Interview
Formula 1
F1 needs to "get its act together", says Stuck
Former grand prix driver Hans-Joachim Stuck says Formula 1 is in need a total rules overhaul if it is going to turn around declining audiences.
Darshan Chokhani
Published: Dec 9, 2015, 4:13 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Stuck, who took two F1 podiums for Brabham in 1977, as well as two wins at the Le Mans 24 Hours later in his career for Porsche, told Motorsport.com that F1 must do more to level the playing field.
"When I speak frankly, Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport - but they have to get their act together to make it technically what it was in the past," he said.
When asked what can be done to turn things around, the German jested: "How much time do I have to answer this question?
"Let’s put it this way. I don’t see it’s good that it takes 20 cars around the world for a championship and only four cars can win.
"So what do we have to do? We have to find new regulations, technical regulations, that gives also smaller teams the possibility to be up front.
"Maybe not winning, but further up front. That gives more chance for people to be competitive.”
He added: "Another important thing is cost. Costs are just too high. You see how much money drivers have to bring to able to drive in F1."
Driver focus
Stuck also believes that F1 has become obsessed with complicated rules, and has forgotten that it should be about driving talent.
"Another important thing is to take off these funny electronic gimmicks," continued the 64-year-old. "How can you adjust the brake balance during the race?
"Plus this funny Drag Reduction System [DRS] – the guy who is behind opens the wing and passes.
"F1 has to come back to its raw roots: to become a sport where the driver becomes more important.”
Stuck however voiced his support for the independent engine idea being championed by Bernie Ecclestone and FIA President Jean Todt despite stiff opposition from leading teams.
“What Ecclestone and Todt are doing together, bringing in a new system, I would say they are doing the right thing,” he said.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Motorsport.com's Top 10 F1 drivers of 2015 - Part 2
Next article Analysis: F1 "alone" in social media stance, say experts
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Darshan Chokhani
Mahindra hurt by 'bad grid position' in Qatar Moto3
Moto3
Moto3
Losail
Mahindra hurt by 'bad grid position' in Qatar Moto3
Kornfeil puts Peugeot in Top 3 on final Moto3 test day
Moto3
Moto3
Jerez March testing
Kornfeil puts Peugeot in Top 3 on final Moto3 test day
Dalla Porta takes charge for Mahindra on Day 2 in Moto3 test
Moto3
Moto3
Jerez March testing
Dalla Porta takes charge for Mahindra on Day 2 in Moto3 test
Latest news
MotoGP teams told Qatar Grand Prix expected to go ahead
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
18 min
MotoGP teams told Qatar Grand Prix expected to go ahead
Honda confirms Diogo Moreira for factory team in 2027; David Alonso heads to LCR
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP 1 h
Honda confirms Diogo Moreira for factory team in 2027; David Alonso heads to LCR
Vincent Biard: “The Maserati GT2 was thrilling in 2026; next year we want continuity and progress”
Sponsored
Sponsored
Portimão
1 h
Vincent Biard: “The Maserati GT2 was thrilling in 2026; next year we want continuity and progress”
Barcelona set to host IndyCar race in 2027 under multi-year deal
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 14 h
Barcelona set to host IndyCar race in 2027 under multi-year deal
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe