NewsOnF1 - Races should be mostly about drivers

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This week's heretic article (That was ridiculous!) is right on the money. Although I was glad to see Michael on the podium at Silverstone his skill as a driver was only marginally a factor. It was much more the result of pit strategy and attrition, and while these factors make for excitement in a competitive race they alone combine for a boring show. I also believe that the current rules virtually prohibit any of the lesser teams from reaching the podium. Take for example Ralf, who in my opinion is the best driver in F1 right now. With his excellent skills and better than adequate car he should be much more competitive, however when you qualify 8th and have no opportunity to pass you must rely on others dropping out of the race to finish in the points, let alone on the podium. A competent driver in an excellent car should be overtaken by an excellent driver in an adequate car, no question about it. Equipment should not be such a large factor. I don't want to see pit strategy, reliability, and fuel economy become the deciding factors in a race. These people are the best drivers in the world, and these races should be mostly about them. (and the skill they possess). If the current regulations stand for too much longer what is to stop any one of us from hopping into a car and becoming a "world class driver"? If I wanted to watch the average human play baseball I would spend my Saturday's at the local park, to watch drunken 40-something's fumble about for a fly ball.
Instead I am willing to pay to see the best compete against the best. Much of the same is true for motorsports. The FIA must realize that the quality of the PRODUCT they provide is directly dependent on the entertainment value of the show they produce. As for me I am going outside to bask in the glory of my fuel efficient and reliable Toyota pickup, which has just logged it's 13000th mile without a breakdown! (beat that McLaren!) maybe there is a place for me in F1 after all.....- Scott C - USA

The Heretic replies:

Hi Scott,

Yes, it is a real problem.

I absolutely agree with you that we watch to see the skill of the driver and current skills seem to revolve around qualifying, starting and pit stops.

I also agree that the current formula is holding drivers like Ralf back.
But at least the Williams is getting good enough for us to notice him, drivers like Gene could be brilliant and go unoticed.

It started some time ago when we saw pretty ordinary drivers win championships because they were driving for a dominant team.

The FIA wanted to change that to level the playing field and to make the sport safer and, although their intentions were good, technology achieved just the opposite. Today straight line speed is measured in power to drag (not weight) and power determines how fast you can go round corners too. Drivers will soon just aim the cars and rely on their power advantage to win the race.

Overtaking is impossible anywhere because airflow is now 80% of the equation and without it your car does not work.

They did not even achieve the safety objective. I believe it is a matter of time before a high speed touch removes enough of the front wing of a car to have the back wings push the nose up, which will fly the car (or vice versa, which could be just as dangerous).

On the other hand, I find it difficult to come up with a solution. If I could I would be getting on Mosley's case.

The only option I see is to go back to slicks and outlaw wings, or to reduce power by limiting engine capacity to say 2 litres. Both could turn the sport into another form of procession.

Today's F1 car is basically an upside down aircraft and if the FIA do not arrest the trend, drivers will not matter. And as you say: It is their product and if they are not careful, it will lose value. We watch because we believe it is the world's best drivers. Once they don't matter, we will stop watching.

Keep on reading, you may have inspired another article!.

The Heretic