Things that should be banned from Formula One – Part II
In Part II, we take a look at a few more things that should be banned from Formula One.
Ban Street Circuits
Ban them completely or at least some of them. Street circuits have made Formula One extremely boring and some cars are able to gain positions over others only through their pit strategies. Imagine a race where driving hard doesn’t earn you any positions on the track but stopping in the pits does! These circuits also mean that any mishap in qualifying to a driver driving a faster car can see him at the back end of the grid. From that position onwards, gaining a few points is improbable let alone scoring a podium finish.
According to experts, some of the street circuits like Monte Carlo have a great history and value to the sport but the inclusion of Singapore and Valencia to the race calendar was a horrible decision. There are absolutely no overtaking opportunities and if it weren’t for the safety car incident, Formula One fans would have had to sit through another very boring race in Europe. Holding races at nights and adding lights to the circuits does not make races very interesting but overtaking does. Conclusion: Get rid of Singapore!
Move on and Forget Schumacher
The German has achieved immense success in Formula One over the years but this does not mean that he must live his entire life on the track. Schumacher made a wise decision back in 2006 before he returned to the sport. But once he did make it back, Schumacher achieved nothing. The veteran only returned to show the world that 5 consecutive world championships was a result of supremacy of Ferrari and not the skill of the German. There are enough young and skilful drivers in Formula One who can perform much better than Schumacher and he must not overstay his welcome.
The long absence from this sport is not the only thing that keeps a driver from delivering. Prolonged stays on the track coupled with old age mar on-field performances and chances of success. Barrichello and Trulli should also announce their retirements at the end of the season.
No Valentino Rossi Please
Rossi is another prospect for Ferrari who is expected to replace Felipe Massa. For the past few years, every time a Ferrari driver has failed to perform, Rossi was heard of testing for Scuderia. If Ferrari tests Rossi on one more occasion, the Italian will create a new record of making more complete laps than Schumacher in a Ferrari. Rossi has done well in Moto GP and it’s wise for him to stay there.
Anyone that Ferrari witlessly picks ahead of Kimi Raikkonen should be banned from Formula One.
Ferrari’s Lobby with the FIA
Ferrari may not be very happy with Stewards’ decision in Silverstone and Valencia and may accuse the FIA for favouring the McLarens, but the truth is that Ferrari have gained the most from FIA’s decisions.
In the past Schumacher has gotten away with murder on numerous occasions and most of the times the penalty was either nominal or monetary which hardly affected his position in the championship. Apart from the move on Villeneuve in 1997 that resulted in Schumacher’s disqualification from the championship, no serious penalties have been imposed. Where Ferrari’s closest rivals had drive through and pit stop penalties awarded to them, Ferrari would pay monetary fines and get out of trouble.
It’s not only the lack of penalties on Ferrari; it also includes the harsh ones on their rivals. A level playing field will definitely help the cause of sport and will increase competition.
Over optimism
Stop misleading the fans and speak the truth. If a team is not up to the mark and not expected to do well in a race, do not aim for podium finishes. Such claims turn out to be false and are disappointing for the fans. Going into every race, all teams come up with big goals in their press conferences and most of them fall short. If a team doesn’t expect to do well, one should never say that the team can still achieve it. Rivals already know what a team is capable of; it’s just the spectators that are misled.
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