RACING LINES - Damien Smith

"It appears certain that doing nothing is now not an option”

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Three races in, the concerns about this all-new Formula 1 are all too real. The enforced break created by the cancellation of both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix this month in the wake of the Iran war is actually convenient. Here's an opportunity to analyse what's happening, consider options and make necessary tweaks to the new regulations without them being labelled as a kneejerk.

The Japanese GP left me feeling troubled and uneasy. But it’s not what I think that matters when it comes to this energy management formula - nor what Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has written off as “old-school traditionalist” worries. Listen to the drivers, who to a lesser or higher degree (probably based on how their results are looking so far) are all concerned. Max Verstappen, as usual the most extreme in his opinions, appears to be genuinely close to quitting F1 altogether.

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

It’s strange. Taking a step back to consider the Japanese GP, it’s understandable why some will ask: what's the problem? Six drivers and three teams raced in contention for the win. Kimi Antonelli made a poor start from pole position, in line with Mercedes’ main current weakness, but a stroke of fortune on the timing of a safety car handed him a ‘cheap’ pit stop that vaulted him into a lead he wouldn't lose. Back-to-back victories made him the first teenager to lead the world championship. Fab.