Many Formula 1 drivers have criticized the new regulations and said that they have lost the fun: Fernando Alonso feels “happy even now”
The first races of the new Formula 1 era have been completed and many drivers have already made it clear that they have little use for the new regulations. Max Verstappen in particular has criticized that the fun has been lost. But do all the drivers on the grid really see it that way?
“At the end of the day, we’re still driving the fastest cars in the world, so for me it’s like this: as soon as I sit in the cockpit and have the steering wheel in my hand, I always have fun,” says Alpine driver Pierre Gasly, for example, but admits: “How much fun that is can of course vary.”
“We’ve switched from the fastest cars in the world from last year to something completely different – a completely different engine, a completely different load. So it’s always going to be different,“ recalls the Frenchman, who is nevertheless clear: ”Yes, I’m enjoying it.”
The same even applies to Fernando Alonso, who is currently struggling with problems with his Aston Martin AMR26. “Do we enjoy driving these cars? I would say yes, because we love racing,” explains the two-time world champion. They enjoy “the feeling of speed and the challenge”, adds the Spaniard.
Alonso: “I still feel happy now”
“But it’s a different kind of challenge,” emphasizes Alonso with regard to the new Formula 1 cars. “This is where the line is drawn as to whether these cars are more or less fun – everyone will have their own opinion because it’s a different challenge.”
“We used to fight for survival in corners like Turn 12 in Bahrain, Turns 9 and 10 and Turn 11 in Melbourne, the first sector in Suzuka, 130R or Turns 7 and 8 in China. There were always certain corners that tested the physical limits, and the driver had to use all his skills and also show courage.”
“Now, when you put on new tires and drive through the corners at speeds that you never reached before in practice, that challenge has disappeared to a certain extent,” says Alonso. “You now use these corners to charge the battery, not to make lap time.”
“It’s a different challenge, and because I grew up with the old one and measured myself in the corners, I probably prefer the previous one. But I was very lucky to drive in that era and I still feel lucky now, so I like both.”
Ocon speaks of “progress” compared to last year, but …
Esteban Ocon doesn’t only see negative things about the new cars either. “The positive thing is how the car feels in the corners,” says the Frenchman. “It’s going more in the direction of 2016 – like the good cars back then, the top cars.”
All in all, everything has become “much more predictable and much more pleasant overall” in terms of balance and handling. “For me, that’s progress compared to last year,” says Ocon, also emphasizing that the season opener in Melbourne even offered “more action” than before.
“There were more overtaking manoeuvres and more wheel-to-wheel battles throughout the race, which is definitely positive,” says the Frenchman, but also criticizes: “Is driving in the car easy? No. Can the driver exert enough influence through his driving style to make ‘moves’, so to speak? No.”
“That’s probably the negative point at the moment,” admits Ocon. “But I think that will improve over the course of the year, and when that happens, it will be a lot more fun.” And compatriot Gasly also admits that not everything is perfect yet.
“Are there things I would change? Yes, definitely,“ emphasizes the Alpine driver, but adds: ”Can I give a fair, objective assessment or feedback after just one race weekend? No.” That’s why you have to wait for more races before you can talk about how to make it even more entertaining for everyone.
Gasly admits: cars “could be more fun”
Formula 1 wants to use the break between the races in Japan and Miami to find solutions. However, Gasly also knows that this will not be easy. “It also depends on who you ask. If you ask someone who was sitting on the sofa on Sunday and saw 120 overtaking maneuvers, they will probably have a different view.“
Nonetheless, Gasly is convinced that there is ”a middle way” to make it as fair as possible for everyone involved. “Ultimately, we want a fair Formula 1,” adds the Frenchman. “We want competitive cars with which the majority of the field can fight for victories and podiums.”
It is also important to have a system that rewards talented drivers for risk and skill, rather than gaining time by taking less risk or taking less advantage of it. “That’s not in the DNA of Formula 1,” Gasly clarifies.
“I like these cars, they’re fun,” says the Alpine driver, but not without caveats: “They could be more fun – and that’s exactly what we need to work on.” Williams team boss James Vowles had already indicated that “four or five options” were on the table. However, the decision is still open.