(© Ben Johnston 2015)
FIA president Jean Todt has stated that changing the Formula
One regulations is not necessary to encourage greater competition in the sport.
Formula One events around the world have seen a drop off in
spectator attendance in recent seasons however the television audience figures
particularly in the United Kingdom have increased dramatically recently.
Speaking to Canal+ Todt compared Formula One to the Tennis
championship at Roland Garros where in the last nine of ten years the same
person has won the title and that has no sparked changes in Tennis so just
because one team is dominating Formula One at the moment the Frenchman sees no
reason for change.
Following four years of Infiniti Red Bull Racing dominating
the sport, Formula One switched from 2.4 litre V8 engines to 1.6 litre V6 turbo
charged more fuel efficient power units from last year which saw a shift in
dominance.
The Mercedes AMG PETRONAS F1 Team took victory in both the
Drivers and Constructors championship in 2014 with Lewis Hamilton and Nico
Rosberg securing all but three victories.
Todt has stated that it is just a case of the other teams
working harder to try and do a better job than Mercedes.
So this season, Mercedes have taken all but one victory as
Scuderia Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel took victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix. So
far this season we have also seen Mercedes and Ferrari take the top three spots
on the podium.
If Formula One persists in changing the rules every few
years it runs the risk of alienating fans. The main reason for the drop off in
Grand Prix attendance is down to the fact that ticket prices are so high and
this is something that needs to be addressed as soon as possible and the sport
should be focusing on how to make it more affordable for fans and not how to
improve the show.
© Ben Johnston 2015
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