10 Ways You Think F1 Could Be Improved

As F1 isn’t in the best health right now, we asked what you would like to see introduced or changed to improve the sport. Here are some of your suggestions!
10 Ways You Think F1 Could Be Improved

1. Remove all team assistance

10 Ways You Think F1 Could Be Improved

One comment I found myself strongly agreeing with said F1 needs to “remove all team assistance except for mechanical issues”, which is something that has started to be combatted recently.

Before the days of team radio, the drivers were pretty much on their own out on track, apart from reading their pit boards each time round. Now, they are getting information through their ears constantly, suggesting set-up tweaks, strategy options and even how to improve their lap times. This needs to stop and the idea of the drivers being more independent is already starting to be introduced.

As suggested by: Sxizofrenis

2. Bring back refuelling

10 Ways You Think F1 Could Be Improved

F1 pit stop speeds have decreased to insane levels thanks to the banning of refuelling for the 2010 season. It is a rule that seems to split opinion, with some enjoying the additional strategy element and others feeling it does little to improve the racing. There were plans to re-introduce it, but the decision was ultimately rejected.

As suggested by: Robert Keus

3. Customer cars

10 Ways You Think F1 Could Be Improved

This is a very interesting point and was made on the basis of costs, giving teams with smaller budgets the chance to be more competitive and improve the racing as a result. It hasn’t been allowed in recent years, with the last real examples being the Super Aguri SA05 (basically an old Arrows) and the Toro Rosso STR4 (a Red Bull).

The idea put forward by user ‘toguapotobo’ was that lower teams could rent or buy year-old machinery, like Manor using the 2015 Mercedes in 2016, and this would certainly better the racing and decrease costs heavily for those who do use customer cars. But whether the big teams would be willing to help is a completely different matter.

As suggested by: toguapotobo

4. Wider tyres

10 Ways You Think F1 Could Be Improved

This suggestion is actually set to be introduced, with wider rear tyres giving drivers more grip, which will increase corner speeds and cut lap times. There is no denying the fact that many people love F1 because of the speed of the cars. Recent regulation changes increased lap speeds but wider tyres is part of a plan to bring those back down.

As suggested by: b16 LP 640-4

5. Return to old tracks

10 Ways You Think F1 Could Be Improved

This was actually suggested by a couple of people, but one of them claimed the new tracks were “just plain boring”. In terms of layout, this is very true. They all feature similar types of corners and blend into one another. There is not much that is unique about them.

F1 used to be about racing on terrifying tracks at insane speeds, in amazing locations. A lot of that has now been lost, with the sport moving to places that can afford it, ignoring motorsport heritage and history. There are some epic circuits in France, Portugal, the Netherlands and various other countries, where F1 used to visit but now does not. It is a huge shame and has an impact on the fans, racing and history.

As suggested by: Nishant Nair

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A lot of the comments focused on the engines. The current V6 Turbo power units may be insane in terms of the technology, but they are very quiet and this is a big problem for fans who attend races. As well as witnessing insane speeds, they also want to listen to insane sounds.

F1 isn’t delivering this at the moment. While the sport is trying hard to sort out this issue, many feel reverting to previous engine specifications would be better. V12s and V10s are probably out of the picture, but a return of the V8 is certainly much more possible – they sound better and are also cheaper.

As suggested by: SomeRandomCarGuy

7. Cheaper tickets

10 Ways You Think F1 Could Be Improved

This one definitely caught my eye! Looking at motorsport as a whole, F1 tickets are ridiculously expensive. Sure, it depends which race you attend, but certainly examples like the British Grand Prix (where a three-day general admission ticket is almost £180) and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix are far too high.

It means attending a Formula 1 race is out of reach for many and this hurts the fans. But, places like Silverstone have to charge these high prices to break even each year, as the circuits have to pay very high fees to Bernie Ecclestone just to host the event in the first place. It is a tricky one but cheaper tickets would be welcomed by millions of F1 fans around the world.

As suggested by: Peter jansens

8. Bye, bye Bernie

10 Ways You Think F1 Could Be Improved

Bernie Ecclestone is the big boss of F1. He is the man in control and the sport wouldn’t be as successful as it is today without him. But many feel he is now ruining the greatness he was so instrumental in creating and waving goodbye to Bernie was a regular suggestion in the comments of my question thread.

He has no plans of stopping at the moment but at the age of 85 and with the sport in need of big changes, you have got to think it won’t be long before someone else takes charge.

As suggested by: AudiDoodi

9. No DRS

10 Ways You Think F1 Could Be Improved

F1’s Drag Reduction System (DRS) was introduced in 2011 in a bid to boost overtaking. The rear wing flap can only be lifted if a driver is within one second of the car in front during a race and at a specific zone on the circuit. It has certainly helped increase passing figures but it is an artificial, unexciting way of doing so and many would like to see it go.

As suggested by: Rick Hendrix

10. Fewer rule restrictions

10 Ways You Think F1 Could Be Improved

This is both related to aero and engines. Many of you guys feel that the regulation restrictions need to be lifted to increase creativity, resulting in the cars on the grid actually sounding and looking different, and to improve the racing. While all of that could be true, it would also increase costs considerably and could create a larger spread in the field.

As suggested by: Caro F. Doom

Thanks for all the comments on the original post. You can see it here.

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Comments

Anonymous

Yes please!

01/03/2016 - 12:25 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

The problem is not Bernie thats the thing. Its the FIA. Bernie has suggested a lot of things like engine changes but the FIA have rejected them

01/03/2016 - 12:25 |
12 | 0
Michael Rempel

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Yes, somewhat, but the problem with Bernie is he ultimately only cares if he makes money. His priority is only about himself.

01/03/2016 - 14:01 |
12 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

THANK YOU, people bash Bernie constantly, but he’s only really in total control of the media and rights to F1, not the sporting regs. Sure, there are some things he’s in control of that should be changed (Not going to silly tracks in deserts for instance) but the major issues and problems have nothing to do with him and he’s often battling against them, trying to get it back to a more brutal old school sport.

01/03/2016 - 14:53 |
6 | 0
Anonymous

Number 1 would only work if they would go back to a simple V8/V10 because these hybrid power trains are too complicated for a driver to race and control the whole system at the same time. He needs some assistance from the pit wall.

01/03/2016 - 12:31 |
68 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I’m sorry but i’m not agree it. A good driver should be make a good drive in any situation, and i think hybrid is not a bad idea, it is the future of motorsports, the problem is the engine are too expensive

01/03/2016 - 17:36 |
10 | 12
GTR

I completely agree with this.

01/03/2016 - 12:48 |
0 | 0
hornet89

I would love to see engine restrictions being lifted any engine configuration should be allowed simply restrict the amount of fuel used if the fia then decide the cars are too fast simply reduce the amount of fuel like they do in the wec simples

01/03/2016 - 12:56 |
30 | 0
Anonymous

Just bring back the V8 and the V10s already

01/03/2016 - 13:00 |
2 | 4
Anonymous

Racing should be a measure of the drivers capability

01/03/2016 - 13:01 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Okay

01/03/2016 - 13:01 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

If they are making engines smaller and smaller to increase efficiency
Then why introduce Formula E?
If it keeps going on at THID rate
Formula 1 cars will be no different from Formula E cars

01/03/2016 - 13:02 |
14 | 0
Jakob

The most could be improved by at least giving the engineers a bit of room to move. Remember the legendary Tyrrell P34 with six wheels? Such special F1 cars will never appear again, and that’s sad. The cars just look all the same nowadays. It’s getting boring.
But hey, let’s make stricter regulations nobody can overview! That’s what the spectators want!

01/03/2016 - 13:02 |
12 | 0