I recall the halcyon days of Formula 1 where the normally aspirated 3 litre V8, 10 and 12 cylinder engines screamed around at 19,000 rpm, producing over 145 decibels of ear shattering sound. It was an era of much simpler engineered cars and of daredevil drivers with skill and tenacity, as the ultimate spectator sport delivered loads of excitement for many years, until now.
Attending the FIA’s 30th Australian Grand Prix last weekend was disappointing, likewise, the local and international media shared the same sentiment of not being happy with the look and sound of the current formula.
The new V6 engine 1600cc turbos and other restrictive regulations to ensure a level playing field managed to negate a robust Formula 1 footprint to a mere patter in sheepskin moccasins as the current F1 engines turn out 600 horsepower down on last year’s 750 horsepower 2.4 litre V8s.
It is the first year ever that earplugs were not required trackside because the new power plants sounded more like muted motorbikes (132 decibels). The absence of adequate downforce in the redesigned aerodynamics package caused handling problems in practice as well as qualifying, amidst concern from journalists that Formula 1 had taken two steps backwards – dubiously nicknamed by the media as formula ‘E’ (Ecotech) and that the only thing quieter than
the new cars was the sound of one hand clapping.
The FIA may have made too many hasty changes with the introduction of the new regulations – the massive shift in the sport may be forgiven by Australian motor racing fans, but once away from here and on European soil, motor racing enthusiasts, and more importantly, the prancing horse tifosi will have the final say, which will make or break the new look formula. Most F1 followers prefer to watch cars that are fast, innovative, diverse and loud with passionate drivers at the helm. Sadly this was missing and if the sight, sound and feel of Formula 1 is not addressed soon, hard-core fans will stay away in droves.
I am painting a rather bleak picture for the future of the formula, but when you have the local V8 Supercars and Porche GT3s now providing louder entertainment than the F1s there is something amiss. Off course the ‘brave new world’ formula underwent the changes to fit in with a ‘greener’ image by curtailing engineering development costs and to halt the Red Bull juggernaut which secured Sebastian Vettel the last four world championships. Again, the FIA’s efforts failed in the latter as Red Bull were up there with the best, with young Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo posting some of the quickest times.
The unpredictability of the inclement weather on Saturday afternoon saved what would have been a dull qualifying session and Sunday’s race wasn’t much better either. Posting slower lap times than last year, Nico Rosberg in the Mercedes AMG took the chequered flag, Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo came in a creditable second and rookie McLaren driver Kevin Magnussen third. Apart from some minor handling issue off-track excursions and the early retirement of Vettel and Hamilton the race became a relative docile procession. In FIA’s post Grand Prix scrutineering, second placed Aussie driver Ricciardo was disqualified five hours later because his car’s fuel flow meter was not the approved type – petty motorsport politics.
Joy for Greek motor racing fans though, with news from the Melbourne Formula 1 pits that leading Marrusia Manor GP3 driver, 22-year-old Tio (Eftihios) Ellinas, the first Greek Cypriot to drive an F1 following his test debut in a Marrusia last year, may well become the main test driver for the team, which could lead to an F1 seat with the Ferrari powered Marussia franchise as early as next year.
Following up on the proposed new 100 million Euro F1 track in Greece at Xalandritsa, near Patra, Bernie Ecclestone said that he would prefer if the race was
held around the Piraeus docks district near Athens. In retrospect, Greece should have been in a position to bid for an F1 race many years ago. It has taken a severe economic meltdown for the Greek government to realise that there are service industry and tourism mega-dollars to be gained in running a race in Greece. With the Formula 1 calendar already full, it depends on which country in the near future will slip up or drop out, for Greece to secure a world championship race.