One thing which I believe is gone from today's F1 racing is the art of slipstreaming. We seldom see cars significantly pick up speed when following another one in front. This was one of the most brilliant phenomenon of the old days of racing. I used to remember drivers come out of a corner perhaps 2-3 car lengths behind the leader and yet be able to overtake before the next corner. This is perhaps because there is less drag produced by the car in front resulting in a smaller 'hole in the air'. These days being one car length behind is not enough it seems (Hakkers v Schumi at Sepang). Big shame.
I think that there should be some principles that must be followed in racing:
1. slipstreaming on straights is a must feature
2. braking areas must be maximised
3. downforce must not work in corners - so that the car behind doesn't get disturbed by the aerodynamic wake
4. racing lines must be maximised - allow more mechanical grip (tyres etc)
I have therefore more or less concluded that F1 should seriously look at controlling this aspect of aerodynamic efficiency in order to produce more wheel to wheel racing. There are a few options in my opinion:
1. make the cars wider and stick some spoilers to give a little bit of drag
2. make the wings bigger (standard size band) and non-adjustable throughout the race weekend - so that teams have to commit to a certain amount of drag etc
3. or on the other extreme, ban wings altogether (not sponsor friendly though)
4. or a combination of these thoughts - eg. use wings as a spoiler which produces maximum drag, but gives minimal downforce (the reverse of the current aerodynamic trends)
I must admit that the cars may look downright ugly with those hideous wings, but hey, if it produces closer and less predictable racing then why not?
As for mechanical grips - this should be allowed to continue.
Braking distances should be increased to give a longer braking area and therefore bigger overtaking window.
Also, I would like a ban on refuelling. Not only is it dangerous, but it shifts the focus away from drivers ability to conserve tyres and fuel. Instead nowadays the drivers only drive and leave the strategy to the technical boffins in the pits. We should have the drivers more active role in tyre strategy and race game plans. I enjoyed the days when Niki Lauda would qualify well down the order and pace himself early in the race, gradually working his way to the front once the fuel load reduces - and his tyres were in better condition then the others..... this resulted in a fairly unpredictable racing as you never knew who could win, perhaps somebody in 10th place?? Also remembered Prost and Senna using some of these tactics during their time against more formidable opposition.
What do you think?
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