Originally Posted by mattlamb:
“I think there are two main problems - the need for f1 to be seen to be 'green' and information overload.
I propose to:
Allow unlimited use of tyres with big differences in tyre compounds. Drivers should not have to start the race on the same tyres (or tyre compound) that they qualified on and if they want to try to run the whole race without making a pitstop, then that should be allowed. Tyre companies should be made to bring all the tyre compounds available during the year to each race meeting.
Get rid of hybrid engines. They're crap. The lack of noise on it's own is enough reason for getting rid. They just don't sound spectacular.
Ban the use of telemetry. Drivers should have to rely on their own race craft in judging how much they can push at any time in the race. Just allow teams to use pitside-boards. I would also go back to proper gearboxes, and get rid of other driver aids too.
When drivers are out on the track, the sport should be more about their ability. Teams wou!LD still have a big part to play in car development.”
“I think there are two main problems - the need for f1 to be seen to be 'green' and information overload.
I propose to:
Allow unlimited use of tyres with big differences in tyre compounds. Drivers should not have to start the race on the same tyres (or tyre compound) that they qualified on and if they want to try to run the whole race without making a pitstop, then that should be allowed. Tyre companies should be made to bring all the tyre compounds available during the year to each race meeting.
Get rid of hybrid engines. They're crap. The lack of noise on it's own is enough reason for getting rid. They just don't sound spectacular.
Ban the use of telemetry. Drivers should have to rely on their own race craft in judging how much they can push at any time in the race. Just allow teams to use pitside-boards. I would also go back to proper gearboxes, and get rid of other driver aids too.
When drivers are out on the track, the sport should be more about their ability. Teams wou!LD still have a big part to play in car development.”
And what good would any of this do?
Tyres - teams aren't stupid. They know what the optimum tyre strategy is race by race. Giving teams a wider option of tyre compounds is coming next year and it won't make a difference other than make the whole field a bit faster. There will be the occasional race where a car out of position can use an alternate strategy but we get that already.
Engines - Possibly the one area I agree with. Hybrids were supposed to make F1 more relevant just at a time when the industry was starting to turn away from in in favour of other technologies to make engines much more efficient. That's what they should be pursuing. Smaller, more powerful internal combustion in a simpler form which will be cheaper. Fuel saving in races is nothing new - teams never run with enough fuel for a full race length and full race pace. The last GP was unusual for not having a safety car period which caught everyone out. The San Marino GP of old was notorious for cars running out of fuel.
Telemetry - F1 has been using it for 30 years or more. It has no relevance to how exciting the racing is. It does improve reliability which in turn makes it cheaper for teams. That's surely a good thing?
Driver aids - we had a ban on them in the 90s. I don't recall it had any effect on the racing other than making the cars slower. 'Driver aids' are a relevant technology for the motor industry at large. Personally I'd be happy with more technology in the cars.
Your last point is an interesting one. Right now the cars have too much grip for the power. The amount of time drivers spend concentrating on their steering wheel, turning switches is testimony to how 'easy' the cars are to drive. Verstappen may be a very gifted kid but there is now way a 17 year old with 2 years experience should be able to get into an F1 car and be quick. Some of that may be down to the immaturity of the engine technology but mostly it's a fundamental issue with the over-all design of modern F1 cars - an over-reliance on aero grip. At the end of the turbo era in the late 80s and again in the early 90s when the cars were their most technologically advanced they were monsters. The limiting factor in a car was the driver - how fast did they dare take a corner? Could they withstand the g-force around Stowe at full throttle? Part of me hankers after that era... but it was dangerous and the cars were unreliable. I'm not sure we want to regress all the way back to that?



