Did anyone take part in that LG fans survey last year? There's no mention in this of the response to that horrible question about reducing the length of races, as there wasn't in the initial findings. Hopefully that's because the response was overwhelmingly in favour of not shortening them. It's good for them to get out and about but, considering how much they all bleat about the need to take advantage of new technologies like teh Internet, I don't see why they can't have this thing as a live Q&A. Anyway, will anyone be attending? And, if there is one thing you'd want to express to FOTA, what would it be? Reported by Autosport.
Then we need to create, debate and discuss a not606 Fans' Charter in which we formally state what rights FOTA has in F1 Racing if it wants to retain us as fans.
Firstly, another great article Genji. But to address the point quoted; I cannot imagine that someone who enjoys watching something would volunteer a vote for a reduction in the very thing he or she enjoys watching.
Thanks, cosi. It was really just a big quote, though. Ah yes, but remember in that questionnaire you also had to state at the start whether you were a casual fan, watched all the races, watched qualifying and practice sessions, or were an expert. They were really interested (I believe) in the views of casual fans and intended to use the goal of attracting new fans as an excuse for reducing the length of the race. I hope that many of the respondents called themselves casual fans but voted to keep the length of races the same. In any case, they've never published the response to that question.
IIRC, at the time there was talk of reducing it from 90-ish minutes to 60-ish. I would guess that would be in the region of 120 miles.
OK Bergkamp; although I admit this is a surprise, I accept that there is always an exception and of course the questionnaire made allowance for this. And yes Genji, although most of your article is a quote, it forms an interesting article for debate. I have vague memories of the questionnaire which, along with many others, I was casually consulted about before it was put out (which is the other reason for praising your find!)
I think it is an interesting topic, cosi. What do you recall about being asked about it in advance? If there's one thing you want to express to FOTA, what is it?
My biggest reason for contributing to fora is for keeping in touch with the reality of a 'ground-base' and having the capacity to probe certain concerns in order to 'test the water' as it were. In a sense, it is a continuing form of market research; and one in which I can occasionally have some direct input. You are clearly aware, Genji, as has been demonstrated over the last couple of years in what I've read of your contributions - that there are many aspects to the subject which forms your question. But with regard to F1, the single most important thing of all is to listen to the public! Second only to this is the need to be perceived as listening. Ha! As a matter of fact, this combined topic is something I have been banging on about for years - although not to the extend afforded through this wonderfully direct medium of internet fora - and was not previously seen to be happening, particularly during the so-called 'Schumacher era', where some allegiances threatened the very collapse of the thing we love. Without tending the needs of its sensitive public, Grand Prix racing risked being swept aside by forms of motorsport which were demonstrating a greater empathy with their followers, albeit on a smaller scale, but nonetheless gaining ground on the 'leader'. Thus my thoughts were (and are) firm on the matter: although we continue to sit on 'the pinnacle', we must never ever become complacent⦠- - - P.S. How do I fix my signature?! Something's gone wrong with it and I can't remember how to find the signature facility here!
Thanks for that, cosi. What is F1's public though? Diehard fans? Knowledgable-ish fans? Occasional fans? Yet-to-become-fans? Sometimes I wonder if FOTA has decided which group it wants to appeal to most. If you just do your signature again it'll be fine. Non-alphanumeric characters appear to have gone a bit skewiff when the server was upgraded. Some of our thread titles need to be fixed, too, if a mod fancies doing it.
For the first part, you will appreciate that one size does not fit all. For that reason it needs to find the central point in any average in order to have the widest possible appeal. I am a purist. I have certain preferences, just like any other concerned parties; none of which will find a consensus arriving exactly at their own ideals. Therefore a compromise must always be found which approximates as closely as possible to a perceived average; something which cannot even be approached unless it is the result of an effective feedback system which takes account of the largest possible input from the greatest number possible: a generalisation. P.S. Thanks but I cannot find the place in order to re-do my signature!
Thanks, Forza. There was a 'Settings' link on the very top right just next to 'My Profile' a couple of weeks ago. It's gone now. Now you have to use 'Forum Actions/General Settings' just below the word 'freely' on the title bar. Thanks for your reply, cosi. That's a perfectly reasonable stance to take but I'm not always sure that it reflects FOTA's. That questionnaire last year seemed to be very weighted in certain areas.
Haha… I wasn't speaking for FOTA. Another reason for my use of fora is that I get a chance to present my own opinion directly! I was consulted in a casual manner (along with many many others) and made my feelings known. I did not expect them to rubber stamp my response alone! - What a shame eh? The world could have been a far better place!
