Why don't F1 drivers crash anymore?
Discussion
t 24lemons said:
I have to say that the same thought had crossed my mind at times this year. I put it down to the fact that, as it seems to me, the drivers aren't racing to the limits of the car as they once did and instead they are driving to conserve fuel and tyres.
I would agree too. So why are we bothering to watch this pinacle of motor racing, when racing is the last thing that the drivers are allowed to do.We are always wondering..what if Alonso in a Red Bull, or what if Raikkonen in a Red Bull or what if Vettel in a Ferrari...........but what if any of these were allowed to race THEIR OWN cars TO THE LIMIT all of the time.
Like it was many years ago..........if only.
Jasandjules said:
To my mind half of it is because when they do try to overtake and it goes a touch wrong i.e. they crash, they get penalised for it.... Hell, often when they go for a gap and don't crash, they can get penalised.....
Yes, that seems to be a sea change. The stewards seem to think that overtaking is a bit dangerous these days....What we need is
(i) to re-introduce refuelling
(ii) a tyre war
(iii) allow the teams to exploit technology which creates downforce that is less affected by "dirty air" from the car in front, like the proper blown diffusers from 2011, rather than just banning every useful innovation.
My concern for next year is that they will be running so far within the capabilities of the cars that it will be so hideously dull that none of the races will be worth watching. Yes, the Schumacher era was similar in terms of results to what we see now, but the races were more exciting as the drivers were on the limit more of the time. You don't see proper battles like some of the Schuey/Montoya races these days. The rules should be made to actively encourage drivers to be on the limit, not to make them drive so far within it that everyone turns off!
(i) to re-introduce refuelling
(ii) a tyre war
(iii) allow the teams to exploit technology which creates downforce that is less affected by "dirty air" from the car in front, like the proper blown diffusers from 2011, rather than just banning every useful innovation.
My concern for next year is that they will be running so far within the capabilities of the cars that it will be so hideously dull that none of the races will be worth watching. Yes, the Schumacher era was similar in terms of results to what we see now, but the races were more exciting as the drivers were on the limit more of the time. You don't see proper battles like some of the Schuey/Montoya races these days. The rules should be made to actively encourage drivers to be on the limit, not to make them drive so far within it that everyone turns off!
Running close behind another car and having problems is nothing new.
Remember that thing with the ginormous fan which fired stones at anything behind, just like a rear gunner. Was it a Brabham driven by Lauda, now that is taxing my memory a bit, come on..correct me please or I won't sleep tonight.
Remember that thing with the ginormous fan which fired stones at anything behind, just like a rear gunner. Was it a Brabham driven by Lauda, now that is taxing my memory a bit, come on..correct me please or I won't sleep tonight.
FiremanRob said:
Running close behind another car and having problems is nothing new.
Remember that thing with the ginormous fan which fired stones at anything behind, just like a rear gunner. Was it a Brabham driven by Lauda, now that is taxing my memory a bit, come on..correct me please or I won't sleep tonight.
Brabham.Remember that thing with the ginormous fan which fired stones at anything behind, just like a rear gunner. Was it a Brabham driven by Lauda, now that is taxing my memory a bit, come on..correct me please or I won't sleep tonight.
Is it because Schuey retired and Grosjean discovered his mirrors?
Actually my vote also goes for the tyres, though it's still clear with Red Bull, Ferrari and Lotus that the drivers are still making a difference. Perhaps it's just no longer a flat out pure speed difference but more a system management difference, or a feel for what condition the tyres are in and knowing how hard to lean on them.
Actually my vote also goes for the tyres, though it's still clear with Red Bull, Ferrari and Lotus that the drivers are still making a difference. Perhaps it's just no longer a flat out pure speed difference but more a system management difference, or a feel for what condition the tyres are in and knowing how hard to lean on them.
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