“Formula One is massively uncompetitive, every race is processional and it’s not getting any better.” We’ve all heard it, many times and in many forms, but is it actually true? This article seeks to answer that question, using statistical analysis of F1 race data published by the FIA and made available in various formats by www.ergast.com . It follows on from an earlier article that investigated the effectiveness of the 2019 aerodynamic regulations.
But first, why ‘race’ competitiveness in the title? It’s because competitiveness at race level is different to that at season level. For example, it would be possible, at least theoretically, for each race in a season to be predictable and ‘processional’ from its earliest stages, but to yield completely different results from all the other races in that season. Hence, unexciting individual races but a fascinating season – what you’d see if you consumed F1 only by reading the results after each race. The opposite could also happen, again in theory: action-packed races, but which always ended up with a similar result. Season level competitiveness will be covered in a later article.
