Things that should be banned from Formula One – Part I
Each year, the FIA introduces a few rules and technology changes in an attempt to make Formula One a more interesting event for global audiences. However the only excitement generated by these changes is their introduction and the following anticipation from the media and the fans. As soon as the changes are in place, all stakeholders suddenly realize that the only thing the new rules did was to complicate the sport.
If FIA honestly wants to make Formula One a more interesting, enjoyable, simpler and free of controversy event, then follow the bans mentioned in the following space:
Get Rid of V8 Engines
In 2005, FIA made a horrible decision to switch to 2.4 litre V8 engines and discontinued the use of 3.0 litre V10 engines. This ‘holy’ rule came into existence to ‘slow down the cars’. Formula One is at the top of the summit and the most prestigious racing event in the world of auto sports. The fans want to see better and faster cars but instead, the FIA is more considerate in keeping their pace under the bar. Today, no driver can come anywhere close to breaking the lap records on various tracks set between 1995 and 2005. What a faux pas.
Withdraw Fuelling Restrictions
A new fuel regulation is another attempt by the FIA to slow down the cars. At present, no car is allowed to refuel during the race and they must finish the race on starting fuel. This means that cars start the race with fuel tanks filled to the brim and complete each lap about 2 seconds slower than they are capable of. As the fuel reaches the minimum by the end of the race, we see cars coming up with the fastest laps at a time when the race result is a done deal.
Fuelling restrictions have also prevented teams from coming up with different pit strategies for different races and all that the teams have to think about is the wear on their tyres. Such rules also give advantages in qualifying only to cars that are faster and other cars cannot think of being on pole with similar fuel loads. The new rule is the reason why Red Bull has won 9 out of 10 pole positions this season and the only one they did not claim was due to a wrong choice of tyres.
Keep One Tyre Compound and many Manufacturers instead of the other way round
Bridgestone has been the only tyre manufacturer in Formula One for the last 4 years and after they decided to leave this season, the FIA signed a deal with Pirelli to make it the sole provider of rubber. Michelin was ruled out as a choice because they did not want to be the sole tyre providers. We have seen some of the most interesting races with two or three tyre manufacturers in the same season. Teams get advantages due to tyres depending on track, conditions and configurations which is why predicting the outcome of a season becomes difficult and interesting at the same time.
On the other hand, the current regulations state that each car must use both tyre compounds - soft and hard - during the race. Tyre use should be the choice of the driver and not the FIA. With this choice in hand, teams can further improve their strategies and make races more interesting. In Valencia this season, Kobayashi was running in the 3rd place and was doing a good enough job in keeping Button’s McLaren behind him. Kobayashi would’ve won a very impressive podium if he did not have to stop to change his tyres, not because he needed new tyres but because he needed to change his compound ones as per FIA rules. As a result of his stop, Kobayashi fell to the 9th place.
On the other extreme, the FIA in 2005 introduced a rule whereby a driver could not change his tyres unless he picked up a puncture. That season saw Kimi Raikkonen crashing into the barriers from race lead at the final lap of the race only because he had a worn tyre. The best thing to do is leave the choice to drivers.
In the following parts, we will discuss some more concerns facing Formula One in this day and age.
Tags: