BY ROB

Formula 1 is currently enjoying its summer break in the northern hemisphere, although the term “break” could be somewhat misleading. Having enjoyed a brief period of R ‘n’ R the drivers and teams will head straight back to the factories to continue simulations and computer testing of new designs.

There’s a change looming on the horizon though, namely the FIAs decision to restrict how much information teams can supply their drivers as they make their way to the grid on the formation lap. Drivers will soon have to judge just how much energy they need to impart to the car in order to warm the brakes, keep the engine humming and pressurize the tires correctly.The Start changes are just the first in a swathe of rules set for introduction in the 2016 championship, with everything from minor tweaks to wholesale change across all aspects. One of the more intensive changes is a huge facelift to the cars with wider bodies, bigger wheels and more aggressive front wings on the cards.

The change comes at a most relevant time: despite their overall dominance of the 2015 season so far Mercedes have begun to suffer from some recent poor starts, most notably in the last race in Hungary where despite being on pole they were quickly swamped, outpaced by Vettel’s Ferrari in the race to turn 1 and then becoming tangled with the midfield.

Chaotic grid starts may sound fun but with F1 currently fielding an under nourished grid you can’t help that feel that messy starts with possible multi retirements may have a detrimental effect to individual races, even if it does spice up the championship overall.

We learn by trial and error, and I for one hope that potential grid chaos may eventually lead to the introduction of rolling starts. Whilst rolling starts don’t deliver the surprises and drama of a standing start they do allow all the cars to reach their optimal levels before being unleashed to compete, meaning a full strength field lasting longer into the race.

The FIA and F1 are clearly banking on Grid style Chaos theory to return some of the racing thrill to Formula 1 which is currently struggling as a global brand. With audiences falling around the world and ticket sales slumping the head honchos are clearly keen to start clawing back their share of the market in terms of motorsport.

One of the problems I’ve personally found in recent years is that despite being a reasonably prestigious event wherever it is held it doesn’t necessarily feel that way to the average race goer. The Melbourne Grand Prix is symptomatic of this: its sunny start to the racing year is let down by sometimes poor infrastructure and trackside facilities/entertainment.

You would think what is arguably one of the world’s most cutting edge sports would keep the pressure on its local representatives to innovate at least every two years, but it does appear that the majority of innovation is done only in the hi tech factories of Europe.

Everything from poorly managed media rights through to high prices for race packages are forcing spectators away – Formula 1 is currently in the throes of “Old Rich White Guy” meltdown.

I for one will be keenly awaiting what the soonest rule change means – you can find out on Sunday the August 23^rd at 10pm on the Ten Network or Foxsports.