Talk:Scuderia Ferrari Championship/New/@comment-99.229.194.134-20150516162914/@comment-180.182.108.180-20150518134222

The performance of current F1 cars are restricted by the regulations. If they were allowed bigger engines, to recover and use more energy per lap or even had wider tires, they would be much more powerful and much quicker. Similarly, if they did not have cost saving measures in effect, they could spend more resources on wind tunnel aero development and have more time to test their machines. Much of what we see is due to cost cutting measures and attempts to add theatre to a race.

Tires do not have to wear out so quickly. Pirelli has the skills to make faster, longer lasting tires but F1 has requested tires that wear out at a specified rate and once they wear out become difficult to handle very quickly. The hybrid concept was introduced a few years ago with the KERS systems. They could have allowed teams unlimited amounts of recovered energy but they restricted its use per lap so they had to use it strategicly. At the beginning, it wasn't even mandated as part of the spec so teams who didn't find it beneficial, like Red Bull, didn't use it initially. Their system was not reliable enough so they carried ballast to reach minimum weight.

Last season, it was mandated in that year's specs that all teams produce a power unit that was hybrid as we see today. It was a year full of teething issues and a lot of unrealized potential. In an effort to add more drama and make it easier to pass, the cars had to have less downforce by making the wings smaller and restricting additional aero devices on the body. The aero on the cars gives them more grip but if they are passing through very hot or turbulent air, they lose grip. Couple that with reduced grip off the racing line and the marbles that fly off the tires during a race weekend, and the spectacle of a hard fought race evaporates when you can't get close enough to pass.

I like good racing but I really respect great driving. The WEC is pretty competitive but it is largely full of drivers that didn't make it in F1. They're very skilled but they're past the age or lack that little extra bit to be an awesome F1 driver. Formula 1 drivers are generally remarkable and a great fit for that style of racing. But maybe I'm wrong... :)