F1 Regulations and the Future of the Sport

It is becoming increasingly clear that the fallout between the FOTA and FIA as well the F1 commercial rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone, can be a defining moment in the history of F1.

The two major concerns that F1 itself is facing is FOTA pulling out and creating a new series, as well as that F1 will become another "spec" series that will lose its status as pinnacle of all motor sports.

The first concern of the fans, that of FOTA pulling the plug on F1, seems to be an increasingly unlikely outcome as the new season approaches, especially due to the vested interests and future earning that the teams are entitled to under the Concorde Agreement.

These revenues derived from TV revenues will only materialize however if the teams decide to stay.

Under the new budget cap idea, F1 already has about half a dozen new entrants anyways. This while may not guarantee that the sport will be as competitive as it is currently, for sure will guarantee that F1 racing will carry on far into the next decade.

The second concern of the fans being the loss of F1's status as the top level of motor racing has more basis in reality.

The engine development freeze, the ban on year-around testing as well as the strict aerodynamic regulations are all cost-cutting measures, albeit ones that limit the engineering freedom that go against the very nature of what F1 should be about.

The introduction of a budget cap and more development freedom, if done well, can however not only eradicate previous preconceptions that innovations require money, but can also lead the motor sport into a new more exciting era.