How to make F1 more exciting
Discussion
I think the rules they are proposing will do a pretty good job but I would modify them in one area.
THey are poroposing reduced downforce and harder tyres (2 sets for the weekend, i think). Having 1 set of tyres for the entire race will obviously improve racing as different cars will be fastest at different times... you will have to choose whether to save your tyres or go for it in the opening laps.
The only downside is that with only 1 set of tyres for practice and qualifying you aren't going to see many cars out in practice... I think they should just say unlimited tyres for the weekend but no tyre changes for the race (unless a tyre is damaged).
Also, I'm not sure how many of you are familiar with this "Purnell/F1 Racing Qualifying System" proposal but I think it is absolutely fantastic. THe Jaguar boss Tony Purnell came up with it and the proposal is as follows: On friday drivers draw starting position for the qualifying races from a hat or some other random thing.
There are two short (10 laps, say) qualifying races, one on friday and one on saturday. The grid positions for the second are those from the first reversed. You get points for where you finish, 20 for 1st and 1 for 20th. After both qualifying races the drivers are sorted for who has the highest points and that determines the grid.
This means that the driver who overtakes most qualifies the hihest... They are rewarding ovetaking. Because the race is so short you _have_ to overtake on the track. Also, the opening stages of a race are the most exciting - you get 3 starts each weekend!
The grid position for the gp on the sunday is quite important too so I think the drivers would really try. It is definately possible to overtake in F1 (look at Montoya), its just that the drivers prefer to try to take the safer option and do it by strategy. The other advantage of this scheme is that it keeps the GP "pure" - no gimmicks to spice up the GP...
THey are poroposing reduced downforce and harder tyres (2 sets for the weekend, i think). Having 1 set of tyres for the entire race will obviously improve racing as different cars will be fastest at different times... you will have to choose whether to save your tyres or go for it in the opening laps.
The only downside is that with only 1 set of tyres for practice and qualifying you aren't going to see many cars out in practice... I think they should just say unlimited tyres for the weekend but no tyre changes for the race (unless a tyre is damaged).
Also, I'm not sure how many of you are familiar with this "Purnell/F1 Racing Qualifying System" proposal but I think it is absolutely fantastic. THe Jaguar boss Tony Purnell came up with it and the proposal is as follows: On friday drivers draw starting position for the qualifying races from a hat or some other random thing.
There are two short (10 laps, say) qualifying races, one on friday and one on saturday. The grid positions for the second are those from the first reversed. You get points for where you finish, 20 for 1st and 1 for 20th. After both qualifying races the drivers are sorted for who has the highest points and that determines the grid.
This means that the driver who overtakes most qualifies the hihest... They are rewarding ovetaking. Because the race is so short you _have_ to overtake on the track. Also, the opening stages of a race are the most exciting - you get 3 starts each weekend!
The grid position for the gp on the sunday is quite important too so I think the drivers would really try. It is definately possible to overtake in F1 (look at Montoya), its just that the drivers prefer to try to take the safer option and do it by strategy. The other advantage of this scheme is that it keeps the GP "pure" - no gimmicks to spice up the GP...
I agree. I think the Purnell qualifying formula is brilliant and it means that during the stints you would see people really taking some chances in order to move up (unless the engine reliability and tyre limitation rules mean people can't go all out in qualifying). It actually may not bode well for Schumi, who is not the greatest starter off the line, doesn't tend to pass anyone going into the first corner and - these days - tends to use pitting strategy to overtake.
Meanwhile Alonso and Renault's monster jumps off the line should do well if they went this way. He can jump 4 spots from the start (perhaps mowing some grass along the way) and hold that without fear of seeing Schumi chew up the lead by staying out an extra few laps before pitting.
I think, however, that if they want to max out on TV ratings I think they should run the two qualifying stints back to back on Saturday. Few people other than people like us are going to watch F1 3 days in a row and I think it heightens the drama to run the second stint quickly on the heals of the first. It leaves less time for Ross Brawn to solve his differential equations and come up with a strategy or tweak the car.
Meanwhile Alonso and Renault's monster jumps off the line should do well if they went this way. He can jump 4 spots from the start (perhaps mowing some grass along the way) and hold that without fear of seeing Schumi chew up the lead by staying out an extra few laps before pitting.
I think, however, that if they want to max out on TV ratings I think they should run the two qualifying stints back to back on Saturday. Few people other than people like us are going to watch F1 3 days in a row and I think it heightens the drama to run the second stint quickly on the heals of the first. It leaves less time for Ross Brawn to solve his differential equations and come up with a strategy or tweak the car.
D Mike - I agree about the tyres. One set for the whole race is something I have supported for a long time, and preferably with a ban on re-fuelling too.
Also the Purnell idea is great - make sure to email the FIA to support the idea.
I tink pits to car radio should stay, but definitely be open to all to listen - that way there would be some additional things of interest to hear during the race hopefully.
Also the Purnell idea is great - make sure to email the FIA to support the idea.
I tink pits to car radio should stay, but definitely be open to all to listen - that way there would be some additional things of interest to hear during the race hopefully.
Hadn't seen the Purnell proposal before, but it sounds great. Reward the drivers for the behaviour we want to see...perfect. 
Also like the idea of the "greatest improver" reward (whatever form that should take), again rewarding what we want to see.
Biggest problem is getting everyone to agree to this, after all would you if you were Ferrari?
Also like the idea of the "greatest improver" reward (whatever form that should take), again rewarding what we want to see.
Biggest problem is getting everyone to agree to this, after all would you if you were Ferrari?
The best way to make F1 more exciting would be to replace the current cars with Ginetta's and have the Ginetta drivers driving them instead of the current crop! You would have some of the best drivers around, some middle of the road and some slow coaches - just like current F1 and it would all cost only £20,000 a year per car!
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