Thorny issues facing F1 over qualifying and safety

The month-long break forced on Formula 1 by the war in the Middle East is a time for reflection after a controversial and incident-packed first three races following the introduction of the biggest rule change in history.

Even before the new cars ran for the first time, there was intense debate about the merits of a set of regulations that have created an entirely unfamiliar version of racing. That has continued since the season started.

Engines with a 50-50 split between internal combustion and hybrid power - complete with ‘overtaking’ and ‘boost’ modes - have led to accusations of artificiality.

Critics including four-time world champion Max Verstappen have likened the new F1 to the Mario Kart computer game, and gone as far as to call it “a joke”.

At the same time, Lewis Hamilton has described his fight with Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc during the Chinese Grand Prix as “the best battle” he has had for more than 10 years, and “like racing should be”.

Hamilton, though, like all of the drivers, has misgivings about the way the new engines have diminished the importance of their skills.

And Oliver Bearman’s frightening 191mph crash during the Japanese Grand Prix has focused minds on long-held concerns voiced by the drivers about the speed differentials inherent in the way the cars and rules operate. 

(BBC sport)