Isn't it time Formula One motor racing redefined itself?

Question

Formula One racing used to be about the most skilled drivers.

Now, it is chiefly concerned with the fastest and most reliable cars.

The result is, that no matter how great the driver, if he drives a car of vastly inferior speed and reliability, he cannot

possibly hope ever to win a race.

So, in order to bring back the former skills and excitement associated with Formula One racing, all cars should be of equal speed and reliability.

Then we would discover who really were the best drivers.

Answer 1

I think F1 has done a tremendous job to get this far and become so popular.

Such staying power didn't happen by accident and don't take anything for granted.

It's a winning formula and you don't change a winning formula.

There's always something to complain about, I know cause I'm married , but F1 remains my best entertainment to date.

F1 has certain roots, it can change and it can evolve but it will always remain true to it's traditions.

A one make Formula it cannot become.

Answer 2

They have a series like that; it's called A1GP and it's pretty boring to watch.

Watching great drivers struggle against their machinery and poor drivers trying not to make a mess of their big chance is all part of F1; what is boring is when the best driver has the best car and a poor teammate.

Answer 3

Be careful what you wish for. CART was the racing king in the U.S. for forever, and then talk of changing the cars, and changing the face of the sport led to the break-up of the empire. I don't know if that could happen in a sport like FIA, with its world-wide appeal. but I don't think I would risk it just yet.

Answer 4

i think they should close the field a bit. but i also dont wont to see an Iroc race.

Answer 5

F 1 has always been a "constructors circuit"  As technology improves the cars, the drivers role seem to become less important. But as in any modern sport, the biggest money builds the best cars, which give them the ability to hire the best drivers.  To turn F 1 into a "one design" circuit would defeat the purpose.  How about a whole new ballgame?

Answer 6

A1 GP does exactly this ... it is like a worldcup ... each country gets one car to be driven by its representative ..all cars are same... and it is boring !! i guess the money is not too great and so the drivers are never the 'Best'

Though i have been hearing roumors that it is improving

Answer 7

Did anyone see the end of the last 2 seasons especially last year. I know they cost too much and have more telemetry than a F-22, but without the benefit of a silly chase system the #3 Ferrari passed TWO Mclarens to win the championship in the last race of the season.

They have Never raced like NASCAR or even Indy except in novels or on film.The whole point of F-1 is EVERYTHING that a car can possibly have done within the rules is done to a F-1 car. Not all could handle them, Hamilton and a few others have forgotten that the traction control rule change this year and blown starts or turns during the race.

Answer 8

If you look at F1 over just about any 10 year period, and compare it to 10 years earlier, you'll find that the sport is constantly reinventing itself to one degree on another.

>Formula One racing used to be about the most skilled drivers...

It still is what it was.  First, given the limited number of open spots and the pay and prestige, they will attract the top drivers.  And it is, as it always has been, about the best and most reliable technology.  Be it 1958 or 2008, being the fastest car on the track for half a race doesn't get a championship or a win.  And while there are many examples of great drivers doing something amazing with inferior cars you'll find they did not win regular or certainly win championships while driving these cars - same then as today.

You say to bring back equal speed and reliability?  Strange, what you really seem to be complaining about is the direct result that the current generation of cars ARE so equal and reliable.  If there were greater differences in speed, and situational speed, and a enough failures... well, in the end, you'd see much different championship.  And not exactly a better one, just a very different one (be careful what you wish for).

Answer 9

Well the drivers and the team work together to develop the cars, so its not just the drivers competing, its the teams too.

Answer 10

So, in order to bring back the former skills and excitement associated with Formula One racing, all cars should be of equal?

Rosbif did beat me on the answer.. A1GP wherein all cars are supplied by one manufacturer... it is a bit boring...

F1 is geared on the development of the car...

it had already made moves to narrow the gap between huge budget manufacturer teams and low budget private constructors by imposing the engine freeze, 2 race engine, 4 race gearbox, limited testing and so on...

you can not make any drastic changes to the sport or it may suffer dire consequences... let us all just hope we'll have more excitement with the return of slicks next year, which would add mechanical grip and reduce the reliance(dependency)of today's F1 car to aerodynamic grip which makes it next to impossible to overtake.

Answer 11

We have the same problem in Nascar. I think the answer for both series would be to limit the amount of money teams are able to spend on cars instead of regulating the cars themselves.