This however does indeed take Formula 1 back to its roots before regulations of major components being required to self manufactured became applicable.  However, it does not go as far back as off the shelf chassis as was the controversies over the last few years with the so-called customer cars.  This does indeed cut down costs associated with the running of the cars however I don’t believe the cost cutting measures have gone far enough.  

Under regulations agreed by FOTA, Wind tunnel testing and CFD modeling will be restricted.  This plugs one of the great black holes that teams and manufacturers have been throwing huge amounts of cash into for very little gain, yet it doesn’t go far enough to restrict simulator work, which all teams will simply divert their funds into now that on track testing has been banned during the season.  This has the potential to create the next potentially endless money pit of F1.  Yet young drivers lose chances to show their stuff to prospective employers as well as teams losing chances to test prospective new talent as well as giving their reserve drivers time in the car.  

The other aspect of FOTA’s drive to bring F1 to the common man involves measures to dispel the fact that F1 operates on secrecy and exclusivity.  Open air radio conversations and telemetry charts is a step in the right direction to create an air of openness to TV spectators, however, F1 in general still continues to treat on track spectators with contempt and delivers a raw deal to its in person spectators.  Unlike many other categories, Spectators has literally no chance to be up close with either the drivers or the cars, and visiting the pit lane and the paddock is very much out of the question unless if you’re visiting certain Grands Prix where a pit lane walkabout is offered to certain ticket holders the day before the circuit is open to the public.  Mandatory autograph sessions featuring all F1 drivers either on track or off track is a must if F1 wants to create a positive image of itself in each city it visits, and to provide a platform of interaction between the spectators and the drivers themselves.  

I certainly hope FOTA don’t look into the crystal ball too hard for their future.  They must work harder to ensure they don’t fall behind the 8 ball in attracting and maintaining its fan base.