F1 Goes Wet, Wet, Wet?

Defending Formula One world champion, Sebastian Vettel, appears to be all revved up as the man to beat in the 2011 season. Looking in ominous form, the Red Bull driver dominated the first two races of the campaign, and was on course to make it three wins out of three in the recent Chinese Grand Prix. Had it not been for a mercurial overtaking driving display from Lewis Hamilton, this feat may well have been achieved. Nevertheless, with a second place finish in the race, Vettel still leads the Drivers’ Championship, as his major title rivals look for improved performances and big points in the coming races.

Before the season spun into motion however, Vettel and the remaining competing teams have seen a number of impactful regulation changes being initiated by the sport’s officials. Featured new rulings have included a new tyre supplier, movable rear wings, and KERS technology returning to a car’s setup in boosting acceleration. Viewed as a purposeful shake-up, many fans hope this year’s campaign will equally be comparable to the 2010 championship, where the title chase went down to the final race.

This season’s build-up also heard mooted suggestions by F1 chief, Bernie Ecclestone, claiming that future championships could be staged under artificial wet weather conditions. In a bold move, Ecclestone openly sounded out an introduction of water sprinklers that would simulate rain on selected tracks. A scenario that he believes would help boost the sport’s profile, and gain new attention to Formula One as a whole.   

Such a controversial proposal has naturally divided opinion amongst many in and around the sport. There are those supportive of Ecclestone’s idea, and feel by creating a challenging situation for the drivers under wet conditions, the cars would need a greater degree of control when being driven. Circling the track at a slower pace, and overtaking being somewhat more creative in its execution, wet races is perceived as an attractive spectacle to onlookers. The setting would act as a leveller for the drivers, whilst lessening the sport’s overdependence on a team’s technical prowess.

However there are those who have branded the plan a non-starter, and should be retired to the pits. A volatile measure which would increase possible crashes and risk driver safety, and adversely dampen the excitement for fans as the cars would go so slow, the element of speed in motor racing would evaporate. Amongst this consensus includes many of today’s current drivers, of which features former F1 champ, Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton, who is currently Sebastian Vettel nearest challenger in the 2011 standings, dubbed the idea “a gimmick too far”.

Time will tell if Ecclestone does indeed get his wish. But in a sport where change and adjustments can occur at speed just like the cars featured, do not be surprised if ‘staged’ wet racing is soon an established aspect in Formula One events.