Former Formula 1 race engineer Rob Smedley believes that early scepticism about the sport’s new regulation is purely “noise,” and that once the season progresses, the early negativity will be “melted in the background.”
F1 has begun its new era under a wave of discontent, with many drivers openly voicing their concerns of the new rulebook, which sees them driving 50-50 hybrid-powered cars.
Max Verstappen and reigning World Champion Lando Norris have been significant and prominent voices against them, making several comments over the course of the Australian Grand Prix weekend, further underlining the issue.
It is known that concerns were raised in the Friday pre-race driver briefing at Albert Park, which additionally saw a quick U-turn by stewards from an original decision to expunge one of the ‘Straight Zones’ on the circuit.
Sunday’s race saw numerous occasions in which drivers were overtaken, but subsequently were able to retake the place, with the overtaker needing to recharge energy expended from the battery in order to complete the initial manoeuvre.
Since then, the FIA has moved to quell the growing fears of further revolt, with its single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis teasing “aces up our sleeves” amid a potential change of the rules after this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix.
The likes of Verstappen have made pointed comments which will lead to many speculating whether the Dutchman may weigh up his options in regards to his future in the sport.
But Smedley, speaking exclusively to Motorsport Week before the season-opener in Melbourne, was asked whether someone like Verstappen may indeed retire if the discontentment continues.
“I think there’s always a lot of noise, right? If you love Formula 1, you love Formula 1, regardless of the regulation era,” he said
“I can’t speak for individuals but in general there’s there’s always a lot of noise, people will always be very vocal about whether they like a new era of Formula 1 or they dislike it, but I think like I mentioned before, by the time you get to Australia or a couple of races into the season, all of that usually [is] melted in the background.
“People are just on with the business of racing.”
What Motorsport Week thinks
Little can be ruled in or out right now, given that Tombazis has teased changes.
But it is distinctly possible that if things carry on the way they are, then some Grands Prix will take place with some excitement, but some races, i.e. the power circuits, could see a Formula E-style conservation exercise, as well as additional safety concerns, if a car with a full battery encounters one with a drained battery.
The likes of Verstappen are going to have to see a clear and thorough plan for the future and how to nullify this problem.
The four-time World Champion is going to have to see something concrete if he will continue to have the appetite for Grand Prix racing.
A man of his word and a man nonplussed about records and numbers, Verstappen will be quite happy to spend more time with his family, and fulfil his lust for racing by entering other things, such as sports cars, given he is about to compete in the upcoming NLS race at the Nurburgring, a precursor to his participation in the Nurburgring 24 Hours.
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