Yes they did make some of the most beautiful cars of all time. Andreas, any time the best drivers have to come from the back it makes it incredible to watch. But if it happened in every race would it be as enjoyable? Probably, I just like the more pure formula we had in the 70's.
No because it would become even more contrived. The smart drivers would cheat (even more) in qualifying so they were nearer the front of the grid ... ... also watch a v8 Supercar reverse grid race, complete joke ... smash up derby. Qualifying always used to be better than the race for the diehards ... until stupid Bernie screwed it, now everything is boring ... Again I say get rid of sponsorship, because then racing for racings sake will return. No PR BS (average ability drivers), no driving just to finish for the sponsor ... but racing for pride and passion. Ofcourse you need to make winning the race worth it, thus atleast 5 points extra. You should also get a point for the fastest RACE lap ... that will keep them trying! Pete
yes-10-6-4-3-2-1 (old points system) but 1 point for fastest lap and 1 point for the pole....12 points if one dominates would be nice...
Heck thinking about the negative influence of sponsorship again and I bet Jim Clark (thinking Lotus again) would not even have got a drive in the current era ... because he was a quiet spoken guy, hardly a PR dream. I tell ya, sponsorship and ensuring drivers are MORE PR than racer is what is killing motorsport everywhere. I want drivers that a fncken RACERS first and foremost. Heck if they can only grunt and only wash once a year, and completely give the finger to correct values ... who cares, as long as they can drive! Pete
Actually there would be no qualifying with reversed grid (about the only downside I can think of, but instead of qualifying for grid position they could eg. a fastest lap shootout that would give an extra WC point). The grid would be formed in reverse order of WC points (and in the first race the results of the previous year) or standings (since not all drivers will have points, best racing positions and the like would be chosen). This eliminates the cheating you speak of and also makes the system self regulating: E.g. if the title leader can't make it to the front because he has to start from last, he will not gain as many points, hence drop relatively and will be allowed to start a little closer to the front the next time. Or in other words: This system would also work as a points equalizer and keep the championship open longer. I dont expect a demolition derby with the pros of F1. In the examples I gave earlier the champs made it safely to the front of the field.
Hmmm ... let me digest that for a few days ... Currently my only negative is that it is helping the untalented, but on the plus side it makes it harder for the current WC. Pete
At this point, there are no real wacky ideas for F1 reform. I think you have some great ideas. Problem is that there won't be any significant changes until the manufacturers pressure Big Bad Bernie to change. My feeling is forget F1, and let's bring back the CanAm series -- totally unlimited with drivers using sheer guts and horsepower to catch and pass. (Okay, I'm just kidding -- as fun as CanAm was to watch, it was too damn dangerous for drivers and course workers.)
Excellent, I forgot about that. They should get a point for those two things. Pete, your right about a guy like J Clark, it was amazing that Lotus was the first constructor to run his cars with the Gold Leaf Tobacco sponsorship.
what about getting small amount of points for every lap led? this will give smaller teams a good chance, to get into the points, as well as try harder for the lead.
Brian, it would be a logistical Nightmare. F1 is Number 1, why give it so much help to those that can't? I want to see the best teams, with the best drivers, going flatout to win. At one time, Bernie even suggested the following: 10 Points to the winner and 1 Point to Second Place. Crazy eh?
LoL...thanx for the info, Tony. but i dunno...that idea just popped into my mind while i was reading this thread.
Thanks, I thought I would be banished for posting a photo of a Lotus on the Ferrari site. I do think the the lack of wings and the resulting downforce would make for much closer racing.
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I think the problem with wings, even small ones is that the car relies on them for grip. When the driver is close to another car with wings, the air is turbulent, the efectiveness of the wings is reduced and the grip is reduced. Eliminating downforce will allow wheel to wheel racing. Wheel to wheel racing is more exciting than follow the leader, pass in the pits racing. As an aside, I think the exposed motors on the older F1 cars look bad ass.
If we disallowed what modern motorsport has learnt about aerodynamics and downforce to improve modern race cars performance ... F1 would become yet another contrived racing formula. F1 is supposed to be the pinacle of motorsport, the race series that all drivers want to get to. It is about (or should be) pushing the limits of technology and more a show of what engineering can do for performance. The fact that a driver can hang on to these cars and win the WC is a bonus, but does not necessary mean they are the best driver ... no just the best driver in the right car and team. There are already hundreds of series where the cars are 100% even that prove who really is the best driver ... F1 is not one of them, it is where those drivers want to end up, because the cars are so seductive. So play with the rules all you like, but banning technology is a scary road to take as it kills the very foundations of concept of F1 ... and why Bernie has to go, because he's lost this understanding. Pete
+1 with one exception, Bernie doesn't need to go, Max Mosley needs to go, since he is in charge of the FIA and the Rules. Bernie is in charge of the show.
I believe Bernie is 'pushing' the show to influence the rules ... so yeah both of them need to go . Pete
yeah maybe your right, it is about time. Plus he keeps getting rid of the old tracks and putting up TV Friendly Bland Tracks where they allow Tobacco sponsorship.
Do you want to race can-am cars or motorcycles ? (opposite ends of the downforce discussion) Hell, if I had my way I'd go back to mechanical fuel injection, analog dashboards, mechanical ignition, Hewland 5-speed gearboxes, with a clutch, and an actual stick shift. Races won in the pits ? They didn't have pit stops in the 60's, and most of the 70's, but they also drove what amounted to gas tanks with wheels. I think with the safety features that have evolved we can go non-stop without pit stops, I wouldn't miss them, they can go away. They lost me when they had to plug a laptop into a car to make it run....
