Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Analysis: The questions Formula 1 must address

According to Bernie Ecclestone, modern-day Formula 1 is akin to a Victorian house that has seen better days and undergone too many repairs


According to Bernie Ecclestone, modern-day Formula 1 is akin to a Victorian house that has seen better days and undergone too many repairs.

One that is in dire need of being razed to the ground and rebuilt from scratch.

And, if Ecclestone has his way, not only would F1's rulebook be torn up, but also the contentious contracts with the teams that may yet lead to a European Union investigation into unlawful practices.

For F1, Ecclestone, the FIA and teams are very uneasy bedfellows right now as they squabble over rules, money and position.

DOES F1 NEED THE "TOTAL RETHINK" ECCLESTONE CLAIMS?

There are times when you have to wonder what the end game is with Ecclestone who, despite his near 85 years and the perception at times he has lost the plot, is acutely aware of the weight and reach of his remarks.

So when Ecclestone says the rules need rewriting, the contracts need scrapping, pound to a penny there is some underlying motive to his words.

After all, at a time when it appears a chunk of F1 is due to be sold and top dollar is being sought, why would the chief executive of a sporting institution downplay its value with such negativity? Rest assured, there is something afoot. That is often his way.

Overall, yes there may have been a papering over of certain cracks throughout the years, and faults are clearly still evident.

The EU, for one, will discover if F1 is in breach of anti-competitive agreements and abusing its dominant market position, which may yet to lead the deals favouring the heavyweights needing to be renegotiated.

As for what we see on track, by any stretch of the imagination it is not perfect, but then to tear down F1 and start all over again is without doubt an over-reaction, and some would say, typical Ecclestone extremism.

WOULD AN INDEPENDENTLY-MANUFACTURED ENGINE HELP?

Would an independently-manufactured engine partly help resolve matters?
When it comes to the current engine formula, the 1.6-litre V6 turbo-charged hybrid power unit, Ecclestone likes to point an accusing finger at Max Mosley.

It was, after all, the former FIA president's brainchild, spawned from a need to provide maximum power from a minimum amount of fuel, and most crucially, to be developed as cheaply as possible and entice in a number of new engine manufacturers.

The concept was obviously noble, but the reality is while the power is there and fuel consumption has dramatically decreased, it has come at a price far too rich for the likes of Cosworth to even entertain the notion of returning to F1.

Effectively, as power passed from Mosley to Jean Todt, the regulations went unchecked and the engineers had a field day in terms of development.

As laudable as it would be for an independent supplier to enter, the feeling is that because the costs are so prohibitive, it is unlikely to ever happen.

DOES F1 NEED ITS CONSTANT RULE REVISIONS?

At the end of the day, F1 remains technologically advanced, so to keep up with the developments that occur on a regular basis it has to constantly adapt.

But there are times, and this is where I agree with Ecclestone and Mosley, that some developments are "just not on', to borrow the words of the former.

The furore at this year's Belgian GP when pitwall clutch starts were taken away from the drivers, who again had to fend for themselves once the five red lights disappeared, was just plain ridiculous.

There are far too many driver aids these days that the general public simply do not see.

So if there are going to be more rule changes, put the drivers back in control, as we want to see man and machine wrestling against the odds rather than as if they are out on a simple Sunday afternoon drive.

CAN ANYTHING BE LEARNED FROM FAN INPUT?


"We ought to have rules the public want," suggested Ecclestone.

Well, there were two fan surveys this year Bernie - including one conducted by Autosport, F1 Racing and Motorsport News that attracted 35,000 responses.

The fans want to see more durable tyres, allowing drivers to push constantly throughout a race, and a return of refuelling.

The latter is contentious given the disadvantages outweigh the advantages, not forgetting the cost implications.

The fans also feel there should be more technical freedom when it comes down to the regulations, but again costs would almost certainly rise.

If F1 really wants to do something for the fans, a reduction in ticket prices would be most welcome, but that is a culmination of a vicious circle.

Fan input can obviously be a valuable resource, and Ecclestone should at least take ideas on board.

The bottom line is, Ecclestone's 'Victorian house' still possesses solid foundations and many appealing features, although its grandiose manner can at times give off a cold, unwelcoming air that certainly needs refining.

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Manor Formula 1 team 'would not exist without Ferrari', Lowdon says
Next article Renault F1 updates for United States GP aimed at improving power

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe