Former F1 driver Jarno Trulli has questioned the state of Grand Prix racing and believes the sport is at risk of entering an “irreversable” downturn.

Trulli, a veteran of 252 F1 career starts in F1 who raced mainly for Renault, Toyota and Lotus, insists that Formula 1 is no longer the dashing, high performance sport he once knew.

"What has Formula 1 become?" the 44-year-old Italian blogger Leo Turrini.

"Do you realise that in Singapore the drivers were 10-12 seconds per lap slower than the pole time? It's absurd, ridiculous.

"I imagine the dismay that guys like Kimi, Fernando, Lewis and Seb must feel, as they knew the Formula 1 that really was Formula 1.

"That F1 pushed from the start to the finish, but now you need to look after consumption, the tyres, so on. Without intervening quickly, this distortion of Formula 1 risks becoming irreversible.

"I regret it enormously because I love this world -- it represented so much of my life. What a pity," he added.

Trulli casts a critical eye on F1 but the 2004 Monaco Grand Prix winner is still mighty impressed with Lewis Hamilton's performance this year.

"He has always been strong but usually something goes wrong with him, but this time he has made no mistake," acknowledged Trulli.

"I'm sorry to say it but he has been better than Vettel. For Ferrari, the dream is fading once again."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Wolff eyes Mercedes engine supply cutback in the future

Mercedes may be powering a large chunk of the Formula 1 grid right now, but…

13 hours ago

Marko reflects on most ‘intense and intimate’ bond with Verstappen

Helmut Marko is closing the chapter on a remarkable 25-year career as Red Bull’s motorsport…

15 hours ago

Piastri plays it cool: Norris' title won't turn him into ‘superman’

As the dust settles on a thrilling 2025 F1 season, McLaren's Oscar Piastri is keeping…

16 hours ago

Quiet mentorship wins Verstappen new title: 'Dad of all rookies'

In an F1 paddock often defined by fierce rivalries and ruthless competition, an unexpected storyline…

17 hours ago

Michael Schumacher in a Ligier? It happened...

In December 1994, Michael Schumacher, fresh off securing his first Formula 1 World Championship, took…

19 hours ago

Honda’s 2026 power unit roars into life – and fans are loving it!

As Formula 1 closes the books on 2025 edges closer to its biggest technical reset…

20 hours ago