Are they killing F1?

Question

"One of the new measures will limit teams to using just one wind tunnel, with squads only permitted to carry out 15 runs over each eight-hour day. Weekend wind tunnel testing will also be banned and the FIA also plans to introduce limitations to prevent teams from diverting wind-tunnel resources into Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).

It was also revealed that further restrictions would be announced concerning rig testing, design and manufacturing, suspension and brakes, hydraulic systems, bodywork, weight distribution, circuit testing and the number of personnel at races."
A KEY part of F1 is the technology...does this spell disaster for the sport as we know it???

Answer 1

It's a double edged sword really. Look at how much money Ferrari spent in F1 in recent years, up until the recent cost cutting that is.
What is obvious is that because Ferrari had so much more money than everyone else they could just buy the best personnel in the paddock and they ushered in the most boring era of F1 history.
What you have to remember is that teams will always try to make a car as fast as the rules permit, and this in turn does tend to create a negative effect along the grid.
Look at the aerodynamics for instance. Most drivers have complained that driving behind another car is virtually impossible as the dirty air from the one in front impacts so heavily on the one following.
Cars are now so aero dependent that even driving behind another for too long could affect the engine.
Perhaps by trying to limit the wind tunnel time the FIA are trying to encourage the teams to utilise solid and clever engineering on their cars rather than seeing which team has enough money to stay in a wind tunnel for seven months to shave 0.002 seconds off a lap time. Hardly a great display of technological advancement.
What needs to be considered also is how does limiting wind tunnel development affect the overall technological aspect of the sport? I'm sure that the cars are about as advanced in that area as they're ever likely to be. Looking back at the ground effect cars of the 80s one could suggest they hit the pinnacle years ago.
F1 is supposed to be about pioneering technology not spending more money on old technology, and with the FIA looking at allowing turbo cars to compete again along with the possibility of bio-fuels and such like then I'm sure F1 still has what is necessary to be considered the technological pinnacle of motorsport.

Answer 2

I do not think that the FIA should limit wind tunnel use. Wind tunnel testing is a vital element for developing an effective vehicle. I mean, if Bernie and Co. are so concerned with cost, it is such a hypocracy. F1 is all about money! If they want to limit the wind tunnel testing, then first don't allow any more wind tunnels to be built by any team or allow the teams to test on the track more!

Good topic!!!

Answer 3

Technology is no doubt part of what makes up F1. The FIA want to cut costs so they decide to do this. But do they realize that by cutting costs of wind tunnel; usage would just mean increase of cost in another department? IF they were to have numerous restrictions could it compromise the safety of cars or dumb them down? F1 costs a bomb and if there really is a need to cut costs, isn't there any ohter better way?

Answer 4

Yes they are killing the sport. It is like telling any sportsman that they can only train in there sport for x days and x times to level the playing field. To me at least any racing series should be bring enough and hope it is enough to win. Because a team is more prepared and more willing to put more money into there development to build a better, competitive car they get penalized. It seems backwards. Formula 1 is a display of technology and drivers skill. If they are limiting development they are not holding true to the perception of Formula 1.

One rule that I was opposed to years ago was that now I understand and support is the 110% qulifying rule. If a car is not within the 110% rule of hte pole car then they would not be racing the next day. I thought this was cruel but it helped to weed out the slow drivers and cars so they wouldnt be road blocks for the faster cars.

Answer 5

Why don't they just throw testing in general out and say "okay the cars you have now and set ups you'd basically have to use over and over again without changing. New engines after 2 races is allowed but that's it" cuz that is what it seems to be narrowing itself to. The FIA has gone over the limits and nuts. Well ladies and gentlemen so much for the pinnacle of motor sports... *here's to hoping no other motor sport would become more advanced than F1 in ten years...*

Answer 6

Restricting CFD seems a bit heavy handed to me. As far as the wind tunnel restrictions go, the technicians will probably like having some time off.

Answer 7

Safety has increased incredibly since the death of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger thankfully. There will always be a very small percentage of a fatal accident occuring that drivers must face simply because of of the speed the cars travel. There's always the chance of mechanical failure or driver error that could result in a fatal accident but like I said before the percentage has lowered considerably.

Answer 8

the beginning of the end of F1 was when they moved from free to air to pay per view - chasing TV money instead of supporting fans

after being a life long supporter of F1 I now dont bother with it, I have switched to A1GP, the NZ team is doing great - the Greek team dont ask - its still a buzz to watch F1 in Greece at the cafes -

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Answer 9

Yes. I agree that they want to make the sport safer, but they're really ruining it. Technology is vital in F1 and taking that away is killing it.

Answer 10

The FIA are gay.