Have F1's new rules produced a "battery world championship" or "the best racing ever"? Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso sum up the paradox at the heart of the sport.
The 6 man midfield battle was great racing. Lewis and Leclerc fighting through turns 1-2-3 was great racing. I think these regs have potential, and I like this more than DRS personally.
That being said it’s true that qualifying is absolutely atrocious now and just not fun to watch. Qualy has been a highlight these past few years and I really enjoy it generally, but this season has just not been enjoyable.
But if I have to choose between qualy and race I would take a more entertaining race any day of the week. But even then I have some hope that a solution can be found that addresses the problems with qualy.
Also, on the subject of “artificiality”: F1 has always been artificial. DRS was artificial. Tyre degradation is artificial. Pitstops are artificial, requiring multiple tyre compounds are artificial, refuelling was artificial. There are probably more things in forgetting off the top of my head.
Totally agree. I’d like it if they tried a bigger battery recharge allowance and deploy per lap, or unlimited, just for quali. I see how it slippery slopes from there, but with such great overtaking and racing if you design a car to qualify well it won’t win you races alone on most circuits
That being said it’s true that qualifying is absolutely atrocious now and just not fun to watch
Can you elaborate on this? From replies and discussion elsewhere It’s obviously self-evident to many that you’re right, but I’ve enjoyed qualifying for both races.
For me watching battery optimization during qualy is just not exciting. In the race I don’t mind - it actually seems to add another layer of strategy even. But in qualy we get weird driving like going slowly through corners that would otherwise be a test of grip and skill and feel just so you can charge the battery for more juice on the straights, which results in better overall laptime. Turn 9/10 in Australia for example which has always been an exciting bit of the track is just not a corner anymore with these regs. Stuff like that.
Thanks. I think for me seeing the drivers have to deal with energy management adds another level of complexity I enjoy in qualifying too - but I can see where you’re coming from.
The 6 man midfield battle was great racing. Lewis and Leclerc fighting through turns 1-2-3 was great racing. I think these regs have potential, and I like this more than DRS personally.
That being said it’s true that qualifying is absolutely atrocious now and just not fun to watch. Qualy has been a highlight these past few years and I really enjoy it generally, but this season has just not been enjoyable.
But if I have to choose between qualy and race I would take a more entertaining race any day of the week. But even then I have some hope that a solution can be found that addresses the problems with qualy.
Also, on the subject of “artificiality”: F1 has always been artificial. DRS was artificial. Tyre degradation is artificial. Pitstops are artificial, requiring multiple tyre compounds are artificial, refuelling was artificial. There are probably more things in forgetting off the top of my head.
It is what it is.
Totally agree. I’d like it if they tried a bigger battery recharge allowance and deploy per lap, or unlimited, just for quali. I see how it slippery slopes from there, but with such great overtaking and racing if you design a car to qualify well it won’t win you races alone on most circuits
agree 100%… you saved me typing all that stuff
Can you elaborate on this? From replies and discussion elsewhere It’s obviously self-evident to many that you’re right, but I’ve enjoyed qualifying for both races.
For me watching battery optimization during qualy is just not exciting. In the race I don’t mind - it actually seems to add another layer of strategy even. But in qualy we get weird driving like going slowly through corners that would otherwise be a test of grip and skill and feel just so you can charge the battery for more juice on the straights, which results in better overall laptime. Turn 9/10 in Australia for example which has always been an exciting bit of the track is just not a corner anymore with these regs. Stuff like that.
Thanks. I think for me seeing the drivers have to deal with energy management adds another level of complexity I enjoy in qualifying too - but I can see where you’re coming from.