motor

|Nuno| · 10-11-2005, 06:12 AM

A proposed return to pitstops next season is likely to meet with strong opposition from the teams, McLaren boss Ron Dennis ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. The suggestion was included in a list of possible changes to the draft sporting regulations for 2006 sent to all the team chiefs by the FIA, in an e-mail yesterday.

The proposals, which are a major development of those issued earlier this year, outlined an already widely backed plan for a knockout qualifying format along with the other more controversial suggestions.

Tyre changes were scrapped at the start of this year and Dennis warned: "If you change back it means a massive tyre development programme and a complete about-face on everything that has been done in the last year. We just about stabilised the one-tyre formula and now it is out the window again. All these changes cost a fortune and I think you have to look at everything and see how we can positively influence next year."

The single tyre rule had a significant part in changing the order of the grid this year, playing into the hands of Michelin and going against the formerly dominant world champions Ferrari. A change back to multiple tyres in a race could swing the balance the other way again but Dennis insisted that was not the concern and said his worries were purely down to the costs involved.

The FIA are looking to move to a single tyre supplier in 2008 so the plans to bring back tyre changes came as a big surprise to many in the paddock and left Red Bull Racing driver David Coulthard concerned about continuous change.

"I don't have very strong views one way or another but over the last four or five years there have been so many changes and I am just nervous of continually changing regulations," said Coulthard. "I think that the one tyre for the Grand Prix did not turn out to be quite as scary as it first appeared but we have all had difficulty with flat spotting tyres and having to run with poor visibility during Grand Prix."

"I think there is a reasonable argument to say that it is safer to have tyre changes, but equally it has thrown up a change this season, it turned the results of Formula One on its head, so there are arguments for both."

The change to a knockout format for qualifying, which has been the subject of much discussion, was generally backed, however, after the document revealed the FIA's proposed solution.

The format will see the five slowest cars knocked out after 15 minutes of low-fuel running and five more after 30 minutes then the remaining cars will fill with race fuel and have a 20-minute shoot out to decide the front of the grid.

Renault boss Flavio Briatore, who proposed the changes, believes it will be a hit with fans. "It is quite easy for the public to understand, like you have in the Olympics. All people do the run then five are out, then you have the semi final and then the final. You see who is the quickest driver then for the supergrid the ten cars go out with the fuel and tyres they start the race."

"I don't think it will get support from everyone because every time you do something to try to improve you have someone against so I hope there is someone with a brain on the Formula One Commission."

Other plans include a change in timing of a Grand Prix weekend, with two one-hour practices on a Friday and one on a Saturday morning before qualifying, with no third cars allowed for teams in the Friday testing.

The third car, allowed for just the bottom six teams, is seen as a big advantage and BAR Honda boss Nick Fry, whose team would have the use of a third car next year, admitted that proposal could see significant opposition.

There are also suggestions to scrap all spare cars, limit the number of people in a pit stop to 12, with only one person working on each wheel, and a ban on tyre warmers that bring the tyres up to temperature.

The proposals will be individually voted on by the Formula One Commission at a planned meeting in London on October 24, a little more than one week after the season-ending Chinese Grand Prix.

E.A.
Source AFP

Max Power · 10-11-2005, 04:31 PM

when Ferrari was winning, they made radical changes...now Ferrari is not winning, they make even more radical changes :roll:

racer_f50 · 10-11-2005, 05:18 PM

the new qualifying system sounds pretty interesting, actually, so I kinda hope that one goes through.
being a biased Ferrari fan, i think re-adding tire changes is a great idea. Even if they limited themselves to 1 tire change per race that would even out the tire performance quite a bit.

5vz-fe · 10-11-2005, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by Max Power

when Ferrari was winning, they made radical changes...now Ferrari is not winning, they make even more radical changes :roll:

I say keep clicking Ctrl-Z until the format is back to where it were 2002 for tire rule, qualifying and point system. V8 and new aero work is interesting in a technical stand point coz it allow a bigger space for teams to improve. For god sake give Kimi a good reliable V8, and kick Sato out of F1.

nthfinity · 10-11-2005, 06:16 PM

i liked tire changes, and i look forward to the V8's... just as long as they never ever go back to v6's (even thoug they were turbos) or 4 bangers.

im not sure i like the suggested quali, but its better then a 1 lap out IMO. 2002 quali was much better.

gucom · 10-11-2005, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by 5vz-fe

Originally Posted by Max Power

when Ferrari was winning, they made radical changes...now Ferrari is not winning, they make even more radical changes :roll:

I say keep clicking Ctrl-Z until the format is back to where it were 2002 for tire rule, qualifying and point system. V8 and new aero work is interesting in a technical stand point coz it allow a bigger space for teams to improve. For god sake give Kimi a good reliable V8, and kick Sato out of F1.

i second that, although i wouldnt mind having hte proposed qualy system either. I just hope the new regulations will allow the teams to develop new technology etc, so that F1 can once again produce revolutionary techniques...at the moment its mainly super-fine-tweaking aerodynamics, and computer changes...

zondaland · 10-12-2005, 08:10 AM

On the note of V8s I am thinnking that it really won't increase safety. The problem with safety at the speeeds they are doing is mid corner speed. I can only see midcorner speed increasing with the V8, they will be smaller, they will use less fuel hence require smaller fuel tanks, so the cars will be shorter, this will allow them to have greater midcorner speeds.

I am aware that they have restriction on C of G etc, but I just don't see how it will actually help safety. What do others think?

As to reintroducing tyre changes I don't like the idea as I think some of the best races we have seen this year have been when we have had one car use its tyres badly and struggle in the final stages of the race. Although if they said that you can change tyres once then that could be interesting, do drivers stay out longer on the first stint to help their car pace in the closing stages etc.

dannyroz · 10-14-2005, 03:15 PM

For once I agree with Dennis on something. He is right that it will raise development costs and makes you wonder they made a 1 tire rule in the first place. But I disagree strongly with the 1 tire for the championship rule, its a total monopoly and being the "pinnacle of motorsport" which is totally based on advancements in technology on all fronts, they should fuckin know better. Competition is healthy...

As for the qualifying session ala Olympics, I think its a good idea but it kinda has to be refined because the slower teams who are consistantly slow will bitch and moan, we all know Jordan isnt going to have another podium for 5 years

The whole point of the V8 is to just keep horsepower figures lower and present a challenge to the engine designers. As we have seen throughout F1's history, horsepower increases year by year to the point that it was where it was before and then there will be another engine rule making it smaller or possibly changing the way it is (Williams thrust engine???). Evolution does exist...not that people in the south of US would know, but thats another part of this great forum

|Nuno| · 10-14-2005, 03:25 PM

I am aware that they have restriction on C of G etc, but I just don't see how it will actually help safety. What do others think?

If anything, it will decrease it because less speed=shorter braking distances. Which also means overtaking will be even more difficult.