I think you’ll find that’s not the case. The mid 80s BMW 4 cylinder 1500cc turbo engines used by Brabham were banging out 1500 BHP in qualifying. Engines built to last for one flying lap + one warm up and one slowing down lap. For race day the M10 engine which was developed from the BMW 1500 road car unit (80 BHP) was pumping out around 11 to 12 hundred BHP. No traction control, ABS or even power steering. The drivers earned their money then and the best drivers could be counted on one hand, unlike today where almost any driver on the grid, could, if put in the best car compete. Mansell used to lose up to two stone during a two hour max. race and had to be helped out of his car and helped to stand up through exhaustion and dehydration at the finish. Nowadays you see Hamilton jumping out of his 4 wheeled computer and jumping around like he’s just got out of bed. Different game altogether in those days.