Old F1 cars are not as complex as you might think

Today's Formula 1 cars are equipped with cutting-edge technology and require dozens of people to operate them, while older single-seaters are much simpler.

Cédric Forray manages the La Meute team (Switzerland) on his own and does so without any problems. He is the sole mechanic for driver Louis Maulini, who drives a Lola LC87 that belonged to Philippe Alliot. Although the car is 35 years old and past its prime, it is easy to maintain. “It's a very reliable car. We hardly ever have any problems,” explains Mr. Forray. Modern Formula 1 cars are equipped with sophisticated electronic systems that make them complex to maintain, whereas the single-seaters of the 1980s and 1990s did not have such gadgets, which simplified the work of the mechanics. “People tend to make a big deal out of it, but the mechanics are fairly simple. You don't need a factory to run this car. Of course, a major breakdown can complicate things, but on a day-to-day basis, it's not a huge workload,” he says. The lack of technology also means there are no driving aids. Without the electronic assistance that modern drivers enjoy, driving these vintage F1 cars is more difficult. “In the days of Villeneuve and Arnoux, you had to stay alert because there was no assistance,” notes Louis Maulini, who has been racing since 1971. “We exceed 300 km/h here at Dijon-Prenois, so braking is not easy.”