What Changes Do Most F1 Drivers Want For 2023?

Formula 1 isn’t just about speed alone. It really isn’t. In a sport so eternally wired in the ‘now,’ unpredictability is often the unspoken rule of the book. But is that all?

Maybe it’s fair to say that unpreparedness too plays a part given you never quite know about the weather even if you know about the (relative) strengths or weaknesses about a team- isn’t it?

For quite some time now, one of the most dynamic sports in the wider world has wondered about how might it all be in 2023. Which brings us to question precisely this:

How might F1 in 2023 be? Will F1 in 2023 be about radical rule changes, which could possibly be more about drivers and their chances at competing for real instead of playing yo-yo with rules that though are necessary (of course), but are too stringest?

Can F1 in 2023 be about having an even fairer chance to participate in the world championship in the sense that those in the midfield may no longer stay there and those who are backmarkers can elevate themselves to a position of authority?

And while none of the above has any definite or fixed answers as of yet, it is pretty clear what the racers want?

Those on the grid clearly desire seeing rule changes that could allow the imposition of penalty in a manner that it doesn’t constrict drivers in a manner that could ultimately threaten their chances where the world championship is concerned.

That told, the following is what Frenchman Pierre Gasly (Winner at Monza, 2020), driving with Alpha Tauri in 2022 had to say, but in regards to the penalty points:

“I am not going to lie, it is a very unpleasant situation and quite delicate. In some ways a bit embarrassing to be standing in a position where I could be banned for a race after the season I’ve done!”

That being said, can relaxing some regulations given the view that they are a bit too stringent be the way to go? Who knows? Can there ever be a certainty in Formula 1?

But whilst there’s no specific answer to the aforementioned at this time, here’s what the Rouen-born driver said:

The way that the regulation is written at the moment is quite strict for the drivers, with quite harsh penalties, even though not all are related to dangerous driving. “There has been a lot of discussion to try to find a solution.”

Factually speaking, the driver slated to join Alpine in 2023 isn’t the only one from the present grid alluding to the fact that the current standing regulations must be eased; Williams’ Alex Albon too feels that the penalties are a touch harsh from the point of view of the drivers.

Here’s what the Thai-British driver quoted:

We need to do something about it,” Albon said. “And I do understand you should punish drivers if they do dangerous things.”

Given progress isn’t just a word, but actually pretty much a forward movement entrenched in F1’s DNA, literally speaking, (since racing isn’t held backwards anyway), it is only fair to ask as to how might the sport deal with penalty points in the future?

This thought was clearly reflected in a very valid query that Alex Albon, the returning F1 driver made in what clearly seems to be a pertinent question:

“So we are discussing it and I think there is going to be a change. But we’ve already got the points on our license, so what happens then? Even if we do make steps forward into next year, do the points we have got from previous races stay on?”