A little discussion is taking place in the spoilers thread about the 107% rule. Thought to start a poll to see what everyone thinks of the idea of it returning to F1. Bringing it back might mean HRT and other new teams not racing on Sunday going by current practice pace. So F1 weekends might become expensive testing sessions for them. Todt is in favour of it returning but said maybe not till 2011. Here is a list of past drivers who broke the rule and weren't allowed to race http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/107%25_rule
Nope. If these guys are truly the 'best in the world' then they can handle lapping a car every now and then.
There's no way they should bring it back. These junior teams will eventually find pace or vaporize. With lap times in the 1:56 range, being 10s off the pace means you're being lapped once every 12 laps. The front of the pack (which appears to be various mercedes-powered variants) can deal with that.
There is no point to 107. Who really cares? So, some cars are slow and have to be passed. Big deal. Besides, the little teams need the running time and experience to get better. Unless the slow teams are unsafe on the track or the can't follow the rules, let them run.
Nope. I'm pretty sure the evil pygmy remains obligated to put (a minimum of) 20 cars on the grid. And please remember, it was him who introduced the rule in the first place........ Cheers, Ian
+1 "107" was introduced when there were over 30 cars going for the maximum 26 spots. I believe that remains the maximum # of starters, with the exception of Monaco where it's 22 (?) - Someone could get ****ed there - anybody know? Cheers, Ian PS - It does seem thus far that HRT is *horrible*, and maybe shouldn't be allowed out there - But, then they've got to be allowed to test (IMHO.)
Last year was a glory year. The times were so relatively close thus a good season. This years ten seconds, not tenths, separate the field. Backmarkers are so off the pace. Massa complains of a slow backfield. Would he really rather have a two second grid ? Be careful for what you wish for.
107 was introduced when there was only 22 drivers back in 1996. Pre-qualifying and 107 are separate rules. 107 is only for qualifying times when the grid is under 26 cars. What do you mean Monaco 22? Monaco has always had 26 car spots.
I'd rather take it on a case by case basis. As long as the driver/car combo in the new teams don't pose a danger, we should give them a chance to develop.
I honestly think the slower cars will be a bigger disruption in Qualifying than they will be in the race, so unless you altered the rule so that a driver had to achieve a Practice time within the 107%, having the rule back will not be effective. Another thing I bought up in the Practice thread is that when the 107% rule existed before there was a lot more opportunity available for in-season testing, and I don't believe there were any limits on wind tunnel time. That leaves these new teams no other option but to get up to speed during the events each weekend. As we saw in Bahrain, the Indian driver for HRT was unable to complete the required 3 laps during any of the Practice sessions, so he won't have the opportunity to qualify or race this weekend. That seems far more sensible to me than reinstating the 107% rule. >8^) ER
Agreed. I *thought* that back in the dark ages of pre-qualifying they didn't allow as many cars on the grid at Monaco as everywhere else - Admittedly nothing to do with 107. But, I could have made that up (!) Cheers, Ian
Blame cretin Mosley for the corrupt sing my tune or your not in way, the teams got a entry in the first place .
+1 We should probably have this vote again after Monaco or Hungary where I'm sure the backmarkers will constantly get in the way of some front runners and mess up their race. At least that's what I'm hoping will happen.
The faster drivers should be able to deal with slower cars............at least we may see some passing on the track instead of in the pits!
Given the way the new teams were allowed to enter F1 it would be unfair to impose the rule immediately.