FIA don't want another Montreal

[Tet]

Among the other changes for 2012, I noticed that the FIA will be reducing the maximum race time to 4 hours. Notably, had that rule been in place this year, we'd have been deprived of the thrilling last lap in Canada. I agree that the previous 8 hour limit was probably too much. But equally, I'm tending towards feeling that the new 4 hour limit is probably too little.

[robmlufc]

All races should be 24 hours

[TheHeretic]

Any significant delay is basically going to ruin the race. Canada showed that even a 2/3 hour delay need not mean the race is ruined. It will be now, though.

[MJK 24]

Or is it the fact that Sky don't want another Montreal?

[TheHeretic]

It wouldn't matter to them. It is a dedicated F1 channel, nothing to postpone,mor worry about during, or after the race.

[Allyc85]

Yep they dont have to change channel for that tt Andrew Marr or anyone else for that matter

[Rich_W]

MJK 24 said:

Or is it the fact that Sky don't want another Montreal?

Yes probably because the British TV rights are so very important to the global sport of F1

Can you even spell "Baseless Vendetta"

[thunderbelmont]

I can't see what their problem is. In NASCAR, if they have to can the race today, they run it tomorrow. They run the race because the fans and the sponsors have paid for it, and they have the commitment to run it.

[paulrockliffe]

Montreal was one of the best races ever! I had a three hour drive home after it finished too. Girlfriend and her mum thought I was a bit weird though!

[kieranjholland]

Apart from Montreal how many Grand Prix have lasted more than 4 hours in the last 4-5 years? More importantly is it clear if the race will be re-run similar to Nascar if it were abandoned before a set amount of laps?

[P-Jay]

It probably is something to do with TV rights, although to blame Sky is silly considering its such a massive global sport.

Nascar attitude is right, they understand that yes it's a sport, but it doesn't mean it's not in the entertainment business, F1 comes across as a big full of it's (collective) self most of the time.

I don't think it will make a differnce, but in the same way as the 2hr total race time maximum is all about the TV and not the fans but doesn't really factor.

Montreal was indeed an amazing race, but dispite the big delay, certainly not because of it.

[IainT]

Rich_W said:

MJK 24 said:

Or is it the fact that Sky don't want another Montreal?

Yes probably because the British TV rights are so very important to the global sport of F1

Can you even spell "Baseless Vendetta"

Also Sky will be having their own F1 dedicated channel so it matters not one jot to them if events overrun.

[AndyC49]

Sky won't be worried about races running over, they are in a much better position with regards to shifitng programming around the BBC.

[_dobbo_]

Only one race in the entire history of F1 has ever gone longer than 4 hours.

Definitely needs a rule change that....

[Eric Mc]

Perhaps if they were willing to let the cars race in the wet, such an isssue wouldn't occur.

[Fire99]

Eric Mc said:

Perhaps if they were willing to let the cars race in the wet, such an isssue wouldn't occur.

If they didn't base F1 on rules of the Railway, on when to run, this wouldn't be an issue. But since they have a safety car if a driver loses an eyelash, this could decimate some potential good finishes.

[chevronb37]

Eric Mc said:

Perhaps if they were willing to let the cars race in the wet, such an isssue wouldn't occur.

I most agree here, Eric. I do think the restart at Canada smacked of over-caution, in fact the spectators were generally unimpressed, but on the back of Perez's crash at Monaco I think we can give Race Control a little leeway under the circumstances. The rain at Montreal was just unbelievable, you cannot over-state its severity and they did the right thing to stop when they did. At least the spectators who'd spent a fortune being there actually got to see a race.

[mollytherocker]

Eric Mc said:

Perhaps if they were willing to let the cars race in the wet, such an isssue wouldn't occur.

Stick the wets on, jack em a couple of inches and off we go! Its not rocket science. My Dads Nissan seems to manage rain OK.

MTR

[chevronb37]

mollytherocker said:

Stick the wets on, jack em a couple of inches and off we go! Its not rocket science. My Dads Nissan seems to manage rain OK.

MTR

Canada was ridiculous though, I've never experienced rain like it in my life. They did absolutely the right thing to stop the race when they did. I put my camera away for the worst of it but don't know if this gives any impression of how awful it was.



This was from the Ferrari Challenge support race when before it started to really bucket down. I whole-heartedly concur with the decision to stop, but think there needs to be more driver consultation in when to restart.

[mollytherocker]

chevronb37 said:

mollytherocker said:

Stick the wets on, jack em a couple of inches and off we go! Its not rocket science. My Dads Nissan seems to manage rain OK.

MTR

Canada was ridiculous though, I've never experienced rain like it in my life. They did absolutely the right thing to stop the race when they did. I put my camera away for the worst of it but don't know if this gives any impression of how awful it was.

Yes I agree that they had to stop the race. My point is that they could change the rules to allow (or force) some 'wet mods' on a race day to make safe racing possible in any conditions.

MTR