Existing Users: Because of an update to the forum software you will need to reset your password. Please use the "Forgot?" link on the sign in form to do so. If that doesn't work, send me an email at feedback@forzaminardi.com and I'll sort you out!
Maybe it's best to post this here. What is your first memory of watching Formula 1 ?
I faintly remember season 1993. I was 10 years old then btw. JJ Lehto and Karl Wendlinger were driving the very first Sauber F1 car that season. I remember supporting JJ Lehto, he was the first Finn since Keke Rosberg driving in Formula 1.
1994 season I remember clearly because of the horrible accident's of Karl Wendlinger (in Monaco), Ratzenberger and Senna.
In 1995 I was a Forti fan :P
Those yellow cars were so cute.
Later (1996) I started supporting Minardi. Go Tarso !! :D
Comments
I don't know the year or the place but I know that Ronnie Peterson, a great driver in that days and because of the sound of his name(...) my favourite, was stuck in his demolished car as it caught fire.
A lot of other cars were also smashed and it seem to take ages until someone was able to get Peterson out of his car. He was taken away by a helicopter and died later in hospital. I believe there were more casualties that season, but I'm not sure of that.
[Edited on 29/8/2005 by Stan]
Hooked immmediately.
I can still see that skier wiping on the intro. ABC's Wide World of Sports. Jackie Stewart calling the races. Me clutching my model of........... http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~xi3s-oosk/f1museum/gallery/p03j101.jpg
Cheering Mario and Jodie Scheckter on.
Still laugh at that to this day.
Häkkinen and Irvine are fighting for the WDC, Irvine would be champion if Schumacher wins the race and he (MS) is on pole. But he loses the start against the Fin and Häkkinen does a great start-finish-victory.
First live memory - Barcelona 1999 first corner! Couldn't believe my ears or eyes. Got me hooked ever since, 22 GPs later!
It was made in '66 or '67
very funny and psychedelic
[Edited on 30/8/2005 by dst]
At the time I was more of a motorcycle fan, and raced bikes competitively, but watching that race changed all that! I was hooked, seeing guys spin off, tyres fail, the rain, the Minardi's running as high as 4th and 5th, and Johnny Herbert taking the flag. I dont think i've seen as good a race since. :D :(
There I was standing in pit lane with a stop watch standing in front of the F1 garages (no secret screens like today). The F1 mechanics busily building the cars. Then like a chorus of angels, some of the F1 engines came to life. The noise just blew me away. I thought, fuck, now THAT'S an engine. TV just doesn't do the noise justice.
Even though I watched GP's from the late seventies on TV with my dad (Ferrari fan, oh well) there's no substitute to being there. Fortunate now to have been to about 16 GP's, and Murph, not a single decent photo.
As the boys have said, TV is reductive. You HAVE to be there (with a view of a big screen).
Followed a few of the Brabham Moss scraps at Phillip Island.
My former boss Tim Marcus Clarke set up the first Adelaide GPs, but I didn't get to see them as I'd moved on to Sydney by then. I've seen all the Malaysian GPs, most of the recent Melbourne GPs, and Austria, also Suzuka but not F1.
Just been reading the July Motorsport which has some great history. Maserati 250F, Honda Ra300s, 1955 Mille Miglia, etc.
Spin
First F1 memory of a proper race in action was Austria 97, seeing Jarno Trulli lead (unusual) in a Prost (very unusual!), thanks to Bridgestone tyres getting the upper hand over Goodyears.
1997 was an odd season, to be honest. Schumacher and Villeneuve never finsihed together on the podium, for starters.
Watched all races in 1998, and confused by Coulthard pulling over for Hakkinen. Since 1998 the only races I've missed have been France and Austria 1999 (was away at other things), Suzuka 2002 (bored as hell of the whole thing) and Hungary 2004 (ditto).
I remember Moss but didn't get into f1 until I followed Gurney, Clark, et all in the mid-60's....started to read DSJ in MOTOR SPORT and was hooked....... first GP that I attended was the 1972 Canadian GP at Mosport Park....was 25 at the time. Nothing like the sound Chris Amon's Matra V12 that fall.
There was an outrage from Sports crazy Melbournites.
Of course the usual stuff about it being a team sport (?) (Team Business really) was trotted out.
I was in Austria when Barricello was ordered to do the same for Multiiple Swervosis who had the better contract. Again an outrage and again the usual pronouncements about team sport and panaioa from Ferrari about how they had to do it or they might not win the WDC and WCC.
The teams are being a bit more subtle now.
Spin
The rest of the family went out swimming and I stayed home with my grandfather so I could watch the race.
Fell asleep half way through..... some things never change :hehe:
Turning Hockenheim into what it is now was a crime that could only be topped by the absense of Minardi. I think I did actually shed a tear when I saw Jean Alesi test a DTM at the new Hockenheimring. Bastards! Well I guess Monza, Monaco and Spa are still there.
I remember Giacomell'i's Alfa Romeo, manfred Whinkelok, I remember so many things... The first season I remember perfectly is 1984.
Also San Marino that year was Sandro Nannini's first points for Benneton who were my team at the time and my route to Minardi:D
First live action was Silverstone '89 which was truly unbelievable when I was 12