Has F1 lost its essence?
The rule changes were supposed to make Formula One more even and exciting. But what they managed to do was spark complaints from pilots and fans. Many feel that it is now an ‘artificial’ competition, with too much weight on the electrical factor.
Sergio Pérez, the Mexican from Cadillac, said it without filters: “Honestly, it is a very, very different Formula 1. Nobody really understands it, we drivers and engineers don’t understand it.” And he let out a laugh, but with a taste of frustration.
“Now the electrical part, the recharging part, is much more important. It is a reality that cars are not as fun as they were before” – Sergio Pérez
Speed no longer rules
The problem goes beyond engine noise. Strategy has become a puzzle where managing energy is key, but that takes the soul out of managing. “Checo” explains it clearly: in qualifying, sometimes going slow makes you faster. And in the race, there are moments where you go 80 or 90 km/h without knowing why.
“I think we have a lot to learn… but it does take away a lot from the factor of going as fast as possible” – Sergio Pérez
It’s as if the sport has become a mathematical game where the driver is just another piece.
Lights of hope in Miami
But not everything is gray. Cadillac arrives at the Miami Grand Prix with improvements to seek its first points of the season. There’s the lesson: when things get uphill, you have to adjust your plan and keep paddling.
That’s what sports is like: sometimes you have to adapt to shine again.
