Does Formula 1 racing and high end audio go together for anyone else?

Been a dedicated F1 fan since the '70s and have been a audiophile for almost exactly the same time so that's an interesting point. 

I was, however, losing Interest over the last few years in favor of MotoGP as I am sport motorcyclist and do lots of trackdays on a ex-race litrebike.  Additionally, F1 is more of a tech exercise and less about the drivers. Plus the cars are way too big and heavy and should have TC; although the new formula this year has made things loads better. MotoGP blows it away still - the rider is what matters most, and aurally there's no competition - MotoGP bikes are the best and scariest sounding things on the planet!

I'll forgive you supporting Verstrappen. Hamilton supporter here but he's not my favorite. And rather hate Vettel for many of same reasons I dislike Verstrappen.  

Yes - F1 fan and support McLaren overall. That being said happy to see the front of the grid with the Ferrari's and Red Bull's battling it out. The mid field is also interesting and this past weekend showed how the new regs seems to have brought about more wheel to wheel racing.

Also the new cars sort of expose the notion that Lewis can drive any car from and position to victory, leaving the rest of the  field in the dust. Once in the mid-field he is having to work harder than ever before and it is not longer going to be..."Oh Sir Lewis needs to get by me and I better comply". The race is definitely on. 

Also - would like to see Haas catch a break from time to time. Guenther Steiner has been fairly unfiltered on "Drive to Survive" over the seasons and I would like to see them do better in races and the standings. 

I was a F1 guy in my youth, back when it was a blood sport.  My favorite driver was Sir Sterling Moss.  He would win and compete with last years equipment against the factories using privateer equipment.  Never won the title, but was always a factor.

I moved on when it became a parade with little passing.  I prefer NASCAR now as the racing is much better, witness the past weekend at COTA.  F1 is special,  it mostly boring to me now.

These new cars are way different than last years. Larger and much heavier wheels (13" to 18" adding about 50 lbs and tons more rotational mass), front ends that make for cleaner air so those behind can follow much, much closer without losing grip and wearing out front tires, under body aero since it's all downforce now with a much smaller rear wing, no more bargeboards to redirect air around the middle of the car, 10% (instead of 5.75% bio fuel), and better crashworthyness.

In simulations, last years cars are still faster.

Throw in the fact that the winning team gets the least amount of wind tunnel testing and you've got a whole new ball game. Just 10% more wind tunnel time can garner reams of R&D to work on. Mercedes won't get any more additional time until mid season and just what they can figure out in between races. 

It's a new era and Mercedes will figure it out and then we'll hear Verstappen whine like a little biatch when Hamilton and Russell start being competitive again. I feel sorry for Leclerc and Perez who're going to have to deal with Verstappen in the meantime.

All the best,
Nonoise 

"I like F1 and wish they’d come back to Long Beach"

nonoise-I’m a Long Beach native. 1975-first year, it was quite unorganized. For a couple of us teenaged kids in the hood, it was great because we were able to walk/watch the entire course, sit in the bleachers with beer!

1976 was the 1st official F1 race. Clay Reggazoni/Ferrari 1st place Niki Lauda/Ferrari 2nd. Race security was more organized, but we still found spots along Shoreline Drive and the drop into the Pike chicane.

That started my interest in F1. Nothing compares to the sound of F1 engines screaming @15K RPM

F1 was a money loser for Long Beach. LB couldn’t afford F1