Are the current Formula 1 cars too easy to drive?
This weekend the Italian Grand Prix takes place at the classic Monza circuit – a bit emasculated but nevertheless still a great track.
SUPERHERO. Red Bull designer Adrian Newey reckons F1 drivers no longer have to be superheroes. For that, one must look to the MotoGP arena. Picture: Supplied
It will be interesting to see how much effect the recent meeting between drivers and management at the Mercedes-Benz Brackley HQ will have.
If the Silver Arrows drivers are going to toe the line, although they are allowed to race for the title, it could open the door for the buoyant and determined Daniel Ricciardo and the Red Bull team. Another to watch is Valtteri Bottas in the Williams.
Both these younger drivers are certainly proving their worth this season, at a time when the age of drivers is a hot topic subsequent to the signing of former F1 driver Jos Verstappen’s son. He may set a record as the youngest-ever F1 driver when he joins the Torro Rosso team next season, but many are asking if 16-year-old Max Verstappen should be there at all.
Among those who have grave doubts are three former F1 drivers, two of whom were world champions. First to speak up was Jacques Villeneuve, who is well known for creating controversy, then Mika Salo, an ex Sauber, Toyota and Ferrari driver, and finally double world champion Mika Hakkinen.
A prime factor is whether or not any 16 or 17-year-old has the capability to mix it with the world’s best and, of course, the possible consequences for the rest of the field if he doesn’t make the grade.
But the major issue expressed by his peers is the young man’s future in motorsport. The pressure on Verstappen junior is enormous, because reaching the pinnacle of the sport at such an age can be problematic. He could prove to be on the pace from the start. Or he could fail dismally. That is the real problem – fail in F1 at his age and what is left for the Dutch teenager? But if he proves a new sensation, is that a statement about the current situation in Formula 1 and the new generation of cars?
Villeneuve seems to think so and so – in a roundabout way – does Adrian Newey, Red Bull’s designer. Newey said recently “the cars no longer need superheroes to drive them”.
He continued: “I think if you watch MotoGP then you certainly have that feeling, that those guys are superheroes, whereas (in) the current crop of cars, the power to weight is not fantastic.
“Going back to the 1300hp in qualifying Formula 1 cars that were quite a bit lighter than they are now, those things you had to bolt on some fairly special appendages to drive them. I think [the fact] that young drivers – no disrespect to them at all – can jump in and instantly be at the front, or competitive certainly, is an interesting one.”
Interesting indeed. Are the cars that much easier to drive? Kimi Raikkonen doesn’t seem to think so. He has battled all season with the handling of the heavier, new-generation Ferrari.
Mercedes nonexecutive chairperson Niki Lauda believes it’s a case of F1 changing and the “computer kid” generation being ready earlier than their predecessors.
Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko told a German publication “I bet €100 (R1 408) that in his first race Verstappen will be able to compete with Kvyat.”
I feel it could be a mistake for one so young to enter a formula that is totally unforgiving. Still, one can hope it goes well for him.
Unfortunately, Verstappen has not had the most auspicious start to life in the F1 world. During a demonstration run in Rotterdam recently, he was driving a Red Bull RB7 under the Torro Rosso banner in front of his home fans. After a couple of doughnuts he nudged the car’s nose into the barriers and got stuck. Assistance arrived and he was pushed back – but in turning the car around hit another barrier and removed the front wing. Let’s hope that is the last of his “first-night nerves”.
