- 33,155
- Hammerhead Garage
This is something that came up in the Lotus thread. Rather than continue into the depths of off-topicness, I thought it might be time to spin it off into its own discussion, especially since it's getting to that time of the year when the rules for next season are going to be finalised. Details are a little scarce, but this weekend has seen some new suggestions emerge.
Firstly, Mike Gascoyne has alluded to a few major changes. As we all know, F-ducts and double diffusers have been banned, but FOTA have apparently been talking about scrapping flow aids under the chassis to further the effect and abandoning the vertical pod wings mounted forward of the air intake pods. Smaller, more technical changes that have ben discussed include a change in the width of the front wing to make it smaller, and greater restrictions designed to limit development of the rear wing.
And, of course, the teams have been kicking around the idea of the return of KERS, albeit with greater freedoms allowed in its deployment (ie more horsepower for longer) and making it mandatory, along with the possibility of teams developing their own system or purchasing it from another team (like engines) or a third supplier. Ferrari, meanwhile, are pushing an agenda of running three-car teams though FOTA apaprently haven't discussed it for a while and Martin Whitmarsh has said McLaren feel it's only workable if the number of teams drops again (but the whole thing is just a attempt by Ferrari to grab power and a better end-of-season standing).
The biggest change that has come up is the talk of abandoning adjustable front wings in favour of an adjustable rear wing. Reports claim that drivers will be able to alter the angle of the win by up to fifty millimetres in order to increase straight-line speed. However, like KERS, there will be conditions attached - drivers can only use it when they are pursuing another car. From what I understand, this does not mean they can use it whenever they feel like it; rather, they will have to get themselves within range of another car before they can use it. It's intended to support overtaking rather than simply be a replacement for driver skill.
So, what are your thoughts? Is the adjustable rear wing concept a good one, and how will it affect the reintroduction of KERS? Is the possibility of three cars a realistic one, and how could it be implemented? Are changes to the tyre regulations needed, and if so, what would be a better solution? Are there any other ideas for rule changes?
Personally, I think three cars could be workable, but only under certain conditions - there is simply no way circuits like Monaco could suport forty cars in a race. Rather, I'd open up four extra grid places (in addition to the two for new thirteenth team). Teams would nominate a driver to run an optional third car on Fridays, with the fastest four of these extra drivers being promoted to qualifying and the race. However, to stop the likes of Ferrari and McLaren an Red Bull from running a third car in very race to secure manufacturers' points, the teams would only be able to run their third car in a set number of events - and if they run on a Friday, but do not qualify for the rest of the weekend, it counts as one of their events. Ten at the maximum, maybe. This way, everyone gets a go with a third car, and the latter half of the season would become an interesting fight as teams and drivers scrap for points by runing third drivers. Of course, you'd have to be careful to prevent teams running a third driver simply for the sake of interfering with the race results by holding other drivers up.
As for the tyres, I'd change the both-compounds-in-the-race rule to both-compounds-over-the-weekend with the provision that all drivers start on the same compound (not the same set) as they qualified on. The effect of this would be that drivers could do the early qualifying phases on soft tyres and then set their final time on a set of hards. They'd then start the race on a set of tyres that could last the entire race; on the other hand, they could qualify an start on the softs, but would need a mid-race change to the hards. The rule would be dependent on the soft tyres giving drivers enough of an advantage to make a pitstop viable.
And I'd ban blue flags. Formula 1 drivers are supposed to be the best in the world. If they can't get past a backmarker without the backmarker being obligated to move over, they probably shouldn't be in the sport.
Firstly, Mike Gascoyne has alluded to a few major changes. As we all know, F-ducts and double diffusers have been banned, but FOTA have apparently been talking about scrapping flow aids under the chassis to further the effect and abandoning the vertical pod wings mounted forward of the air intake pods. Smaller, more technical changes that have ben discussed include a change in the width of the front wing to make it smaller, and greater restrictions designed to limit development of the rear wing.
And, of course, the teams have been kicking around the idea of the return of KERS, albeit with greater freedoms allowed in its deployment (ie more horsepower for longer) and making it mandatory, along with the possibility of teams developing their own system or purchasing it from another team (like engines) or a third supplier. Ferrari, meanwhile, are pushing an agenda of running three-car teams though FOTA apaprently haven't discussed it for a while and Martin Whitmarsh has said McLaren feel it's only workable if the number of teams drops again (but the whole thing is just a attempt by Ferrari to grab power and a better end-of-season standing).
The biggest change that has come up is the talk of abandoning adjustable front wings in favour of an adjustable rear wing. Reports claim that drivers will be able to alter the angle of the win by up to fifty millimetres in order to increase straight-line speed. However, like KERS, there will be conditions attached - drivers can only use it when they are pursuing another car. From what I understand, this does not mean they can use it whenever they feel like it; rather, they will have to get themselves within range of another car before they can use it. It's intended to support overtaking rather than simply be a replacement for driver skill.
So, what are your thoughts? Is the adjustable rear wing concept a good one, and how will it affect the reintroduction of KERS? Is the possibility of three cars a realistic one, and how could it be implemented? Are changes to the tyre regulations needed, and if so, what would be a better solution? Are there any other ideas for rule changes?
Personally, I think three cars could be workable, but only under certain conditions - there is simply no way circuits like Monaco could suport forty cars in a race. Rather, I'd open up four extra grid places (in addition to the two for new thirteenth team). Teams would nominate a driver to run an optional third car on Fridays, with the fastest four of these extra drivers being promoted to qualifying and the race. However, to stop the likes of Ferrari and McLaren an Red Bull from running a third car in very race to secure manufacturers' points, the teams would only be able to run their third car in a set number of events - and if they run on a Friday, but do not qualify for the rest of the weekend, it counts as one of their events. Ten at the maximum, maybe. This way, everyone gets a go with a third car, and the latter half of the season would become an interesting fight as teams and drivers scrap for points by runing third drivers. Of course, you'd have to be careful to prevent teams running a third driver simply for the sake of interfering with the race results by holding other drivers up.
As for the tyres, I'd change the both-compounds-in-the-race rule to both-compounds-over-the-weekend with the provision that all drivers start on the same compound (not the same set) as they qualified on. The effect of this would be that drivers could do the early qualifying phases on soft tyres and then set their final time on a set of hards. They'd then start the race on a set of tyres that could last the entire race; on the other hand, they could qualify an start on the softs, but would need a mid-race change to the hards. The rule would be dependent on the soft tyres giving drivers enough of an advantage to make a pitstop viable.
And I'd ban blue flags. Formula 1 drivers are supposed to be the best in the world. If they can't get past a backmarker without the backmarker being obligated to move over, they probably shouldn't be in the sport.
...and it gives a similar straightline speed boost.
