The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Back to the Future for Formula One

Sebastian Vettel is in a close battle with Lewis Hamilton coming into the Italian GP (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Roar Guru
16th May, 2015
0

Formula One looks set to go back to its past for inspiration in spicing up a series that has been lacking excitement over recent years.

Many fans have grown disappointed in a raft of rule changes throughout the past few years, and the Strategy Working Group has just passed quite a few new rules for the 2016 season and beyond in a meeting on Thursday.

Firstly, aims at engines with 1000BHP seem to be locked in for 2017, despite keeping the V6 power-units introduced last year, and it is sure to help keep some fans’ waking interest occupied.

The power units will effectively remain the same due to the cost of investment by the manufacturers so far, and to keep new manufacturers interested in joining Formula One. There are also plans in place with these changes to look at increasing the sound and volume of the power units, which would come in part and parcel of the increased rev-limits and horsepower.

Next year, type strategies will be given an upheaval, with teams allowed to pick their own two compounds for a race weekend from Pirelli’s range of four dry compounds. This is harking back to tyre rules of the past, where teams were given the option of selecting one of two compounds after Friday practice, for qualifying and the race.

Also returning in 2017 will be refuelling, to help keep the on-track action exciting, and to disperse claims of Formula One becoming an ‘endurance category’. The eight-speed gearbox introduced last year would also be replaced by a six-speed transmission.

Wider tyres and more aggressive bodywork will be brought into the technical regulations from 2017, allowing the cars to be allegedly five to six seconds quicker than they currently are. Despite being discussed and passed by the SWG, these changes will still need to be ratified by the Formula One Commission, consisting of all the teams, and the World Motor Sport Council, before being introduced for the upcoming seasons.

While the changes have been welcomed by many fans and pundits, it is obviously unclear if this would lead to Mercedes extending their reign at the top, or if a new superpower will emerge dominant, despite wishes for a closer battle on the track.

Advertisement

There will always be some fans and personalities disappointed and critical of the state of Formula One, but the general reception of these regulation proposals have been quite positive in terms of rejuvenating the sport.

close