Brakes lights being evaluated for F1
Discussion
Brake lights.....................I kid you not.
Formula One teams are evaluating a proposal to introduce brake lights on their cars during the course of the season, this week's Autosport magazine reveals.
All teams tried the system during testing at the Barcelona and Bahrain circuits at the end of last month to evaluate its benefits.
The introduction of the system is aimed at warning drivers if the car in front unexpectedly decelerates or brakes. In wet weather, the light would still function as the rear light cluster as it will divided into two parts.
"It should be helpful if a driver unexpectedly brakes in an unusual place," Red Bull driver David Coulthard told Autosport. "I can remember a few times where I've felt that the car in front has braked-tested me - now we will know with more certainty."
Coulthard's teammate Mark Webber doesn't believe the system will be very useful, however.
"I don't see a massive benefit for them personally," Webber told autosport.com in Melbourne. "I know there are a few boys that would like them, mainly because of the run to the first corner.
"After that you will just be following this thing that is going on and going off. And I don't think you would use it as a reference to help you."
The results of the tests will be discussed with drivers and teams at a later date but no decision has been taken about the device's future use.
It is believed that the earliest realistic target for its introduction would be at the Spanish Grand Prix in May.
Indicators will be introduced next year and in 2009 all cars must have enough luggage space for a weekend away for two.
Autosport said:
Formula One teams are evaluating a proposal to introduce brake lights on their cars during the course of the season, this week's Autosport magazine reveals.
All teams tried the system during testing at the Barcelona and Bahrain circuits at the end of last month to evaluate its benefits.
The introduction of the system is aimed at warning drivers if the car in front unexpectedly decelerates or brakes. In wet weather, the light would still function as the rear light cluster as it will divided into two parts.
"It should be helpful if a driver unexpectedly brakes in an unusual place," Red Bull driver David Coulthard told Autosport. "I can remember a few times where I've felt that the car in front has braked-tested me - now we will know with more certainty."
Coulthard's teammate Mark Webber doesn't believe the system will be very useful, however.
"I don't see a massive benefit for them personally," Webber told autosport.com in Melbourne. "I know there are a few boys that would like them, mainly because of the run to the first corner.
"After that you will just be following this thing that is going on and going off. And I don't think you would use it as a reference to help you."
The results of the tests will be discussed with drivers and teams at a later date but no decision has been taken about the device's future use.
It is believed that the earliest realistic target for its introduction would be at the Spanish Grand Prix in May.
Indicators will be introduced next year and in 2009 all cars must have enough luggage space for a weekend away for two.
Edited by FourWheelDrift on Thursday 15th March 12:54
But unlike past discussions in the increasingly eco-friendly PC-world of F1 it looks likely they will be introduced this time, especially as they talk of an earliest data (Spanish GP) they could be.
My thoughts are, so the best (believed best) single seat drivers in the world need brake lights yet junior forumula GP2, F3, FF don't?
They don't need them, I think they will either be a distraction or a hindrance and I think if they are introduced many drivers and teams will be working out how they can be used to gain an advantage over others. Like extending the brake pedal travel to inlcude a dead zone on the first inch of travel with no brake pressure but the brake light still comes on, that kind of thing.
My thoughts are, so the best (believed best) single seat drivers in the world need brake lights yet junior forumula GP2, F3, FF don't?
They don't need them, I think they will either be a distraction or a hindrance and I think if they are introduced many drivers and teams will be working out how they can be used to gain an advantage over others. Like extending the brake pedal travel to inlcude a dead zone on the first inch of travel with no brake pressure but the brake light still comes on, that kind of thing.
FourWheelDrift said:
Like extending the brake pedal travel to inlcude a dead zone on the first inch of travel with no brake pressure but the brake light still comes on, that kind of thing.
Or a button to switch it on when you arent braking?
Whoops, just read the above post properly.sorry.. .. ..
Edited by slikk on Thursday 15th March 13:29
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