Thoughts on F1 2008 new rules.

[Salmon]

After the first round in OZ i think we are in for a lot of bad accidents during 2008.

 

Traction and launch control

Traction control - systems which prevent the rear wheels spinning if a driver applies too much power - are no longer permitted. This will place more emphasis on driver skill and should lead to more overtaking, as drivers are more likely to make mistakes. Similarly, systems that help the driver hold the clutch at a specific point to ensure an optimal getaway at the race start, have been outlawed.

 

Taking away traction control is in my opinion a big mistake.

 

Sal

[KOYAANISQATSI]

Makes it more fun to watch.

[JAStewart]

Makes it more fun to watch.

 

quoted for truth

[Salmon]

I'm a wee bit unsure about your "It makes good TV" approach, some guys could lose their lives during the coming year.

 

Sal

[Salmon]

Another problem raises it's head...

 

Qualifying

In a very slight tweak to the familiar knockout qualifying format, the duration of Q1 has been

increased from 15 to 20 minutes, while that of Q3 has been cut from 15 to 10. Q2 remains

15-minutes long. Furthermore, cars participating in Q3 will no longer get back the fuel used in

that session - they must now start the race with whatever fuel was left in the car at the end of

qualifying, thus eliminating the need for the infamous 'fuel-burning' phase at the start of Q3.

 

Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen will drop five grid places for the Malaysian Grand Prix

after the duo were found guilty of impeding Nick Heidfeld and Fernando Alonso.

 

The incident occurred when both drivers slowed down after crossing the line with seconds left

of qualifying. By remaining on the racing line, they were adjudged to have impeded Heidfeld

and Alonso, who were starting their final flying laps.

 

After crossing the line on your final lap you are forced to save as much fuel as possible in

getting back to the pits....i say let them use as much fuel as they need in Q3 and top up if they

wish before the race start....tactics are then employed.

 

Sal

[ArabiaTerra]

i say let them use as much fuel as they need in Q3 and top up if they

wish before the race start....tactics are then employed.

I agree with you on this one, the present rules seem to be designed to cause confusion. As for the removal of the electronic driver aids, I think it's a good thing, I just wish they'd sorted out the aerodynamics as well so that the cars can actually get close up behind each other. It would also clean up the shape of the cars. All those mini wings and stabilisers they have been sprouting in the last couple of years are just downright ugly.

 

P.S I wonder if all those mini wings and things are there to improve the cars downforce. I suspect some might have been added to deliberately create turbulence in the wake of the cars just to make overtaking more difficult.

 

What do you think of the Beeb getting the TV rights from next season?

[Salmon]

I think you made a very good point there....

 

P.S I wonder if all those mini wings and things are there to improve the cars downforce. I suspect some might have been added to deliberately create turbulence in the wake of the cars just to make overtaking more difficult.

 

Round 2 would have been a different result if teams were not forced to use soft and hard compound tyres in the same race.

 

I think ITV have done a good job over the last few years but i will be so glad to see the back of those blasted ADVERTS.

 

Adverts also plague Eurosport coverage of MotoGP (i could throw my coffee mug at the TV at times)

 

Sal