Column: Jos Verstappen - Finally back in Melbourne
Published on 18 March 2016 by Mike Motilall
Jos Verstappen is still the Netherlands most successful Formula 1-driver. This season he shares his opinions regarding the sport via a column in Dutch daily newspaper De Telegraaf. Below the latest edition.
“We are in Melbourne again. At last. The F1-season's opener is always special. Because, first of all, it was a long wait and secondly, it now becomes apparent how the teams compare to one another.
Max and I arrived here on Monday already to acclimatize to the ten hours’ time difference. Generally speaking, it affects me more. There were some mornings I woke up feeling like a tank ran over me. Max, due to his age, adapts so much quicker. Good thing, because he is the one driving.
At the start of the season, you normally have to deal with new cars, new engines, new teams, new drivers and – last but not least – new rules. Resulting in a weird kind of a tension.
A big difference now is the new qualifying format, which the FIA decided to put in effect quite late and in a chaotic and awkward manner. The slowest driver gets dropped every ninety seconds, in Q1, Q2 and Q3, after respectively the first seven, six and five minutes.
I didn’t think there was a lot wrong with the old qualifying format. This new system creates a bit more unpredictability. Hopefully with some more action and more thrill moments. You need to have things sorted as a driver and as a team, or else you will run into problems. Most of the drivers are not all too happy about it, but being conservative is part of being a driver as well. Personally, I am pretty curious. It is quite easy to dismiss the idea beforehand, but only in practice can it show its value. Perhaps everyone will be passionate about it after qualifying on Saturday.
I have more reservations on the restrictions regarding the radio messages between teams and drivers. Everything that has to do with the car and race strategy is not allowed anymore.
I think it’s quite something. Formula 1 has gotten quite complex over the years, you simply need the necessary communication. As a result of the restrictions, the driver will need to do more himself in the car. I expect the better drivers to be able to cope with this better than the lesser ones. The general idea of the change is that the driver should be more in control. In principle, I can agree with that, but I am asking myself if maybe the cure is not worse than the disease. Most importantly is that safety is not sacrificed.
Bottom line, the FIA is trying, in every which way possible, to make the sport more spectacular. Fine, but the best one would be to find a means or measure to dimish the difference in engine power.
Luckily, we have no complaints regarding Max and putting on a show. Last year he dropped out with an engine issue in Australia, this season it is important to start off well and at least be able to finish. Albeit that – due to the engine situation – the points definitely need to be taken during the first half of the season.”
Jos Verstappen
Source: Telesport/De Telegraaf
