The much-anticipated 2021 Formula One regulations saw the radical new car and the cost-cap capturing all the headlines. However, one intriguing aspect of the new sporting regulations has slipped under the radar…
Formula One is the ultimate – the pinnacle, the zenith, the Everest of motorsport. Thousands stand at the foot of the long ladder, aspiring to reach the top and to fulfill their lifelong dream. Every step of the ladder only has enough room for a select few. Soon, some young adults on their way to the top brimming with talent feel the constraints of finances and eventually, only a few – with enough talent, connections and financial assistance – remain.
The long and arduous road to Formula One
For every kid looking in awe at the glorious prize at the top of the mountain, driving a Formula One car is the epitome of the ‘dreams do come true’ fables. Not many get to experience this addictive feeling of driving the fastest, most advanced race car in the world. In fact, the increasing professionalism of motorsport has made it all the more challenging to do so. More steps have been added to the already convoluted ladder and unlike back in the day, it is no longer tacit that the British F3 champion will be in F1 within the next couple of years.
The role of test drivers has greatly reduced in recent years
This, clubbed with the decline in the role of the test driver and the limited availability of Formula One race seats, has resulted in a major issue. The mountain now seems to have risen even higher for the exciting prodigies, who aim to get a taste of F1 and perhaps impress the right people to get the keys to the fastest race cars on the planet. Back in the day, every team’s young third driver seemed to be a major focal point; now the position is a mere obligation for the teams.
What the new regulations offer
Thankfully though, there is some light at the end of the tunnel for the young drivers in the 2021 regulations. Indeed, today, with the advent of the ultra-realistic simulators and limited testing time for teams, the need for the full-season drivers to get extended track time is not necessary and neither does it make sense to have a third driver. However, the major regulations revamp for Formula One in 2021 has also brought with it a zephyr that made the young drivers revel.
The new regulations will greatly help young drivers’ progression into Formula One
From 2021 onwards, all teams are allowed to run non-race drivers in either one of the two Friday practice sessions, but they must run a young driver in at least two FP1 sessions over the course of a season. Moreover, teams must use a young driver for one or two days during the sole three-day, in-season test.
While the latter helps drivers experience the environment of a Formula One team and prepare them better for Formula One cars, more importantly, the former allows drivers to earn crucial FIA Super License points. For a driver with a free practice only super licence, completing at least 100km during a free practice session will earn them an additional point per Grand Prix weekend.
What this means for the drivers in the junior ranks
Succinctly put, this will make gaining Formula One experience and the necessary Super License points a bit more accessible. You would be right to point out that if not administered correctly, this could only lead to a spiral in costs for the aspiring third driver as the wealthier lot would pay their way into the now-relevant third seat.
However, if handled appropriately, this could lead to the progression to F1 becoming much smoother with the youth taking center stage and teams like Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull giving opportunities to a newer breed of drivers. Competition levels will only rise and while many young drivers will have a better opportunity at getting to Formula One, only the best will remain.
Although this rule may pale into insignificance relative to the major changes to the technical, commercial and sporting regulations, it could have a beneficial and long-lasting impact on those climbing the tricky ladder to Formula One and that can only be a good thing.
The likes of Jehan Daruvala and Arjun Maini could largely benefit from this new regulation change
From a more patriotic viewpoint, it could allow the likes of Jehan Daruvala and Arjun Maini to experience Formula One and gain Super License points simultaneously too! Regardless of this, it really does make the Formula One dream feel a bit more palpable for the younger generation.
It may not be the most talked about change today, but in the years to come, it truly has the potential to be a gamechanger.
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