While Formula 1 continues to take steps forward on the racetrack, it has become the opinion of F1 driver turned pundit David Coulthard that there is still work to be done with regards to giving the fans a fair sporting experience to enjoy.
The Scot has become frustrated with the communication between the FIA, the teams and the commercial rights holders, stating that “Better communication among them is the way to serve our fans”
“Sometimes we have been waiting hours to get a result from the stewards,” said Coulthard
“When the whistle blows at full time in a football match. There’s no appeals afterwards about the result. That’s it.”
READ: Christian Horner insists Red Bull don’t need Honda or Porsche
This discussion was sparked by a somewhat controversial and confusing Japanese Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen and Red Bull seemed convinced they needed more points to secure the Drivers’ Championship, with the Dutchman only being told in the cooldown room that he had officially retained the title.
“Yes, what happened after the race keeps people engaged and gives us all something to talk about. But, in pure sporting terms, it’s bad,” argued Coulthard.
“People switched off their televisions and computers all around the world last week and went to bed before the official result was announced. That can’t be right”
He continued: “Yes, there has to be an appeals process – if an engine was outside of the regulations – that can be taken up afterwards. It’s not a sporting issue.”
READ: These two drivers are at risk of a race ban in 2022
The race itself was not also without incident, with the delayed start still going ahead despite the clear indication that rain would continue.
“We are in the entertainment business. Last week, we knowingly sat waiting for the tide to go out before the boat was launched – we knew the rain was coming – that was a bit silly”
In a year in which the quality of racing has improved dramatically as a result of the new regulations, Coulthard hopes that the decision making by those involved in regulating the sport can match the standards being set by the stars on the racetrack to give the fans the fair entertainment they desire.