Features

F1 in danger of alienating fans

Author: John Harris
Date: 27/03/2010
Formula One betting

"It's like climate change. It's got to be bad before it can get better."

Those are the chilling words from one former technical consultant to the Formula One's governing body, the FIA.

The season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix has been savaged by critics who claim that an already dismal spectacle has plumbed new depths.

Nicknamed 'Bore-rain' due to the lack of overtaking manoeuvres on display in the Middle East, it seems that the rule changes that have been implanted during the winter are in danger of ruining a sport which was already struggling with dwindling interest.

The main problem appears to be the processional appearance of the race following the decision to ban refuelling.

Although refuelling wasn't an intrinsic part of one-on-one racing, it did at least result in drama in excitement as drivers jostled and swapped positions on a regular basis throughout the race.

It also allowed teams to operate on different race strategies which also resulted in healthy competition.

Now with every team loading their cars up with 170 kilogrames of fuel before the start, there is a tendency for drivers to lap consistently without changing positions unless somebody makes a mistake.

Factor in the difficult nature of overtaking with a car which racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart likened to 'handling like a pregnant hippo' and it's easy to see why passing in Bahrain was virtually non-existent.

"With no refuelling, it will be difficult to see any overtaking, so after the first lap the positions will be set," explained Fernando Alonso after winning the first race of the season on his debut for Ferrari.

The double world champion is now the favourite in the online betting markets to win the 2010 championship.

Who will win this year's Formula One world championship?- Latest Formula One Betting

The second major issue which has been flagged up by drivers is the rule change concerning tyres.

The 10 cars at the front of the grid now have to start the race with the same set of tyres which they used during the final period of qualifying.

Drivers must use also both soft and hard tyre compounds while the race is in progress.

Michael Schumacher was one high-profile dissenting voice on his return to the sport after four years in retirement.

"The new rules with the tyres that everybody has to cope with - I struggle a little bit with those," admitted the seven-time world champion.

However, with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone refusing to buckle under pressure, it seems like the controversial rule changes are here to stay.

In the short term at least.

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