For a period, the vision Ross Brawn held for Formula 1’s future raised some eyebrows and even a degree of concern among purists and fans alike. While his overarching objective to drastically overhaul the aerodynamic regulations of F1 cars is widely lauded – a necessary step to foster closer, more exciting wheel-to-wheel racing – some of his more immediate proposals have been met with considerable skepticism. The postponement of the significant aerodynamic rule changes from 2021 to 2022 due to the global pandemic was an unfortunate but understandable setback. This long-term strategic shift promises to address one of the sport’s most persistent issues: the debilitating ‘dirty air’ effect that prevents cars from following closely. It’s a bold and crucial move for the health of competitive racing, aiming to place greater emphasis on driver skill and reduce the processionary nature of many modern Grands Prix.
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However, not all of Brawn’s ideas have been as well-received or forward-thinking. Take, for instance, the reintroduction of a bonus point for the fastest lap. This initiative, brought back into the sport last year with considerable promotional fanfare, was intended to inject an extra layer of excitement and strategic intrigue into the closing stages of a race. Yet, as many observers, including myself and a significant portion of the RaceFans community, had predictably anticipated, its impact on the actual racing spectacle has been negligible at best. Far from enhancing the drama, it often sees a driver who is already out of contention, or has a comfortable lead, make a late pit stop for fresh tyres simply to snatch an extra point, with little bearing on the overall race outcome or genuine on-track battles. The real risk, and one that looms ominously, is that one day this seemingly innocuous rule could unduly influence a championship decider, leading to widespread regret and calls for its immediate abolition. Such artificial sweeteners rarely improve the fundamental appeal of Formula 1; instead, they often dilute the essence of what makes the sport truly great.
Even more concerning was Brawn’s recent advocacy for reverse-grid qualifying races. This proposal, a stark departure from F1’s traditional merit-based format, is unequivocally a gimmick, and one that threatens to undermine the very integrity of the sport. The fundamental principle of Formula 1 has always been about the fastest driver in the fastest car winning, with grid positions earned through genuine qualifying performance. Introducing an artificial handicap, such as reversing the grid based on championship standings or previous race results, fundamentally distorts this competitive ideal. It would undoubtedly alienate a significant portion of the fanbase, many of whom, along with numerous top drivers like Daniel Ricciardo, have expressed deep scepticism. The championship narrative would become convoluted, with ‘manufactured’ excitement replacing authentic racing drama, potentially devaluing victories and cheapening the pursuit of the world title. F1 should always strive for genuine competition, not for short-term, superficial fixes that compromise its sporting credibility.
However, amidst these debatable concepts, Brawn recently hinted at an idea that truly stands out as genuinely smart and innovative. Faced with the logistical challenges of the current global climate, and the necessity of hosting multiple races at the same venue – specifically the Bahrain International Circuit – Brawn proposed utilising an alternative track layout for the second event. This concept, far from being new, is one that has been discussed here previously, particularly in the context of avoiding repetition and maintaining spectator interest. What makes Bahrain uniquely suited to this approach is its remarkable versatility. The circuit boasts an impressive five different configurations, all of which hold the requisite FIA Grade One licence, making them eligible to host Formula 1 Grands Prix. While one of these, the ‘Oasis Circuit’, falls slightly short of the International Sporting Code’s minimum 3.5-kilometre length for F1 circuits, the sheer array of available layouts presents an exciting opportunity to introduce variety into the racing calendar without moving venues.
While the idea of a varied circuit layout is compelling, F1’s previous experiment with an alternative Bahrain track configuration serves as a vital cautionary tale. In 2010, spurred by an expanded grid from 20 to 24 cars, F1 opted to use Bahrain’s longest available circuit, the ‘Endurance’ track. This layout stretched just under 6.3 kilometres, primarily incorporating short, tight, and technically challenging corners that extended the lap distance but did little to improve the racing spectacle. The resulting race was incredibly tedious, characterised by a distinct lack of overtaking opportunities and a slow pace that failed to excite fans. The experiment proved to be a resounding flop, and F1, learning from this misstep, sensibly never revisited that particular configuration for a Grand Prix. This historical context underscores the importance of not just changing a layout, but selecting one that genuinely promises to enhance the racing, rather than merely making it longer or more convoluted.
Nevertheless, Brawn’s recent suggestion offered a more intriguing prospect. He dropped a hint that if F1 were to use a different circuit this time, it would be “a nice sort of almost oval track that would be quite exciting.” This description strongly points towards the Bahrain International Circuit’s ‘Outer Circuit’ layout. At 3.543 kilometres, it just meets the minimum length requirement for an F1 destination, making it a viable option (Monaco, incidentally, is an exception at 3.34 kilometres, operating under a special dispensation due to its iconic status). The Outer Circuit offers a stark contrast to the ‘Endurance’ layout, promising a high-speed, flowing experience that could inject a completely different dynamic into a second Bahrain race. Its ‘almost oval’ nature suggests long straights and fast, sweeping corners, a recipe for potentially thrilling action and strategic intrigue.
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The idea of utilising the Outer Circuit is not merely a novel one; it’s an concept that RaceFans readers enthusiastically endorsed when we previously polled them on the matter years ago. It’s easy to understand why this particular configuration holds such appeal when one considers what an F1 race on it might entail. As is immediately clear from its layout, this would be an incredibly fast lap, potentially rivalling, or even surpassing, the legendary speeds seen at Monza. The ‘Temple of Speed’ in Italy has long held the record for Formula 1’s highest average lap speed, a benchmark revered in motorsport. The Outer Circuit, with its emphasis on outright speed and fewer complex braking zones, could genuinely challenge Monza’s supremacy, offering an exhilarating spectacle of raw power and aerodynamic efficiency. Drivers would push the limits of their machinery for lap after lap, testing the durability of engines and tyres alike. The race would also feature the highest lap count of any on the current calendar, requiring approximately 87 laps to meet the minimum race distance of 305 kilometres, which adds another layer of strategic complexity and endurance for teams and drivers.
The core appeal of this proposition isn’t necessarily about guaranteeing a ‘better’ race, but rather ensuring a ‘different’ one. Hosting two Grands Prix on the exact same layout within a short span risks monotony, diluting the excitement and strategic interest for both fans and competitors. By contrast, switching to the Outer Circuit would provide a fresh challenge, demanding distinct car setups, different driving styles, and unique strategic considerations. It would be a stark departure from the traditional Bahrain Grand Prix, which, while excellent, has become a familiar fixture. Furthermore, it would offer a compelling alternative to F1’s other races, which are generally contested on circuits that feature more technical sections and lower average speeds. The novelty of such a high-speed, ‘almost oval’ layout would create its own unique narrative and challenges, setting it apart from every other event on the F1 calendar.
Experimenting with such an unusual and high-speed track layout is, unequivocally, an excellent idea, especially when weighed against some of the other alternatives that have been mooted. Compared to the fundamentally flawed reverse-grid qualifying race scheme, which undermines sporting merit, or the uninspiring prospect of a second Grand Prix at Sochi, a track that has consistently produced processional and unmemorable events, the Bahrain Outer Circuit is vastly preferable. It represents genuine innovation that leverages existing infrastructure without resorting to artificial contrivances. This approach respects the core values of Formula 1 while offering a fresh perspective on racing. And, crucially, who knows? This bold experiment might even prove to be a significant improvement over Bahrain’s standard Grand Prix course, potentially discovering a new fan-favourite layout that injects unparalleled excitement and strategic depth into the Formula 1 season. It’s a move that aligns with F1’s need for dynamic evolution, embracing variety and challenging conventions in a meaningful, sport-centric way.
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2020 F1 season
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