After a strategy group meeting last week, those who were present agreed that new rules will be introduced into Formula One in 2017 which will improve the sport. The new proposals have certainly got the fans talking.
Refuelling seems to be the biggest talking point, with many fans on both sides of the fence. It will bring back more of a sprint race feel back to Formula One, and as it is and always should be a high-speed sport, it must be kept as much. At the start of the race currently the cars, when on high fuel, are going eight to ten seconds slower than their qualifying times due to the extra weight on board. This hurts tyre degradation badly. With refuelling, drivers will be able to push harder for longer on fresher tyres.
Aggressive-looking cars was also something mentioned on the agenda. This can mean a range of ideas being pitched to the table, but what the fans are really interested in is the aerodynamic concept they are trying to achieve.
In the past ten to fifteen years in Formula One, overtaking has become harder than ever. This has been down to the aerodynamic route the sport has chosen. More endfences, winglets and plains on the front wings have caused such a turbulent air zone behind each other that the ones behind cannot get any closer to attack. Reducing weight is always a good thing. Less weight means more speed.
Wider tyres was also another idea pitched and this in particular looks to be very promising. Wider tyres will increase mechanical grip and provide better grip out of traction zones to give drivers more opportunities to try to overtake down the next back straight.
All of the ideas that have been proposed could well improve the sport and give drivers, teams and most importantly the fans a chance to bring the sport closer to its roots.
Formula One needs to change only a few things to bring back great competitive racing. Firstly, wealth must be spread. A new Concorde Agreement should be made to share the prize pot much fairly across the teams come the end of the season. By doing this smaller teams will be able to balance the books and take steps to work towards better performance. Furthermore, it would attract new teams to the sport if staying alive was an easier thing to do.
Secondly, aero efficiency must be reduced. While it’s great to see the amazing work aerodynamicists do with these wings and other areas on the cars, they hamper the close racing fans crave to see. GP2 has it very good in respect to close racing and its implementation of DRS was unnecessary: the cars are allowed to race closely and make the drivers the stars of the series.
Formula One is meant to be the pinnacle of motorsport. The drivers must have the fastest cars possible and the racing must be as close and exciting as possible. It’s what Formula One was meant to be and the sport must continue to respect and move back towards its roots if we are to avoid losing it forever.
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