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• Lewis Hamilton won the 2020 Spanish GP.
• Hamilton lapped every driver up until the fourth position.
• Wheels24 readers share their views about the current state of F1.
• For more motoring stories, go to www.Wheels24.co.za
The Spanish Grand Prix was probably the most mundane race I've watched in a long time.
After all the drama and excitement in the Austrian GP during the MotoGP races, changing the telly to Sunday's F1 race almost caused a fight in my home. Like most South Africans, rooting for Brad Binder in the premier class of the sport has become the norm, and all the crashes in Moto3 and the main race definitely had everyone on the edge of their seats.
The MotoGP ended, our boy Binder finished in fourth place after starting 17th on the grid, and I took the remote much to my husband's dismay. We argued, he said watching the wrap of MotoGP interviews was way more exciting than watching F1.
Sadly, he was right.
I watched the beginning of the Spanish GP, and then the end, and clearly I didn't miss anything else in between.
The Mercedes dominance has made the sport too predictable. We know every weekend, it's either going to be the 'Black Arrows' and Max Verstappen on the podium. No one else has a fighting chance, and Ferrari has lost the plot completely.There's some action in the mid-field, and the usuals who are always at the back of the field are likely to stay just there.
Image: Alejandro Garcia / Getty Images
READ | Dreadfully boring! 2020 Spanish GP had very little to write home about
Our Wheels24 readers agree, and some share their views on the current state of Formula One.
One of our regular readers, Dave Davel, writes: "Hi Janine, you are usually upfront and in people's faces with motoring issues which I've always enjoyed. I'd like you to ask your audience forum for their take about the current F1 circus?
"In my opinion, it has become a platform of continued resentment & discontent amongst each other, it's becoming more frivolous by the day, in my opinion, with really trivial issues.
"The FIA has become the FBI/CIA of motor racing at a huge cost to the sport with their SS type dictatorship, fit in or f... o..!
"We are a few fellas who enjoy most forms of motorsport, frequently meeting to watch what's on offer, sharing news. Regrettably, we are all (11 of us) becoming disenchanted with the FIA's "ivory tower" adapt or die; we're all considering finding another action sport.
"Please don't tell me about Fe, what a letdown, if I want toys I'll go down to Toy World and buy a Scalectrix!
"I understand the new world is committed to finding mind-boggling ideas for technology and power-saving, what about us old school who still love the screaming sound of a V8/10/12 motor; I trust there are still lot's of us all over the world!"
Image: Mark Thompson / Getty Images
Joan Shinn says: "BORING. I'd rather watch MotoGP."
Braam Grobler says: "F1 is the most boring event on the racing calendar as no other manufacturer has a car that matches Mercedes. "Anybody will become world champion behind the steering of the Mercs.
"Lewis is not that good as everybody says he is. If he drives the Ferrari, and he becomes a champion, then I will give him credit for being a good driver.
"I don't watch F1 anymore."
Martin North: "The last couple of years, GP racing has become so boring, and this year is the worst. Unfortunately, I can't watch it anymore."
Cecil Browne says: "I am an avid F1 fan, but I've become totally disillusioned with the predictability of every race and uncompetitive cars in the race, I don't even follow the practice sessions anymore.
"MotoGP has had far more to offer over the past five years."
Riekert says: "It is so boring seeing the dominance of the Mercedes and Hamilton. I PVR the races and fast-forward, and watch only the pit stops unless something else happens.
"So I watch a race in 15min start to finish. The only two drivers that can make it interesting is Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen.
"Unfortunately Bottas is not a good enough to give Hamilton any pressure, and therefore Hamilton loves him as his team mate. Max, if not for an unexpected strategy on the day, the Red Bull is not quick enough.
"My suggestion is to let Ferrari do what they did last year with the fuel and let them give Merc/Hamilton a race for his money.
"Only Ferrari can give some rivalry using the same tactics as last year, not even Racing Point with the 2019 Merc can’t do it.
"Sorry guys, to change the rules and reduce the budget will not work. Let the teams do what they want and spend what they can to bring the true F1 racing.
"So what if you have three or four major teams competing, and the rest are in the middle it is better then what we have now."
