2013--A Betamax Year For F1?

By Simon

It’s going to be an interesting year for formula one in 2013 because in 2014, F1 is going back to turbos with the addition of a hybrid component. That means the 2013 cars are Betamax. They might be good, but they're a dead technology. No one is going to be dumping a bunch of money into these cars.

So does that mean grand prix racing is going to be a bust this year?

I don’t think so. While I don’t think any of the teams will go crazy with upgrades when they're having to put so much into cars for next year which will essentially be brand new cars in every respect, I don’t think it will detract from the racing. At least we won’t have a two-tier season like we did in the 80’s when you had turbo power running rough shod over normally aspirated cars. Drivers and constructors will still want to win a championship. Hopefully racing will be a little tighter as teams will be essentially fine tuning their existing 2012 cars.

All in all, I’m looking forward to this year’s racing (especially as it’s going to be on NBC from now on). Yes, the cars will have that last days of disco feel about them but who doesn’t tap a foot to a Sister Sledge track when it comes on the radio?

Enjoy the fast times of 2013…