Felipe Massa Retires

[Buddahaid]

I'm surprised there isn't an F1 thread here, or maybe it's just buried.

Anyway driver Felipe Massa has retired after a fifteen year career in F1 at Interlagos in front of his Brazilian compatriots.

[Schroeder]

So he's not going to do the season's last race in Bahrain?

I have lost interest in F1 a couple of years ago and this year was the first year since 1993 where I didn't watch a single race. The turbo engines and lack of likable drivers pushed me away.

[Buddahaid]

The engines will remain through 2020 where they will undergo a change back to higher RPM but still retain hybrid technology. This year brought on wider cars and tires which made for many lap records being eclipsed, and today was no exception with Montoya's 13 year lap record at Interlagos being bested. Next year brings on the Halo which will make for better driver safety but a big look change for open cockpit.

Likable drivers? I guess that's a matter of personal opinion.

[Schroeder]

Originally Posted by Buddahaid

Likable drivers? I guess that's a matter of personal opinion.

Well, there is the self absorbed social media omnipresent peacock in the Mercedes and the little boy in the Ferrari. Kimi and Massa are overall cool but don't have the personality that calls out to me. I'm still stuck in the Schumacher / Hill / Hakkinen era. I'd take any of those over the current generation drivers. Maybe I'm just getting old.

[Buddahaid]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Well, there is the self absorbed social media omnipresent peacock in the Mercedes...

I used to not like Hamilton but he has shown himself to be not only a great driver, but a true sportsman as well who admits when he's wrong and gives kudos to those who outperform him. I think much of the bad taste comes from the media coverage more then the personalities. F1 is going through a stage of creating popular appeal to the masses and that has it's benefits and detraction's. I rarely watch the podium celebrations for that very reason.

These days, F1 is being fed very young drivers, like most sports, and that comes with all the lack of seasoning, grace, and experience most young people have. The very safety of the cars also plays a role with increased risk taking and poor judgement that would have resulted in deaths before.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Well, there is the self absorbed social media omnipresent peacock in the Mercedes and the little boy in the Ferrari. Kimi and Massa are overall cool but don't have the personality that calls out to me. I'm still stuck in the Schumacher / Hill / Hakkinen era. I'd take any of those over the current generation drivers. Maybe I'm just getting old.

You must be 'getting old'............Hamilton

Originally Posted by Buddahaid

I used to not like Hamilton but he has shown himself to be not only a great driver, but a true sportsman as well who admits when he's wrong and gives kudos to those who outperform him. I think much of the bad taste comes from the media coverage more then the personalities. F1 is going through a stage of creating popular appeal to the masses and that has it's benefits and detraction's. I rarely watch the podium celebrations for that very reason.

These days, F1 is being fed very young drivers, like most sports, and that comes with all the lack of seasoning, grace, and experience most young people have. The very safety of the cars also plays a role with increased risk taking and poor judgement that would have resulted in deaths before.

Yep, agreed