Hands up - who is fairly pessimistic when predictions about the future of F1 are made? Common themes tend to emerge: A reduced focus on the driver, duller races, less of a spectacle for fans. Well now Renault has shared its idea for the future of F1, and it doesn't sound half bad.
The R.S. 2027 Vision Concept has been unveiled at Shanghai, said to "optimise performance and enhance the entertainment value of Formula 1." To that end the car weighs 600kg but boasts 1 MegaWatt (1,341hp) from its V6 engine and electric motors. The batteries are larger and recoup more energy (500kW as opposed to 120kW now), with the car also using four-wheel drive and four-wheel steer. With the car's capability what it is, Renault says human performance will be "at the heart of the sport."
More than that, the fans will get a closer look at just what those drivers are doing. The polycarbonate canopy is transparent, as is the driver's helmet. LEDs in the wheels show driver position and energy reserves, while the lights change colour depending on the power source being used. Telemetry will also be available to fans via their smartphones, to give a better idea of race strategy. Also, like Formula E in fact, a boost of power for the most deserving driver - as determined on social media by the fans - is being mooted, that information available to the driver in their steering wheel display.
The car itself is also more reliant on autonomous tech than today, with Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2V) communication expected to become a bigger part of the car and the sport. While some of the uses sound intriguing - allowing the driver to see exactly where opponents are on the track, giving immediate warnings of displayed flags - others sound rather more ominous: for instance when the safety car is out, the "delegation of driving duties is automatically activated". This mean the car takes control, keeping cars single file and eliminating any overtakes. Hmm.
That being said, Renault does have some interesting plans for the races and the championship as a whole. Its plan is to introduce more standard elements to reduce expenditure, plus restrict development too. Parts such as hydraulic suspension would be substituted for active replacements, for example. Renault says a level playing field "injects an extra element of excitement into the season, granting all teams an equal opportunity to compete."
As for the races themselves, Renault's plan is to reduce race distance from around 300km today to 250km - a shorter race means a smaller, lighter fuel tank too - and split that distance into two races. One would be longer than the other, the shorter race known as the 'Final Sprint'. A 'Rookie Night Race' has also been suggested, involving reserve drivers and those in their first year of F1, for the Friday night before a race weekend.
So that's Renault's plan for the future of F1, both for the cars used and the championship overall. Like what you see? Dislike what you see? As always, we'd love to hear what you think!
