What is actually wrong with F1: A stern letter to cynics

"Jonathon Klein" (jonathon-klein)
03/18/2014 at 11:22 • Filed to: F1

So I found this article earlier today and wanted to share it with all of you. It's a great read. Check it out.

by Jacob Polychronis

I can tell you now that yes, there is indeed something wrong with F1. But no, it's not what you think.

To say that Formula One as a sport is being attacked after the first race of the 2014 season would be a gross under-statement. In fact, F1 is currently the metaphorical maimed antelope calf which is being devoured ruthlessly by a robust lion.

Questions over the sports credibility, marketability and subsequently its future, are arising in spades. Many people are asking; "what is wrong with Formula One?"

This year's technical changes are widely being considered as the catalyst for all things now supposedly wrong with F1. Smaller engines, reduced rpm and a greater emphasis on energy recovery has decibel meters relatively untroubled.

Intrigued by the sport's birthing to a new era, I decided to leave the nurtured surrounds of the media centre and head down to general admission during Friday practice at Albert Park to see what the fuss was about. Indeed the cars are quieter. Indeed, they are somewhat reminiscent to vacuum cleaners. Although, does this necessarily mean the 'quiet death' of F1 as one irate journalist has put it? No.

What I witnessed at Albert Park on the weekend was spectacular. I witnessed (as did most other well-informed F1 enthusiasts), the ability of the best drivers being heavily scrutinised by the newly-found, immense torque of their vehicles. Even four-time world champion, Sebastian Vettel appeared at his shabbiest through most of the weekend's running.

2009 world champion Jenson Button, explained that "you have to be so careful the whole time and you're never sure how much power to use." Another world champion, Lewis Hamilton, explained that new regulations had him feeling "like a beginner" when he eventually drove his F1 W05 during FP2.

Nonetheless, instead of appreciating the exhibition of the world's best drivers utilising their upmost potential, the world's media focus has been truly pessimistic.

One particular article, which is sadly gaining traction throughout the F1 community, is titled 'Formula one could be dying a quiet death' by motorsport writer Mark Fogarty. The article, initially published in prominent Australian newspaper, The Age, is now gaining global attention.

According to Fogarty, Sunday "was lacklustre by most measures, it began what could be a terminal illness,"

"The sound of the cars was dreadful, the racing was somnolent and the spectacle completely underwhelming. F1 authorities, along with the teams, have to urgently address the failings of the radical new regulations that have neutered much of the cars' traditional visceral appeal."

I, as much as anyone, would prefer to leave the race track with my ears ringing and the smell of burnt rubber in the air. I truly do believe F1 will never sound as good as the V10 era.

Nonetheless, to label the sports massively revolutionary and technologically-leading changes as a 'failing' is plain embarrassing.

Equally embarrassing are comments by Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) CEO, Andrew Westacott, who has also lashed out at the weekend's F1 spectacle.

"We pay for a product, we've got contracts in place, we are looking at those very, very seriously because we reckon there has probably been some breaches."

Express it as intellectually as you like, the AGPC's complaints essentially say "we don't like anymore because fast car doesn't make big noise."

The fact is that more than ever before, F1 is at its pioneering finest and remains the pinnacle of motorsport.

Perhaps these cynics are best suited to the likes of NASCAR or V8 Supercars, I'm sure they can still satisfy their desire for noise.

The problem with F1

To state that the first race of the season was 'lacklustre' is incorrect. The Australian crowd were treated to an array of 'offs,' car crashes, a safety car period and an incredibly popular result. Although Daniel Ricciardo's podium finish was eventually proven to be illegal, the excitement and joy was still thriving amongst the Australian crowd throughout the weekend.

In fact, the attention Ricciardo brought the sport during a weekend where the Australian Football League started its own season in Melbourne was staggering. He outshone it; an incredible feat if you understood how big AFL is in Melbourne. I asked Ricciardo myself what such unrivalled attention feels like after the race on Sunday.

"Obviously there's been a lot of support for me this week but the support everyone has shown for Formula One, it's made headlines every day in the papers, I think" said Ricciardo.

"As I said, the crowd was amazing, not only for me but for every other driver this week, they've showed incredible enthusiasm for the event and if there's any doubts that the Oz Grand Prix won't last, I think they definitely put a stamp on that this year and I'm sure it will keep kicking for a while now, so really pleased to be a part of that."

After such comments, one wonders what on earth the likes of Fogarty are talking about.

What has actually become the problem, is that those with privileged voices are utilising them to express their personal disappointment that today's era of F1 doesn't live up to their own personal golden era.

My own personal golden era is that of the middle to late 90's. I fondly remember the time when Damon Hill and Mika Hakkinen were household names, tracks such as Imola were still on the calendar and Hockenheimring still meant a track with massive straights.

Will I ever view an era of Formula One in the same way I viewed then? No. But to criticise the sport's changes which are blatantly pioneering and revolutionary just because it isn't the way it used to be is incredibly small-minded.

Worst of all, is that these negative attitudes in the media are inhibiting the present from being the next generation's golden era. Believe me when I say that there were hundreds of five year olds in the crowd on Sunday who attended their first Grand Prix and are now infatuated with it – we must not ruin that.

So I conclude this article by asking the question: What is really wrong with Formula One today?

No, the answer is not 'greener' engines and reduced noise which is supposedly reducing the marketability of the sport.

The answer is in fact small-minded and nostalgia-blinded people who inappropriately utilise their authoritative voices in today's media.

If you truly are a Formula One fan, you would be best not to listen to such voices.

Follow Jacob here on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Follow me here on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

And check out the car that stumped !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! yesterday.

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Photo credit to F1fanatic.com

DISCUSSION (23)

philipilihp > Jonathon Klein
03/18/2014 at 11:31

I would hardly call the race somnolent. Bottas, starting 15th, climbing back to 5th, hitting the wall, falling back to 19th, then climbing back to 6th was awesome; watching Kimi wrestle with his Ferrari constantly was entertaining; rookie Magnusson driving like a pro was great. Yeah, it sucked that we didn't get a chance to see Vettel try to come back from a horrible starting position, or a real fight at the front with Hamiltion in the mix, and that Kobayashi messed up his and Massa's drive on the first corner, but it was one of the most entertaining races I have seen in a long time, and so far I think the new F1 era is off to a great start!

And, really only 4 retirements because of the new cars (Vettel, Hamilton, both Lotuses), only one of which we are really surprised at (Hamilton).

Jonathon Klein > philipilihp
03/18/2014 at 11:34

We both totally agree with you, I enjoyed the race immensely. It was way better than most of the races last year. I still think that the exhausts need to be a bit louder just to truly engage people in the spectacle of F1. I still remember walking up to COTA last season and just being struck in the chest by those sounds.

stephen mcknight 2011@ hotmail.co.uk > Jonathon Klein
03/18/2014 at 11:39

interesting that the Chairman of the Australian Grand Prix is threathing legal action over lack of sound from the F1 Engines. knee jerk reaction in my book, as i think it a reaction to Riccardio been Disqualified.

Charlie Whiting warned Red Bull after five laps that they over the fuel flow limit. interesting start to the f1 season.

philipilihp > Jonathon Klein
03/18/2014 at 11:42

Yeah that is definitely a big difference, but it's strange to me that for apparently a large number of people the sound was Formula 1. Last year was my first year really watching F1, but a lot of it was kind of boring due to the only worry being tirewear. Now we have a few more factors to think about. Honestly, I barely even noticed the pitstops, whereas last year it was the focal point of each broadcast.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Jonathon Klein
03/18/2014 at 11:42

Great article, I totally agree. Sure F1 might have lost it's loudness, but at least the new engines have depth to the sound that they do make (like the turbo whistle....sounds awesome)! The racing in this first race was anything but "somnolent", it was damn good in fact. If all the races this season are like this, no one has any right to complain because it sure is better than last year!

avens > Jonathon Klein
03/18/2014 at 11:43

The way to really enjoy watching F1 is to follow an entertaining middle paced driver (not certain top3 contender) and know the tracks. This year both will matter more than in recent years.

I used to follow Kobayashi. This year it's Magnussen.

Jonathon Klein > philipilihp
03/18/2014 at 11:44

Definitely, there was more racing in this first race than pretty much all of last year. But the sound really makes F1 great. Go and check out old races, that sound, it just makes you know what you're watching, and that what you're watching is great.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Jonathon Klein
03/18/2014 at 11:45

Hear hear.

Jonathon Klein > avens
03/18/2014 at 11:48

Magnussen was killing it in testing and I figured he would be awesome. Right now I am rooting for Button and Ricciardo.

avens > Jonathon Klein
03/18/2014 at 11:54

Yes. Now I want to watch someone I'm rooting for finally win something :P

ncasolowork2 > philipilihp
03/18/2014 at 11:59

Bianchi wasn't classified due to the new cars so make it 5. I would count Ricciardo in the same boat as well due to the new rules and cars as 6. Still I think that's a good thing. For the time being cars that aren't bullet proof means you have to watch until the end rather than turning it off when someone stretches out a good lead.

ncasolowork2 > Jonathon Klein
03/18/2014 at 12:02

So the cars are quieter in person. That doesn't mean they have to be on TV. Adjust the volume levels and your track microphones. I think the cars sound outstanding when you've got an onboard shot and can actually hear the turbos.

Personally the fact that the cars are faster in a straight line, have less downforce, and are harder to control... that fact means better racing. That means less of a dirty air penalty. To be honest I don't think DRS aided anyone in an overtaking attempt on Sunday. If it did the aid was minimal.

The ONLY concern I have is regarding fuel savings. Silverstone I believe is 80%+ full throttle. Even the stuff that isn't wide open is still partially on throttle. There are certain tracks where I feel the fuel targets are a bit too tall of an ask and if you've got to spend 300km lifting at the end of each straight then you really aren't racing.

philipilihp > ncasolowork2
03/18/2014 at 12:07

Ricciardo was a weird situation and I guess we'll have to see how that plays out, but what was Bianchi's issue?

Jonathon Klein > ncasolowork2
03/18/2014 at 12:08

I conquer, althought going to COTA this year won't be the same without that level of noise.

The cars are way harder to drive, and the fact that they think they are actually racing Formula D is awesome! It was great racing. And I can't wait till next weekend. The fuel savings is a ridiculous new rule, just give them more than enough fuel to go full throttle throughout the entire race and leave it at that.

ncasolowork2 > philipilihp
03/18/2014 at 12:16

Bianchi's car died on the grid. It took them more than 5 laps to get going. If you don't complete 90% of the race distance you don't get credit for finishing or classified in the result.

philipilihp > ncasolowork2
03/18/2014 at 12:56

And that was after the aborted start? I noticed both Marussias starting from the pits, I thought.

ncasolowork2 > philipilihp
03/18/2014 at 13:25

I believe Bianchi was the reason for the aborted start. Chilton never made it off the grid for the first formation lap and had to start from pit lane.

philipilihp > ncasolowork2
03/18/2014 at 13:29

Oh ok! that makes sense. Thanks for the reminder!

DasWauto > Jonathon Klein
03/20/2014 at 15:44

When copying and pasting a post like this you should at least reference and link the source.

Further, you should probably only post an excerpt here and refer to the source for whole thing. By pasting it here in its entirety you are removing any need to click (and thereby benefit) the original source.

I'm not gonna make a fuss about it but it's worth keeping in mind. Give this a quick read for a past issue.

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Jonathon Klein > DasWauto
03/20/2014 at 16:08

I swear I put the link in it. I guess I forgot. Yeah that would have been better. Next time I will be more careful.

DasWauto > Jonathon Klein
03/20/2014 at 16:09

It's all good, just keep it in mind for the future.

Jonathon Klein > DasWauto
03/20/2014 at 16:15

Will do.

LTIROCKS > Jonathon Klein
03/23/2014 at 08:20

A large component of the rear traction problems is the lack of proper down-force at the back of the car. Diffusers are now banned, and the rear wing element is ridiculously small. The drag reduction system magnifies the problem by suddenly removing rear down force during actuation.

Rear wheel torque (and, hence, tractive force) at any given speed/gear combination is directly proportional to engine HP (minus a few percent for drive-line loss). So it's really the non-liner nature of the power curve (engine + ERS) that's causing the "torque" problem. Electric motor's are essentially liner in torque output throughout their RPM range, making throttle modulation exceedingly difficult.