April 28, 2005

Racin'

No, not that kind. The prissy Euro-type. Prompted by this headline: Alonso saving F1 from Schumacher dominance.

An article describing the talent this season demonstrated by Spaniard Fernando Alonso, who's shut Mike out of the running so far. But the headline is a bit frustrating--now, I don't really follow F1, but it's a far stretch to say Schumacher has somehow damaged the series, or made it in need of having to be saved. He's done a lot to make it interesting, in a time when the whole thing looked much less like a sport and much more like something to make money for Bernie Ecclestone. In a way, it's the same thing as what Tiger Woods has done for golf, or Lance Armstrong for biking. It's nice every once in a while to have a star, and to have someone up at the top to inspire people to come gunning. And to have someone who actually seems like an okay guy, who's just phenomenal at what he does.

Posted by Terry Oglesby at April 28, 2005 10:55 AM
Comments

Don't know much about F 1 racing but appropo of your comments about Lance Armstrong.

Armstrong's done a lot to raise the consiousness and popularity of cycling in the US. It was cool to follow his win last year in Georgia but by and large he's a Tour rider and little else. There're lots of other races he doesn't appear in which are really compeditive.

Hopefully he'll get a chance to go out a winner this summer.

Posted by: El at April 28, 2005 04:13 PM

At least to me, Schumacher's done the same. I quit following F1 a long time ago, probably the early '80s when Bernie became a big player, and Schumacher's what got me interested again. I do hope Armstrong does well, but this next time may be one ride too far for him.

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at April 28, 2005 04:23 PM

I'll watch F1 again when they have an actual pass for the lead. Not during a pit stop or in the first turn.
Who was the last man to do that-- Jackie Stewart?

Posted by: jim at April 29, 2005 07:14 AM

Heh--probably so. There's some rumblings from fans about having more of that. It'll be a while, though, if it ever happens.

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at April 29, 2005 08:23 AM