Fighting to Survive: What Actions Does Formula One Need to Take?

It's 5th December 2008. Just 33 days after the best finish to a Formula One season in the history of the sport and it all comes crashing down.

As I'm sure you've heard by now, Honda Racing are pulling out of Formula One with immediate effect. This action has been taken because management has revealed they would be unable to supply the teams with engines.

Nick Fry is optimistic that Honda will find a buyer, and I personally agree with him, but if more road car manufactures like Renault, Toyota and BMW find themselves struggling to survive in the depths of a global economic crisis it could mean farewell to Formula One.

However, I think that if the management of Formula One agree to make compromises, the sport will survive.

Firstly, forget about what Fernando Alonso says, Standard Engines must be introduced as soon as possible.

We've heard this proposition before from the FIA in an attempt to cut costs. Never really hit home did it? None of us thought it would come to this but it has. Teams with limited budgets can't afford it. Williams have already revealed their worries about their financial situation and, as mentioned before, Renault and Toyota could easily follow Honda out the back door.

Also, what's so bad about standard engines anyway? We all say that Hamilton, Massa and Co. would only be as good as driver X if they were driving car Y, so why not put them to the test? We all want to see driver skill and the lower teams challenging the big boys don't we? It isn't a bad idea what so ever and if Max Mosely said that standard engines would come into play in the morning I would support his decision 100%.

Another way to cut costs is to introduce a few new rules on Tyres. Tyres in Formula One are very expensive, one set can cost a whopping £3000. I know Slick tyres are being brought back but how about rules on the number of tyres team are allowed to use?

One set of tyres for the whole of qualifying?

Only a specific number of runs allowed in practice?

This would mean that tyres aren't wasted, and again, driver skill is emphasised as evaluation skills would be needed.

Secondly, I am aware that testing is essential.  Why don't the FIA decide when teams can test their cars instead of teams having private circuits and doing as much testing as they want, having to pay for tyres and fuel along the way- this only adds more stress to their budget.

A final way to cut costs in Formula One is to eradicate pit stops. You may have just had a heart attack then, which would be a great shame as you wouldn't be able to go and enjoy the rest of the recession.

Jokes aside, pit stops require the use of extra fuel, fact. How about filling the car up to the brim before the final session of qualifying and then all drivers will be on the same fuel load, again showing driver skill in that the man on pole is the fastest man, not just the man that has the lightest car.

This would of course make races shorter but don't GP2 sprint races tend to be more exciting than the feature race? Drivers want to win, they know they can't win the race in the pit lane so what does that meant they have to do? 

OVERTAKE!

Something we all want more of.  We want to see die-hard racing and daring moves. We want to see championship contenders risk everything in order to win a race.

Eradicating pit stops will put an exciting new edge on Formula One, shorter races but more overtaking. Furthermore, tyre costs will be cut, as will the cost of fuel. You may of course will be wondering what happens if a tyre blows.

Tough. They either go round on three wheels in the hope they get some points (this of course would occur toward the end of races) or the driver retires. It's their own fault, they should be more careful.

Conclusion

This is of course just my opinion but in light of recent events I think appropriate action needs to be taken. Please comment and give me your opinions. The idea of medals doesn't seem much of a problem now does it.