Former champion Damon Hill suggests a RADICAL rule change to make F1 more exciting

Damon Hill brought up an interesting idea that would make race strategy more important in a Grand Prix.

Former champion Damon Hill suggests a RADICAL rule change to make F1 more exciting

Damon Hill (image via PlanetF1)

Formula 1 has often faced criticism for the lack of thrilling racing. Max Verstappen‘s current era of domination has led to even widespread backlash from fans and critics alike. Race strategy can often turn things around in a Grand Prix, with the grid shuffling around if there is an extra pitstop. Former F1 champion Damon Hill reckons a tire mandate can ensure more on-track action for fans.

Hill believed that racing in F1 would be far more exciting if drivers were mandated to use all three available slick compounds during a race, i.e., the soft, medium, and hard. This would ensure that all drivers must pit at least twice in a Grand Prix. Thus eliminating one-stop strategies. Presently, F1 drivers need to use at least two of the available three slick compounds during the race except for wet races.

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Damon Hill said, as reported by Racingnews.360. “I think there is definitely an argument to say that if you are going to look for excitement and a little bit more of a challenge. Then why not?.” The former British driver pointed out that such a rule change has been discussed in the past. Hill believed the lack of one-stops would lead to more exciting races as drivers pitted more often.

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Damon Hill claims this rule change would add another challenge in F1

Pirelli F1 slick tire compounds (image via Motorsport.com)
Pirelli F1 slick tire compounds (image via Motorsport.com)

The former F1 champion was intrigued by Max Verstappen’s massive lead at the Belgian GP. Damon Hill even highlighted Lewis Hamilton‘s last-lap stop for the fastest lap as an important part of race strategy, despite such stops seeming like a gimmick in the past. The 62-year-old believed this adds to the drama in a race with a mandated three-compound strategy, further fueling more action.

Damon Hill explained, “They want to have that scalp and so they come in and do the one-lap stop. And that is a bit of drama at the end of the race. Having to use all three compounds would throw another challenge in there. So it is possibly a good thing.” Hill was convinced that F1 should try out this radical idea.

Thus, Damon Hill was convinced that Formula 1 should mandate drivers to use all three slick compounds in a race. Such a rule would end the dull one-stop strategies and make the race thrilling for the viewers. Although, F1 itself has not talked about such an idea. As such, it remains to be seen if the sport would even consider adopting this proposal.

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