In addition to driving around fast, Formula 1 is also a major platform for innovation in technology and the automotive industry. James Allison of Mercedes indicates that the know-how of the teams today is greatly underestimated. Especially the steps the sport has taken in the last twenty years are unknown.
Change F1 over the last twenty years
In a YouTube interview, Allison is asked what is the most underestimated aspect of F1 in terms of development. Allison: "If I have to answer that, I don't think of any specific innovations you might see on the track.
"No, what stands out, which no one ever talks about, is the fact that Formula 1 has gone through a great deal of development over the last twenty years, from a totally empirical process, where you blindly tried some things out and saw if it would work, to a process that is much more science-based and much more focused."
Physical understanding makes a difference between number one and twenty
Although it is well known that the sport has become more and more technical, and that, logically, more technological know-how is also needed, Allison believes that the growth of physical understanding in sport is grossly underestimated.
And that is a bad thing, because: "The biggest change in F1 is the increase in physical know-how and understanding, and there is very little talk about that. At the end of the day, this concept is what distinguishes the top from the rear."