KEY CHANGES IN F1 FOR THE 2017 SEASON by Vishal Aravind.S
So soon, The first generation of the new turbo V6 engines are done and dusted. After just 3 years, the sport needed a change. Yes, they came with extra power and torque, were challenging and more importantly efficient and quite reliable too. But, these cars lacked the drama, the aura which was necessary to show the world that F1 is still the Ultimate Motor Sport. The fan base started reducing, the TV viewership came lower. But, still the hard core enthusiasts hung on hoping for a change.
That’s exactly what seems to be in stock for all of us. First one with a bang, Bernie Ecclestone, The FOM (Formula One Manager) has retired and sold the entire sport and rights to Liberty Media. After so much criticism in the way F1 is being covered, the complex rules and regulations, this is set to change. Also, makes a return to F1 is Ross Brawn, A genius gentle pro with a 40 year career in racing, who has won 22 World FIA Championships. New F1 owner Liberty Media has placed Brawn in a three-man team alongside new CEO Chase Carey and commercial chief Sean Bratches, with Brawn in charge of sporting matters.
Ross maintains that simplicity is the one key objective he shall be bring back to the sport. He also says racing is what fans look forward to and he shall be providing just that.
As a result, DRS might go out of F1, the on-track racing incidents have been eased significantly to allow more wheel to wheel battles and also added are some set of rules that are yet to be released before they gain some clarity.
Meanwhile, Carey and Bratches look forward in taking care of the F1’s marketing and promotion part to make it as successful with the fans again.
The cars themselves have been under major changes as mentioned above moving on to the second generation. They promise to be faster with up to 5 seconds improvement in lap times. They now will have more mechanical grip and drag. Thanks to tweaking Pirelli tires and the aerodynamics of the overall car. It’s wider, more laid back than the previous cars. Their nose and tail have been designed from scratch. Also, the tires are 25% wider than before and also come with new designs for each compound which has less degradation than before. These cars as a result will enable drivers to brake later and carry much speeds through the corners.
It’s all good in the engine department as well, The turbo housing and outer combustion has been worked on by all teams. The engine tokens have also revised which are simpler. Now, despite the fuel flow restrictions, the engines will be pushing out as much as a 1000 bhp. The fuel limit has been increased to 5 kgs contributing to a total of 105 kgs.
So, These changes along with some small but detailed ones which adds to making the sport get better more than ever, We are set to witness the recovery of the Ultimate Motorsport, FORMULA ONE!!
- Penned down by S.Vishal Aravind.
