The coincidence is troubling, at a time when controversy is raging over “slow-motion” qualifying : while the poleman’s onboard lap is usually available, a part of it was missing…
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The controversy surrounding the new generation of Formula 1 cars continues, with fans criticizing superclipping and qualifying sessions judged to be “in slow motion”.
Drivers believe it is now more advantageous to maintain a constant pace rather than attacking at the limit.
Self-censorship?
A recent incident involving the pole position lap of Kimi Antonelli has reignited the debate. The official F1 channel on X shared the onboard camera, but the crucial section leading to the 130R corner was missing, replaced by images from external cameras.
Fans have accused F1 of censoring onboard footage to hide the less spectacular aspects of the new cars. The missing sequence corresponds precisely to the area where superclipping forces drivers to decelerate significantly, despite being at full throttle.
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Strange timing
In response to the criticism, F1 explained that a technical problem with the onboard camera of Antonelli at that precise moment had prevented the full broadcast of the lap, which raised more than a few eyebrows… It invited fans to view a comparison with a “ghost car” of the lap of George Russell for a full analysis.
This episode highlights the persistent dissatisfaction with current regulations and the design of the cars, as fans and drivers express their frustration at a perceived lack of spectacle and authenticity in the sport.
Insufficient adjustment
The drivers themselves regret no longer being able to give free rein to their talent on a timed lap, forced to deal with the contingencies of energy management brought about by the new regulations. A slight adjustment to the charging conditions, from 9 to 8 megajoules, was introduced in Japan, but it has not borne fruit.
Russell felt that the FIA should increase this gap further to allow drivers to attack without second thoughts during qualifying, even if conditions change from circuit to circuit depending on the layout. To be continued!
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