The F1 web twenty many years in the past: How teams’ web pages appeared in the pre-YouTube period


System one was strikingly distinct twenty many years in the past: bellowing usually aspirated V10 engines alternatively of V6 turbo hybrids, automobiles mostly bedecked in tobacco marketing and a fully distinct roster of motorists – in addition to Fernando Alonso, of training course.

On-line everyday living was unfamiliar way too. The web experienced not nonetheless grow to be the all-encompassing beast of now. YouTube and Twitter (in no way thoughts ‘X’) lay in the long term, and Fb was nevertheless termed TheFacebook.

But all ten groups experienced lengthy realised it was the position to be. Even Bernie Ecclestone’s System Just one Administration experienced belatedly agreed and bought in on the motion, possessing obtained legal rights to the Formula1.com area two many years before.

In a entire world transitioning from gradual dial-up to superior-pace broadband connections, and the cellular web revolution nevertheless a way off, F1 internet sites ended up a lot much more modest affairs than now. The Net Archive’s Wayback Device lets us to convert back again the clocks and glimpse back again at how System one internet sites ended up, prior to the age of World-wide-web two. and responsive searching, to when Flash dominated the working day.

TeamsFerrari

As the reigning champions in the midst of their domination more than the activity, Ferrari’s web page was unsurprisingly just one of the most detailed obtainable, and plastered with promotions for their telecommunications sponsor that includes 6-instances-winner-heading-on-7 Michael Schumacher.

McLaren

As just one of the most common groups in the early noughties, it is small shock that McLaren experienced just one of the sleekest presences on the world wide web.

Jordan

Significantly-cherished extrovert outfit Jordan ever more appeared like a invested drive by 2004. Founder Eddie Jordan was shortly to promote up (notice the optimistic estimate previously mentioned), commencing a lengthy line of title improvements which would conclusion with them getting Aston Martin.

But their web page was precisely what you’d be expecting from his staff with a wholesome dose of their trademark dazzling yellow.

Minardi

As ‘everyone’s next favorite F1 team’, Minardi experienced a great deal of admirers as the largest underdogs on the grid. The beloved minnows place admirer engagement at the coronary heart of their web page, with a admirer membership functionality.

Alternatively like the logos on their car or truck, the transient for the structure appeared to be ‘cram as a lot in as possible’. Unfortunately, like Jordan, the Minardi title disappeared at the conclusion of the pursuing year.

Sauber

In the daring blue colors of title sponsor Petronas, the Sauber web page was shockingly loaded with material for just one of the much more modest groups. Its 2004 incarnation was not particularly nicely-preserved however – this is from the yr right after.

Jaguar

Jaguar’s System one energy in the early 2000s was not as effective as the staff or then-homeowners Ford would have needed. Unfortunately, the similar can be explained for the team’s web page, which is potentially the the very least nicely preserved on the Wayback Device.

Toyota

Toyota was a further staff who entered System one with large ambitions but unsuccessful to realise them by in no way successful a race in their 8 seasons in the activity. As just one of the world’s largest makers, it is rarely stunning Toyota’s F1 web page was just one of the most beautiful and in depth of the time.

BAR

BAR appreciated their very best year in 2004, ending next in that year’s championship with eleven podiums for Jenson Button and Takuma Sato, but no victories. While the BAR web page experienced a extravagant ‘high bandwidth’ variation of their web page, only their minimal-bandwidth web site seems to have been preserved to any usable condition.

Renault

Renault ended up just one of only a few groups equipped to acquire a race in 2004 apart from Ferrari, alongside with McLaren and Williams. Jarno Trulli’s victory at the Monaco Grand Prix – the team’s only acquire that yr – not only unsuccessful to maintain him in the staff for 2005, Flavio Briatore dropped him prior to the yr was out.

Williams

Williams’ partnership with BMW was a key just one through the 1st 5 many years of the new millennium. The natural way, BMW was a significant aspect of the Williams’ promoting and manufacturer identification and that was mirrored in their web page. While there are no very good captures from 2004, this variation from halfway via the 2003 year gives a honest strategy of how it appeared.

Other sitesF1

The System one web page – Formula1.com – was only obtained by FOM in 2002, getting the formal web site forward of the 2003 year. In 2004, the web site was nowhere close to as detailed as it is now underneath Liberty Media. With no these types of issue as F1 Television possibly – Ecclestone lengthy resisted placing F1 video clip on line – the web page alternatively available a galley of screenshots from entire world feed protection pursuing races.

FIA

Again when Max Mosley was nevertheless FIA president, the web site nevertheless delivered a immediate resource of formal files, creating it a valuable useful resource for opponents and admirers alike.

ITV F1

ITV held the reside System one broadcasting legal rights in the United kingdom from 1997 to 2008. From information, columns from commentators James Allen and Martin Brundle to galleries of ‘pit babes’ and ‘pit boyz’, the 2004 variation was definitely a relic of its time…

Velocity Television

For US-based mostly motorsport admirers, the Velocity channel was the principal position to look at numerous key sequence such as System one. As this seize exhibits, they experienced some appealing programming on the channel too…

DonkeyDoesF1

Social media may well not have existed but that does not intended there weren’t staff users larking about and putting up the obvious on line.

This special web page established up in 2004 noticed two Jaguar mechanics possessing pleasurable in the latter aspect of the year with an inflatable Donkey from the Shrek sequence they experienced received in a advertising. Donkey experienced numerous satisfying exploits all over the entire world and was at some point signed by most of the grid and auctioned for Small children in Will need.

RaceFans / F1 Fanatic

F1 Fanatic screengrab 2006 - Michael Schumacher retires

The 2004 year was also the past prior to a particular web page arrived into existence: F1 Fanatic, fore-runner of RaceFans, arrived in 2005. Here’s how the web site appeared the yr right after that on the race weekend when Michael Schumacher introduced his retirement.

Around to you

Do you have a favorite System one web page from the times prior to this just one existed which has now disappeared? Share your recollections in the remarks.

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