A question to people who know about Formula 1

[Dizaster]

That's a real hard one to say.. It's always kind of been like that where there were really only 3 or maybe 4 manufacturers that are capable of actually winning a race. It was probably a little more even 10 to 15 years back, and I think drivers did play a little more of a part in it.
Now I do believe that the cars do play a huge part. You could put Hamilton in one of the mid range cars, and he probably wouldn't win a race. Same if you put a mid range driver in one of the top cars, then they'd have a very good shot at placing in a lot of the racers..

They were considering standardizing it a little more by having all the teams running the same engine. This would cut down on costs for a lot of the other teams, and allow them to catch up with technology in other area's. And may also even out the power potential of each car and even up the field... From a racing perspective I think it would be great, and would put a lot more emphasis on the drivers winning. BUT, a lot of the diehard fans think it's insane to standardize the engines, and believe that the manufacturers is what F1 is all about...

As I said in another F1 thread, it is kind of boring when before the race you can pick between about 4 or 5 guys who's going to win, barring an accident or car failure.. Then once the race is about 10 laps in, that's pretty much how the field stays until the end (at least for the first 5 or 6 cars). Back in the day 2nd place could be 10 seconds down, and can slowly get that back each lap and make a great race. These days a 10 second lead is almost a gaurantee'd victory.. It takes a lot out of the enjoyment of watching it.. And something may indeed need to be done one day if interest starts to fade in the competitive side of it, and they may need to even up the cars a little bit.

On your question though, I think the guys that drive for the big teams are also a cut above the rest in regards to driving.. They can shave that extra bit off their lap times and there are things like driving the best on certain tyres and conditions etc. And when it comes to things like that, those top few drivers always make the best of the circumstances.. So given all the cars were the same, I think it would be a lot more competitive and the placings would be a lot different, but you'd still have those 3 or 4 guys who you would put your money on as the favourites.. Like with any sport where they really attempt to make competition as even as possible, there are always just humans that are gifted at being that big better than everyone else.. Unless "for fun" they run a bunch of races where all the drivers swap cars, it's almost impossible to tell just how much is about the car, and how much is about the driver.... But right now there is absolutely no doubt the car plays a much much much bigger part between 1st and last than does the driver..

As it stands though, I 100% get where you're coming from with it being boring.. It can be enjoyable to watch if there is some added drama.. But that excitement of who and what is going to happen every race just isn't there as much as other sports, and as much as F1 was back years ago.. Still worth watching though, especially if you follow the season like Mr Salty does... I admit i've watched more of it this year than I have over the last couple..