Three races into the Formula One season, the overwhelming majority of fans, experts and drivers are against the new rules and the chorus of angry voices is only getting louder.
Even F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is against the changes and Red Bull owner, and close friend of Eccelstone, Dietrich Mateschitz is threatening to withdraw his sponsorship of the sport.
I outlined the new rules and what the changes meant for the cars prior to the season kicking off and what we have seen so far is worse than most could have feared.
At least, as yet, we haven’t seen a race in which more than half the field fails to finish. Oh sorry, yes we have. These changes really are bad.
What confounds me, and most people I know, is why the FIA continues to make changes to slow the cars down when most Formula One fans are watching because they want to see speed.
Yes there are safety concerns, but we haven’t had a death in a Formula One race since Ayrton Senna tragically passed away in the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. It’s not as if the FIA was responding to a tragic accident in 2013 by making a whole raft of drastic changes, such as changing the engine from a V8 engine to a V6 engine.
To put this change into perspective, 20 years ago, Formula One cars were using V12 engines with up to 950 horsepower. The V8 engines could attain up to 750 horsepower at up to 18,000 revolutions per minute and the new V6 engines can reach 750 horsepower thanks to the increase in turbo, but they cannot pass 15,000 rpm.
Prior to the season starting, we were promised that with horsepower approximately the same, the cars would be just as fast and the racing as unpredictable as ever. Three races in and those promises couldn’t be more wrong.
Nico Rosberg’s winning time from this year’s Australian Grand Prix is two minutes slower than Kimi Räikkönen’s winning time from a year ago and this difference remains the same when you compare the results from the 2013 and 2014 Malaysian Grand Prix’s, even when you consider that this was the infamous Multi-21 race.
Heck, even the Formula Two cars are only slightly slower than this year’s Formula One Cars.
The FIA claims they are attempting to make cars with engines that will likely see their way onto public roads in the coming years. The new engines are effectively hybrid engines but a major mind shift will have to occur if we are all driving around in Toyota Priuses in the next five years.
On top of this, while V6 engines are now much more popular with both carmakers and drivers alike, many models do not even come with V8 engines anymore. There comes a point at which we are sacrificing too much performance just to replicate public cars. Surely a hybrid V8 engine could have been created to maintain the best of both worlds?
If the races were still unpredictable I don’t think the majority of fans would be overly bothered by the two-second decrease in lap times, but the first two races have been anything but.
In both races, the Mercedes drivers got to the front and pulled away. If it wasn’t for a split in a tiny rubber tube surrounding the spark plug in Lewis Hamilton’s engine in Melbourne, Mercedes could very easily have finished one-two in the first three races of the season.
Hamilton and Rosberg have cruised to the finish unchallenged from the opening lap in every race this season. The only thing that made Sunday’s race thrilling was a late safety car, which created a ten-lap sprint to the finish. Even then, the two Mercedes’ put 23 seconds on their rivals.
This is not unpredictable racing and it seems Mercedes have got a huge jump on their chief rivals at Ferrari and Red Bull. The problem with the new rules is that the FIA has implemented so many of them this year. These cars are completely different from last year and it is just so difficult to have your car in perfect racing condition in time for the start of the season.
Many of the FIA’s changes in the past decade have been implemented to make races more exciting and to increase overtaking, the implementation of the DRS is a successful example. But if one team is leaps and bounds ahead of the competition when new cars are introduced, we have the current scenario – a reduction in overtaking and increasingly boring races, which is turning viewers away in fringe F1 markets such as Australia, America and South America.
It is clear that if just one team is fully prepared for the start of the season, too many rules have been implemented in one go. This is not the 2009 double-diffuser controversy in which Brawn, Toyota and Williams found a loophole in a new set of rules, this is the most professional teams in the competition not having enough time to get their cars ready for the most advanced auto racing series in the world.
Mercedes is producing much more power per unit of fuel than their competitors, most notably Ferrari, and the results of this have been clear. As we saw in Melbourne, there are now strict rules on how much fuel can be used per race and Ferrari cannot just increase their fuel consumption to compete with Mercedes.
I’m all for allowing engines to be a performance differentiator, it encourages innovation by the teams to see who can come up with the most efficient engine, but as I said earlier, when just one team is prepared for the start of the season it is a clear sign of too much too soon.
Many of the FIA’s new rules implemented over the past decade have had the effect of creating equality by bringing the leaders back to the field, with the result of slowing everything down. This has happened in 2014 as well. The new rules have brought Red Bull, who have dominated the sport in the past five years, back to the field.
But why can’t the FIA create rules that enable the field to catch up with the leaders. Instead of closing loopholes, why don’t they encourage the other teams to exploit them? Instead of creating equality by limiting the speed of the leaders, why don’t we create equality by increasing the speed of the pack? This can only be good for the sport.
Granted, there is a line at which safety becomes an issue, but the FIA is well behind that line at the moment. And they have addressed safety issues by lowering the nose and chassis, reducing down force while reducing the risk of the car flipping. But the engine changes have not caused any noticeable safety improvements.
Fans watch Formula One to see the most advanced cars in the world race at speeds not that no other race car can achieve, this is a key point of difference for F1, it separates them from the market. F1 is faster than the IndyCars and NASCAR, and V8 Supercars do not possess the innovation present in Formula One. But the FIA continually tries to stamp this innovation out by reducing speeds.
The most-hated aspect of the new regulations is the new V6 turbo-charged engines produce a much quieter sound. This sound has been blasted from pillar to post, so much so that the Melbourne Grand Prix organisers have threatened to sign a new contract with the IndyCars when the current F1 deal runs out, and some race organisers have threatened legal action against the FIA for breaching their contract.
This indicates how much hearing the roar of a V12, V10 or V8 engine is intertwined in the sport of Formula One. Some spectators go to races just to listen to the engines and many fans do not want to hear an electric-sounding engine driving around.
This is especially important in marginal markets, such as Australia and North America. American F1 fans can very easily switch to supporting NASCAR or IndyCar racing and Australian fans have the V8 Supercars to turn to if they become disenchanted with Formula One. What’s worse is that the FIA is alienating their most faithful fans in Europe – lose them and things could definitely turn ugly for the FIA.
The sound must be rectified as soon as possible, unfortunately it is not possible to implement a quick-fix in the coming weeks. If a change is to be made, it will likely be made at the end of the season and even then, the FIA will be hesitant to make changes so soon after the implementation of such a large number of new rules and regulations.
While the vast majority have dubbed the new rules a failure, I can’t see widespread changes any time soon, the FIA are too proud an organisation to admit failure so soon.
These new rules will be around for a few more years and we can only hope that McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari get their engines and cars in order in the coming months and years so they can challenge Mercedes.
Dan
Guest
I don't get it is red bull sandbagging? DR had fastest trap speed 225 mph, fastest lap, what's Horner talking about.?
Thomas Thøgersen
Guest
Formula One is DEAD! Today Formula One died at Monza - at least for me. I have been a huge fan of Formula One since the mid 80'ties, loving the hard-fought battles between Senna and Prost and later between Schumacher and Hakkinen or Schumacher and Hill/Villeneuve. However lately my interest in Formula One has started to decrease. To many technical changes, to many weird rules designed to increase safety, but having the sideeffect of hampering racing and to many bad calls by the stewards, punishing drivers fighting for their position have made Formula One less and less exciting and spectacular to watch. Being a Dane, my interest in Formula One enjoyed a revival with with the entry of fellow Dane Kevin Magnussen. It did not last however. After having to watch how the stewards at Spa and Monza punished Magnussen for simply defending his position in those races, I have come to a rather harsh and incontrevertable conclusion: Formula One is NOT a race-series. Its a series for posers and pancies, ruined by the officials and politics. The FIA time and time again states they want hard fought battles, spectacular overtakings and glorious winners. But their policy is to punish those drivers, that actually makes Formula One worth watching. I'm sorry but if the FIA really wants thrue racing, they have to leave the racers free to race. Granted! One could claim, I am only stating my comments because Magnussen is a fellow Dane, but come on: Do Formula One fans really want racers who are afraid of being punished off track for fighting on track? Do Formula One fans really want races without hard infights. I kind of doubt it! As it is Monza was my last Formula One race for a while. And unless the FIA gets their ducks in a row it may well be forever. My time is way to costly, spending it watching that crap!!! Thomas Thøgersen
Alex Bonetti
Guest
F1 cars should be fast and loud, not quiet and slow. It's a human emotion thing. When I was a kid I loved planes because of this, as planes got quieter (airliners) I lost interest. Maybe it's just me but the sound of a racing engine is special and think the FIA will be regretting these latest rule changes.
Pat
Guest
The new cars sound rubbish...This eco-driving thing is absurd. This is F1!!!! Fast cars...bit engines and lots of noise...the FIA are slowly killing this sport, not to mention the ridiculous politics frantically going on in the back ground. While I'm at it I would like to congratulate Ross Brawn on the car he has been working on for the last two years. Its amazing that not one commentator has remarked on how massive his contribution to the current merc form has been..its as if he never existed. To see that sneaky Toto Wolf taking credit really pisses me off.
Dan Wyper
Guest
Green is failing . Watch the Green Smog in China this weekend. Smog so bad in India race. Green is a taxing scheme. FIA killing F1. From those that can afford to support the races. And you young twits don't have the brains or success to understand when your govt. Tells you what to believe. I won't be at Monteral, Austin - spending thousands of dollars. Of course F1 can survive on the cheap mooches
Simoc
Guest
Well you need to get out of your cave and move into the 21st century. You have little understanding obviously of the new regulations and you don't pay. Watching the race year to year you would have no idea visually of speed or lap times. Its racing and noise. The last cars didn't sound great. Just loud. I can guarantee you will not be missed one iota so run away and play marbles.
Rodney Gordon
Expert
Rodney Gordon
Expert
It's great to see a spirited debate about F1, but I couldn't disagree more. If you are speaking literally, we have not had a race where more than half the field did not finish. Mercedes certainly have a big advantage over other teams at the moment... but during the dominant eras of Ferrari and then Red Bull the real criticism should have been aimed at the other teams, they need to lift their game! I can't believe that anybody who watched the Bahrain Grand Prix would comment that the race would have been much better if the cars were louder. It has been widely regarded as the most remarkable race for years, if this is what the new cars/rules can deliver then I say bring it on. The sound of the cars has been a very big part of people's attraction to the sport in the past, but to demand over and over that it must return to it's former volume is a little selfish. It means missing out on the other fascinating aspects of the new rules and the technical make-up of the cars. As the teams work out ways to improve the performance with these new regulations the speed will come and the pack will bunch up again.
Docjkm
Guest
Thank you! These were my thoughts as I read this thoroughly uninformed litter. How does one write with such ignorance?
Distant Knight
Guest
Having watched F1 since the early 1980's, I've seen a fair bit of change to the formula through the years. I for one am happy to give up a bit of engine noise in order to be able to hear some of the other components on the car and the tyres working overtime. And the sound of these turbos is very nice! Add in the fact that the reduction in aero combined with the increase in torque has meant that the drivers actually have to you know, drive, and i'm a happy fan. Even the new fuel limit / flow limit is ok, i might not agree with it 100% but i understand what the FIA are trying to achieve, and can live with it Mercedes might dominate the rest of the year, but the other teams will close the gap. And I think once Honda return next year, things will really get interesting. Roll on China, can only hope we get half as good a race as we just had in Bahrain!
Ronaldo
Guest
Thanks for the helpful advice but my definition of slower is lap times - they don't just go in a straight line do they? Top speed is only part of the story and the bottom line is the changes make them slower round the track. (And I can make a comment without a keyboard warrior slap down at the end)
Doug
Guest
Dont get this complaint about engine noise. My imaginary Lear jet is in the garage for the last few years so I've watching the races at home on TV - oddly the noise is heavily edited to be quieter than the commentators. Anyway the shriek of the old engines was crap it sounded more like a motorbike than a car. Not that there is anything wrong with that I like the bikes too. Just cant understand why people are worried about it. The racing seems okay. Merc is doing well, good on them for getting the engine and car right first time out. But its no different from nearly every season for the past 30 years where there has been one team that has got it righter than everyone else: Williams, McLaren, Williams, Beneton, McLaren, Ferarri, Braun, Redbull.
jason8
Guest
its common amongst many fans of F1 to watch the first few laps, take a break have lunch or whatever and then come back to the tv to catch the last few laps. with this in mind and all this economy bollocks they have been harping on about why dont they go the T20 cricket route... MORE power, less stifling regulations and thus more opportunities for passing BUT considerably shorter races ?
Pitbox
Roar Rookie
Its the old saying - you can't please ALL the people ALL of the time. A move away from V8s is because the manufacturers wanted a better return on the millions they pump into the sport. F1 has been relevant to road cars for years and needs to continue to be so. Its an expensive sport and I can understand why the investors want a better return for their R&D buck! A move back to V8s will see some of those (Renault in particular probably Merc as well) move out of the sport and the choice of engine will be a Ferrari or Cosworth. Guess who will win THAT battle. Its all about compromise for the good health of the sport (and being socially responsible) while trying to keep the whole show interesting to fans and marketable. A fine line to tread. I saw more negative reaction on social media and press regards last race double points (instigated by Bernie). Funny that Bernie has put the lack of "noise" into the spotlight (a decision NOT instigated by Bernie). Magicians distract. While I miss the classic F1 "noise", the ability to hear tyres screech, gear changes and the crowd "roar" (as they did in Melbourne when Dan took "3rd") is something I've only every heard at Interlagos in Brazil. Its nice to know I have delayed oncoming hearing loss by a few years too.
Justin
Guest
F1 is more than just a racing sport. It is to provide entertainment to the fans. Not everyone can be made happy, but it is clear enough that a lot of them aren't. Especially with the sound and the speed. Top speed down the straight isn't the end all-tell all of how fast the cars are around the track. They are running more powerful electric motors and a smaller rear wing with a bigger DRS opening. Compare lap times not with last year, but during the time when the engines weren't that restricted (ex. V10) and they aren't even on the same planet. They didn't have the DRS down the straight, the full slick tires, and were running older aero technology and they were still worlds faster. People forget the V8s of last year were restricted versions and they never achieved their full potential as well. I'm tired of people thinking this is the future when in fact hybrid technology has been around over two decades. F1 hasn't innovated anything new nor are they going to introduce some "new" more efficient engine because of these new regulations. They added direct injection for the first time which was borrowed from today's street cars. Nothing innovative there either. This technology has already been around and already implemented into street cars. Kinetic energy recovery was used in the first Honda insight in the mid nineties. Nothing innovative there. I am a fan of the ERS system for the turbo though. The only new and useful innovation they have created. I like their usage of it for the boost control and for reversing it to create near zero turbo lag. Combine that with the old school power the turbo engines used to produce and you have got yourself a more exciting race. Just don't hide behind the premise of "green" when it actually isn't. As Steve Matchett said, "5 mpg in these new engines is not green. If you really want to be green, then don't race". There is more fuel wasted and resources wasted in every other aspect of F1 than what is used in fuel consumption for the race.
Gary
Guest
You can't expect to have major changes and then all of a sudden the cars are faster than before. Give them time, sure the engines are smaller than the v8s, v10s, and v12's of old, but those engines didn't have electric powerplants and bar the v8s, turbos. An easy fix would be to increase the flowrate which will allow the engines to rev higher. From other articles, they haven't been able to reach the rev limit as the flow rate is too low. This would immediately decrease the lap times and give you your desired increase in volume. But, with such rapid changes, they did need to keep some limitations at least this year to limit the development expenses. As for the noise, I don't mind it. I like being able to hear the drivers. I like the whistle. And this could easily be fixed as mentioned above. I don't fully understand the logic about making the sport more environmentally friendly and then holding events under lights. Surely the lights aren't solar powered? As for making the cars more relevant to normal cars, how about requiring everyone to add a sound system and play some doof doof while driving around. That would also increase the noise! (although, I;m sure some bright spark will be able to use the doof to change the handling of the car and everyone would be forced to play the same songs).
@kart2death
Guest
The sound issue seems to be a huge problem in F1. I would think the Formula E owners are probably panicking a bit.
Alex
Guest
Not bad, just remember the FIA could not give a toss about how many viewers or spectators, there just the governing body. Its the promoters and Formula One Management (FOM) who will be the losers if people do endue turning away in droves.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
If I may, share this link where Ron Dennis; one of the most respected figures in the sport is interviewed over the weekend by Sky F1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acJ4c4KblEg Pretty much all of the points he makes in this interview are true, the sport must also show that they are socially responsible too in this world where pretty much every leading industry is pursuing ways to make their businesses more sustainable. As for the power unit's sake, take into account that the the team's have so much to learn about them. FIA President Jean Todt who was present too over the weekend in Bahrain said that steps are being taken immediately to increase the noise to satisfy that side of the affair. And for the 'lack of speed' or whatever, this new formula is still at the beginning of it's evolutionary cycle, as the team's develop the cars they will only get faster and faster. There will be new exploitations in terms of aerodynamics. This is such a great time for engineering in the automotive industry and in motor sport, however the way some of the fans are treating it is as if they have no appreciation of engineering genius of the sport.
nordster
Guest
I think the FIA are sort of stuck with their approach to F1. Once they start tinkering with the regulations as an annual sport in itself, there will always be a variety of consequences. Which in a round about way is sort of what some fans of the sport now apparenly want. More "excitement" and "unpredictability", contrived closeness to races, etc. Naturally in most sports the cream will become evident whether it be driver or team in motorsports case. This though is what so much of modern sport tries to avoid as they think it will be too "boring" and viewers will switch off. That does pervert the whole idea of sport and competition...but its all bread and circuses now i guess;) So for F1 its funny to hear complaints (from the outside) about the effects of all these regs each season. Ultimately they are doing it to satisfy the same people who will later complain about its shortfalls....the floating theatre watchers... Maybe they should leave the sport less restricted and go back to more of a technological battle? I guess there is an element of that now but it seems to be directed to fuel efficiency in some quasi green agenda. Or the alternative, tighten things up even more in the style of say V8s here or Nascar where it is a bit of a control car series. That way all drivers are in similar cars to ensure "closeness". But then what would happen if some drivers are better than others? Too boring? The evolution may be to crash test dummies with cars programmed with AI to ensure closeness! ;) All in all, the annual regulatory go around keeps the FIA busy and at the centre of things...and the bloggosphere pumping out the hot air!