Discussion
F1 eyes blue flag axe
MAY 21, 2018
F1 is considering abolishing blue flags.
The blue flag system was introduced in 1995, requiring lapped drivers to get out of the way of cars on the lead lap.
But it is unpopular among many drivers and fans, with some purists thinking passing backmarkers is a fundamental skill.
"We know many people don't like it, which is why we're discussing whether it should be abolished," FIA race director Charlie Whiting is quoted by Auto Bild.
"But we have to think about a decision like that thoroughly. It's just an estimate, but I think the chance is below 50 per cent," he added.
MAY 21, 2018
F1 is considering abolishing blue flags.
The blue flag system was introduced in 1995, requiring lapped drivers to get out of the way of cars on the lead lap.
But it is unpopular among many drivers and fans, with some purists thinking passing backmarkers is a fundamental skill.
"We know many people don't like it, which is why we're discussing whether it should be abolished," FIA race director Charlie Whiting is quoted by Auto Bild.
"But we have to think about a decision like that thoroughly. It's just an estimate, but I think the chance is below 50 per cent," he added.
Why not have what we have in our series, blue flags for safety, but car being lapped holds the racing line, carries on racing, but is not allowed to deliberately hinder the faster car. I don't like the current situation where the slower cars have to stop racing when the faster cat is within (I think) 0.8 secs. Is it possible to alow the faster car to used DRS anywhere?
slipstream 1985 said:
If you have ever race there is nothing worse by being mucked up by those not on the lead lap.
Agreed but the question is is F1 for the driver or the TV viewer, the lead teams have driven F1 to the state that all the racing is mid to back of the field, then the leaders come around and spoil that.slipstream 1985 said:
If you have ever race there is nothing worse by being mucked up by those not on the lead lap.
And I expect with the way the rules are applied in F1 there is nothing worse than being in the battle for the final points or higher only to have those on the lead lap mess it up.In every series I've raced in both in the UK and Europe the blue flags are a warning that a faster car is approaching only. They don't mean get out of the way. Quite the reverse actually, in those briefings they make it very clear that it is totally the responsibility of the faster car to get by and the slower car should maintain the racing line.
Problem with F1 is that the faster car has to be massively faster to be able to get by without a DRS zone so they have this bonkers (IMO) rule that the slower cars have to dive out of the way regardless of whether they are in a fight themselves or not.
That's the issue in my view. In F1 there are one or 2 places where the faster car can pass the slower. So at best that's 2 cars per lap probably less and the lead car having passed would have the protection of the lapped car for at least that half of the lap to open up a gap or even close on the next car to lap. So for a big chunk of the race its unlikely there would be much racing between the lead cars and passing back markers would be so important that the teams would need to factor that into car design and strategy possibly to the detriment of other factors.
Kraken said:
And I expect with the way the rules are applied in F1 there is nothing worse than being in the battle for the final points or higher only to have those on the lead lap mess it up.
In every series I've raced in both in the UK and Europe the blue flags are a warning that a faster car is approaching only. They don't mean get out of the way. Quite the reverse actually, in those briefings they make it very clear that it is totally the responsibility of the faster car to get by and the slower car should maintain the racing line.
Problem with F1 is that the faster car has to be massively faster to be able to get by without a DRS zone so they have this bonkers (IMO) rule that the slower cars have to dive out of the way regardless of whether they are in a fight themselves or not.
that might work in a spec series ...but not one where an engine manufacturer team supplies customer team/teams with said engineIn every series I've raced in both in the UK and Europe the blue flags are a warning that a faster car is approaching only. They don't mean get out of the way. Quite the reverse actually, in those briefings they make it very clear that it is totally the responsibility of the faster car to get by and the slower car should maintain the racing line.
Problem with F1 is that the faster car has to be massively faster to be able to get by without a DRS zone so they have this bonkers (IMO) rule that the slower cars have to dive out of the way regardless of whether they are in a fight themselves or not.
same with 'junior teams'
angrymoby said:
that might work in a spec series ...but not one where an engine manufacturer team supplies customer team/teams with said engine
same with 'junior teams'
Why not? Staying on the racing line is a very different thing from taking a blocking line which would obviously be a problem.same with 'junior teams'
99dndd said:
The current rules around blue flags were introduced then. Previously, it was a warning that a faster car was behind, not an order to get out of their way.
That's what I understood to be the case. Blue flags have been in motor sport for decades.As ever, F1 assumes it is the "only" form of motor sport around.
I don't think you can change the current rules on blue flags for these reasons:
1. F1 is full of senior/junior teams and team programme sponsored drivers, so you need rules to avoid manipulation of results.
2. Given the difficulty, with current regulations, to overtake when there is anything less than a huge performance or tyre difference, it would make racing between those battling for position less likely as there would often be backmarkers between leading cars.
Imagine Monaco/Hungary/Singapore - The driver in 20th place pits for new tyres and leaves the pits splitting the leader from 2nd place. The leader will just disappear into the distance meaning the race for the lead is over.
1. F1 is full of senior/junior teams and team programme sponsored drivers, so you need rules to avoid manipulation of results.
2. Given the difficulty, with current regulations, to overtake when there is anything less than a huge performance or tyre difference, it would make racing between those battling for position less likely as there would often be backmarkers between leading cars.
Imagine Monaco/Hungary/Singapore - The driver in 20th place pits for new tyres and leaves the pits splitting the leader from 2nd place. The leader will just disappear into the distance meaning the race for the lead is over.
Kraken said:
Why not? Staying on the racing line is a very different thing from taking a blocking line which would obviously be a problem.
ahhh yeah, get you ...& yeah, it probably wouldn't make any difference to Singapore as drivers were all over the place & going offline too, as they battledBut can't see keeping the cars in front about to be lapped to stay on the racing line an issue (maybe Monaco)
oyster said:
I don't think you can change the current rules on blue flags for these reasons:
1. F1 is full of senior/junior teams and team programme sponsored drivers, so you need rules to avoid manipulation of results.
2. Given the difficulty, with current regulations, to overtake when there is anything less than a huge performance or tyre difference, it would make racing between those battling for position less likely as there would often be backmarkers between leading cars.
Yes, we can't have it highlighting some of F1's biggest problems. Better to keep this patch on it and hope nobody notices what's underneath.1. F1 is full of senior/junior teams and team programme sponsored drivers, so you need rules to avoid manipulation of results.
2. Given the difficulty, with current regulations, to overtake when there is anything less than a huge performance or tyre difference, it would make racing between those battling for position less likely as there would often be backmarkers between leading cars.
Berw said:
Why not have what we have in our series, blue flags for safety, but car being lapped holds the racing line, carries on racing, but is not allowed to deliberately hinder the faster car.
This would be a good balance.That said, a faster car trying to find it's way past a talented driver in a slower car can make for an entertaining challenge.
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