Making Formula One Interesting - Open Letter to Bernie Ecclestone and FIA

Jeremy Clarkson has on several occasions claimed that he knew how to make Formula 1 more interesting (that basically revolved around Clarkson being able to hand out random points as he saw fit).  Like Clarkson I also know how Formula 1 could be turned into the spectator show that it ought to be.

My idea is quite simple really.  Formula 1 should be the pinnacle of car racing - nothing less than that.  It should be about car racing - using the best possible cars and the best possible drivers.  The best driver in the best car should win!  But it would appear that Bernie got other ideas.  Before it was about fuel strategy and now it's more about tire management and tire changes.  How boring is that.  Turn F1 into what it ought to be please!  Here are my suggestions:

Basic Rules

1. NO electronic gadgets (as it is now - this is fine - it's about racing - so no ABS, no traction control, no active suspension and other things that makes the cars easier to drive)

2. NO aerodynamic limitations - the teams can throw everything into making the cars as aerodynamic as humanly possible and create as much down force as possible as long as it is static or manually operated by the driver.

3. NO engine limits.  IF limits are necessary limit the fuel type and fuel quantity for the teams instead so it will be about going as fast and long as possible with whatever fuel they got.  For all I care they can turn it into diesel only - as long as the teams are given free hands to get whatever out of that they can.

4. NO scheduled pit stops of any kind.

5. NO tire limitations.  The teams pick whatever tire they think or feel is most suitable for each race.

Race Format

The race format completely changed.  Friday will have some free practice on the track - no limits on that - of course the teams should be given all the practice time they need or want.  Each race weekend will have four races - two on Saturday and two on Sunday.  Each race will be shorter than the current race - probably around 40 minutes to 1 hour - with NO scheduled stops allowed - no tire changes - no refuelling - unscheduled stops for fixes are allowed.  The races will be like this:

1. Position Battle

This first race will start with cars in reverse order.  In other words - the leader of the championship will be last - the slowest cars in the front.  Outcome of this race will determine the starting order of first race.

2. First Race

First race on Saturday.  Starting order determined from position battle.  Winner of that race to get pole position.

3. Second Race

First race on Sunday.  Starting order determined by previous race.

4. Third Race

Second race on Sunday.  As previous two races.

The winner will be the driver with most wins.  Ie. any driver with 2 or 3 wins will be the winner.  In case of multiple drivers with 1 win each, best second position will be used.

It's as simple as that.  This would be pure racing.  Because of the reverse order first race - the drivers would HAVE to overtake.  The ONLY strategy would be to go as fast as possible and overtake as many as possible.

How hard can it be - wake up Bernie (oh - and Bernie - should you choose to use this - I do expect to be invited to all races!)

(from: http://larsrants.blogspot.com)