Fans left fuming as Bathurst 1000 race puts Formula 1 to shame
Formula 1 may be the pinnacle of the motorsport world, but on Sunday it was put to shame by one of the greatest races ever.
The 2025 Bathurst 1000 delivered a race for the ages and in the eyes of many, it put Formula 1 to shame.
Across the entire 161 laps nobody had a clue what was coming next as carnage continued to unfold with every passing lap.
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As the heavens opened the treacherous conditions had the drivers skating their way around Mount Panorama on Sunday.
It ultimately all came down to the wire after seven safety cars as Matthew Payne and Garth Tander secured victory in one of the greatest Bathurst races to ever unfold.
Fans were treated to overtakes galore as the stunning race unfolded across the entire afternoon on Sunday, a spectacle we see less and less nowadays during Formula 1 races.
But it was another issue that had fans up in arms and it was all to do with the conditions. The FIA continually take a more cautious approach when it comes to rain on the track … a fact that fans continually bemoan.
Now it is also worth pointing out that Formula 1 cars are open wheel where Supercars are closed wheel so the spray generated by the cars is considerably different.
Let’s also not forget that Supercars have windscreen wipers at their disposal, Formula 1 racers are exposed and in the elements.
But that didn’t stop followers on social media from pointing out that they would love to see the F1 conduct more races in the pouring rain.
The Advertiser’s Anthony Alesiani wrote on X: “Genuinely this sh*t is insane! F1 could take note for wet weather racing.”
Kieran Shaker wrote: “Imagine F1 trying to race in these conditions. They’d be red flagging it. This is brilliant drama.”
A third posted: “Crazy seeing green flag running with this much spray when you’re also an f1 fan.”
A fourth wrote: “This one race has fed me better than any F1 race this year.”
The last time race fell heavily on race day in a Formula 1 race was during the Belgian Grand Prix in July.
The start of the race was delayed by up to 80 minutes as teams sat and waited for the storm clouds to clear.
Once the conditions had eased the race got underway behind the safety car with Oscar Piastri ultimately getting the jump on Lando Norris and going on to win the race.
One viewer however wasn’t interested in the rain and instead couldn’t help but poke fun at the broadcast for not cutting to the partners of the drivers enough.
“Is this even Motorsport? There’s too much cars and not enough cutting to drivers girlfriends, families and celebrities in the garage,” they wrote on X.
The remark comes after the Formula 1 TV directors were called out by Williams star Carlos Sainz who highlighted the growing issue of camera crews panning into the garage and missing on track action.
“It’s becoming a bit of a trend, which must have worked for them once upon a time when people found it interesting to see our girlfriends, to see famous people on TV, the reactions,” Sainz said.
“I understand that if there is an overtake, a very tense moments in the race, it is understandable that the production team might want to show a reaction shot if they have seen that it has worked in the past.
“But (they only should) if the competition is respected and you are always showing the important moments of the race.
“Last weekend, they didn’t show any of the four or five overtakes I did at the end.
“Nor did they show Fernando’s pursuit of Lewis … they missed a lot of things.
“The other (thing) is fine but don’t lose sight of the main thing.
“For me, they go overboard a little showing the celebrities and girlfriends.”
The Formula 1 world will get the right of reply when the United States Grand Prix takes place from Austin, Texas on October 20 (AEDT).
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Originally published as Fans left fuming as Bathurst 1000 race puts Formula 1 to shame
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