I think that calling F1 boring is rather lacking in a real understanding and in-depth interest in the sport as a whole.
Certainly some races can be boring in themselves but only if they are treated as individual car races (BTCC is better to just dip into for some thrills and spills).
F1 is far more than just motor racing. The technical development of the cars is breathtaking as they try to eek out the last thousandth of a second and do incredible things to stretch the rules to the limit, and sometimes beyond. Power train, chassis, aerodynamics and indeed even safety are all developed to a level that very few outside the industry will truly understand but it's a constant learning experience just trying to keep up.
Then throw in the whole political spectrum bubbling under the surface. Engine suppliers, budget caps, driver moves, teams battling with the authorities over rule changes, team ownership changes, sponsorship negotiations, rivalry between drivers, etc. etc. I accept that it's not motor racing but it is F1.
Then on race weekend. The sheer scale of the logistical challenge to move everything from one country to another sometimes in less than a week and make sure everything is working and that all important spanner has not been mislaid. The tiny variations in atmospheric conditions such as air temperature, track temperature, wind direction and speed that can turn a pace setting car into something that is very difficult to control. And that's without the more obvious effects of a good rain shower and the weather forecasting that's involved in trying to second guess the Gods.
Watching how qualifying plays out and how some drivers and teams handle the pressure better than others. Why does a car that's been fast in all the practice sessions suddenly struggle during the qualifying runs and vice versa.
Race day and sometimes the weather conditions are very different to qualifying so the teams have to make decisions based on empirical date but also feeling and experience. And they don't always get them right.
Even watching a seemingly boring race, it's fascinating trying to follow how the teams try to adapt their strategies as the race unfolds. When tyres do not perform as predicted under race conditions, when a driver makes a bad start and finds himself out of position or when the track evolution is different.
And then, sometimes we get racing like we have had this year. Incredible car control (most of the time) and remember with all that horsepower and speed there is no traction control and no ABS. All of the drivers are incredibly skilled and have lighting quick reflexes. And of course they are all human and suffer from brain fade just like the rest of us but above a threshold that I for one can only marvel at.
Sorry to ramble on a bit but I for one don't think F1 is boring. If I want to see a more rough and tumble form of motor racing, I can always go to Hednesford Hills and watch the banger racing.
BTW, Love the Christmas Emoticons
