10 Ways You Think F1 Could Be Improved

2016.01.11

As F1 isn’t in the best health right now, we asked what you would like to see introduced or changed to improve the sport. Here are some of your suggestions!

1. Remove all team assistance

One comment I found myself strongly agreeing with said F1 needs to “remove all team assistance except for mechanical issues”, which is something that has started to be combatted recently.

Before the days of team radio, the drivers were pretty much on their own out on track, apart from reading their pit boards each time round. Now, they are getting information through their ears constantly, suggesting set-up tweaks, strategy options and even how to improve their lap times. This needs to stop and the idea of the drivers being more independent is already starting to be introduced.

2. Bring back refuelling

F1 pit stop speeds have decreased to insane levels thanks to the banning of refuelling for the 2010 season. It is a rule that seems to split opinion, with some enjoying the additional strategy element and others feeling it does little to improve the racing. There were plans to re-introduce it, but the decision was ultimately rejected.
3. Customer cars

This is a very interesting point and was made on the basis of costs, giving teams with smaller budgets the chance to be more competitive and improve the racing as a result. It hasn’t been allowed in recent years, with the last real examples being the Super Aguri SA05 (basically an old Arrows) and the Toro Rosso STR4 (a Red Bull).

The idea put forward by user ‘toguapotobo’ was that lower teams could rent or buy year-old machinery, like Manor using the 2015 Mercedes in 2016, and this would certainly better the racing and decrease costs heavily for those who do use customer cars. But whether the big teams would be willing to help is a completely different matter.

4. Wider tyres

This suggestion is actually set to be introduced, with wider rear tyres giving drivers more grip, which will increase corner speeds and cut lap times. There is no denying the fact that many people love F1 because of the speed of the cars. Recent regulation changes increased lap speeds but wider tyres is part of a plan to bring those back down.

As suggested by: b16 LP 640-4

5. Return to old tracks

This was actually suggested by a couple of people, but one of them claimed the new tracks were “just plain boring”. In terms of layout, this is very true. They all feature similar types of corners and blend into one another. There is not much that is unique about them.

F1 used to be about racing on terrifying tracks at insane speeds, in amazing locations. A lot of that has now been lost, with the sport moving to places that can afford it, ignoring motorsport heritage and history. There are some epic circuits in France, Portugal, the Netherlands and various other countries, where F1 used to visit but now does not. It is a huge shame and has an impact on the fans, racing and history.

6. Engine changes

A lot of the comments focused on the engines. The current V6 Turbo power units may be insane in terms of the technology, but they are very quiet and this is a big problem for fans who attend races. As well as witnessing insane speeds, they also want to listen to insane sounds.

F1 isn’t delivering this at the moment. While the sport is trying hard to sort out this issue, many feel reverting to previous engine specifications would be better. V12s and V10s are probably out of the picture, but a return of the V8 is certainly much more possible – they sound better and are also cheaper.

7. Cheaper tickets

This one definitely caught my eye! Looking at motorsport as a whole, F1 tickets are ridiculously expensive. Sure, it depends which race you attend, but certainly examples like the British Grand Prix (where a three-day general admission ticket is almost £180) and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix are far too high.

It means attending a Formula 1 race is out of reach for many and this hurts the fans. But, places like Silverstone have to charge these high prices to break even each year, as the circuits have to pay very high fees to Bernie Ecclestone just to host the event in the first place. It is a tricky one but cheaper tickets would be welcomed by millions of F1 fans around the world.

8. Bye, bye Bernie

Bernie Ecclestone is the big boss of F1. He is the man in control and the sport wouldn’t be as successful as it is today without him. But many feel he is now ruining the greatness he was so instrumental in creating and waving goodbye to Bernie was a regular suggestion in the comments of my question thread.

He has no plans of stopping at the moment but at the age of 85 and with the sport in need of big changes, you have got to think it won’t be long before someone else takes charge.

9. No DRS

F1’s Drag Reduction System (DRS) was introduced in 2011 in a bid to boost overtaking. The rear wing flap can only be lifted if a driver is within one second of the car in front during a race and at a specific zone on the circuit. It has certainly helped increase passing figures but it is an artificial, unexciting way of doing so and many would like to see it go.

10. Fewer rule restrictions

This is both related to aero and engines. Many of you guys feel that the regulation restrictions need to be lifted to increase creativity, resulting in the cars on the grid actually sounding and looking different, and to improve the racing. While all of that could be true, it would also increase costs considerably and could create a larger spread in the field.