The problem with F1

Another new season for Formula 1. Another new set of rules for everyone to try and understand. And just when you think you've got it, it's all change again...with nine days to go.

Since a certain Michael Schumacher turned Formula 1 from an exciting spectacle to a Sunday afternoon procession, the FIA have constantly meddled with the sport to ensure that nobody dominates it in the same way ever again.

I can see their point. Nobody wants to tune into to watching cars follow each other with the chances of overtaking being the same as trying to overtake an OAP in a Volvo on a twisty B-road.

However it seems they're doing too much. The change to current points scoring system for the 2003 season definately made for some much closer title battles, especially that past two seasons going right down to the wire. But why change it again? This idea that the driver who wins the most races over a season should win, I can see the logic, but in my mind consistancy should win the championship.

Formula 1 is about the results of the season. The Premiership isn't decided by the team that wins the most matches even if they have less points than the team that came top. So why should Formula 1?

We'll have to see how the new aero-regulations affect races. As long is it makes overtaking more likely, then I'm all for it. It is a massive shake up and produced a wide variety of cars, from the attractive to the plain ugly.

One thing that has not changed for this season (shock horror) is the qualifying system. So many different formats have been tried over the past six years, rather than old fashioned do 12 laps each, fastest lap gets pole. That was simple. Then someone decided that we should have qualifying on a Friday to decide the order that everyone gets to qualify for the grid on a Saturday. Why? And using different fuel loads. How confusing is that? Then endless changes after that, some mid-season!

Formula 1 fans have a hard job trying to understand all these changes. And for a sport which has increased in popularity since the arrival of Lewis Hamilton, new fans will be put off by the annual rewrite of the rule book.

And this latest farce could detract from what could be a vintage year of racing.