What we would change about Formula 1

Formula 1 fans are being promised change, new ideas, a better spectacle and all the rest by grand prix racing's owner. Whether it's a new on-track experience, better ways to follow the racing, rule tweaks - whatever - there's always something that F1 is willing to experiment with.

So, we thought about what would happen if Chase Carey called some of our esteemed journalists and asked: "What would you change about Formula 1?"

Introduce third cars

James Roberts, F1 Racing Associate Editor
@JRobertsF1

Twenty cars on the grid isn't enough. But rather than swelling the field with threadbare outfits that struggle to score points, let's allow all the teams to enter a third car when they wish. These one-off outings could be for returning legends or eager young drivers.

Just imagine the buzz if Ferrari fielded a third car at the Australian Grand Prix for Robert Kubica. Or if McLaren gave Lando Norris his big break at Silverstone. Stop them from accruing constructors' points and who could argue against the idea?

Simplify the engines

Ben Anderson, Autosport Grand Prix Editor
@BenAndersonAuto

Only two of the world's biggest car manufacturers have built competitive engines to Formula 1's current rules, now four seasons old. That two more such manufacturers struggle persistently to get it right, no others wish to try, and independent engine builders won't even entertain the notion of competing under the current formula, cannot be sensible.

Simplify the engines and F1 will rapidly become more competitive and less expensive - two major priorities Liberty has identified for improving grand prix racing. From what we hear of plans for 2021, this point is understood. Now to deliver.

Dish out more points

Lawrence Barretto, Autosport F1 Correspondent
@LawroBarretto

Pascal Wehrlein recently suggested that his best performances in 2017 were overlooked because Sauber was so far behind by then. He ended the season with three successive 14th places, but his reward was equal to that of a driver who didn't even finish.

So, I think F1 should offer points to all those who see the chequered flag. This system would reward consistency, improve the show - as fighting for 19th would actually mean something - and discourage teams from retiring cars close to the end of the grand prix for tactical reasons if not running in the points.

Deliver more jeopardy

Jonathan Noble, Special Contributor
@NobleF1

Part of the attraction of F1 has always been its technology, but the endless sensors, data channels, simulations and brainpower now everywhere have taken away something much more alluring - unpredictability. The possibility of big teams getting it wrong (or smaller teams getting it right) with tyres, strategy or set-up needs to be there.

Let's dramatically cut back on what data teams can play with over race weekends - ban any non safety-critical car sensors and put the onus back on drivers to try to best manage car and tyre behaviour. The teams won't like the headaches that would cause, but the fans definitely would.

Sprinklers at Paul Ricard

Adam Cooper, Special Contributor
@AdamCooperF1

In the early 2000s I wrote an April 1 news story detailing plans by Bernie Ecclestone to make sprinkler systems compulsory at F1 circuits. Encouraged by the installation he'd authorised at Paul Ricard, he saw it as a perfect way to liven up races.

He would, however, make an exception for Spa, given its length, and the fact that the Belgian venue didn't exactly need artificial rain. It was a fantasy back then - but is it time for Liberty take a proper look at the idea? The return of Ricard to the schedule even provides an opportunity for a trial run...

Introduce a proper launch event

Charles Bradley, Global Editor-in-Chief
@Motorsport_Ed

What Formula 1 really needs is an official launch event. The perfect opportunity for this is March 3, which is Saturday after the first week of testing in Barcelona.

Similar to the stage show element of London Live, the teams can present their new cars and drivers to the public, with interviews interspersed with live music from big-name bands. It needs to be away from a racetrack; the venue could be somewhere like Razzmatazz on Carrer dels Almogavers in the city.

This format can make a TV spectacular that can be shown worldwide, and be a great calling card that 'F1 is back' for a new season.

Make each event different

Marcus Simmons, Autosport Magazine Deputy Editor
@MarcusSimmons54

Spontaneity is gone; the monotony of homogenisation is king. When the races all seem to start at 1pm UK time, even if it means installing floodlights on the other side of the planet; when they finish with the same old forced jollity of Champagne spraying while Bizet is played.

When all this happens in front of a Rolex backdrop, or if it's not Rolex then Pirelli or Heineken, so it could be anywhere in the damn world. When there is no room for improvisation, then only accidental consequence makes F1 interesting. This is what needs to change.

More engine/aero freedom

Andrew van de Burgt, European Editor-in-Chief
@avdab

I would introduce a maximum calorific value for power units, freeing up the 'engine' manufacturers to pursue whatever configuration, fuel and hybrid systems they choose. The figure would be based on the petrol needed for a 1000bhp V10 engine to complete a 200-mile race.

Next I would introduce a maximum downforce level, maximum width, length and height dimensions and minimum ride height and allow the chassis designers to build whatever type of car they wanted. There would be standardised crash tests, but otherwise total freedom. Speeds would be controlled by raising and lowering the downforce and calorific limits.

Point-scoring races in spec cars

Valentin Khorounzhiy, Special Contributor
@VKhorounzhiy

Watching the same two to four cars fight for victory every weekend gets old, but that's just F1 for you. Unfortunately, having everyone in equal machinery would stray too far from the series' DNA.

But surely we can stray for a one-off race. Pick a date mid-season and a good track, take 20 single-seaters - find a fast, race-proven machine, the GP2/11 perhaps - and hand them out to teams upon arrival. Make sure the cars are as even as can be and let the world's best drivers have at it.

Oh, and make it worth everyone's time - no constructors' points, but double points in the drivers' standings.

Reversed-grid sprint races

Jamie Klein, Special Contributor
@JamieKlein_

Grid penalties may have become widely reviled by F1 fans in recent years, but there's no denying that having one of the top drivers starting down the field does the entertainment factor no harm at all. So why not make a virtue of this everywhere?

The idea is simple: a non-points-paying Saturday sprint race around a third of the length of a full race, used purely to determine the grid for Sunday. The grid order for this would be the order of the championship, reversed in full.

Not only would this sprint race be a joy to watch, it would force designers to ensure their cars work better in dirty air, thus boosting overtaking in the grands prix themselves. You could even scrap DRS without harming the quality of the racing.

Ban wings

Glenn Freeman, Autosport.com Editor
@glennautosport

Formula 1's on track action would take a massive step forward if the bold step was taken to remove the wings at either end of the car. Top-surface aero is the biggest detrimental factor to close racing, so why the fear of getting rid of it?

Restrictions would need to be put in place to prevent different 'winged' elements appearing at each end of the car, but aerodynamic understanding is so advanced now that teams could find plenty of ways to claw back lots of cornering performance from other areas, so more overtaking wouldn't come with the cost of an off-putting increase in lap times.

Young driver F1 races

Alex Kalinauckas, Autosport Assistant Editor
@Nauckas

To help junior drivers generate buzz and interest, Formula 1 should organise a short 'young driver' race at selected events throughout the season using current or year-old machinery.

To avoid scheduling issues this might be best done away from Formula 2/GP3 weekends - although many up-and-coming drivers are already gathered at those - and financing the equipment would inevitably be an issue.

But having a pack of enthusiastic, out-to-impress drivers battling it out in contemporary F1 machinery would add to the spectacle at grand prix weekends and hopefully help the best drivers demonstrate why they should make it to the top.

Dump the Pointless Flatbed Truck

Stuart Codling, F1 Racing Executive Editor
@CoddersF1

Surely the most hopeless and soul-crushing few minutes of any grand prix weekend are those wherein the drivers grudgingly climb aboard the Pointless Flatbed Truck for a joyless lap of the track, ostensibly to "get closer to the crowd".

As they cling on for dear life in this health & safety nightmare on wheels, some poor soul - with at least one eye on the paycheque at the end of their travails - gamely tries to coax interesting conversation from them for the circuit PA.

Throughout, they half-heartedly wave to the crowd - and for sure, the titular rotting corpse in Weekend At Bernie's gesticulates with more passion than they do. This isn't one of F1's better inventions. Kill it. Kill it now.