The Official Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Thread **SPOILERS**
Discussion
RichB said:
007 VXR said:
What i would Reeealy like to see in F1 is no restrictions on tech/aero/power/engine, now that would be fun 
Now you've said something I totally agree with and have been saying for ages. The current rigid formula means we are unlikely ever to see such ideas as the floating chassis Lotus or ground effect cars, the Brabham fan-car or the 6 wheel Tyrell indeed if the powers that be had prevailed 50 years ago those high-winged cars would never have been designed. No, you're right there's far too much restriction on what's allowed these days which as led to the procession we now see every Sunday. Let them be radical I say and loosen the reigns. Then we'd get some real racing! 
007 VXR said:
Vaud said:
RichB said:
What would you rather have, some cars racing or a parade of racing cars unable to overtake albeit close together?
I've seen plenty of overtaking in recent seasons.RichB said:
007 VXR said:
Vaud said:
RichB said:
What would you rather have, some cars racing or a parade of racing cars unable to overtake albeit close together?
I've seen plenty of overtaking in recent seasons.RichB said:
Fair enough guys... and here we disagree again. KERS, DRS Comedy tyres, yes you've seen cars passing one another. You've not really seen motors racing.
I have, I just accept it for the formula that it is, and enjoy it for what it is. I have stopped comparing eras, but tweaks could be made.I tend to think unfortunately that we're in an era where cars are so finely developed that any situation where they are not in their absolute performance envelope they suffer badly - e.g. dirty air, etc. It's much much worse than F1 of old because the cars were much rawer and aero was basic.
You can't just ignore those decades of aero and engine development though. It seems to me the best way of making driver ability more of a deciding factor without arbitrary retrograde nonsense that devalues the whole "pinnacle of motorsport development" like introducing clutches etc would be to make it so things that the drivers choose to use (and when) - e.g. KERS - have a greater impact. Doubling the BHP from it as per 2014 specs should do that really, as it'll at least in theory mean it'll be used for more than just one overtake.
I also think the tyres need looking at - there needs to be some refinement so that they aren't ruined within just a few laps, and allow the driver to push harder for longer. I don't know the science so can't claim to understand how achievable this is, but clearly there is enough discontent even amongst the drivers to suggest they aren't right at the moment. I wonder though, if the tyres would last for 1/2 the race - therein allowing the drivers to drive at 100% capacity for most of the time - would we not conceivably have the likes of Vettel stretching even further ahead? i.e. a return of the Schumacher era. Certainly when he's sprinting in the RB9 he's going at least 1 second a lap faster than everyone else.
In that respect with tyre longevity there is an element of "be careful what you wish for".
You can't just ignore those decades of aero and engine development though. It seems to me the best way of making driver ability more of a deciding factor without arbitrary retrograde nonsense that devalues the whole "pinnacle of motorsport development" like introducing clutches etc would be to make it so things that the drivers choose to use (and when) - e.g. KERS - have a greater impact. Doubling the BHP from it as per 2014 specs should do that really, as it'll at least in theory mean it'll be used for more than just one overtake.
I also think the tyres need looking at - there needs to be some refinement so that they aren't ruined within just a few laps, and allow the driver to push harder for longer. I don't know the science so can't claim to understand how achievable this is, but clearly there is enough discontent even amongst the drivers to suggest they aren't right at the moment. I wonder though, if the tyres would last for 1/2 the race - therein allowing the drivers to drive at 100% capacity for most of the time - would we not conceivably have the likes of Vettel stretching even further ahead? i.e. a return of the Schumacher era. Certainly when he's sprinting in the RB9 he's going at least 1 second a lap faster than everyone else.
In that respect with tyre longevity there is an element of "be careful what you wish for".
Edited by Durzel on Friday 8th November 11:36
Durzel said:
I tend to think unfortunately that we're in an era where cars are so finely developed that any situation where they are not in their absolute performance envelope they suffer badly - e.g. dirty air, etc. It's much much worse than F1 of old because the cars were much rawer and aero was basic.
You can't just ignore those decades of aero and engine development though. It seems to me the best way of making driver ability more of a deciding factor without arbitrary retrograde nonsense that devalues the whole "pinnacle of motorsport development" like introducing clutches etc would be to make it so things that the drivers choose to use (and when) - e.g. KERS - have a greater impact. Doubling the BHP from it as per 2014 specs should do that really, as it'll at least in theory mean it'll be used for more than just one overtake.
I also think the tyres need looking at - there needs to be some refinement so that they aren't ruined within just a few laps, and allow the driver to push harder for longer. I don't know the science so can't claim to understand how achievable this is, but clearly there is enough discontent even amongst the drivers to suggest they aren't right at the moment. I wonder though, if the tyres would last for 1/2 the race - therein allowing the drivers to drive at 100% capacity for most of the time - would we not conceivably have the likes of Vettel stretching even further ahead? i.e. a return of the Schumacher era. Certainly when he's sprinting in the RB9 he's going at least 1 second a lap faster than everyone else.
In that respect with tyre longevity there is an element of "be careful what you wish for".
The problem though is that if they last 1/2 the race at 100% the teams will just back off a bit to get them the full distance and save going for the pits. Which will also help in the fuel management You can't just ignore those decades of aero and engine development though. It seems to me the best way of making driver ability more of a deciding factor without arbitrary retrograde nonsense that devalues the whole "pinnacle of motorsport development" like introducing clutches etc would be to make it so things that the drivers choose to use (and when) - e.g. KERS - have a greater impact. Doubling the BHP from it as per 2014 specs should do that really, as it'll at least in theory mean it'll be used for more than just one overtake.
I also think the tyres need looking at - there needs to be some refinement so that they aren't ruined within just a few laps, and allow the driver to push harder for longer. I don't know the science so can't claim to understand how achievable this is, but clearly there is enough discontent even amongst the drivers to suggest they aren't right at the moment. I wonder though, if the tyres would last for 1/2 the race - therein allowing the drivers to drive at 100% capacity for most of the time - would we not conceivably have the likes of Vettel stretching even further ahead? i.e. a return of the Schumacher era. Certainly when he's sprinting in the RB9 he's going at least 1 second a lap faster than everyone else.
In that respect with tyre longevity there is an element of "be careful what you wish for".
Edited by Durzel on Friday 8th November 11:36
Durzel said:
... i.e. a return of the Schumacher era.
In my opinion what we have now is far worse than in Schumacher's time. Firstly I don't recollect him scampering away with such consummate ease. Indeed I remember him often having to work quite hard for some of his wins with the likes of Hill, Villeneauve, Hakinnen and even his team mate Eddie Irvine keeping him honest (never thought I'd say honest and Schumacher in the same sentence). Secondly, as has been mentioned, reliability was far more marginal back then so the teams were pushing the limits so it was quite common to see one or two of the top half dozen cars drop out before the end of the race. These days they are operating in their comfort zone so never break down.
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