The Way To Improve Formula 1

The 2010 Australian Grand Prix saw excitement return to Formula 1.

2010 was billed to be the best season of Formula 1 for years following numerous rule changes over the closed season. Bahrain showed that these changes had failed to make the sport more interesting for the fan.

Once again the season was started under a cloud of speculation over the legality of car parts—the McLaren F vent and the starter motor hole in the rear wing. Combined with pit stop rule changes, the promises of thrills was high, but failed to deliver.

Melbourne came to life with something that can't be legislated for—the weather.

Rain at the start of the race made the opening half of the race one of the best for years. This then had a knock on effect towards the later stages, with Hamilton being taken out by Webber following a decision by his team.

Button's win was gifted to him by a brave decision to move to slick tires before the rest of the field. Button had been pushed from fourth at the start of the race to seventh and looked to be falling further back until he made the call to change tires.

Button's out lap looked like he had made an error as he fell off the track within moments of rejoining the race, however, within two laps the rest of the field followed suit as Button pulled out fastest sector after fastest sector.

Loop holes will always be exploited when it comes to aerodynamics. Tires are more durable and fuel stops are removed making the optimum strategy the same for most teams.

This race has confirmed in my mind what I have suspected for some time—rule changes will do little to further the excitement of the sport.

The answer to me is simple. It comes in two very simple steps.

Firstly, bring back testing.

With new teams and new drivers track time is needed to allow the drivers and the cars to get more in tune. It will develop the younger drivers, especially those in testing roles, and work out faults.

I'm not advocating thousands of hours being used by each team. Each team should be allowed a number of hours testing time between races. The limits on engines and gear boxes should remain, with an additional allowance being incorporated for a testing vehicle.

Secondly, move the dates of the races.

Stop formulating the race calender to try to get races into countries when the weather is predicted to be fine. Moving races into spring, autumn, and winter where there is a greater chance of changing conditions would bring an element of unpredictability to the sport.

I don't want to see races not being held due to the weather being so poor, but an attempt to add a variable to the sport that is out of human control should make the sport more to the liking of the fan as it would show a driver's ability not only to race in inclement weather, but also to adapt to a circuit that changes every lap.