Sport brings people together. It makes a lot of money for a lot of people, too. But there is something about most of the exercises we do as humanity.
We bring people together.
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I have been watching Formula 1 since my friend introduced me to the world of Formula memes circa the subreddit formuladank. Since then, I have become familiar with the lore of Formula 1 through countless podcasts, articles, and watching historical races. You might remember the post I wrote about Cassandra by Florence and the Machine having so many Formula 1 references.
But tonight is a special night. I get to watch a race with a friend. They're coming round to my house, we've pre-ordered pizza, and after some chaotic qualifying blunders from some of the best drivers in the world, this should be an interesting race.
Many drivers are starting out of position, owing either to their car's lack of performance, or simply getting lucky due to drivers that are normally their rivals being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The wrong place? The wall. The right time? Being out on track before yellow or red flags.
Image by me
If all of that means little to nothing to you, that's okay. You might have other sports that bring you together with your family or friends. I am watching one such sport in the background right now, the Aussie Rules grand final, for the South Australian league. I'm not particularly interested in that game - but one of the teams competing in the grand final did not lose a game all season. They're currently winning this one, too, which is an impressive feat.
On the Formula 1 front, Australian racer Oscar Piastri is leading the world championship, and has a narrow lead over his rival, Lando Norris, who also happens to be his team mate.
As an Australian, who very rarely feels a strong sense of nationalistic pride, I hope Piastri brings home the world title. He is determined, quiet, and ruthless in a non-threatening sort of way.
It looks like the Driver's Championship will go right down to the wire.
If you haven't watched Formula 1 before, tonight's race might be a good place to start. Drivers are starting out of position, the track is one of the most challenging and complex on the calendar, and it is set in the beautiful city of Baku in Azerbaijain.
But for now, I am simply going to reflect on all of the bonding I've done over Formula 1, from para-social relationships with podcasters (who don't podcast about F1 anymore) - to introducing the man known as Guenther Steiner to a friend via audio book on an interstate road trip.
F1 is full of fantastic stories of determination and inspiring figures. There's also the usual slew of tyrants and money-men pushing out people with real talent.
Then there's the glitz and glamour, which if you're into the technical details of the sport itself (there's a lot o depth in terms of tyre compounds, and the scientific principle of the smallest variations, stretched out over time, making large differences) - enabling the elegant display of convergent and non-convergent strategies to the same outcome - finishing a race, as fast as possible.
I wore my F1 beanie to the gym. The man behind the counter and I instantly started talking about Formula 1 and the season so far. I purchased that beanie on the very same road trip I just spoke about, where, with my sister in law, I explored the city of Melbourne, another host of a Formula 1 race, the week before its Grand Prix.
We found George Russel's car, without looking for it, after going through the LEGO store where there were so many Formula 1 themed things. None of which I purchased.
She didn't realise how popular it was, and how much stuff there was alongside it. But after spending some time bonding, she did too. I don't think she has yet watched a race, but maybe one day, it will be another thing that brings us closer to together.
My sister in law and I, and a model of George Russel's car: We both look tired, because we were - I had been to a concert the night before, and she was chasing me around the city, on foot, for most of the day
