Formula 1: Why the Field Is so Close in 2012

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: April 27, 2012

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After a somewhat dull and extremely predictable 2011, Formula 1 looks set for one of the best seasons in recent history.

The most notable thing is how the entire field has bunched up, and gaps in performance between the cars have been reduced. 

In terms of lap times, it could actually be the closest an F1 field has ever been.  And for once in this most complex of sports, the reason why—at least, what I believe to be the primary reason—is quite simple.

You cannot improve upon perfection.

For any given set of regulations, there is an absolute limit to what can be achieved within them.  You reach a certain point and find that making even the smallest gain is almost impossible.  Come up with a new technology or relax the rules, and gains once more become relatively easy.

In economics, this is known as the law of diminishing returns.

And as it applies to the wider world, so it applies to F1.

Frequent rule changes and brilliant innovations lead to a more spread-out field.  A substantially different new regulation—or the discovery of a loophole in existing ones—sets everyone back to a point quite a distance away from optimal.

Some teams—the more wealthy ones, generally—are better at getting the most from their design teams very quickly.  Or one of their designers has a moment of brilliance.  They open up a lead over the rest of the field.



If the regulations stay largely the same over an extended period, old loopholes are closed and no new loopholes can be found, those top teams struggle to improve on designs that are already so close to optimal. 

They have nowhere to go to find improvements—but the slower teams do.  Given enough time without change, the rest of the field will inevitably catch up to the front-runners.

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Article Source: Bleacher Report - Formula 1

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