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Launched in 2005, this website started out as a dedicated F1 forum (hence FORUM…ula1.com) offering debate and banter on all aspects of Formula One and other motorsport categories.
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Private lounges for engine manufacturers seems a bit pointless. The Ferrari one is for the Tifosi, they are mad about that weird horse and not about the engine; Renault wouldn't have anybody in it and the Merc would just be Hammer and Cookin' waxing lyrical.
Honda would have one thread called "Why aren't Honda as competitive as McLaren thought?"
I'm perfectly happy to leave it as it is. As has already been stated, a plus side to the lounge was that it brought in new members, new Ferrari fans (of which we had a drought of at the time).
I honestly couldn't care whether some fans of a particular team want to have extra discussion amongst themselves, as long as they also sometimes participate in the main forum.
I might join the Ferrari lounge to see what's going down in there, providing my username isn't coloured red
I don't give a sh!t.
I don't like the idea of publicly visible forums that can only be accessed by joining the Tifosi (red) group, regardless of the red username being optional, I don't like the idea of some members being perceived as having an elevated status by having their name emboldened in red, like the mods are green and admins fuchsia.
Oh yes, I am not in favour of having private groups of colours; I consider myself to be a relative neutral as far as engine/teams go, being able to say what team/driver you support under your username is enough in my view.
Congrats to the virtual Merc group to spur Mercedes AMG to their first WDC even without a private lounge
I would want the current private lounge disbanded but I know I'd get shot down if I said that.
...I might join the Ferrari lounge to see what's going down in there, providing my username isn't coloured red
Ferrari fans are most welcome they can still discuss publicly. It makes this forum look like a Ferrari forum which will put McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull... etc fans off from joining because they will feel inferior and unwanted.
Congrats to the virtual Merc group to spur Mercedes AMG to their first WDC even without a private lounge
Lmao, Cookin!
...I might join the Ferrari lounge to see what's going down in there, providing my username isn't coloured red
Ferrari fans are most welcome they can still discuss publicly. It makes this forum look like a Ferrari forum which will put McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull... etc fans off from joining because they will feel inferior and unwanted.
What you might be missing, RyRy, is the constant and consistent denigrating, insulting, patronizing, condescending bickering that ensues when everyone doesn't fall all over themselves to applaud and laud all things Hamilton! That's what puts fans off!!
You go to a park (public place) there are groups or families having picnics - I don't feel compelled to tell them they have no right to do that!
Same park and you see wedding groups, dressed to the nines, I don't think they are elitist, nor do I feel threatened by their common dress code or congregation.
You can make as many real life analoges as you like SPanky, but most of them dont compare. This is a forum on the internet with low numbers. Not a picnic.
In my opinion it isnt doing anything to help the 'us and them' atmosphere on this forum, or to help promote openness and respectful debate. I think it just causes more resentment, and distrust of one-another.
And I know form experience, joining a new forum, which has private sub-forums is not very welcoming to new members.
Plus the site looks amateurish, when the twitter account constantly links to it, but no-one can see it - unless you already have your name in red. Yeah great promotion of the site.
And all this talk of it being a ferrari site that was amalgamated as a sub-forum here, and so has brought new blood in - brilliant. New blood that mainly sit in a private sub forum and don't contribute to the rest of the Forum.
You and I could debate this for ages, but having read this thread, I feel there are two facts that remain:
a) A higher percentage of the Forum don't believe its a good idea
b) It makes no difference. If Stephen wants it, then we just have to put up with it.
I agree with that completely LRW.
I just want to add to your point B. This is Stephen's site, he puts in the hard work , he calls the shots and I completely respect that. It doesn't mean I agree with everything but I take the whole bundle. And as long as my displeasure at certain things , doesn't out way the pleasure I get from the site in general, from debating views and engaging in banter with friends on here, then I'm good.
But I will make my views known. And that's another pleasure of this site.
What you might be missing, RyRy, is the constant and consistent denigrating, insulting, patronizing, condescending bickering that ensues when everyone doesn't fall all over themselves to applaud and laud all things Hamilton! That's what puts fans off!!
There are immature idiots and everywhere in life, you just have to ignore them otherwise they win.
...In my opinion it isnt doing anything to help the 'us and them' atmosphere on this forum, or to help promote openness and respectful debate. I think it just causes more resentment, and distrust of one-another.
And I know form experience, joining a new forum, which has private sub-forums is not very welcoming to new members...
...And all this talk of it being a ferrari site that was amalgamated as a sub-forum here, and so has brought new blood in - brilliant. New blood that mainly sit in a private sub forum and don't contribute to the rest of the Forum...
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