F1: Then vs. Now

Joe, commenting on the moderators will get you flagged. Let's not make this a habit...

Buddy, do you actually know how to read?

It’s a good thing your eyesight isn't what it used to be, because I'm just here to help you out.

Look, as Way already pointed out, let's stop attacking one another and stick to the topic at hand. This thread is interesting enough as it is, and we don't want to derail it, but there will be no armchair diagnosing allowed here.

I'm not even commenting—I’m just educating people and pointing out the obvious flaws with good intentions.

So, I'm sitting here watching this recap of the 1974 season.

Seriously though, what was the deal with those blue racing suits? Both the Ferrari and Lotus drivers were rocking them.

The nose on that 1981 Ferrari looks uncannily similar to the design they were running back in 2014.

And man, oh man, Gilles...

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ayrto...8312460?ref=hl

I think Formula 1 has officially claimed a piece of my heart for good! To be honest, I’m not even that much of a speed demon or a huge motorsport fanatic—if it weren't for all the constant hype surrounding the cars and the technical stuff, I probably wouldn't care as much. Personally, nothing beats just driving through the countryside on an open road where it's just me and the scenery... BUT, man, Senna was just something else. As both a driver and a human being, he completely blew me away. I fell in love with his whole vibe—that humility, his simplicity, his sheer grit, and that incredible bravery... it’s just captivating. That's exactly why I decided to start this Facebook page. I'd love for fellow fans to come hang out here if you're interested! We're aiming to hit our first 1,000 followers to get things moving. Thanks so much!

Michael Richardson66 said:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ayrto...8312460?ref=hl

I think Formula 1 has officially claimed a piece of my heart for good! To be honest, I’m not even that much of a speed demon or a huge motorsport fanatic—if it weren't for all the constant hype surrounding the cars and the technical stuff, I probably wouldn't care as much. Personally, nothing beats just driving through the countryside on an open road where it's just me and the scenery... BUT, man, Senna was just something else. As both a driver and a human being, he completely blew me away. I fell in love with his whole vibe—that humility, his simplicity, his sheer grit, and that incredible bravery... it’s just captivating. That's exactly why I decided to start this Facebook page. I'd love for fellow fans to come hang out here if you're interested! We're aiming to hit our first 1,000 followers to get things moving. Thanks so much!

Passed your test in the first month, yet you prefer driving out in the middle of nowhere?
Not a fan of high speeds or racing, but Senna won you over with his personality?

He was quite the legend. Enjoy.

Jason Campbell70 said:Passed your test in the first month, yet you prefer driving out in the middle of nowhere?
Not a fan of high speeds or racing, but Senna won you over with his personality?

He was quite the legend. Enjoy.

And who exactly are you to call someone a "legend," if I may ask... and how on earth do you know when someone passed their driving test? I'm a little lost here. Maybe you could clear things up for me? Yeah, Senna inspired me—he was a truly positive influence—and no single YouTube clip is ever going to change that. Sorry to disappoint you...

Michael Richardson66 said:And who exactly are you to call someone a "legend," if I may ask... and how on earth do you know when someone passed their driving test? I'm a little lost here. Maybe you could clear things up for me? Yeah, Senna inspired me—he was a truly positive influence—and no single YouTube clip is ever going to change that. Sorry to disappoint you...

It's just a forum post.

Michael Richardson66 said:And who exactly are you to call someone a "legend," if I may ask... and how on earth do you know when someone passed their driving test? I'm a little lost here. Maybe you could clear things up for me? Yeah, Senna inspired me—he was a truly positive influence—and no single YouTube clip is ever going to change that. Sorry to disappoint you...

It’s an online forum, after all. And how old are you? 😁
It seems unlikely you actually watched Senna live.

Look, if those videos and clips can inspire you positively, why couldn't they also point out some of the flaws in Senna's character?

Michael Richardson66 said:And who exactly are you to call someone a "legend," if I may ask... and how on earth do you know when someone passed their driving test? I'm a little lost here. Maybe you could clear things up for me? Yeah, Senna inspired me—he was a truly positive influence—and no single YouTube clip is ever going to change that. Sorry to disappoint you...

He was a good kid, he just got screwed over by Senna. He had a weakness for him. Even weaker than his obsession with that other driver he loves, but he can't bring himself to admit it.

The guy has such a documented history of contradictions on this forum that it would leave a seasoned detective baffled. The poor sucker wouldn't even be able to stand up straight after trying to make sense of it all.

Jason Campbell70 said:It's just a forum post.

It’s an online forum, after all. And how old are you? 😁
It seems unlikely you actually watched Senna live.

Look, if those videos and clips can inspire you positively, why couldn't they also point out some of the flaws in Senna's character?

I'm old enough—I'm 32—to have actually remembered those races and that iconic red and white McLaren, so I know exactly what kind of impact he had on people.

And wow, you must have a really busy life if you're spending it tracking who posts what on an online forum... I'm not saying that's a bad thing, per se, but I really think people take the internet way too seriously sometimes.

Besides, who's anyone to judge perfection? But just think about it for a second. When someone dedicates their entire existence to winning, isn't it bound to make them a bit more aggressive on the track? That's actually what I love about it. But, if you ever listened to interviews with Martin Brundel—who actually raced alongside him in F3—he mentioned that while Senna was definitely aggressive, he never did anything to put someone else's life at risk. Though, honestly, I know my opinion won't change your mind, so I won't even try to convince you that he wasn't a bit of a reckless, arrogant jerk...

Legacy. Everyone leaves one behind—for better or worse. It’s basically just a mirror held up to the dead.

Wasn't there a post from that little troublemaker just a moment ago?
Ah, my cursed eidetic memory. 😢

Michael Richardson66 said:I'm old enough—I'm 32—to have actually remembered those races and that iconic red and white McLaren, so I know exactly what kind of impact he had on people.

And wow, you must have a really busy life if you're spending it tracking who posts what on an online forum... I'm not saying that's a bad thing, per se, but I really think people take the internet way too seriously sometimes.

Besides, who's anyone to judge perfection? But just think about it for a second. When someone dedicates their entire existence to winning, isn't it bound to make them a bit more aggressive on the track? That's actually what I love about it. But, if you ever listened to interviews with Martin Brundel—who actually raced alongside him in F3—he mentioned that while Senna was definitely aggressive, he never did anything to put someone else's life at risk. Though, honestly, I know my opinion won't change your mind, so I won't even try to convince you that he wasn't a bit of a reckless, arrogant jerk...

Otherwise—you're talking about a man who intentionally hit another driver at 155 miles/h to force them off the track.

Wouldn't he have taken the title if he had?

What if he had been so aggressive one time that he actually risked a life...

Michael Richardson66, let me drop some truth on you—maybe as the only guy in this F1 forum who’s actually older than the sport itself, which basically makes me everyone here's grandpa.

Ayrton Senna was an incredible driver. Seriously fast—faster than Nelson Piquet, faster than Alain Prost. But here’s the kicker: unlike those two, or even a dozen others, Ayrton Senna wasn't a true Grand Prix driver. A real Grand Prix driver isn't just a gentleman; they're a knight. And Ayrton Senna? Not a knight. He brought pure savagery to Formula 1. His biggest stroke of luck was hitting the scene right when carbon fiber was taking over—if he’d been driving aluminum tubs, we’d be talking about him like we talk about Beloff, Peterson, or Villeneuve. Though, to be fair, Peterson and Villeneuve were actual knights. Ayrton Senna wasn't a knight or a classic Grand Prix driver—he was a celebrity. He was the Brad Pitt of Formula 1. Now look, Brad Pitt is a great actor, sure, but you've got guys like Anthony Hopkins or Clint Eastwood who are better at the craft. But Pitt is good-looking. And Senna? He was a gorgeous man. Those deep dark eyes, thick wavy hair, full lips, freckles—who could resist that? Then he died right in front of millions of people watching the race live at Imola. No other world champion has ever died live on global TV. Clark died out in the woods at Hockenheim—nobody saw it. Hill died in a plane crash—no audience. Farina and Hawthorn died in car wrecks—again, nobody watching. Rindt died in front of maybe 1,500 people without a live broadcast—and he wasn't even a world champ when it happened. Even Schumacher's accident was private—nobody saw it. The simple fact that Senna was the only world champ to die "live" is exactly what fueled that media firestorm after May 1st, 1994, and gave him that massive charisma.

If Schumacher had died "live" in front of millions back in 2006—who would even be talking about Ayrton Senna today!?

Hopefully that clears up the whole Ayrton Senna thing for you.

Joe, do you actually know anything about this guy in my avatar? F1 fans from his era pretty much agree—unanimously—that he was the fastest driver on the grid... though he always had some drama with his team in the corners. I wonder if there’s any real connection between his situation and yours—mostly regarding how people tend to hype up his greatness after he’s gone?

ruggedhawk20 said:Michael Richardson66, let me drop some truth on you—maybe as the only guy in this F1 forum who’s actually older than the sport itself, which basically makes me everyone here's grandpa.

Ayrton Senna was an incredible driver. Seriously fast—faster than Nelson Piquet, faster than Alain Prost. But here’s the kicker: unlike those two, or even a dozen others, Ayrton Senna wasn't a true Grand Prix driver. A real Grand Prix driver isn't just a gentleman; they're a knight. And Ayrton Senna? Not a knight. He brought pure savagery to Formula 1. His biggest stroke of luck was hitting the scene right when carbon fiber was taking over—if he’d been driving aluminum tubs, we’d be talking about him like we talk about Beloff, Peterson, or Villeneuve. Though, to be fair, Peterson and Villeneuve were actual knights. Ayrton Senna wasn't a knight or a classic Grand Prix driver—he was a celebrity. He was the Brad Pitt of Formula 1. Now look, Brad Pitt is a great actor, sure, but you've got guys like Anthony Hopkins or Clint Eastwood who are better at the craft. But Pitt is good-looking. And Senna? He was a gorgeous man. Those deep dark eyes, thick wavy hair, full lips, freckles—who could resist that? Then he died right in front of millions of people watching the race live at Imola. No other world champion has ever died live on global TV. Clark died out in the woods at Hockenheim—nobody saw it. Hill died in a plane crash—no audience. Farina and Hawthorn died in car wrecks—again, nobody watching. Rindt died in front of maybe 1,500 people without a live broadcast—and he wasn't even a world champ when it happened. Even Schumacher's accident was private—nobody saw it. The simple fact that Senna was the only world champ to die "live" is exactly what fueled that media firestorm after May 1st, 1994, and gave him that massive charisma.

If Schumacher had died "live" in front of millions back in 2006—who would even be talking about Ayrton Senna today!?

Hopefully that clears up the whole Ayrton Senna thing for you.

I have to disagree. Maybe he wasn't a team player; maybe he was a solo act, which showed in how he could nail a pole position one lap, but struggle to maintain that same pace over a long race distance. Personally, I find racing to be the most boring sport on earth, but there was one person who made it worth watching for me: Senna. Not Schumacher, not Prost, not Lauda, or whoever else these young kids follow these days. He just had "that something." That spark. He would have had it whether he was running, swimming, or jumping. I heard someone say he might have become a priest if he hadn't been an athlete. His sister is actually married to a Protestant minister. I know he came from a somewhat snobbish background, but it was a family with real values. It was that spiritual dimension, that drive to be perfect both as a driver and as a man, that really moved me. I'm not saying he was a devout believer, but I don't know how else to put it... I just love that kind of soul...

Michael Richardson66 said:I have to disagree. Maybe he wasn't a team player; maybe he was a solo act, which showed in how he could nail a pole position one lap, but struggle to maintain that same pace over a long race distance. Personally, I find racing to be the most boring sport on earth, but there was one person who made it worth watching for me: Senna. Not Schumacher, not Prost, not Lauda, or whoever else these young kids follow these days. He just had "that something." That spark. He would have had it whether he was running, swimming, or jumping. I heard someone say he might have become a priest if he hadn't been an athlete. His sister is actually married to a Protestant minister. I know he came from a somewhat snobbish background, but it was a family with real values. It was that spiritual dimension, that drive to be perfect both as a driver and as a man, that really moved me. I'm not saying he was a devout believer, but I don't know how else to put it... I just love that kind of soul...

ruggedhawk20 said:Michael Richardson66, let me drop some truth on you—maybe as the only guy in this F1 forum who’s actually older than the sport itself, which basically makes me everyone here's grandpa.

Ayrton Senna was an incredible driver. Seriously fast—faster than Nelson Piquet, faster than Alain Prost. But here’s the kicker: unlike those two, or even a dozen others, Ayrton Senna wasn't a true Grand Prix driver. A real Grand Prix driver isn't just a gentleman; they're a knight. And Ayrton Senna? Not a knight. He brought pure savagery to Formula 1. His biggest stroke of luck was hitting the scene right when carbon fiber was taking over—if he’d been driving aluminum tubs, we’d be talking about him like we talk about Beloff, Peterson, or Villeneuve. Though, to be fair, Peterson and Villeneuve were actual knights. Ayrton Senna wasn't a knight or a classic Grand Prix driver—he was a celebrity. He was the Brad Pitt of Formula 1. Now look, Brad Pitt is a great actor, sure, but you've got guys like Anthony Hopkins or Clint Eastwood who are better at the craft. But Pitt is good-looking. And Senna? He was a gorgeous man. Those deep dark eyes, thick wavy hair, full lips, freckles—who could resist that? Then he died right in front of millions of people watching the race live at Imola. No other world champion has ever died live on global TV. Clark died out in the woods at Hockenheim—nobody saw it. Hill died in a plane crash—no audience. Farina and Hawthorn died in car wrecks—again, nobody watching. Rindt died in front of maybe 1,500 people without a live broadcast—and he wasn't even a world champ when it happened. Even Schumacher's accident was private—nobody saw it. The simple fact that Senna was the only world champ to die "live" is exactly what fueled that media firestorm after May 1st, 1994, and gave him that massive charisma.

If Schumacher had died "live" in front of millions back in 2006—who would even be talking about Ayrton Senna today!?

Hopefully that clears up the whole Ayrton Senna thing for you.

.

I’m not really feeling your take, ruggedhawk20... implying that women only care about how good a guy looks is just reaching. That's such a superficial way to look at life. Honestly, I think women have much sharper intuition than men; they can see right past the surface and connect with someone's actual heart and what drives them. Sure, he was definitely easy on the eyes back in his thirties, but that was probably the very last reason I found him to be such a great person.

Michael Richardson66 said:I’m not really feeling your take, ruggedhawk20... implying that women only care about how good a guy looks is just reaching. That's such a superficial way to look at life. Honestly, I think women have much sharper intuition than men; they can see right past the surface and connect with someone's actual heart and what drives them. Sure, he was definitely easy on the eyes back in his thirties, but that was probably the very last reason I found him to be such a great person.

Fair enough. Let's run a little test then, since you're such an expert at peering into a man's soul.

Let's see what's actually going on inside this guy's heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWBI0LbTxi0

// I know it isn't Formula 1—but hey, you just said Formula 1 doesn't interest you and that it's boring anyway, so let's just ignore that tiny little difference in sports, alright?