FIA get rid of the "no pitting under the SC" rule!

Kieran · Jan 28, 2009

http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_4859386,00.html

So what do you guys think? For better or for worse?

F1's Safety Car regulations have been revised ahead of the 2009 season after the sport's governing body the FIA approved a new system to ensure cars return to the pit lane at reduced speeds.

Teams and drivers had voiced dissatisfaction at a rule introduced in 2007 that saw the pit lane closed for the early part of a Safety Car period in order to prevent cars travelling at high speeds through danger areas on the track on their way to the pits.

This rule unfairly penalised drivers who needed to refuel during the period that the pit lane was closed. The likes of Rubens Barrichello, Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica fell foul of this rule in 2008 when they chose to enter the closed pit lane - and incur a 10-second stop-go penalty - rather than run out of fuel on track.

Teams have worked with the FIA over the past few months to come up to a workable solution to the problem, and FIA race director Charlie Whiting confirmed this week that a system has been agreed.

The new system will see drivers informed of their minimum expected time to recover to the pits based on where they are on track at the time the safety car is deployed, thereby removing the need to close the pit lane.

"The rule introduced in 2007 was a bad one, and we've gone back to the 2006 regulations," Whiting said.

"The only difference is we intend to implement a minimum time back to the pits.

"When we deploy the Safety Car, the message will go to all the cars, which will then have a "Safety Car" mode on their ECUs. As soon as that message gets to the car, it'll know where it is on the circuit, and it'll calculate a minimum time for the driver to get back to the pits.

"The driver will have to respect this and the information will be displayed on his dashboard.

"If you remember, the reason we closed the pit entry was to remove the incentive for the driver to come back to his pit quickly. That's gone now, as you won't be able to reach the pits any quicker than your dashboard display allows you to."
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futureowner · Jan 28, 2009

That sounds a little ridiculous to me with a minimum time. What, theoretically is there to stop a car from speeding to a predetermined line then parking it, then having a made rush once time is up to get to the pits? Being a fan I should know this, but what is the IRL rule? They have enough cautions and seem to handle it fine, maybe there's something to be learned there.

Bas · Jan 28, 2009

Why cant the teams just give their fuel strategy before the race starts to Charlie Whiting so he knows when they pit. This will be made public as soon as a SC deploys and the cars that have to pit may do so. Problem solved.

Or get rid completely of the rule. Its tough luck for the guys who will lose potential points/podiums over this but it has worked since forever.

robert_c · Jan 28, 2009

How about a yellow flag speed limiter between the yellow flags? Like a pit speed limiter. That way you can speed on the clear part of the track, but go slow when you are close to the crash. Which I think is the rule anyway.

Bas · Jan 29, 2009

robert_c said: ↑

How about a yellow flag speed limiter between the yellow flags? Like a pit speed limiter. That way you can speed on the clear part of the track, but go slow when you are close to the crash. Which I think is the rule anyway.
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There isnt much of an issue between yellow flag situations...normally everyone slows down sufficiently at a crash site. Besides, if cars will be electronically limited accidents WILL happen.

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FIA get rid of the "no pitting under the SC" rule!

Kieran F1 Rookie

futureowner Formula 3

Bas Four Time F1 World Champ

robert_c F1 Rookie

Bas Four Time F1 World Champ

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