We're one race into the new season and already people have strong views on the racing. Some think it is exciting, others see it as boring and then there's the rest who will watch it regardless because they are die-hard F1 fans.
My question is if you would like F1 to be more exciting, what would you change? Here's a few of my thoughts...
Are you happy with the tyres which will only operate at an optimum level for short periods of time? Or is F1 just about the tyres now and all the effort going into building fast cars seems somewhat wasted? I can see both sides of this argument and my opinion does vary. I mean if they want drivers to manage their tyres better, just give them one set for the whole race and if someone chews through them after 30 laps then tough ****.
Does DRS add to the racing and overtaking? Has it made passing other drivers too easy now? Again, it's an element I quite like but at the same time think it's a bit gimmicky.
I do like KERS though. It's a very technical element of the car and as we see quite often, teams have problems with it over-heating so they have to stop using it for a while. Sometimes it stops working but then fires up again. I like it because it's an uncontrolled variable. It will also have actual applications on road cars unlike almost everything else on an F1 car but this is only an added benefit IMO.
I think the sprinkler idea tabled by Bernie is complete nonsense. This would result in F1 turning into Mario or Wacky Racers!! What next, custard pie or oil slick buttons...?
As I'm sure most will agree, the most exciting racing is during races that have changeable conditions. Why not just totally rearrange the calendar so that racers take place as close to the beginning of spring / late autumn in each country? You'd get plenty of changeable weather then. I'm fully aware that this would never happen as everyone wants to see F1 in the sunshine but it's just an idea. Thing is though, the football world cup in Qatar may take place in the Winter and that's a complete alteration to that competition. I know it's also because FIFA are more corrupt that an African warlord or South American drug baron but hey, I don't think Bernie is that squeeky clean either.
Anyway, what's everyone's thoughts on altering F1?
What would you change about F1?
posted on 18/3/13
I would only have one DRS zone. The two zones available yesterday made it too easy to overtake in my opinion.
I hope we only see one DRS zone at each race.
posted on 19/3/13
v10's and 2008 specs back, with the reintroduction of the gravel trap more often (La Source - Spa and Maggots & Becketts - Silverstone to name but two) instead of Tarmac run-off.
posted on 19/3/13
bring back a stick shift and do away with those paddles. a V10 engine or i5 if they want to go with more efficiency.
Also no power steering !
what's this about DRS zones - that's just silly. Either have DRS available at all times or dont.
I don't get the whole tire thing in F1 either.. wasn't there one year they couldn't change tires the whole race? F1 has too much off-the-wall rule-making
posted on 19/3/13
I would eliminate the rule that says you should start on the tyres you qualified on. Let everyone choose what they want to start the race. Would make for interesting strategies.
I would also like a slightly more durable tyre. A tyre that doesn't fall off the cliff immediately.
posted on 19/3/13
bring back a stick shift ?
Interesting suggestion there. I think we should take that American idea further and introduce the following changes to Formula 1.
Car engine position: Front
Car engine: 1491 ccm (90,53 cubic inches)
Car engine type: in-line, 4-cyl
Car valves per cylinder: 4
Car max power: 111.50 PS (81,59 kW or 109,45 HP) at 6000 Rev. per min.
Car max torque: 143.00 Nm (14,53 kgf-m or 104,97 ft.lbs) at 4000 Rev. per min.
Car fuel: Gasoline
Car transmission: 4-speed auto or 5-speed manual
Car power per weight: 0.0987 PS/kg
Car drive: Front
Car seats: 5
Car passenger space: 4190 litres (1101,47 gallons)
Car doors: 5
Car front tire: 185/65-R14
Car rear tire: 185/65-R14
Car turn circle: 11 m (423,07 inches)
Car weight: 1130 kg (2478,74 pounds)
Car total length: 4360 mm (170,84 inches)
Car total width: 1700 mm (66,57 inches)
Car total height: 1550 mm (60,70 inches)
Car ground clearance: 160 mm (6,27 inches)
Car wheelbase: 2490 mm (97,51 inches)
Car cooling: Liquid
Car front brakes type: Disks
Car rear brakes type: Drums
Car aerodynamic dragcoefisient: 0,4
Car fuel tank capacity: 66.0 litres (17,35 gallons)
Lewis would easily win every race wet or dry.
posted on 19/3/13
Uhh Suzukis are not sold in USA anymore..
EXPOSED!!
posted on 20/3/13
I'm surprised an american wants a stick shift. Most of your cars have automatic gear boxes, so it's puzzling
posted on 20/3/13
@ Greg, I agree about the gravel traps. Far too much run-off area at some circuits.
@RoberT, stick-shifting would make it interesting. I love watching the videos from the days where a gear stick was used and the drivers were going round corners, one-handed while changing gears - absolutely brilliant!
@ ManuDD, i think tyre choice should be free too. Or maybe give teams who get into Q3 an extra set of supersoft tyres which are only to be used in Q3. There's already been talk of teams potentially trying to miss out on Q3 so they get a free choice of tyres which would totally undermine Q'ing imo.
posted on 20/3/13
Whats wrong with run off areas?
I would rather that than seeing a tight wheel to wheel battle with one driver being pushed off into the gravel and retiring.
I wish they would re-inroduce fuel pit stops. Looks much cooler and makes racing more unpredictable.
They also need to introduce more racing tracks and less street circuits.
More tracks like Indianapolis with that steep bank and long straight is what we need.
posted on 20/3/13
my main issue is formula 1 is going the wrong way. Formula 1 is desgned to be the pinnacle of Motorsport, the fastest cars. and cars since the v10s have been slower.
Tyres is another issue, cars are being designed not to be just fast, but manageable. i thnk the old ideal of the car if designed perfectly should fall apart after it finishes. i dont care about the environmental impact, we cant sanitize everything!