was never really under threat, but Bottas was fast and just super to watch. As was Vettel’s climb through the field. After a long walk though, and a bunch of chatting with other fans, and a nice little conversation with Mr. Grahm Lowden of Manor. (Look for more from him soon) I got back to my hotel, fired up the wifi and looked at twitter. This is what shocked me, as it looked like the majority of people thought it was a real snoozer of a race. This was dumbfounding to me, as I was seeing action ever single lap. The red hot brakes, the cars coming into view and disappearing in a blur. I didn’t get it. These machines are so amazing and technical, and their pilots so skilled, that I believe every lap they don’t pile it into the wall should be applauded. Oh well. To each their own. But do keep that in mind next time you think a race is “Boring”

This isn’t all the Formula Fun you’ll be getting this week kids, I have at least one more article planned, as more of a day by day travelogue of this trip. But until then, I just figured I would throw out some opinions on this great race. And if you have the means, I highly recommend going.

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3 responses to “Formula Fun: I Was There This Time!”

  1. ninjacoco Avatar
    ninjacoco

    The battle for the win was the snoozer, but honestly, meh. Vettel clawed up to 5th from 18th, for Pete’s sake. Why things like that don’t get more air time when it looks like the battle up front is going to be a forgone conclusion by lap 2, I’ll never understand.
    (Also, Timbits are good!)

  2. mr smee Avatar
    mr smee

    I can’t even say “Le Circuit Gilles Villeneuve” without choking up a little.

  3. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    And if you have the means, I highly recommend going.

    http://sunny95.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/16/files/2013/04/Car.gif

    Was it also “so choice”?

    http://www.quotes.net/mquote/31493