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The ill-advised debate among certain F1 insiders and commentators is becoming embarrassing because it is so hackneyed. Instead of focusing on the safety of the sport, we should concentrate on the drivers and simplify the convoluted rules in order to revitalize Formula 1.
Some observers, and even a few insiders, claim that Formula 1 has become too safe and therefore less exciting than before. This statement may seem shocking, especially after the tragic incidents that marked the end of last season and the start of this one.
There is no need to revisit Jules Bianchi's terrible accident at the Japanese Grand Prix in October 2014, or Fernando Alonso's accident in Barcelona earlier this year, which forced him to miss the first race. These events have already proven that this sport still involves real dangers.
The young French driver is still in intensive care in Nice, fighting for his life surrounded by his family, who would probably find any comments downplaying the risks of F1 both inappropriate and absurd. Alonso, on the other hand, got away with only temporary health problems after a violent side impact.
What makes these criticisms even more baffling is their source. First, there is three-time world champion Niki Lauda. The Austrian legend survived a near-fatal accident at the Nürburgring in 1976, which left him with severe burns and lifelong scars. As a non-executive director at Mercedes, he would certainly hate to see one of his protégés in a similar situation.
Then there is Kimi Raikkonen, who believes that Formula 1 lacks excitement. Coming from an active driver, his point of view is understandable: today's single-seater racing requires more management and endurance than pure talent and racing lines.
Their argument separates danger from safety, when the two are closely linked. How can the sport be made more dangerous without compromising safety? The fact that no driver has died in a Grand Prix since 1994 reflects the governing bodies' commitment to addressing the safety shortcomings that once plagued the sport. Over the past two decades, many improvements have been made, and we have still seen many thrilling moments. However, drivers from other eras point to various issues that detract from the appeal of the sport. Max Verstappen (17) and Jenson Button (35) would like to see cars with more downforce and stricter driving restrictions to allow for real battles on the track. Both recognize that, under current regulations, getting close to the car in front often means damaging tires and compromising the rest of the race. In addition, the rules have become too complex and opaque, causing confusion among drivers and fans. Penalties illustrate the problem well: a driver can be penalized 25 places on a starting grid that only has 20 cars. In Austria, Lewis Hamilton would have crossed the finish line in first place with a three- or four-second lead, but a five-second penalty relegated him to second place. Such absurdities could fill a long list of complaints addressed to the FIA, which seems disconnected from the obsolete nature of its regulations. Before seeking out danger and sensationalism that only endangers the drivers, the true protagonists of this sport, we should focus on putting the gladiators back at the center of the arena and showcasing their talent. After all, it is the drivers, not the machines, who stand on the podium.
