New F1 rules - compulsary tyre changes

[Ugley_Matt]

Just read up on the new rule changes

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6442329.stm

This bit in particular

The biggest technical change has stemmed from the withdrawal of tyre supplier Michelin, winner of the last two world titles. That means Bridgestone is the only supplier.

The Japanese company is supplying all teams with the same type of tyres, which will be considerably slower than last year when competition ensured the pace of development was white hot.

Bridgestone Formula One tyres
Bridgestone are the only tyre manufacturer this season
Spectators will barely notice the diminished cornering speeds. Of far greater impact is a new rule requiring teams to use each of the two types of dry tyre supplied by Bridgestone at each race at least once during that race.

The idea behind this is to improve the spectacle by adding unpredictability and an extra layer of tactics to the racing.

Of the two types of tyre, one will always be better suited to the track - and therefore faster - than the other.

Forcing the teams to use both in the course of a race, theoretically heightens the prospect of overtaking as the gaps between drivers see-saw depending on which tyre they are using.

To enable those watching to keep pace with what is going on, the two different types of tyre will have as yet unspecific differing white markings on their sidewalls.

Who at the FIA came up with this one - I don't remember the idea being
mentioned at all in any of the discussions last year. I understand it's
been taken from Champ Cars, but frankly that's not a great precedent.
Yes, it might make it more exciting, but only because of completely
artificial conditions - you may as well have a bingo caller reading out
the names of cars and asking them to drop back a few places just so the
crowd can watch them catch up and regain the place. Why not go further
and have the cars forced to run on two different types of fuel - one a
conventional 4-star and the other an 80% proof moonshine - and see which
car uses the best 'tactics' to win?

 

[Jonny ///M]

Its just getting worse with the damn FIA.

I wish they could just go MAX hp = 1200 Max Cc - 7litre Max/min weight.....and leave each manufacturer to choose if they want to use a V6/8/10/12 if THEY WANT TO!

to the fia.

 

[_Jimlad_]

they keep cropping and changing the rules so we see a bit of action....

heres plan! make the frigging tracks wider and then people might be able to overtake!

 

[weringo]

Its just getting worse with the damn FIA.

I wish they could just go MAX hp = 1200 Max Cc - 7litre Max/min weight.....and leave each manufacturer to choose if they want to use a V6/8/10/12 if THEY WANT TO!

to the fia.

I agree, but on the tele you're not going to see much difference between 900 bhp and 1200 bhp. Right now I think the most important thing to try to do is increase the overtaking opportunities.

 

[abruzz1]

Well I hear the year after next, they are introducing compulsory eye patches for all the drivers in an effort to create a level playing field and value for money for all the spectators.

 

[Jonny ///M]

I agree, but on the tele you're not going to see much difference between 900 bhp and 1200 bhp. Right now I think the most important thing to try to do is increase the overtaking opportunities.

Yeh i get what your saying but i just want a bit of variance between all of the cars.

Would be funny to see someone have a V12 and be fast on the straights but crap in the corners....some outrageous body work etc etc.

 

[Matt]

I say get rid of the wings

 

[clv101]

Tyre thing is interesting. It sounds dodgy, however the best bits of a grand prix are when fast drivers are coming through a slower pack or when the 2nd place guy is bearing down on the 1st place guy by a second a lap with 10 laps to go.

What this rule will do is, at any given instance, increase the variability of pace between the cars which has to make for better racing but over a race distance it doesn't disadvantage any driver. It's about like have a "boost" button you can only use a set number of times.

I think it make the race better to watch.

Yeh i get what your saying but i just want a bit of variance between all of the cars.

It's too competitive, whatever the rules are I bet all the cars would end up about the same.

 

[Mp4]

Only time will tell i guess same with any other rule , as long as Mclaren win thats all that matters

 

[goreblast]

Not a chance mate. Ferrari all the way.

 

[Jonny ///M]

Not a chance mate.BMW all the way.

 

[rpstewart]

Tyre stops in F1 have in effect been mandatory (with the exception of 2005) since refuelling was introduced in 1994. The cars simply don't have the fuel tanks to run an entire race distance anymore - although it has been done once at a wet Monaco where the race distance is far less than normal anyway.

While it's billed as a tactical move it's actually financial. By forcing teams to run at least one set of each tyre type Bridgestone don't need to manufacture and transport as many tyres per race. Previously they'd turn up with 7 sets of each compound per car and take probably six sets of one compound away unused, possibly to be disposed of. Now they'll probably only bring 4 sets of each per car and only have to deal with one or two unused sets.

The trick will be using the right tyre at the right time. Do you run the hard tyre for a long stint early and try and fend off the pack or go for the soft one and head for the hills? Could be interesting, could be the same old procession. We'll find out Sunday.

The usual thread is going in Motors btw.

 

[a1ex2001]

Could be interesting, could be the same old procession. We'll find out Sunday.

I think we all know the answer to that one! As long as it's legal to have a massive wing on the back of your car leaving loads of turbulance which prevents the car behind getting close enough to overtake F! will just get increasingly boring!

 

[Raymond Lin]

Its ironic that they keep changing things to make it "more exciting" when people keep saying the old days of F1 were just as, if not more frequently more exciting than the last decade.

 

[hethers]

Bring back the "RACERS!" The people who "Wanted" to win. Nigel, where are you?

Yes, I'll be there at Albert Park waving to you all (red wine permitting!) but I'd really love to see a real race again.

 

[SDK^]

as long as Mclaren win thats all that matters

I'm with you on that one

 

[clv101]

Does anyone have F1 viewing figures over the last decade or so? I was under the impression then viewing figures were up despite all the doom and gloom people keep spouting.

It’s still far and away the most popular motor sport – if F1 is so broken go and watch MotoGP or Touring cars.

 

[Dr Jack]

It’s still far and away the most popular motor sport – if F1 is so broken go and watch MotoGP or Touring cars.

That's more or less what I'm planning to do. MotoGP is just a far better spectator sport at the moment.

I used to watch every race of the season live; last season I got bored after the first few and caught maybe six or seven races in total.