Should Formula One be just an entertainment sport?

The summer holidays are a perfect time for Formula One to reflect on things.

Following on from the news that F1 CEO Chase Carey wants to standardise some Formula One parts, Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has called for Formula One to have a rethink of where it sees itself in modern day motorsport.

Carey appears to be dialled into the Formula One philosophy, that Formula One is the pinnacle of world motorsport, not just the drivers, but for manufacturers.

That means that Formula One needs to be cutting edge in terms of aerodynamics and technology.

A major part of that is the power-unit.

Currently the V6 Turbo-Hybrid power-units are where modern day car industry is headed.

However for Formula One, the noise and entertainment factor took a knock when the high pitch V8 aspirated engine was curtailed to history.

Formula One is now discussing where the sport heads for the next engine.

Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault, Honda and manufacturers currently not in the sport are all holding discussions.

First and foremost, the new regulations need to be clear. Not designed by committee making them over complicated and over expensive.

But secondly, they need a vision and Horner believes the sport is at a crossroads.

‘I really hope that for Formula 1’s sake there is a strong decision made that isn’t a compromise. The problem with a compromise is that it doesn’t suit anybody,’ Horner told Sky Sports.

‘We have seen all these manufacturers now signing up to Formula E – that is where the technology belongs and where the electric cars belong. Formula 1 is really at a crossroads because the power unit that is picked for 2021 onwards is probably going to have between an eight and 10-year life.

‘What are people going to be driving on the roads in 2030? Will they be autonomous? Will they be electric? If you listen to our Government, they’re saying they certainly will be [electric].

‘So Formula 1 is at a crossroads where it has to decide what its future is. Is it outright racing? Is it combustion engines? Is it man and machine wanting to know who the best driver, with the technology perhaps playing a slightly lesser role?