F1 2009 Rule Change - And the winner is!

[HartleyHare]

I agree Vig.
points for fastest lap, pole and even leading the most laps.
there are loads of ways to encourage racing but that medal idea is a non starter as far as i'm concerned.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Complete waste of viewing time on TV. Overhyped by ITV and pitiful commentery trying to generate excitement in a procession of cars that haven't swapped postion in 20 laps. I'm sure the engineering side of things is actually quite interesting but until they go down the A1 route of an equal playing field with the cars you'll never know for sure who the best out and out driver is

 

[HartleyHare]

F1 is more than the drivers though Homer.
it's meant to be the pinnacle of motor racing, the ultimate machines in the fastest formula of racing.
the teams and cars are just as important as the drivers.
I agree that some races are woeful processions but that's as much to do with the rule makers trying to make it "safer" as anything else.
i will never understand the logic behind grooved tyres which was an attempt to slow down the cars and make it safer, but by taking away mechanical grip not only does it discourage overtaking but it also reduces grip which can't possibly make things safer, can it?

 

[CarpeDiem]

it's meant to be the pinnacle of motor racing, the ultimate machines in the fastest formula of racing.

Then why are the powers that be always trying to slow the cars down. In my view they should be allowed to go as fast as they like, this will have clear benifits for the better off teams but it would then be the pinnacle. Either that or the A1 route.

 

[haplesshacker]

It's all very well saying, 'take the A1' route. But do all the pro golfers use the same kit? No, of course they don't. You also need to remember that fans follow teams as much as drivers, to the point where some fans don't care who's driving for the team, and just support the team. Obviously Ferrai and Mclareen are the two most supported in this way.

I'm not saying that F1 is great. Some races are incredibly dull. But that has more to do with the tracks than the cars.

Lifting all restrictions on the design and speed of F1 cars would be silly. Anyone remember Group B rallying?

I'm not disagreeing that F1 is corrupt either. But to us who watch it on TV, is harmless. As oppossed to the Government, the Social Services, the banking sector, which affects us all.

If you don't follow it, I would thouroughly recommed just one race to watch; Spa, in Belguim. It generally rains, and F1 in the wet should be mandatory!

 

[HartleyHare]

If you don't follow it, I would thouroughly recommed just one race to watch; Spa, in Belguim. It generally rains, and F1 in the wet should be mandatory!

Or the Japanese GP this year.
Back at Suzuka again, always a brilliant race.

 

[Smiffy]

Despite all the controversy of the last couple of years, and stupid decisions made by stewards, I still love F1.
I will set the alarm and get up early to watch a race live rather than watch it on Sky+ a bit later in the day even though I don't know the result!
Roll on the new season, and good luck to Lewis Hamilton.

 

[CliveW]

F1 should be 2 laps, 1 pit-stop and another two laps.
The rest of the race is just a boring procession.

 

[KeefG]

Just been trying to find the interview with Jean Todt where he admitted he will challenge Moseley for presidency of the FIA when his term finishes in October this year.

In is interview he stated his belief that F1 cars, at the pinnacle of motor sports, should be allowed to go as fast as they can and it is his wish for them to go back to 3.5litre V10 engines instead of the 2.4litre V8's they are now using.

Now that would be seriously worth watching!!!

I love F1 but Moseley & Ecclestone are holding it back and they need to go.

That said, i'm not sure what kind of a job "Mr Ferrari" Jean Todt will do at the FIA, they're already hugely biased towards the Scuderia.

 

[theeaglehunter]

It's all very well saying, 'take the A1' route. But do all the pro golfers use the same kit? No, of course they don't.

I thought this would come up, but to me the comparison is nonsense! No pro golfer uses equipment which leaves him on any given day without a chance of hitting a better shot than / winning against any other given pro. At the end of the day in golf no pro would use equipment he can't win with regardless of sponsor payouts, it's often down to suitability of different clubs.However sadly in F1 a number of competitors do drive cars whcih give them no chance of a podium finish on any given race, admittedly through no fault of their own. It is also worth noting that particular attributes of any given club will suit different players in terms of looks, feel spin imparted etc meaning different most desirable clubs exist (One pros optimum driver may be completely different to the next). This can then be switched to formula 1 where regardless of the driver they are looking for the quickest, best handling, most reliable car without exception.

 

[Leftie]

You also need to remember that fans follow teams as much as drivers, to the point where some fans don't care who's diving (sorry, driving) for the team, and just support the team.

Sounds a bit like football then. To my mind it ceases to be a sport when obscene amounts of money are thrown into the mix hoping to "get a result".

 

[KeefG]

You also need to remember that fans follow teams as much as drivers, to the point where some fans don't care who's diving (sorry, driving) for the team, and just support the team.

Sounds a bit like football then. To my mind it ceases to be a sport when obscene amounts of money are thrown into the mix hoping to "get a result".

These obscene amounts of money dont work though, all you need to do is look at Toyota to see the evidence! The biggest budget F1 has seen for 6 consecutive seasons and not a single win to show for it

 

[Herbie]

I dont know which idiot came up with this idea but there are more holes in it than second hand dart board.

 

[viscount17]

I cant wait for the new season to kick off, hopefully the changes brought about by the KJB, ?.

I cant see what KERS. ?

give us a clue - I have enough trouble with proliferating acronyms at work.

what are the rule changes - other than he who wins most wins?

First improvement for F1 - scrap Monaco, lovely place and I walked the track but - boring!

Change all tracks to a minimum of four overtaking points per lap, and some wide enough that you can't just block

 

[KeefG]

I cant wait for the new season to kick off, hopefully the changes brought about by the KJB, ?.

I cant see what KERS. ?

give us a clue - I have enough trouble with proliferating acronyms at work.

what are the rule changes - other than he who wins most wins?

I meant to put KGB - i was being sarcastic towards the FIA

KERS - Kinetic Energy Recovery System. Its the new system the cars are allowed to use (many teams havent got their system working properly yet though) which recovers energy via heat dissapation from the brakes and gives the cars an extra 80bhp (ish) for 6.6 secs (ish) per lap.

Other rule changes are the return to slicks, the narrowing of the rear spoiler to reduce mechanical downforce, the widening of the front spoiler and also limitations on the size & dimensions of the diffusers.

They're basically saying "here, have some extra horsepower but we're taking away your mechanicl grip so you cant use it properly, but we're letting you have slicks to improve your grip" which makes no sense really. Just the FIA pissing about when it doesnt need to piss about.

 

[viscount17]

Thanks Keef, more fun though if they cut down on tyre changes as well and on fuel stops - I'd much rather see them win by overtaking on the track and not because of off-course strategy or a mechanics cock-up

 

[KeefG]

I fully agree fella.

To much onus is placed on 'team strategy' with the timing of pit stops and fuel load. Fill the buggers to the brim, put the hardest compound tyre on that will last the distance and send em out!!

 

[CarpeDiem]

Can't they just have the same rules for every tier of professional motor racing. The only difference is the total horse power output from the cars? Just a suggestion.

 

[KeefG]

I can see your point but its not going to work in theory.

With added horsepower comes the need for better brakes, also a better and more efficient cooling system on the cars, plus tyres that can handle the extra horsepower ripping them to shreds etc etc etc

If you took say a Formula 3 car, and lumped an F1 engine in it, the car would be undriveable for so many reasons.

 

[CarpeDiem]

Ah, we may have found a little snag then. Oh well, I'll stick to Moto GP.