Formula One: The demise of 'real' racing

2. Predictability

While the tyre-story is being portrayed as the only reason for F1 losing its status as the Goliath of motorsport racing, there are also many others, perhaps less discussed ones. Take for instance, the recent domination of Vettel and his team Red Bull, of the drivers’ and constructors’ championships respectively. It brings back to mind the days of yore when another German who went by the name of Michael Schumacher was winning F1 races for breakfast and dinner and although the world wondered at his genius, they also looked forward to the day that someone else defeated him. And going by present standings, Vettel and his team again seem to have a really strong chance to make it 4 championships in a row.

3. Focus on money

On one hand, teams like Lotus are losing millions and on the other, FIA is increasing the entry fees. A basic entry fee of $500,000 is anything but cheap and the recent developments have led the Force India boss Vijay Mallya to quip that there are some dark days ahead for the smaller teams who don’t have the huge finances of their more established counterparts. Besides, some recent circuit choices where the likes of Abu Dhabi and Bahrain have been preferred over the historic San Marino Grand Prix, makes one wonder what F1 is really about these days.

4. Scandals aplenty

Undoubtedly, no sport is devoid of scandals. But at the same time, the massive scandals that have rocked F1 in recent times, right from the infamous “spygate” scandal of 2007 to the recent tyre-testing issue involving Pirelli and Mercedes this year, makes one seek the glorious days of F1.

5. High technicality

Of course it is not bullock cart racing. But that doesn’t mean that the fans of F1 have to be bombarded by newer and weirder rule changes, design changes and technical jargon every season, half of which will most likely be overturned the next season. Take for instance, the recent brouhaha over the DRS zones or the insanely ugly platypus nose. No doubt F1 would have been better without them.

So that was all about F1 and real racing or the lack of it therein. While there have been no dearth of points made and fingers raised against the sport, there hardly seems to be a solution in the horizon. Of course, Pirelli have promised redesigned tyres by the British Grand Prix, but as our little discourse showed, tyres are but one of the dimensions involved.

So, is Formula One going to overcome the recent challenges or are its glory days far behind it? Well, only time will tell what’s in store for F1 and its fans, but if history has taught us anything, it’s that only in hard times like these that the true winners are decided and for a sport in its 64th season, it is just another obstacle that has to be overcome. Hopefully, it will not be long before F1 dusts off the recent setbacks and reclaims its throne at the zenith of motor racing.