2 replies to this topic

[The Fazz]

Hi, I am new here. The above topic is something which I would like to test out on this forum community. I am of the opinion that there seems to be a lack of passing for the lead these days as opposed to the turbo days and the pre 1994 days.

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?

------------------

~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~

The Home of The Fazz

[Jonathan]

Fazz,

With regards to Niki, I think in his early days with Ferrari he actually focused on setting up his car to run with FULL Tanks. Between that and his ability to qualify on Pole, he was able, sometimes, to drop the rest of the field by as much as 2 seconds a lap.

The flip side of this set up was that those last remaining 20 laps would frequently prove to be something of a struggle for Niki as the car just wasnt handling. However he typically had so much of a lead and that he could afford to take it easy at that point in the race.

When he was driving for McLaren in the early 1980ies I think Michelin hadnt come up with a decent qualifing tyre, This resulted in some spirited driving from both Lauda and Watson as they drove from the last positions on the grid up through the field.

I think Goodyear's decision to withdraw from F1 will ultimately prove to be benifitial in that Bridgestone will now be able to focus on making a consistant stable & reliable tire for all teams. This to me means that tires will cease to be as important a factor, and hopefully maybe there wont be as many "Marbles" off the racing line as well.

Ironically I think refueling was added in an effort to make the racing more exciting to the specators. Personally I would much rather see actual wheel-to-wheel motor racing instead of 'Short-fill' pit stop "passes'. I would certainly be in favor of doing away with refueling.

Please remember that ultimatly Formula One is about technology, and about diversity. Different designs work differently on different tracks. Some races Ferrari will do well at, others the McLarens will mop-up on.

Yes banning Carbon-Fibre brakes and requiring areodynamic changes might also make the racing closer, (as would requiring all teams to use Cast-Iron Production-based push-rod engines, and making all cars have body shapes that fit a given template).
Fortunatly this will never be a spec racing series where everyone has 'equal' equipment. If your really want to watch "Close" motor racing, tune into a NASCAR or BTCC race.

[Christiaan]

Fazz, we had two interesting debates on

1.)safety robbing us of overtaking http://www.atlasf1.c...TML/000038.html

2.)rear diffusors robbing us of overtaking http://www.atlasf1.c...TML/000003.html

Most of what I can say in response I already posted on these threads