The Formula One Strategy Group met at Silverstone and amongst some good ideas have come up with some poorer ones.
In Monaco all the talk was about mid-race refuelling returning to the sport, despite the additional costs, safety concerns and precession racing that came with refuelling and was ultimately the reason why it was eventually banned.
Once the headlines were grabbed the idea was instantly dropped with no backing from within Formula One.
This time around the headline grabbing idea is the introduction of a ‘sprint race’ on Saturday, similar to the format of feeder series GP2 and the idea of reverse grids, which are used in some Touring Car formats such as the British Touring Car Championship.
The thought of adding gimmicks such as reverse grids will be unpopular amongst the purists of the sport and is fundamentally just tweaking a model that in the main works.
The problem with Formula One isn’t its current Saturday qualifying and Sunday race formula, its the action on the track during those events.
The ideas are also just taking the focus away from the better ideas that the Strategy Group have come up with.
The F1 strategy group is made up from representatives of F1’s top six teams, the FIA and commercial rights holders Formula One Management and they have come up with:
An immediate ban on driver aids
This would see a return to drivers ability shining through in areas like race starts.
An overhaul of the current regulations surrounding engine penalties
To abolish the ridiculous scenarios we have seen of drivers taking both grid penalties and stop/go time penalties during the race.
Alterations to the engine regulations and development
New engine manufacturers will be allowed more engines and tweaks to the current development token system will be considered.
Increase the race fuel allowance
The 100kg limit isn’t a problem in most races, but in Canada many drivers had to be more concerned with fuel consumption than racing.
Improve engine noise
Since the switch from aspirated v8’s to v6 turbo-hybrids some people in the sport, including race promoters are disappointed with the noise of the show.
A change to the exhaust system is hoped to improve this.
Increased freedom of choice for tyre compounds
Teams could have the choice of all four Pirelli type compound choices for each race and use them as they wish to develop the best tyre strategies for their cars.
Faster and aggressive looking cars for 2017
Teams would ultimately like the cars to be six seconds per lap quicker and look like a fantasy car that children would have as posters on their walls.
In a statement the strategy group announced: ‘It was a very constructive meeting, which led to approval of important decision and innovative evolutions.
‘Increased restrictions on driver aids and coaching received unanimous support and will be rapidly implemented, starting from this year?s Belgian Grand Prix – with a particular emphasis on race starts ? and in 2016. These measures will bring back the driver in full control of the car, enhancing races excitement and unpredictability.’
Yet more gimmicks from F1 Strategy Group
