I guess to a very small degree, they have, mainly in terms of the run-off. When I first started watching in 97-98, you’d see the driver punished for making a mistake and having to unceremoniously bumble across the grass and gravel to try and make it back on track.
There’s no greater turn off for me personally than seeing the drivers lock their brakes in practice/qualifying, and simply cruise through the asphalt run-off area. It makes the drivers look so second rate, and the sport look too forgiving.
The grass and gravel added hugely to the unpredictability. If you go off now, you’re almost guaranteed to find a way back on.