Posted on 17th February 2015
This morning, the Ferrari team has released an image of an F1 concept car in an attempt to fuel debate about the future of the sport.
The stylised rendering has been launched on its own micro-website by Ferrari’s in-house design department and shows what an F1 car could look like with “minimal changes” to the current technical regulations. In a statement to the media, the Ferrari team stated that the pictures were to gain comments and also to show how good looking future F1 cars could be. The statement said the following:-
'Our challenge was to create something that was – to put it short – better looking. We value your comments on that.'
The images released by Ferrari are ahead of the amid intense debate regarding the future direction of Formula One as the F1 Commission gets ready for a vote on regulation changes in time for 2016.
Although the Ferrari images released this morning are not related to the specific proposals set to go in front of the F1 Commission which include1000bhp engines, wider cars and wider tyres, this therefore shows what the Ferrari team thinks could be possible for the sport in the future (see picture below).
In recent interviews to the media, Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene has been championing an overhaul of F1 since starting his new role last year and in January made his vision for the sport clear. Arrivabene stated the following recently on the matter at hand:-
'By 2017, I too would like to see cars that win over the fans, with cars that they can get closer to and that are aesthetically more appealing, maybe even producing a noise that gets your hair standing on end, like that produced by a heavy metal band.
'That was what it was like back in the day when Niki [Lauda] was racing and I was an enthusiastic fan, clutching my general admission ticket. However, I don’t think a simple evolution is enough in this case.
'Instead, a real revolution is called for, with significant and radical changes. By that I mean more power, higher speeds, not necessarily involving the use of more fuel, but definitely applying a cost reduction to those components that are of little interest to the general public.'
From what Arrivabene has stated in his interview recently on the issue at hand, it is clear that he shares the same perspective as Lauda and believes something needs to be done in order to maintain the current fan base that the sport has and also for the sport to reward the fans as a result of this.
It is clear for all to see that Arrivabene would love to see 1000bhp engines introduced into the sport for 2017 that he believes would win over existing fans and would bring new fans into the sport as a result of this being implemented. He also believes that by doing this and going back to the days when drivers such as Lauda was racing in the sport where you could get closer to the action is necessary.
But he feels the only way for this objective would be achieved is with radical and significant changes being implemented into the sport such as more power from the engines which will generate more speed on the circuit but hopefully at a reduced cost, but at the moment, I just don't see this happening.
I do understand where Arrivabene is coming from here. I would agree that being closer to the spot and its action would be better for the fans who pay their hard earned money to watch the fastest motorsport in the world. And with the help of the Grand Prix organisers and also the city, they could market this in the correct way and this would bring more fans and also new fans back to watch the racing back on the track.
However, as he rightly says, it is up to them to try and get this infrastructure in place if they want to.
Also, they would have to as Arrivabene has stated need to fully research every aspect and also make sure that the fans have an input as well in order to make sure to make their voices heard and their concerns and suggestions for the sport and its future being seriously considered.
Overall, I do understand Arrivabene's perspective. At the end of the day, Formula One is the fastest motorsport on the planet and is known for pushing the boundaries in ways that many believed wouldn't be possible. With maybe 1000bhp cars being introduced as early as 2017, that is one possible way forward for the sport to evolve but it is not the only way.
I would agree with Arrivabene that fans deserve the right to engage in the sport that they love and follow more. With the growth of social media in recent years with accounts such as Duurt (aka MSport Extra on Twitter) that bring fans closer together by sharing the latest news on the sport, alongside a new existing teams such as Mercedes and Lotus who interact with fans on a regular basis, Formula One needs to embrace this aspect and promote the sport; rather than push it away.
The idea that Arrivabene has with the organisers of the Grand Prix and also the city promoting events that allow fans even more closer to the sport they love would be a good thing. As we have seen last season at Silverstone when they celebrated their 60th anniversary, they managed to put on special events for the many fans that turned up to the circuit that they appreciated being a part of and enjoyed the experience.
If many countries took the Silverstone method mentioned above, not only would more fans be encouraged to come to the track and watch the race weekend, but they would be able to promote the circuit and country to other fans of the sport that could also bring more people to the track in the near future.
Ferrari has opened a comments section on the microsite to garner fans’ opinion on the new concept and I am sure that many pundits and fans will be leaving comments for the team today.
From first looking at the Ferrari concept car, it features a double-decker front wing and a sleek rear end (see pictures included in the article) that shows just how polished F1 cars could become if the teams agree to change the design of the cars after rivals McLaren and Red Bull showed their ideas on what changes they would like but no images or information has been released at this stage.
But all you can say at present is that the matter is being discussed and we have to let the teams and the FIA go through these talks and see if anything can be agreed.In my own opinion, I think that the Ferrari concept car is a striking car but I am unsure if this is the right direction for the sport. But until more information is released on the matter, it wouldn't be professional of me to state anything more on the matter and all we can do is wait for more information following these talks over the next few weeks.
Overall however, let us not forget that no matter what rules are in place, current fans of the sport will always remain loyal to the sport; no matter what. We've gone through turbo power in the 80's, V10's, V8's and now V6's; yet many fans still love the sport as a result; even though many feel like myself that Formula One needs to embrace change in selected areas before it is too late for them.
Sarah Jones
