F1 Fanatic covering all pre-season tests at the track

58 comments on “F1 Fanatic covering all pre-season tests at the track”

1. 

   Jayfreese (@)
   30th January 2013, 15:09

   Covering events first-hand is always the best way to do it but it doesn’t come cheap. Transport costs, hotels, car rental, press room internet fees and more all need to be paid for.

   Aren’t you already paid by us – followers of your website – clicking on the site, ads and affiliation?!

   I work hard for few money and I’m paying my own trip to go to Barcelona test from my own.

   Please, don’t beg.
   1. 

      Jan1
      30th January 2013, 15:17

      That’s not begging its called advertising. If you want to make money with your website, then only way to do so is to tell people that there is an option to pay to support the site.
   2. 

      Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
      30th January 2013, 15:22

      @jayfreese

      Aren’t you already paid by us – followers of your website – clicking on the site, ads and affiliation?!

      As it says in the article, yes. But unless I can increase the revenue coming in it will not be possible to maintain the site at its current level, let alone improve and expand it.

      And I don’t believe giving people an alternative to looking at advertising constitutes “begging”.
      1. 

         Jayfreese (@)
         30th January 2013, 15:36

         It’s just I bet F1Fanatic/Keith C. generate twice as much money than the average salary of UK.

         Advertising: ok for the word, but when I tell people to give me money… What alm I doing?

         Anyway F1Fanatic I support you everyday by clicking the articles, internet works as a free media.
         1. 

            GeeMac (@geemac)
            30th January 2013, 15:38

            If we can go ad free for a pound a month I’m sure the ad revenue can’t be all that fantastic. At the end of the day it is your choice, you either have the means to and you do donate or if you can’t you don’t.
         2. 

            Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
            30th January 2013, 17:12

            @jayfreese

            I bet F1Fanatic/Keith C. generate twice as much money than the average salary of UK.

            I’ve come to realise some people vastly overestimate the potential income of a site like this and vastly underestimate the costs involved (which, of course, go beyond those mentioned above). This comment is a perfect example.

            If what you suggested were anywhere near being true then finding a budget to cover testing would not be an issue – indeed, I could probably afford to go to half the races as well.
         3. 

            MJ4
            30th January 2013, 17:36

            Anyway F1Fanatic I support you everyday by clicking the articles, internet works as a free media.

            You are completely mistaken on both accounts, which only shows your total ignorance in terms of internet publishing and revenue sources.

            By simply “clicking the articles” you most probably do not put a single penny in the content creator’s pocket.

            And no, internet does not self-evidently work as a free media; it’s just that people with no real insight or personal stake (but a strong entitlement mentality to “compensate” for the lack of those) came to view it as such.
            1. 

               Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
               30th January 2013, 21:47

               By simply “clicking the articles” you most probably do not put a single penny in the content creator’s pocket.

               That’s not entirely true – there is a connection between the number of times an article is read and the amount of revenue the site generates. But as I say I think some people considerably overestimate the value of it. For example, for any given reader the value of their first page read will be higher than their tenth.

               So using other means of raising revenue is, in my view, unavoidable. And that before we talk about how the costs of trying to cover F1 differ from the costs of covering, say, a local football match.
         4. 

            javlinsharp (@javlinsharp)
            30th January 2013, 18:49

            I do web administration work for a living, and it takes lots and lots of time. Add to that, the time required to write articles, generate statistics the (quality of which is unavailable to a fan ANY where else), travel around to do first hand reporting, appear on talk shows like Peter Winsor’s, there will be no time to have a traditional source of income(a job).

            My experience tells me Kieth is not becoming wealthy from F1Fantic.co.uk. I imagine he does it for his love of the sport and us, the Fanatics. At the least, the quality of the output is worthy of making AT LEAST a living wage, and it is improper to begrudge a person the fruits of their labor.

            If one is so offended by the idea of financially supporting the venue that offers value, the solution is simple; STAY AWAY. Go get your F1 news from some other Ad-Free site; oh wait, there arent any, not even http://www.formula1.com...
            1. 

               Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
               30th January 2013, 21:49

               @javlinsharp

               appear on talk shows like Peter Windsor’s

               That’s a very good example, actually – I loved going on Peter’s show but this time last year I had to turn down the chance to do it because I simply had to spend more time on things that directly raise revenue.

               And thanks very much for all your kind comments – and those from many other readers, too.
   3. 

      GeeMac (@geemac)
      30th January 2013, 15:31

      Keith runs a fantastic site and as a long term visitor of the site I have no issue with him humbly requesting that we support his work if we are able. If becoming a supporter (which costs GBP1 a month, hardly an extortionate amount), donating to the site, supporting F1F through Amazon.com etc help get Keith to the tests and launches and enable him to deliver even more I high quality content than he currently does I’m more than happy to help. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say that.
   4. 

      Xusen (@xusen)
      30th January 2013, 15:49

      @jayfreese
      One of the most ridiculous comments I have seen here, this is one of the best F1 fan sites, you think it comes out of nowhere? Keith has to work hard on it , there has not been a day since I started coming to this site that a new article did not appear, even on Christmas day there was something, add to that the high res photos from multiple events and even the occasional video.

      if you have never run a site then you probably don’t know but ad revenue is not as great as it used to be and more sites are turning to paywalls, I for one I am glad Keith gives so much and asks for so little, £1 a month is nothing for ad free access to this great site.
      1. 

         vjanik
         30th January 2013, 16:04

         +1
      2. 

         Jeanrien (@jeanrien)
         30th January 2013, 16:24

         I would add that if we come here it’s because it’s probably the best F1 site to get great infos + a real F1 fans community. After the choice is left for everyone to contribute his way to the site … It’s not like Keith was asking for support at the end of every tiny article, I’m not even sure the support part pops up once a month which is not much and is for me the best way to let know or remind people they can contribute to this. And for once it’s not a have to, we should already be gratefull for that and continue enjoying the place.

         Plus you can’t accuse Keith even if he was trying to make some substential profit out of here (which I don’t believe) and you still have the choice to leave and find another site which respect your ideal, a blog with some friends where you discuss week old “news” about F1.
         1. 

            Jayfreese (@)
            30th January 2013, 16:41

            @jeanrien F1Series
         2. 

            Xusen (@xusen)
            30th January 2013, 18:03

            @jeanrien

            Agree mate, I read almost every article on this site, if not for the article itself, the thoughts of many other F1 fans around the world.

            Some people are just ungrateful and look at the responses from Keith, he very diplomatic and is engaged with his readers by participating in discussions and highlighting a particular users view on the daily round ups.

            Compare this to Joe Saward’s blog, a respected journalist who runs his own blog, he also has the GP+ magazine he publishes which I assume allows him attendance of every race, I regularly read some his responses to the commenter’s on his blog, it is a take or leave attitude and I am sure many have avoided it due to that.
            1. 

               IDR (@idr)
               30th January 2013, 18:33

               Compare this to Joe Saward’s blog, a respected journalist who runs his own blog, he also has the GP+ magazine he publishes which I assume allows him attendance of every race, I regularly read some his responses to the commenter’s on his blog, it is a take or leave attitude and I am sure many have avoided it due to that

               Some years ago, I was used to read Joe Saward’s blog until one day in which I read a comment from him answering a reader’s comment where Joe was (literally) calling the reader stupid for begin (the reader) in disagreement with Joe.

               Since that day, I never have visited again Joe’s Blog (and I will not).
   5. 

      IDR (@idr)
      30th January 2013, 18:40

      @jeanrien

      We all are happy to have Keith working since many years and I’m pretty sure I talk in name of many others.
      You can set your own site and try how people respond. We all live in a free world.

      @Keith

      I’m sure you will have a great experience in Jerez, and don’t forget you will be in the heart of classic andalusian horses!!!
      http://www.flickr.com/photos/idrs/sets/72157626030287568/with/5438475080/
   6. 

      Jayfreese (@)
      30th January 2013, 18:46

      Replying my own darke horse comment

      Maybe I’ve been misunderstood, maybe I mistranslated, maybe I mistalked.

      What is sure is that reactions over my comment have been a bit too far in some cases.

      By my job I know about incomes from the internet, I know about how monetizing a website, the CTR, CPC, RPM, affiliations and so on…

      But I’ve been to a bunch of F1 testing before and it does not cost much: flying with Easyjet, taking the train, walking to the circuit, buying the ticket. It costs, but when you are a fan like you and me it’s pure pleasure and you don’t count the money.

      Silverstone grandstands ticket cost more than going to Barcelona testing, isn’t it?

      If I come and take a look to your website is because I desperatly know that you’re doing a good job, keep up.
      1. 

         Xusen (@xusen)
         30th January 2013, 19:51

         You might have made the wrong choice of word by using the term “begging”, most of the time beggars come to you..you don’t show up on their site and complain when the owner thanks his supporters for their contributions and gives others who might not know they can help a chance.

         After all the costs might be trivial to you but it adds up, look at the schedule he posted, he will be at every test and even some of the corporate launches.

         If he was rolling in money, wouldn’t one of the biggest F1Fanatics be on the plane to every race in the calendar?
      2. 

         Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
         30th January 2013, 21:53

         @jayfreese Thanks, I appreciate that.

         But I have to reply to this:

         when you are a fan like you and me it’s pure pleasure and you don’t count the money

         Of course I enjoy what I do but I count the money every day because this is my livelihood.
      3. 

         matt90 (@matt90)
         30th January 2013, 23:58

         It costs, but when you are a fan like you and me it’s pure pleasure and you don’t count the money.

         The difference is that whether he enjoys it or not, Keith is there to work, not have a budget holiday.
   7. 

      Girts (@girts)
      30th January 2013, 19:27

      It’s not begging, it’s the economic realities. For example, I regularly visit these F1 websites (let’s not even talk about how F1 is moving to pay TV):

      – AUTOSPORT. You always needed to pay for content other than news and now they’re charging you for the news as well (only 30 articles a month are still for free).
      – James Allen’s blog. James has several business partners that help produce the content and get advertised for that on the site. The blog is not JA’s main job and he also sells his books after each season.
      – BBC. It’s funded by British taxpayers.
      – F1 Fanatic (obviously)

      I once used to visit Joe Saward’s blog every day, too. Now I go there only occasionally because I have doubts about the author’s impartiality and professionalism. Anyway, he promotes quite a lot of pay content, too.

      F1 Fanatic offers considerably more than each of the other websites that I mentioned. So it’s hard to imagine that it could live just from advertisements and still produce quality material every day. It’s a shame that Keith cannot go to races himself as I’m sure that he wouldn’t be a worse paddock reporter than, let’s say, Jonathan Noble. But we, the readers, can change that.

      And yes, I’m VERY MUCH looking forward to the next few weeks.
      1. 

         Jay Menon (@jaymenon10)
         31st January 2013, 0:04

         Sounds to me as if this Spaniard was lost in translation, whatever the language, it did sound a little malicious.

         F1F is the best F1 site on the internet…which is why its the website I log onto everyday. Although I do have a subscription to Autosport, which I also rate highly, nothing beats a good editorial by Keith.

         We’re all behind you @keithcollantine keep up the great work!

         PS: Why not design a new batch of T-Shirts?…I wear the ones I bought all the time.
   8. 

      JP (@jp1987)
      30th January 2013, 20:14

      F1 Fanatic is hands down the best F1 community on the internet. We get daily news, links, twitter feed, live coverage of events, competitions, statistics and a long list of etceteras. On top of that, the comment section is great! People are passionate, sometimes even a bit agitated, but respectful.

      The way I see it, enjoy it for free and don’t complain. If you don’t like it pay money for it to improve or ****.
   9. 

      racerdude7730 (@racerdude7730)
      30th January 2013, 22:29

      I agree with you 100% man. I run a website and have a radio show and when we have events we have to cover for the show or to keep up with different events we spend a ton of our money to make the show possible and never ask for a penny from people other then our add $’s But i will give keith a break on this one bc he does one hell of a job and without this page i dont know what i would do for my f1 reading. (I at least hope everyone understands the amount of work that goes into this and is thankful for it)
   10. 

       Brace (@brace)
       30th January 2013, 23:44

       And I thought Graphic/Web Designer is the most underrated profession by laymen. LOL
   11. 

       MaroonJack (@maroonjack)
       31st January 2013, 8:06

       Would you prefer an obligatory fee? You are visiting the best F1 related site for free and you are still complaining? You act as if you are doing the hard work just by clicking on the website. This is the silliest comment I saw here in a long, long time. If you don’t want to contribute, then don’t do it, but there is nothing wrong with Keith asking for some love from the regular visitors.

       And it’s not “begging”. When you give your money to a beggar, all you get is warm and fuzzy feeling. Here you get excellent service, great articles, hottest news and probably the best F1 community in the world.
   12. 

       electrolite (@electrolite)
       31st January 2013, 8:46

       @jayfreese You know what? I was thinking of becoming a supporter for ages. I read this comment, and it made me go ahead and do it.
       1. 

          Dan Brown (@danbrown180)
          31st January 2013, 12:35

          Me too.

          Keep up the good work Keith. I work in digital publishing and it’s constantly surprised me how you manage to make this thing viable.
   13. 

       BasCB (@bascb)
       2nd February 2013, 18:07

       Actually @jayfreeze reading this

       Thanks in part to the F1 Fanatic Supporter programme, introduced last year, that I am able to commit to covering all the pre-season tests from the circuit this year. This will improve the quality of coverage F1 Fanatic can offer.

       makes me proud to be part of making this great website possible.
       And its wonderful in that it helps give the basic funds stability to have Keith report from testing on site. Brings great memories of him and Scarbs first getting behind the Lotus front facing exhausts.
       1. 

          BasCB (@bascb)
          2nd February 2013, 18:07

          To @jayfreese that is!
2. 

   Oskar (@oskar)
   30th January 2013, 15:12

   Excellent! F1 fanatic and that russian site will be enough…
3. 

   Hamilfan (@hamilfan)
   30th January 2013, 16:03

   Very delighted to hear that you guys are covering the events . @jayfreese , C’mon man ,you are kidding me, this is atleast not like autosport where only guys who pay can view content . That is why it is the best site (arguably) for f1 fans ever ! I may not be able to afford that , but I am not heartless to criticize the guy who takes the pains . The F1F live is fantastic second only to live timing info . Great stuff and articles guys :)
4. 

   andae23 (@andae23)
   30th January 2013, 16:22

   That’s fantastic news! I’ve always felt that the coverage of the pre-season tests (I don’t mean F1F’s, but in general) is a bit modest, considering that it is one of the first events at which we could really get an idea of what the upcoming season will be like. In that respect, the site is really living up to its name, as fanatics of Formula 1 really want to know these things ;)

   Good luck Keith and team, I’ll keep an eye out if I can spot you at McLaren’s launch tomorrow! (very, very jealous by the way :) )
   1. 

      Jeanrien (@jeanrien)
      30th January 2013, 16:26

      Anyone knows what will be available this time to follow the tests ? Great to have first hand report from Keith and F1fanatic team. Will it be any footage ? And I suppose as last year we will find lap per lap live time table … But that’s not the same if you can’t look at the car’s behavior in picture;
      1. 

         GT_Racer
         30th January 2013, 17:06

         Won’t be any footage outside of the live reports through the day on sky sports news.

         As I described in a post recently, Its not worth sending out a TV team+equipment & buying the satellite time etc…. to cover the test because of how few people would watch the feed & how few broadcasters would take the feed.
5. 

   Francorchamps (@francorchamps17)
   30th January 2013, 16:41

   Great to have a coverage of the preseason tests!
   Have you another job than F1 Fanatic @keithcollantine ? And why is it not possible for you to go to the Grand Prix as a journalist? Your site must be one of the most visited F1 sites! I live in Belgium and some friends are also comming here.
   1. 

      Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
      30th January 2013, 21:58

      @francorchamps17

      Have you another job than F1 Fanatic @keithcollantine?

      I left my previous full-time job at the end of 2009 to run F1 Fanatic, which until then I was doing in my spare time. As of last year I have been doing a few other things (some motorsport-related, some not) to supplement the income from the site.

      This was a bit disappointing as I’d like to devote all my time to F1 Fanatic, but unavoidable. I mentioned it at the time.

      And why is it not possible for you to go to the Grand Prix as a journalist?

      I haven’t said that it’s not – providing I can do it in a cost-effective way I will.
6. 

   Lauri (@f1lauri)
   30th January 2013, 17:20

   Great news! This made me become F1 Fanatic Supporter just a moment ago :) Keep up the great work!
   1. 

      Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
      30th January 2013, 17:37

      Thanks @f1lauri!
7. 

   Magnificent Geoffrey (@magnificent-geoffrey)
   30th January 2013, 17:27

   I look forward to getting my invite to come and join you, Keith.

   It is coming, I assume.

   …right?
   1. 

      Bendanarama (@bendana)
      30th January 2013, 18:32

      It’s in the mail.

      ROYAL mail.

      256th class.
   2. 

      Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
      30th January 2013, 21:12

      Sorry @magnificent-geoffrey!
   3. 

      BasCB (@bascb)
      3rd February 2013, 18:14

      Lovely new fishy livery @magnificent-geoffrey!
8. 

   Jason (@jmwalley)
   30th January 2013, 17:32

   I just want to know what the deal is with that big wall and arrow. Was there construction at the track during last year’s testing? Was that not a massive safety concern?
   1. 

      javlinsharp (@javlinsharp)
      30th January 2013, 18:54

      I think its a sign in the foreground. Notice the details and seams are highly details, indicating it is closer to the camera, but the shadow extending right is very deceiving.
      @jmwalley
      1. 

         Jason (@jmwalley)
         30th January 2013, 21:57

         hahahaha. good call. talk about depth perception!
   2. 

      Magnificent Geoffrey (@magnificent-geoffrey)
      30th January 2013, 22:07

      “These ones are small. But the ones out there, are far away….”
      1. 

         John H (@john-h)
         31st January 2013, 12:40

         Brilliant ;)
9. 

   George (@george)
   30th January 2013, 18:21

   Great news Keith, looking forward to any insight you can gather. Great to see Jamey will be snapping again too.
10. 

    sato113 (@sato113)
    30th January 2013, 18:37

    @keithcollantine which circuit if you had to choose one, is the cheapest in terms of press room internet access fees and other circuit related fees?:
    Catalunya, Jerez or valencia?
    1. 

       Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
       30th January 2013, 21:10

       @sato113 It depends on certain things – for example the further in advance I know I can book something, the better placed I am to find the best deal. Normally Jerez is quite inexpensive but not this time. For the three Spanish ones there’s not that much to choose between them but this year Jerez is dearest (even taking into account the extra day).
11. 

    OmarR-Pepper (@)
    30th January 2013, 18:44

    Even when I don’t pay the add-free service (just for an old-fashioned fear of getting my info cloned or so, and because I’m stingy :P ), I wouldn’t say Keith is “begging”, and @keithcollantine , I want to say 2 things: congratulations for your big effort to always keep us informed, and, secondly, as Don Quixote said: “The dogs bark Sancho, a sign we are moving ahead”.
    PS: Even if you were making good money, your hard work makes you deserve it!
12. 

    WarfieldF1 (@warfieldf1)
    30th January 2013, 19:02

    Excellent news Keith, the £1 a month thing sounds great value!! Keep up the GREAT work.
13. 

    cmckinleyF1 (@cmckinleyf1)
    30th January 2013, 19:09

    Excellent, particularly looking forward to the photo’s of the new cars rolling

    And on Marussia, it’s looking positive that they’ll be testing the new car soon. One of their mechanics tweeted yesterday that it was fired up for the first time in the factory
14. 

    PankitChheda (@pankit2000)
    31st January 2013, 12:24

    Fantastic news Keith ! This is undoubtedly the best F1 website out there … There hasnt been a day since 09 wen i havent visited this place …. Wld love to help in any way possible … Keep up the great work

    Love n Regards
    Pc
15. 

    JB (@)
    31st January 2013, 13:58

    I must say that although we almost never coincide in having similar points of view with @keithcollantine , and I sometimes despise his “dictatoriolism” when it comes to moderating others points of view on the site, I must say that what @jayfreese said is completely out of line.
    First of all, even though I feel the way I feel about the man, I really and trully am greatfull for all his efforts in running this site. The articles are very interesting most of the time and what I love most about it the ability to be able to discuss F1 with other people from all over the world. It really shows passion and commitment on his site and it must come at other costs to him and not only monetary ones.
    Secondly, I doubt that there is an other site that gives such complete stats and info like this one does! It makes the in-season and off-season time a whole lot more enjoyable!!! I know I would have gone crazy this off season were it not for f1fanatic!!
    And lastly, everybody has a right to make an honest living, Keith is working hard for his. Even if it is traveling and covering such a beautiful sport…. it must not be nice having to pick up data, posting pics, data, articles, etc, and not being able to really enjoy as a spetator such wonderul events. We look at it as if he´s having a holliday, but that is far from reality, he is actually working! And all i can say is that if anybody talks crap about it, it´s probably because that person is envious of not being able to have a job that he/she enjoys doing and gives him the opportunity to enjoy his passion.

    Anyways, I just felt compelle to say it, I really don´t want to come across as a suck-up but I just hate envious people and out of line comments. As for you Keith, I still think you´re a dictator some times but I thank you and give you all the credit you deserve for running an exceptional site! The off-season and the season would not be the same without F1fanatic!

    Best regards sir! ;p

Comments are closed.