“The Jeremy Clarkson method of fixing F1.”
Hey folks, Dre here again, and it’s been a while since I did a big “Ask Dre” post again, so, here’s another one for you! In this edition, I talk about bringing back cars and tracks (Because who doesn’t love nostalgia?), talking about the possibility of 1,000 horsepower F1 cars potentially happening for 2017, thoughts on Motorsport in general as we kick off the main block of action to start the year, and you guys get to ponder what would happen if I ran F1, and some of the changes I would make. Should be fun considering I’m often drunk with power. Right, to the questions!
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[/fusion_imageframe]”Would you like to see Formula 1 go to 1,000bhp engines from 2017. It is currently been talked about by the FIA…” – Richard Evans
I don’t understand this one to be honest. Like, what’s the matter with 850? I know a lot of old school fans want cars to be difficult to drive again, but you gotta realize that its now 2015, and with technology advancing at an insane rate, the whole point of it is that it makes the cars more efficient, so of course cars are going to be easier to drive. Besides, with the new super-license rules coming in next year, isn’t it meant to be harder to get into F1 anyway? And this is even after Traction Control was banned a decade ago.
Some fans are going to have to make a choice: Is F1 a “show”, or is it about technological advancement? You can’t have it both ways in many cases. Because if you want to make it a show, sure, go all out, rather than think about these half-hearted changes. For me, it just feels like a “catfish” as to something that’ll all of a sudden make F1 better. Especially when the cars are already the fastest in a straight line since the V10 era.
“Would you rather use, a Caterham chassis with Mercedes engine or a Mercedes chassis with last years Renault engine?” – James Francis White
Oh, you gotta have a great chassis. Like, last year’s Renault engine was bad, but Red Bull’s chassis was still so good they managed 2nd in the constructors, despite some reliability problems on Seb’s end for a good number of rounds. Stick that engine in the Mercs of last season and you’ll still be challenging for the title.
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[/fusion_imageframe]”If you were appointed head of the FIA and had to make 3 changed to F1, what would they be?” – Thomas Wilson
I was actually planning a series to cover this in the near future, but I’ll give you a sneak peek (I’ll expand into more detail in later posts). If I was in charge of F1 right now (Which I know is a terrifying thought), here’s the plan:
– Implement a new Social Media policy. F1’s Twitter is boring for the most part, it’s just a glorified news site, so I’d like more fan interaction on there, as well as an official YouTube channel, easing of copyright for teams to use footage, Facebook, Instagram coverage, the works. Let’s get with the times, people.
– Build the sport around technological advancements, over entertainment. I’ll be honest, I’d like to see F1 take a page out of the WEC Playbook and focus more on the future and see new ideas take the mould. Even if it makes the sport a little more boring, like newsflash: 70% of races in F1 are mediocre anyway. Why not roll the dice and see some new cool shit?
– Scrap DRS. Does this really need explaining? (More soon, maybe.)
“Can Jonathan Rea challenge for the WSBK Title?” – David Sedgwick
Absolutely. Bold move for him to jump from Honda to Kawasaki. And their testing times were very close as well, and to me, pound for pound, Rea is as fast as anyone in the field on his day. He’ll have to be amazing to beat Tom Sykes though, who’ll be determined to regain the title after losing it to Sylvain Guintoli last season.
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[/fusion_imageframe]”Predictions on what could happen with Motorsports this year in general? Do you think it will take a turn for the worst or become better?” – Brad Gee
Well, when it comes to F1, if I’m honest, I’m not expecting much. The technical regulations are pretty much the same as last year, and while there’s some intriguing developments over at McLaren and Ferrari, I think Mercedes are going to run the table in 2015, winning every race and probably breaking their own points record. The battle for 2nd and the rest of the Top 5 should be interesting.
I’m much more excited for Formula E and seeing how the series develops, as well as MotoGP, as there’s a lot to talk about there. The returns of Aprilla and Suzuki, the rise of Maverick Vinales, Scott Redding and Cal Crutchlow on factory bikes, can anyone stop Marquez? Can Lorenzo bounce back? Can Tito be the first Moto2 rider to retain? And just how big a stud is Fabio Quartararo?
“Do you think Jack Miller made a mistake on going to MotoGP from Moto3?” – David Sedgwick
No, at least not yet. Moto2 is a logjam for talent at the moment, and there’s maybe half a dozen guys in that class at the moment, who, with a good 2015 season, could move up into the big class (Rabat, Rins, Marquez, Aegerter, etc.), so, if a factory is behind you for a once in a lifetime chance, and something that’s never been done before, why not embrace it?
It’ll be impossible to say whether this move was for the best for at least another two seasons, because rookies rarely are a success in the top class straight away to begin with, let alone, jumping the Intermediate class in the process. It’s a project at this point. Probably for the best to treat it as such. I wrote more about this one here.
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[/fusion_imageframe]”What do you think of Silverstone being put back on the MotoGP calendar & how much embarrassment has the Circuit of Wales caused to the Welsh government and Dorna?” – James Francis White
Jesus, what a mess. Apparently, this was on the cards for a couple of months according to MCN’s Matthew Birt, who had been chasing this story for a while, and whats worse is, there’s two different stories coming out of that camp. Donington say that the CoW board didn’t have the funds to renovate them to GP standard, while the CoW guys say the funding was always there and that they were disappointed in that their working relationship didn’t work out. So, someone’s telling porkies.
In any case, it’s a nasty situation for all involved, especially for fans of Donington, which has got a rich biking history and tickets already sold for it having to be refunded. No offence to Silverstone, I personally love it and I’m glad it’s continuing there, despite the limited attendance, as it produces great racing. Last season provided the best weekend of bike racing for the entire season. Overall though, it’s an embarrassing situation and it further deflates the balloon of hype that the track had, which was already leaking after initial doubts over the track in the first place. I mean, how the heck are they going to build this enormous facility in time?!
Also, bummer for Formula Renualt 3.5 being bumped off for MotoGP, meaning they have to go head-to-head with the BTCC, which sucks for everyone.
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[/fusion_imageframe]”If you could bring back any track that’s been gone for over 10 years and any team that’s been gone for the same length of time then what would be your choices?” – Craig Graham
Great question, but difficult, as many cool stuff ended in 2006, like the last French and San Marino GP’s on the calendar. Bugger. And trust me, I love Imola.
If I had to choose a team, I’d say Jordan, who just make the cut after leaving the sport in 2005. Eddie Jordan was a passionate nutter and I miss his grid presence, and a lot of amazing drivers have gone through that team. Full of character, and won on occasion too. As for track, I’d like to see Zolder come back one day. Yes kids, Belgium has more than one awesome race track. I played it on Need For Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed and I loved it.
And finally… “Narain, Taki Inoue or Jean Deniz Delatraz?” – Sean Smyth
Ebola. Okay, fine, Narain, at least the repair costs wouldn’t be quite as high.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
