Why well-meaning ideas to ‘fix’ F1 may not be the answer
Domination by one team and driver inevitably causes mainstream interest in Formula 1 to sag. In the past it’s led to knee-jerk calls for change but quick fixes often come with unintended consequences. MATT KEW investigates which tweaks might improve the spectacle, and which ones might actively harm it despite all those good intentions…
The 2023 Formula 1 season was inescapably unspectacular. That was in no small part thanks to Max Verstappen and Red Bull. The champion repeatedly snared pole position, led into the first corner, then disappeared 20 seconds up the road to complete a damp squib. He humbled his runner-up team-mate Sergio Perez by 290 points. Meanwhile, second place in the constructors’ standings fell to Mercedes, which failed to muster even half the score of Christian Horner’s clan.
Amid that Red Bull monopoly, there’s reason to believe F1 is on its way down the popularity mountain. With the gripping climax to the 2021 Lewis Hamilton-Verstappen grudge match in the rear-view mirror, TV audience figures that the series readily shared when they were increasing are now no longer disclosed. Instead, social media interactions are the go-to measure of growth. However, recent third-party analysis – rebuffed by F1 – suggests these too are on the wane.
How Honda F1 gains gave Williams its first turbo success and a Silverstone record
How Honda F1 gains gave Williams its first turbo success and a Silverstone record How Honda F1 gains gave Williams its first turbo success and a Silverstone record
Why carbon fibre engines haven’t broken into F1
Why carbon fibre engines haven’t broken into F1 Why carbon fibre engines haven’t broken into F1
How a key ingredient of McLaren’s glory era is shaping its F1 future
How a key ingredient of McLaren’s glory era is shaping its F1 future How a key ingredient of McLaren’s glory era is shaping its F1 future
Why F1 is largely a closed shop to new talent
Why F1 is largely a closed shop to new talent Why F1 is largely a closed shop to new talent
How F1’s arrival in China proved a success in unexpected ways
How F1’s arrival in China proved a success in unexpected ways How F1’s arrival in China proved a success in unexpected ways
Why Perez’s F1 2023 struggles against Verstappen won't be easy to resolve
Why Perez’s F1 2023 struggles against Verstappen won't be easy to resolve Why Perez’s F1 2023 struggles against Verstappen won't be easy to resolve
The groundbreaking Brabham that gave F1 a preview of Murray's design genius
The groundbreaking Brabham that gave F1 a preview of Murray's design genius The groundbreaking Brabham that gave F1 a preview of Murray's design genius
The missing factor that Grosjean developed too late to transform his F1 career
The missing factor that Grosjean developed too late to transform his F1 career The missing factor that Grosjean developed too late to transform his F1 career
Ex-F1 driver Glock in DTM comeback talks with McLaren team
Ex-F1 driver Glock in DTM comeback talks with McLaren team Ex-F1 driver Glock in DTM comeback talks with McLaren team
Verstappen: No change in Horner relationship amid Red Bull investigation
Verstappen: No change in Horner relationship amid Red Bull investigation Verstappen: No change in Horner relationship amid Red Bull investigation
Unpicking the secrets of Red Bull’s brave new F1 sidepods
Unpicking the secrets of Red Bull’s brave new F1 sidepods Unpicking the secrets of Red Bull’s brave new F1 sidepods
Blaney "sick of paying" for bad pushes after vicious Duel crash
Blaney "sick of paying" for bad pushes after vicious Duel crash Blaney "sick of paying" for bad pushes after vicious Duel crash
The Mercedes-like design decisions in Red Bull's follow-up to an F1 world-beater
The Mercedes-like design decisions in Red Bull's follow-up to an F1 world-beater The Mercedes-like design decisions in Red Bull's follow-up to an F1 world-beater
Why Aston is coming out with fighting talk for its F1 2024 chances against Red Bull
Why Aston is coming out with fighting talk for its F1 2024 chances against Red Bull Why Aston is coming out with fighting talk for its F1 2024 chances against Red Bull
Can McLaren's evolutionary-but-innovative MCL38 deliver Norris' first F1 win?
Can McLaren's evolutionary-but-innovative MCL38 deliver Norris' first F1 win? Can McLaren's evolutionary-but-innovative MCL38 deliver Norris' first F1 win?
The issues Mercedes hopes it has solved with its W15 F1 car
The issues Mercedes hopes it has solved with its W15 F1 car The issues Mercedes hopes it has solved with its W15 F1 car
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.