Some drivers call for Monaco qualifying split - Autosport
Discussion
Seems that there maybe just too many cars/slow cars - valid point but would maybe shake things up a bit
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83341
The FIA is to be asked to consider introducing a one-off split qualifying session for next weekend's Monaco Grand Prix because of fears about traffic problems at the street event.
With just one week to go ahead of Formula 1's blue riband event, a number of drivers have expressed some concerns that the large lap time differential between the frontrunners and backmarkers on the narrow track could cause dangers in the opening Q1 session.
HRT's Bruno Senna, whose car will be one of the slowest in the field, has revealed that he plans to speak to FIA race director Charlie Whiting in Friday's drivers' briefing in Spain to put forward the idea of splitting the field up.
That would entail removing the frontrunners - who are all but guaranteed getting through Q1 – from the session entirely to minimise the possibility of a big name getting caught out or an accident taking place.
"We have to discuss this with Charlie, how are we going to do it – especially with qualifying," said Senna in the HRT motorhome in Barcelona on Thursday. "There are a few things we need to go through with Charlie tomorrow and perhaps in Monaco after first practice.
"The idea of splitting the field is not a bad one to be honest. If they take six or eight cars from the group of the fastest cars, or slowest cars, and the other guys go in a different qualifying, it will probably be a good idea for both people.
"We don't want someone much faster than us coming to overtake us, and they don't want to be every lap getting someone slower. Let's see how the time schedules go. I suppose it would be possible."
The idea of a one-off to split Q1 is Lotus driver Jarno Trulli's preferred option for sorting the situation out.
"From my perspective I think it's very hard - for me that I'm slow as well as for guys in front who are very quick," he said when asked by AUTOSPORT about the situation.
"I would think that somehow the FIA should think to split us. I don't know how to approach it but I think 24 cars on track is going to be hard. It's really going to be hard. We really have to manage it in a good way. I don't know if it's right or wrong but maybe they should consider it."
He added: "Split it any way you want, it's not up to me, but if the teams can agree, let's agree. Because otherwise we'll start complaining over that. So it's better to sort it out before than making a big mess after."
Renault's Robert Kubica reckons the traffic problems in Monaco would be greater this year than they had been in the past.
"Traffic is a normal problem," he said. "It has always been very difficult in Monaco in the past, although I have to say I was always lucky, or always in the position to set my lap time without any troubles in Monaco, which is not easy.
"But this year with three teams who are much slower pace, it will be much more difficult. I have been racing in Monaco before with splitting qualifying and there are some advantages and some disadvantages, but for sure we will need some solutions.
"On the other hand, it will be very difficult to get everybody happy with one solution, so I think it is a bit of a difficult topic. I think it will be quite tricky."
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83341
The FIA is to be asked to consider introducing a one-off split qualifying session for next weekend's Monaco Grand Prix because of fears about traffic problems at the street event.
With just one week to go ahead of Formula 1's blue riband event, a number of drivers have expressed some concerns that the large lap time differential between the frontrunners and backmarkers on the narrow track could cause dangers in the opening Q1 session.
HRT's Bruno Senna, whose car will be one of the slowest in the field, has revealed that he plans to speak to FIA race director Charlie Whiting in Friday's drivers' briefing in Spain to put forward the idea of splitting the field up.
That would entail removing the frontrunners - who are all but guaranteed getting through Q1 – from the session entirely to minimise the possibility of a big name getting caught out or an accident taking place.
"We have to discuss this with Charlie, how are we going to do it – especially with qualifying," said Senna in the HRT motorhome in Barcelona on Thursday. "There are a few things we need to go through with Charlie tomorrow and perhaps in Monaco after first practice.
"The idea of splitting the field is not a bad one to be honest. If they take six or eight cars from the group of the fastest cars, or slowest cars, and the other guys go in a different qualifying, it will probably be a good idea for both people.
"We don't want someone much faster than us coming to overtake us, and they don't want to be every lap getting someone slower. Let's see how the time schedules go. I suppose it would be possible."
The idea of a one-off to split Q1 is Lotus driver Jarno Trulli's preferred option for sorting the situation out.
"From my perspective I think it's very hard - for me that I'm slow as well as for guys in front who are very quick," he said when asked by AUTOSPORT about the situation.
"I would think that somehow the FIA should think to split us. I don't know how to approach it but I think 24 cars on track is going to be hard. It's really going to be hard. We really have to manage it in a good way. I don't know if it's right or wrong but maybe they should consider it."
He added: "Split it any way you want, it's not up to me, but if the teams can agree, let's agree. Because otherwise we'll start complaining over that. So it's better to sort it out before than making a big mess after."
Renault's Robert Kubica reckons the traffic problems in Monaco would be greater this year than they had been in the past.
"Traffic is a normal problem," he said. "It has always been very difficult in Monaco in the past, although I have to say I was always lucky, or always in the position to set my lap time without any troubles in Monaco, which is not easy.
"But this year with three teams who are much slower pace, it will be much more difficult. I have been racing in Monaco before with splitting qualifying and there are some advantages and some disadvantages, but for sure we will need some solutions.
"On the other hand, it will be very difficult to get everybody happy with one solution, so I think it is a bit of a difficult topic. I think it will be quite tricky."
Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Thursday 6th May 16:59
If young Bruno has any sense about him he'll do exactly what his uncle did at Monaco in the 80's.
Namely, set the fastest time early on in the session and then spend the rest of the session out on track, slowing everyone else up, knackering up their grid positions!
Et Voila, Pole Position at Monaco... and a probable win
Namely, set the fastest time early on in the session and then spend the rest of the session out on track, slowing everyone else up, knackering up their grid positions!
Et Voila, Pole Position at Monaco... and a probable win
Allyc85 said:
I say they should just bloody well just get on with it, bloody hell will want their arses being wiped for em soon!
Or...wait for it...this is good, your gonna love it...they're gonna wish they had thought of it...why don't they have two races as well. 
No?
Pussies, just get the f
k on with it. They managed in the early nineties with 26 cars with a much larger difference between the fastest and slowest. And the cars were much wider. Man The fk Up.
Mazda Baiter said:
Allyc85 said:
I say they should just bloody well just get on with it, bloody hell will want their arses being wiped for em soon!
Or...wait for it...this is good, your gonna love it...they're gonna wish they had thought of it...why don't they have two races as well. No?
Pussies, just get the f
k on with it. They managed in the early nineties with 26 cars with a much larger difference between the fastest and slowest. And the cars were much wider. Man The fk Up.
Laughingman21 said:
Maybe I'm cynical, but the new teams aren't suggesting this so they get a whole session with just their cars (and hence sponsors logos) being shown on TV around the world for 15 minutes instead of the usual 30 seconds they would if the other teams were running at the same time?
I would say that is a fair assessment.Would it be that much of an effort to let the top 10 of the championship out first, wait 5 minutes, then let the rest out? I don't know the lap time of Monaco so haven't fully thought this through, but if all the drivers want a split Q1 would it be that hard logistically to sort out?
But I am on the side of keep the rules the same and let them sort themselves out (and if I'm honest, I'd always put Hamilton at the back as I love watching him fight through the field).
But I am on the side of keep the rules the same and let them sort themselves out (and if I'm honest, I'd always put Hamilton at the back as I love watching him fight through the field).
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