8 Things Currently Wrong With Formula 1

Formula 1 isn’t in the best shape right now, with fans switching off through chronic boredom and complaints being made race after race. With that in mind, we’ve figured out what needs to be done ASAP to keep people like Lews Hamilton Crashtor Maldonado in a job.

1. Costs

A lot of money is needed to run an F1 team, we know that. But the rising cost of F1 is a major talking point. The Independent reported that Mercedes spent a staggering £190.7 million on running its team in 2013, plus £133.9m on its engine manufacturing division.

The high costs caused the death of HRT and Caterham in recent years, while Manor entered administration but returned this season after a late rescue. Capping costs would certainly help to level the playing field, bring in more teams (more cars = better racing) and close up the pack.

2. Prize money

F1 prize money (65 per cent of the sport’s revenue) is distributed to teams at the end of each year. 50 per cent is based on championship position and the remaining 15 per cent is a premium payment that the top five teams agreed to. Ferrari finished fourth in 2014 but earned the most with $164m, while Sauber were given just $44m.

The huge difference between the amounts of prize money given is unfair and needs to change. Teams who finish first can still be rewarded, but the gap between each figure is just too damn high.

3. Accessibility

F1 fans feel that more should be done to make the sport accessible – something that goes against Bernie Ecclestone’s aim of making it exclusive. Switching to subscription TV broadcasters hasn’t helped, and viewing figures continue to fall.

More behind-the-scenes content is needed online (the F1 Twitter account has improved, but still gives little access) and ticket prices remain high compared to other motorsports.

4. New tracks

It was inevitable that F1 would move to where the money is. After all, the fees to host races are huge. Not all new tracks are bad, but the sport continues to move away from classic, historic circuits – particularly ones in Europe.

Rewind 10 years and Imola, Magny-Cours and the Nurburging were all on the calendar. Now, they are gone and tracks like Hockenheim (which is absent from the 2015 schedule) and Monza are all at risk. What next? Spa? Silverstone?

F1 cars are quick, sure, but they need to be faster. In Spain, the quickest GP2 qualifying time was faster than both Manor cars and a few tenths off the Force Indias and Saubers.

The gap to the two Mercedes cars was a lot greater, but still, should F1 be that close to its feeder series? Fortunately there are plans to boost top speeds of F1 cars for 2017 through an aerodynamic rules evolution, wider tyres and weight reduction.

6. Tyres

At the last race in Austria, low tyre wear saw most drivers complete a one-stop race. That was despite the two softest tyres in the Pirelli range being used. Ideally, teams would have a choice of a two- or three-stop race, opening up strategy, mixing up the field and promoting more action.

7. Practice

The current practice format needs tweaking, because viewers spend far too long staring at an empty track, while teams shy away from tyre wear and the chance of damaging cars. Currently, practice is dull, dull, dull!

Changing the format has been discussed before and the recent new rule of an extra set of tyres to use in the first 30 minutes of FP1 has helped. However, something still needs to be done!

We often hear drivers asking their teams for help with racing lines and car settings, but I think it’d be more interesting if the drivers didn’t have any contact at all. That way, they’d be left to fend for themselves like the good old days. On the flip side, we’d like a constant feed into Kimi’s car to make sure we don’t miss out on any of his hilarious musings!

What else would you like F1 to change? Less restrictive rules? More or less downforce? No DRS? Let us know!