2011 rules not final yet - a big mess ahead

So why can the drivers only hit the button at certain times? Why not whenever they want to? It seems like an unnecessary rule that is there just because.

 

The point is to make passing easier. If it is allowed all the time the guy in front will do it too and thereby negate the effect.

 

Guys!...... Relax

Charlie already knows where each and every car is within inches.

Lapping backmarkers remains the same - Blue flags, "there's a race going on, and you're not part of it" will still apply - If you're being lapped and hit your speed-up-titty he'll rip you a new one.

If you try and defend your position by hitting the titty, he'll know, and rip you a new one.

If you hit your titty at the wrong time, he'll know and.....

You get the idea.

Whether we'll actually see more overtaking is of course another question - I somehow doubt it, but at least they're trying...... Apparently, the modern F1 fan wants more overtaking

Cheers,
Ian

 

What I don't understand is if this device gives an advantage to the trailing car won't they just trade places on alternating laps?

 

This is the rule that may kill my interest after 35 years of following f1. Reduce costs? Please.

 

Not if I'm quicker than you......

The (supposed?) problem is that I need to be ~2 seconds quicker to have any chance of making a pass - If not, we get a repeat of the Fred -v- Vitaly scenario from last year - Love him or hate him, Fred wanted to get by but the Tilke-dome wouldn't allow it.

Now, if Fred could have hit his titty and passed him, he'd have disappeared into the distance and Vitaly would never have the opportunity to do the same.

In theory.

YMMV.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Thanks.
It seems like an extremely complicated system just to let faster cars pass slower cars. Sad state of affairs that its needed.

 

Indeed. [Got any better ideas?]

If I'm in a slower car, how the devil did I get ahead of you in the first place!? If your guys screwed up ("bad strategy") that's your problem and I'm certainly not going to move over for you - Particularly now half the field scores points.

Seems to me that "slow" cars have always been able to hold up "fast" cars - That's racing.... But, apparently, F1 is a boring parade and the great unwashed want more overtaking, and here we are......

Friggin 'ay brother.

I haven't checked, but don't think anyone fell foul of the 107% rule this year - Even the slowest of the slow aren't truly "slow".

Cheers,
Ian

 

Well...
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LOL

"Banning aerodynamics" is another that makes me LOL.

 

Unnecessary. Just run in a vacuum.

 

I'm all for visible aids, 'flippers', flames, chutes...anything to make it more interesting while I sit back with my cuppa and make better calls than Stefano....

With Kers, F ducts and now wing buttons, the latest drivers need to have the dexterity of de Angelis....

Speaking of wings, time for a refreshing CAN-AM moment.... Check Hall's wtf glance near the end.... What a fantastic series this must have been..

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsNPg6gGkJA&feature=related[/ame]

 

He does?

Based on what?

I know we see those graphics where they show each car on track, but how is that actually generated? I *believe* it is a simultion based on past data where the computer thinks the car is at the moment (think video game). I don't think it is actual GPS data. I might be wrong, but if it is only simulated data there will be endless debates by the drivers over why they did or didn't get the green light.

Also I think there will be endless debates about whether the driver saw or didn't see the green light. We'll hear excuses like sun reflection, vibrations, busy with a car problem you name it.

I mean drivers have (deliberately? mon dieu!) ignored pit signals from the FIA in the past. But those happen once in a blue moon. The green lights come on and off like 5 times a lap for a number of cars. Lots of changes for trouble ahead IMHO.

 

Prof. Heisenberg, of the Uncertainty Principle, might have something to say.

 

I'm pretty sure those graphics are real time GPS data streaming from the cars. [But I could also be wrong!] - For example, if they pit, the graphics immediately "know".

More significantly, wasn't Charlie pissed late last season when Phil (IIRC?) lined up a foot or so ahead of his position on the grid and alarm bells didn't ring as they were supposed to?

I never got around to trying the iPhone app (or the Kangaroo thing) but am almost certain it's not a simulation but rather reading real time data. Overlay a 'puter program that ignores backmarkers and turns my light green when I'm within a second (or whatever) of the car ahead and we're done........

Charlie really does know everything......

Cheers,
Ian

 

Fabulous! I generally don't stay with a 10 minute video, but that's awesome!

JYS; "It would be helpful if they marked the apexes!"

Strategy? - Yeah, we got strategy - Be quicker than the other guy!

I only ever saw the Can-Am twice - They came over to the UK and at Brands were simply too big & cumbersome to make an impression - Apart from that wing changing angles into the corners - That was just too cool.

At Silverstone they were awesome - Until it rained - They were spinning their wheels after *every* gear change.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Well, that sounds promising. If the human element can be taken out of the equation as much as possible then there is less chance for arguments.

Still I think there will be controversy over drivers who activated the wing without a green light etc.

I do like the overall idea. Just hoping it doesn't lead to controversy. Hmm, what am I talking about, it is F1 after all...

 

Indeed - No controversy, no F1......

Technically, there's no reason at all why they couldn't implement it such that the wing won't move without the green light being on.

As to it being needed or being a good idea, I just don't know - It reeks of "artificial" to me, but as noted, it seems the fans want more overtaking and this *might* help.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Combine the effect from the flat wing with the instant boost from KERS and we might actually see some overtaking this season.

 

Its pure artifice.
Rarely in the history of anything is adding complications a good thing.
(with the possible exception of watches)

 

Is that what we want to see though?

I guess I'm in the minority, but I really don't want F1 to turn into Nascar with all kinds of artificial leveling of the playing field to "improve the show".

If you build a better car and hence dominate, more power to you - I'm no Mclaren fan, but winning 17 of 18 (?) was pretty impressive. I had no problem with the Schumi domination years either - I hope he does it again!......

There's a dozen teams beavering away right now - Doing their own thing - Maybe one of 'em will do something unique and blow everyone's doors off - That's F1 to me - Not artificial aids so we get more overtaking.

My 02c, Cheers,
Ian

 

I think you're overreacting (no offense): These aids will just eliminate the setback caused by "dirty air" and Tilke designed tracks. I don't see a NASCAR style race with a hundred meaningless passes. We will avoid an Alonso vs Petrov situation (or Schumacher vs Alguersuari in Melbourne) and that's about it. If at all.

I hated the McLaren dominated years as much as the Ferrari dominated years. It is plain boring when you know before the race who will win it. It is fun for a while but eventually it drags the sport down. As evidenced by the measurable loss of viewership in the early naughts.

 

I can go with that.

And I can also agree with that, maybe not hate, but could walk away from the TV after the first few laps.

 

None taken.

Maybe - I admire your optimism..... As I said before, at least they're trying to "improve the show" - We'll find out soon I guess.

I didn't - All a part of the game IMO. Outside of Mclaren & Ferrari teams come and go and some of 'em even see fleeting success. Rinse & repeat - Often with less power.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Not to take the thread off track (pun intended) but the dominating years just bored the hell out of me. I have no problem with McLaren winning (well maybe a small one ) or Ferrari winning, but just not every race with the same driver for consecutive years.

Anyway, I'm anxious to see the new rules in action.