David Coulthard believes that Formula 1 should ban battery charging in certain corners. Not only to protect the entertainment value of the sport, but also to ensure the safety of the drivers. Following Oliver Bearman’s crash in Suzuka, the new regulations, which emphasize energy management, are under scrutiny. In April, the FIA will meet to discuss possible changes.
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Formula 1 has been under great pressure since the first race of the season. The new regulations, in which the battery plays a crucial role, were immediately subject to criticism. For instance, the electrical boost is said to cause artificial overtaking, while the charging function leads to slower qualifying laps in which drivers deliberately back off.
Bearman Crash
In Japan, it became clear once again that the FIA must also look critically at the F1 regulations for safety reasons. Because Franco Colapinto lost his electrical support, he suddenly drove much slower than the following Oliver Bearman. The Haas driver had to swerve onto the grass to avoid a collision, but ended up in the barrier with a 50G impact as a result. David Coulthard warns of similar situations in blind corners such as Eau Rouge at Spa-Francorchamps. According to the former driver, the FIA must intervene precisely there.
“There are certain corners where you actually shouldn’t be allowed to charge,” Coulthard argued in the Up To Speed-podcast. “You’re so used to cars going full throttle there. Take Eau Rouge in Belgium, for example, one of the most iconic corners in the world. There are points where, as you go over the hill, you can’t see if someone is driving in front of you. That’s why you shouldn’t be able to charge there. You simply don’t want to be faced with surprises at such a moment. With a speed difference of 30 to 40 miles per hour, that’s just life-threatening.”
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Indefensible
Coulthard also spoke out against the ‘yo-yo racing’ that has become increasingly common in recent Grands Prix. Many fans appreciate the many overtakes, but according to the Scot, overtaking in this way adds little to the sport. “It’s not about how many overtaking maneuvers there are,” he explained. “Just as in other sports it’s not about the number of points or goals. It’s about the feeling that you’re watching a world-class spectacle. But with these regulations, overtaking happens at every turn; you simply cannot defend the indefensible.”
The former driver admitted that there are always teething problems with a new regulation cycle, but for now, he misses the Formula 1 of old. “It’s always difficult to introduce a completely new set of rules,” he conceded to the FIA, “and over time it will improve. During qualifying, recharging is already limited, but I just want to see a lap that really blows me away,” Coulthard concluded. “A lap where man and machine are constantly pushing the limits, not one where everything is perfectly managed.”
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