F1 Fan Question

[Mike412]

Like a lot of people I’ve recently took an interest in F1 admittedly because of Drive To Survive (currently on S2). I’ve always been into motor sports but after learning more of the nuances of F1 it has grabbed my attention. I’m still filling in some holes in my understanding of the sport but it seems there are 2 different championships, driver’s and constructor’s.

 

I’m trying to figure how to be a fan and who I want to pull for. So my question is, as a fan, do you have a favorite team or a favorite driver or both? Also feel free to share who you support and why!

 

Edited March 9, 2023 by Mike412

[pseudoswede]

I've been a fan of Lewis since his McLaren days. I'm also a huge Checo fan. Last season, once Mazepin got kicked out of F1, there wasn't a driver I totally hated. This season is way too early to figure out the new drivers. Ferrari also has seemed to carry a FIGJAM attitude; which has been a great look for the past decade. All I want are competitive and exciting races, and I'd love to see 4-5 constructors (instead of the typical 1 or 2) vying for the world championship every year. From a constructor's perspective, it's all about who can eek out an extra tenth or two out of their cars; for drivers, it's about who can make it happen.

 

That said, while Verstappen has an attitude and face that just makes you want to punch into oblivion, I have the utmost respect for him as a driver.

[84425]

I remember watching f1 as a kid (in the early 80ies: nurnburg ring). Watched a bit when Jos Verstappen raced in f1 and started watching again when Max Verstappen entered f1 (i’m Dutch so it was a bit difficult not to be aware of or immersed in f1 the past 7 years). Those first couple of years of max in f1 were probably most fun to watch (loads of overtaking), where driver + car is now so far ahead of the rest of the field (like Lewis + Mercedes were before) that there’s not much excitement in watching Verstappen now. 
I like to see Gasly, Norris ans Alonso get good results. I like Leclerc, feel sorry for him that he now has to deal with a team that is stacking mistake upon mistake. 
Very much doubt i would like any of the drivers if i met them in person. They all seem to be extremely cocky (some may not show it as much as others but i think they all are and maybe also have to be to get to where they are now). 

[pseudoswede]

2 hours ago, 84425 said:

They all seem to be extremely cocky (some may not show it as much as others but i think they all are and maybe also have to be to get to where they are now). 

 

Realistically, this could be said for any professional athlete. There isn't a single PGA golfer (or F1 driver) that went through their career saying, "eh, I'm just okay." That kind of attitude won't even get you a Formula 3 seat.

Edited March 9, 2023 by pseudoswede

[mstuewe]

Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz are both golfers.  So they are a good place to start.  

[Mike412]

1 hour ago, pseudoswede said:

 

Realistically, this could be said for any professional athlete. There isn't a single PGA golfer (or F1 driver) that went through their career saying, "eh, I'm just okay." That kind of attitude won't even get you a Formula 3 seat.

Definitely agree all the greats have a certain degree of arrogance. But when I read that the first name I thought of was Joel Dahmen.

[golfortennis]

17 hours ago, pseudoswede said:

 

Realistically, this could be said for any professional athlete. There isn't a single PGA golfer (or F1 driver) that went through their career saying, "eh, I'm just okay." That kind of attitude won't even get you a Formula 3 seat.

 

Well, money is the first criteria there for the auto racing.

[golfortennis]

15 hours ago, Mike412 said:

Definitely agree all the greats have a certain degree of arrogance. But when I read that the first name I thought of was Joel Dahmen.

 

Not even greats.  I believe it was Quin Buckner, when asked about big egos and the NBA, he said "you can't even play in this league without a big ego."

 

The trick is to not believe everyone is your inferior when you're off the field/court/track.

[Superbrit]

Most die hard F1 fans have been fans since they were a kid (myself included)

 

I got hooked on F1 watching the likes of Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell, where talking mid 80's here, and then you were an Ayrton fan or a Prost fan, very similar to today with Verstappen and Hamilton (but Ayrton was the best, and probably still is)

 

If your getting into F1 my advice would be to watch the film Senna, its amazing, and gives you a little insight into the history of F1

 

I myself have always been an Hamilton fan, well since he started, Hamilton is as close to Tiger woods (in the F1 world) as you get really, although no doubt Schumacher and verstappen fans will disagree

 

Also never go on twitter and start debating which driver is best etc, its just not worth it lol

[Xavier_11]

I'm a Merc fan first. Then LH but will gladly cheer on George once Lewis hangs them up.

 

Been a fan ever since JV won in '97 and having Lance bring back a Canadian is what regained my major interest in 2017.  

[JimmyC59]

I started following F1 in 1976 at 16 yo. The year of Lauda/Hunt. I recommend the F1 documentary called "One". It covers the 60s and 70s. It's really eye opening about how incredibly dangerous it was.

IMDb: : 1   https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2518788/

[Mrgreen36]

I don't care about any team or driver in particular. I just love open wheel racing and racing that also turns right.   The technology they develop in F1 is amazing. I do miss the sounds of the older engines though, and the 6 wheel car. 😆 

[BagofToast]

I'm a redbull fan, like the team and like Max and Checo. I like Mercedes as a team but don't particuarly like their drivers so that's werid I suppose. I've watched Formula E since it came around and support de Vries now that he's on the grid. 

 

You can be a fan of a team, drivers, both neither, like who you like, don't who you don't lol.  

[iBanesto]

It's all about the driver rivalries which makes it for me.

 

Nothing will top Prost-Senna era.

 

Schumacher-Hill, Schumacher-Villeneuve, Schumacher-Hakkinen, Hamilton-Alonso, Hamilton-Rosberg and Hamilton-Verstappen are also pretty good feuds.