This is just a blunt article. I love Formula One. It's always been very entertaining. However, in recent years I've felt rather ambivalent towards it. Mainly because I can no longer watch every race live because I refuse to give any more money than is necessary into the pockets of Rupert Murdoch and those money-grabbing whores over at Sky. So here is it, the definitive list of what we can do to make the world's most expensive sport both more cost-effective and exciting.
Get Rid Of Bernie
I really like Bernie Ecclestone. He is incredibly likeable. The problem is, he is becoming more and more of a caricature of Sepp Blatter and you all know how I feel about him. If you need any prompts, I loathe Blatter. I truly believe that he is a cancer on football. That's why I'm so worried about Bernie. He can't say or do anything right in my eyes at the moment. He's changed the rules so the engines are more fuel efficient, then says that he wants them back to the old V8s. He's also said that, if teams can't afford to compete in F1, they should just leave. I honestly think that he's starting to lose his grip on reality and that's a sad thought. He needs to go before he makes a massive blunder and ruins the sport for generations.
Make The Rules Less Restrictive
I don't understand this 'token' system for engine upgrades this season. Actually, I don't even think the designers do. I'm all for there being a specific formula for the engines but it needs to be more 'all powerplants must be petrol powered V6 turbo engines with a specific capacity not exceeding 1600cc and co-powered by a single electric motor or four separate motors attached to the wheels.' Then leave it at that. See what they come up with and let them develop each and every idea to their heart's content. Push the boundaries, that's what F1 should be about. Push the boundaries of speed, technology and of the human brain. They should also de-restrict stuff like the size of the wings and wheels (but only supply certain width tyres of course).
Re-Introduce Refuelling
This might be a controversial idea with regards to cost-effectiveness, but hear me out. If you keep the rules regarding the tyre changes the same (you have to use at least one set of each tyre compound in a race) then you have pitstops. You also keep the rules regarding the amount of fuel you can use in a race (100kg). However, the change is that you no longer have to start with all 100kg on board. In fact, you can start with any amount of fuel on board that you like. This means that cars can be fitted with smaller fuel tanks for faster racing. Lighter cars burn less fuel so, more cost effective. Everyone who remembers the refuelling era misses the moment when the fuel hose doesn't detach from the car properly and is dragged down the pit lane attached to a 200mph car. It added more drama! It would also add an element of strategy in how big the fuel tank is. Should it be bigger so the car can go for longer stints between stops? Or smaller so there are more stops but the lap times are quicker? So much more interesting!
I know this is not a well-read blog but F1 is becoming stale and boring. You want Audi to compete? F1 needs to change. It needs to change so we have 26 or 28 cars on the starting grid and not a pitiful 18 with only 11 finishing. Sort it out, or the masses will lose interest. Where will the money come from then?
