So word around F1 is that there is going to be a dramatic overhaul of its rules and regs in time for the 2017 season. The main crux of this appears to be 1000bhp engines although no one seems really clear on exactly what else its going to involve. It seems clear though that some parties are very keen for it. The most vocal appears to be Ron Dennis and for once himself and Mr Ecclestone are in agreement but what is this really about?
The regulation changes for 2017 are set to be the biggest overhaul ever of the regulations since the last biggest overhaul of the regulations ever in 2014 and the other biggest overhaul of the regulations in 2009. Are all these changes a sign F1 is unsure of what direction to go? Well lets look of the situation and see what its all about.
It appears the main people calling for this rule change are the team owners who are not at the front. So is this a case of sour grapes? Well possibly but its sour grapes with a reason. F1 has pretty much scrapped testing for cost reason but unfourtunatly what that means is that its hard for any team to make giant leaps forward, which in turn means that everything stays in pretty much a status quo. So how do you shake up a status quo? Dramatic regulation changes! That was the real reason for the 2014 rule change and we all know it. It wasn't good for the 'show' for Red Bull to be so dominant. But what do they do now the Mercs are way out front? Roll the dice again.
But is a dramatic very expensive rule change actually what F1 needs right now? It really isn't. Teams are falling like flies and the field is full of pay drivers. Isn't it bad enough that the teams have to build a brand new car every year? Wouldn't it be more cost effective to settle on one design and develop it for a few years? Does anyone remember the year Mclaren ran the same car two years running and it just got better and better? So wouldn't F1 be better having fixed regulations for 3-4 years and bringing back regular testing? I think so. Problem with that though is that its a slow burner. It doesn't bring about sudden dramatic changes and make a big impact in the press.
So I guess we're going to stick with the biggest overhaul of F1 regs ever ever ever.......and then wait for the next one in 2021.
Any thoughts?
The regulation changes for 2017 are set to be the biggest overhaul ever of the regulations since the last biggest overhaul of the regulations ever in 2014 and the other biggest overhaul of the regulations in 2009. Are all these changes a sign F1 is unsure of what direction to go? Well lets look of the situation and see what its all about.
It appears the main people calling for this rule change are the team owners who are not at the front. So is this a case of sour grapes? Well possibly but its sour grapes with a reason. F1 has pretty much scrapped testing for cost reason but unfourtunatly what that means is that its hard for any team to make giant leaps forward, which in turn means that everything stays in pretty much a status quo. So how do you shake up a status quo? Dramatic regulation changes! That was the real reason for the 2014 rule change and we all know it. It wasn't good for the 'show' for Red Bull to be so dominant. But what do they do now the Mercs are way out front? Roll the dice again.
But is a dramatic very expensive rule change actually what F1 needs right now? It really isn't. Teams are falling like flies and the field is full of pay drivers. Isn't it bad enough that the teams have to build a brand new car every year? Wouldn't it be more cost effective to settle on one design and develop it for a few years? Does anyone remember the year Mclaren ran the same car two years running and it just got better and better? So wouldn't F1 be better having fixed regulations for 3-4 years and bringing back regular testing? I think so. Problem with that though is that its a slow burner. It doesn't bring about sudden dramatic changes and make a big impact in the press.
So I guess we're going to stick with the biggest overhaul of F1 regs ever ever ever.......and then wait for the next one in 2021.
Any thoughts?
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