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Coulthard questions latest changes in Formula 1

Published on 08 Mar 2016 11:20
4
By: Rob Veenstra

David Coulthard says he sympathises with drivers who are openly questioning the latest changes within formula one. While most drivers are either publicly or privately calling for better tyres and faster cars, the next two changes in fact look set to be a controversially-revised qualifying format and the 'halo' cockpit safety collar.

Coulthard, the long-time McLaren and Red Bull driver and now a respected British broadcaster, said he knows why the drivers are rebelling against making the qualifying format even more geared to 'the show'. He thinks they would prefer the changes go the other way, perhaps back to the simple days of one-hour, 12-lap qualifying.

"I think a driver having four runs at his best lap in an hour is exciting for the driver," Coulthard told the Daily Mail. "If the driver is excited that radiates to what the fans pick up on. I have to believe in my heart that the simpler the system for the masses to understand, that can only help broaden the appeal of the sport," he said.

Coulthard also sides with drivers like Lewis Hamilton who are railing against the likely introduction of the 'halo' cockpit cage, after Daniel Ricciardo even told Nico Hulkenberg there is "no need to be a hero" in slamming the safety feature. But Coulthard thinks F1 drivers actually should be heroes.

"Life is dangerous," he said. "If we invented F1 now and drivers were wrapped in something where it was impossible to sustain an injury, it would still be impressive, but people wouldn't marvel at how they do it because the consequence has been reduced," explained Coulthard.

He admits it is a "sensitive topic" to express views like that not long after the deaths of Jules Bianchi and Justin Wilson. But: "Do I think that grand prix cars should be the size of trucks where the driver sits in the middle of that truck surrounded by the world's safest airbag? I personally don't," said Coulthard. (GMM)

F1 News Daniel Ricciardo Lewis Hamilton McLaren

Replies (4)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
I think the whole "F1 needs to be unsafe" argument is extremely silly. Would marathon get more exciting if we lit the runners on fire? Boxing would be more fun if they boxed without teeth protection, right? I dont watch F1 because its unsafe, I watch it to see my favourite drivers win races, preferably unharmed. I dont like how the halo looks, but if it saves lives, who cares? I dont wear seatbelt because its comfortable.
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- Mar 8 2016 - 12:06
- khasmir
  
  Posts: 893
  Adding some fire makes any sport more exciting ;)
  
  You do have a point but would you like to have a speed limit of 30 KPH everywhere so there are no more fatal road accidents?
  + 0
  
  Mar 8 2016 - 18:10
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I see your point, but adding a safety feature is a bit different from adding a speed limit. The limit would take away all the fun, while this halo thing just adds some protection. The sport is dangerous as it is, it doesnt have to be lethal. Although it looks terrible in it's current incarnation. Though this is of course just my opinion. :)
  + 0
  
  Mar 8 2016 - 23:24
- khasmir
  
  Posts: 893
  I know, it's different but it's also a safety measure. But I was referring to the speed limit on public roads as a comparison, not for F1, just to be clear ;)
  The question for F1 is where to you draw the line between safety and excitement?
  I don't want to drive around in a big airbag and neither should F1 drivers.
  + 0
  
  Mar 9 2016 - 19:36