Ross Brawn: F1 must not allow random results to mask true form

[Rob]

By Jonathan Noble Wednesday, August 22nd 2012, 09:03 GMT


The second half of the 2012 Formula 1 season needs to be less 'random' if it is to keep spectators enthralled right to the end of the world championship battle. That is the view of Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn.

He believes there is a risk the sport could lose some of its attraction if this year's campaign fails to form a narrative following its unpredictable start.

"For F1, we must make sure that the random factor is not too strong," Brawn told AUTOSPORT, talking about his reflections on the first half of a year when F1 delivered seven different winners in the first seven races for the first time in its history.

"I think there have been some random elements of this year that have been exciting, but I actually think that [the excitement] will fade after a while if it stays too random.

"There is a funny analogy to fishing, which I was thinking about the other day. In fishing, the great thing is that a complete beginner can come along and catch a huge fish, because there is a randomness to it. That is what makes it really fun for participants - but that doesn't make it a very good spectator sport.

"What we cannot have in motorsport is a randomness where you don't know who is going to win, and that you could work really hard to improve the car but your car doesn't suit the conditions and you are not competitive. That is not where we want to be."

F1 faced criticism from some quarters that it was too unpredictable at the start of the year. Detractors suggested that the huge variations in performance of teams from race-to-race, due to the lack of understanding of Pirelli's 2012 tyres, was a turn-off for hardcore fans.

But Brawn is optimistic that now teams have got a better knowledge of the tyres, the situation is calming down - and he thinks that is vital for F1's credibility going forward.

"To some degree things do appear to be getting better, but the differentials you are getting in teams with their two drivers are still curious. One weekend with Red Bull you have Mark [Webber] almost dominating, and the next weekend it is Sebastian - and no one really understands that.

"There is a pattern emerging, and a trend emerging, as we all get more competent with the tyres. I suspect that is what will happen and, as long as it does happen, that is fine. But what we don't want is the randomness."

He added: "I think there has to be a pattern. There has to be a team or two that are the reference point, and others are trying to beat them and aspire to beat them.

"You need that order for people to enjoy the season, and enjoy the whole year - otherwise there is a randomness and someone who gets it slightly better than someone else might have accumulated more points.

"We want to see guys racing each other. We want to see the guys who are first and second in the world championship being out in front racing each other hard, not one in the midfield and one running away with it because that weekend they got the tyres right."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101883

[REDARMYSOJA]

I agree with Ross. No more of this "randomness" Ferrari should win all the races.

[Rob]

Yeah that would be ideal


Sarebbe bello, lascia sperare che accada

[Tifoso]

I agree with Ross. No more of this "randomness" Ferrari should win all the races.

Sounds good to me

[Alessandra]

I agree with Ross. No more of this "randomness" Ferrari should win all the races.

Absolutely. Then everyone will be happy.

[Corey]

It's going to be pretty nasty for rest of the grid if Ferrari wins the title this year, then it means that you don't need the best car to win a title. The hardwork and heaps of efforts are in total WASTE by other teams despite probably faster cars. Maybe they can all join the same rage session to share the grieve of living in a cruel world

[scuderia_alaska]

I agree with most of what Ross Brawn said. But I think he forgot one thing that hasn't been random this year. Alonso in the points. Fernando isn't random at all, he is consistently scoring more points than his rivals.

[Hornet]

It's going to be pretty nasty for rest of the grid if Ferrari wins the title this year, then it means that you don't need the best car to win a title. The hardwork and heaps of efforts are in total WASTE by other teams despite probably faster cars. Maybe they can all join the same rage session to share the grieve of living in a cruel world

Alonso is the best driver out there so if he wins the WDC, I think it suits the purpose of WDC which is for the best driver.

Of course chances are Ferrari isn't going to win the WCC which rightfully should go to the team with the best car.

[Guailo]

Meh... Most exciting season to me in years... Hope it keeps up.

[Homan13PSU]

Meh... Most exciting season to me in years... Hope it keeps up.

I agree. As long as Fernando stays nice and consistent and stays on the podium or top five from here on out; I don't mind a little wild card action for the top spot each race.

[Jose Lorca]

Brawn is correct, it gets frustrating after a while. There needs to be stability in the pecking order. Let's leave the unpredictability for when the rain comes.

[Greig]

Not quite sure how there needs to be stability in the pecking order, title standings show the same teams as usual being up front to me, so seems like Brawn is just trying to blame his teams poor form on random results. Didn't hear him complain in China funny enough

[Silent Bob]

Must be very frustrating though... to have a winning car at one race and the next be midfield just because the weather or the tires don't seem to particularly like your car at a certain venue.

[Greig]

Must be very frustrating though... to have a winning car at one race and the next be midfield just because the weather or the tires don't seem to particularly like your car at a certain venue.

That work's both ways, their car is not good enough to be winning races so its frustrating they lucked into one due to the weather and tyres. It's not very random that Merc are not good enough.

[Italian Spirit]

Mr Brawn is replacing results with verbiage. Pure wind. Mercedes is junk, blame the tyres! Not sure Merc top management will buy into his logorrhea. I wonder if Mr Banana isn't preparing his (not very glorious) exit.

[FrankAlfa]

@ Italian Spirit,

+1 110% Agreed! Brawn's true colors are revealed! He is no "Genius" and no magician! The Assembled "Engineering Team" on each race team are where the real talent is. Brawn, like the other "Managers" are just that, Managers.

Ciao.

Forza Ferrari!!!!

[Silent Bob]

I agree with Brawn to an extent, I don't think he's saying this because his team is not performing. But look at Williams, Sauber... at different venues they were the quickest car on the track and then next few races midfield or worse? Is Brawn saying there are too many artificial variables introduced so that more teams can be competitive? How do you develop the car when you're not sure of its real performance.
My personal view? This whole tire deal is a joke. Why do they need 5 different compounds? why not just 2... hard and soft. You either go very quick and pit lots or you go slower and pit less. Less compounds means the teams can develop their car with constant variables.

[Tifoso]

I agree with Brawn to an extent, I don't think he's saying this because his team is not performing. But look at Williams, Sauber... at different venues they were the quickest car on the track and then next few races midfield or worse? Is Brawn saying there are too many artificial variables introduced so that more teams can be competitive? How do you develop the car when you're not sure of its real performance.
My personal view? This whole tire deal is a joke. Why do they need 5 different compounds? why not just 2... hard and soft. You either go very quick and pit lots or you go slower and pit less. Less compounds means the teams can develop their car with constant variables.

I think that you should be able to choose whichever compound that you wish for the race, ie, if you want soft, soft or hard, hard or whatever combination, it should be the team/driver's choice.

[Rishu]

I think that you should be able to choose whichever compound that you wish for the race, ie, if you want soft, soft or hard, hard or whatever combination, it should be the team/driver's choice.

Agree, specially with ban on refuelling it's important to spice up the race without artificial aides aka DRS

[Hornet]

I agree with Brawn to an extent, I don't think he's saying this because his team is not performing. But look at Williams, Sauber... at different venues they were the quickest car on the track and then next few races midfield or worse? Is Brawn saying there are too many artificial variables introduced so that more teams can be competitive? How do you develop the car when you're not sure of its real performance.
My personal view? This whole tire deal is a joke. Why do they need 5 different compounds? why not just 2... hard and soft. You either go very quick and pit lots or you go slower and pit less. Less compounds means the teams can develop their car with constant variables.

Exactly. Something is really wrong when Williams can win a race in the dry just because they lucked into the tire that race. We know the Williams are no where near the front teams in terms of car's performance, but the tire getting them a win shows that the tire factor is too big. It can easily overrule everything else. That's just not right.