It has been proposed that the T Wings and Shark Fins on this year's cars are banned for the 2018 season. But this will be hard for the teams as they will need to find new ways to clean up the air flowing over the roll bars and lower rear wing... But let's take a moment to discuss them first.
It's a shame that Shark Fins have resurfaced in F1 - almost like we had Jaws previously, we now have Jaws 2.. Whilst they are one way to clean up air flow over the rear wing, they are ugly and have been previously banned. F1 rule makers forgot to update this ban for this year's cars so teams took advantage of this (with some teams saying they create new Advertising space).
Shark fins help create a tidier air flow over the rear wing, creating extra down force on the rear tyres, leading to better grip, traction and faster cars.
If these shark fins are banned again then the new so called faster cars will be no faster than last season, due to the untidy air flowing over the rear wing will result in a loss of some down force on the rear tyres. F1 rule makers will have to allow some area for area packages around the top of the car behind the driver.
The T Wings attached to the shark fin or in Mercedes case the body work behind the air intake area behind the driver, are in my view are an accident waiting to happen.
Most areo packages have to be rigid in design, but after watching the first 3 races, they are flexing and vibrating at high speed. Whilst a novel idea for tidying up air flow over the rear wing, they are unsightly and look like a designer came up with the idea 30 seconds after the cars design was finalised. I personally think t wings should be banned with immediate effect. The fans deserve better.
But what next? If these are banned for next year then what are the possible solutions to increase speed, traction and down force?
I am a fan of bringing back refueling - F1 cars should look cool, be bloody fast and have some danger.
F1 shouldn't change the rules every year or two, and should stop setting so many rules and controlling a cars development - instead they should ask the fans what we want and actually listen to us. F1 was best when teams could design a car on their own, that's what made F1 attractive for the fans and led to amazing developments for a car. cars today all look the same as there is so little room for unique ideas, designs and engine development.
Until then fans will continue to move from F1 to other sports.
I would like to hear your views on these issues and on how you would make F1 better for the fans.