New F1 Rules.

[Neil]

750bhp from a 1.6l engine.

You know, back in the mid 80's the 1.5L turbo BMW F1 engines were rumored to be making 1300BHP in qualifying trim.

They didn't run them like that in the race, though.

They'll likely be rules about how many engines they can run per season, or some penalties in terms of engine changes (like has already been in place) to avoid the qualie screamers.

 

[FluffyChicken]

I say let them cane the engines and even allow a change after Qualification.
They seem to be the better entertainment a lot of the time, so why not make two shows out of the weekend.
Give them points for Qualification and fastest laps, open it up to make them not just sit around and play tactics all the time.

I don't like the idea of this adjustable wing, makes it complicated to watch, claims of cheating. When it can only be used at a certain time, if it's going to be adjustable just let them use it when they want. At least KERS is understandable and less open to arguments in the race

Why not just limit them with the turbo
Say if the car is within 9 degrees to the direction of the person in front and the the effective windspeed seen is <50% of actual and you are within 0.1 fParsecs of the car in front, then you can deploy stage 3 of the turbosystem.
Simples!

 

[JamesM]

I wonder how long it will be before F1 cars use diesel engines!!!

 

[stevek]

I wonder how long it will be before F1 cars use diesel engines!!!

The challenge would be pitting either steam or electric against them...

 

[Neil]

I say let them cane the engines and even allow a change after Qualification.
They seem to be the better entertainment a lot of the time, so why not make two shows out of the weekend.
Give them points for Qualification and fastest laps, open it up to make them not just sit around and play tactics all the time.

From an entertainment standpoint, I'm with you - I kind of like how the CART / Champ Car point system worked (may still be the same, but don't get chance to watch it any more) - similar points allocation (25 for a win, points down to about P10), a point for pole, and a point for leading the most laps.

I don't like the idea of this adjustable wing, makes it complicated to watch, claims of cheating. When it can only be used at a certain time, if it's going to be adjustable just let them use it when they want.

With you, there - I want overtaking, I want battles on track, I just don't want gimmicks or odd machinations to achieve that.

At least KERS is understandable and less open to arguments in the race

But still has some artificial limit imposed.

If we're going to say, sod the environment, to hell with looking green, let's just turn up to 11, money no object, then why limit it?

I guess that's been part the dilemma over the past few years - some things have been done to "appear" green(-ish), or try to claim some link or connection / crossover in industry, or to show they are addressing costs and recession by tightening their belts. Truth be told, though, who are they trying to appease - because all the time I've seen those efforts in motorsport, it hasn't made the show any better.

I remember in CART / Champ Car when they mandated the fuel allowance / economy during the race. Races then became about fuel strategy, turning down boost and fuelling, and being conservative in a race, to try and stretch it and save a pit / fuel stop - or at least significantly affect the amount required at the last stop.

May have been clever, but damn boring to watch.

And we're now seeing it (perhaps to a lesser degree, but still there all the same) in F1 with no refuelling. Sure, it probably adds other challenges, but if I'm honest, at least fuel strategy could be more interesting that simply fuel saving and economy.

Some of it is Hobsons. When money is no object, and little in terms of restrictions, audiences get bored with certain teams dominating. Or at least we're told to be bored about it. And true enough, the Schumacher years were rarely about who was going to win races or perhaps the WC, but more about what was happening in the other position.

All the same, though, make it too contrived to appease various demands, and you'll please none of them, and be lucky if you've got a spectacle that audiences will truly stick with beyond the gimmick value of the first few races.

Is there anything to be gained by all the compromises? I mean really gained? Or is it lip-service. Sometimes, I can see the call to money-no-object, full-fat, to hell with the tree-huggers, ultimate open-wheeled formula. Other times I can see the need for more racing - but some of that is as much about the tracks. Some tracks have plenty of overtaking. I think it was something of a shame that the last race in 2010 was at a track where most passing was unlikely. Finishing the season with the Brazilian GP (and similar tracks conducive to overtaking) can make seasons where the WDC is rather tight, something of a spectacle at the end. Whereas the season finale this year was a bit deflated, really.

 

[Neil]

I wonder how long it will be before F1 cars use diesel engines!!!

It's happened in Le Mans - whether it's progress, though, is debatable.

It may be "interesting" to some, but is it good racing? Better fuel economy influencing pit strategy?

I don't doubt it has it's place, I just struggle to care, personally.

 

[Dr S]

Interesting points, especially regarding Diesels at Le Mans. I'm not a fan of the diesels because they don't sound like a race car. They are devastatingly fast though. And as for being green? Someone released some stats about the winning car at Le Mans this year (Diesel Audi R15+).

I cannot remember the exact figures but compared to the winning Petrol Audi of five years ago, this years car broke the distance record, fastest average speed, used around 12% less fuel and used up a third less tyres. So further, faster, more efficient, more reliable.

This technology is already filtering down to road cars making motoring more green. That has to be a step forward no matter how much you dislike motor cars.

Plenty of overtaking at Le Mans Series races too. Who needs F1?

 

[Neil]

Get your points about how diesel fuelled cars have driven advances. All the same - I suspect like you - I just can't get excited about watching them - or listening to them - race.

Plenty of overtaking at Le Mans Series races too. Who needs F1?

I don't really follow it - but is it like-for-like overtaking - I get the impression it's a race of almost two categories, and much of the driving is "paced" over the distance.

 

[Dr S]

Get your points about how diesel fuelled cars have driven advances. All the same - I suspect like you - I just can't get excited about watching them - or listening to them - race.

Plenty of overtaking at Le Mans Series races too. Who needs F1?

I don't really follow it - but is it like-for-like overtaking - I get the impression it's a race of almost two categories, and much of the driving is "paced" over the distance.

3 catagories Neil but all fighting their own race, makes for exciting racing when you have several cars fighting into a corner all with their own agenda.

Its certainly not paced out any more. This year was a flat out sprint for 22 and a half hours. The teams now change to low drag bodywork at midnight to gain a few seconds per lap its that close. Also a Peugeot set a new lap record (faster than qualy) in the 22nd hour.
Not just LM either... some of the LMS races in the states have been epic this year with cars changing places on the last lap in all 3 classes, mere seconds apart after 12 hours of hard racing.

 

[FairfaxPat]

I'm with Dr. S--LeMans type racing is my favorite, always plenty of excitement and much passing-unlike F1 which tends to be a single file procession from start to finish. The moving wing is not new, Jim Hall first used one on his Chapparral CanAm car in the '60s. I remember watching it fly down the straight at Riverside Raceway and then pop the wing down at the end of the straight and drive around the outside of the competition through turn 9! And Neil-the BMW F1 did make 1000 BHP in racing trim!