Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsFormula 1

Make F1 more physical - Webber

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Mark Webber says Formula One needs to be made more physical to challenge the drivers if it wants to remain as the pinnacle of motorsport.

One of the criticisms labelled at the new generation of F1 car is that they are too easy to drive, with cornering speeds lowered due to less downforce and drivers often keen to preserve tyres. Speaking to F1i's Eric Silbermann during an exclusive interview about the state of the sport, Webber says not enough has been done to challenge drivers when they reach F1.

“It’s just a shame they haven’t found the right balance,” Webber said. “Probably the best thing they’ve done in the last 5 years is to add some sparks! There needs to be more of a physical component and more reward for guys who’ve been more disciplined in that area.

"In tennis, I don’t think Roger Federer wants to have the net lowered. Drivers need to be stimulated. I mean I didn’t have the talent of some of the guys I was racing with, which is why I only got the results I did, but the guys that have got more talent were not happy.

"Michael (Schumacher) was very disappointed when he made his comeback: Yeah, he wasn’t at his peak but clearly he was disappointed that the racing wasn’t the way it had been.”

And Webber says his view is shared by a number of drivers currently racing in F1.

“I’m talking on behalf of the drivers at the front of the grid because they can’t say what they really feel. But I’m talking to them now."

For the full interview with Mark Webber, click here

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.