Discussion
The problem is wandering around behind the safety car doesn't work - tyre temps drop, the lower speed negates optional water displacement.
In the sort of situation we are in right now they really need to let the cars run under a full course yellow - no overtaking but let them run at a half decent speed to help clear the track and maintain tyre temp.
In the sort of situation we are in right now they really need to let the cars run under a full course yellow - no overtaking but let them run at a half decent speed to help clear the track and maintain tyre temp.
The problem with what we saw today was that Charlie Whiting managed the race down to a scenario that the drivers less confident in the wet could handle. He effectively negated the natural advantage some drivers have over other
Had he not done that, Verstappen might have won the race or we could have seen him make a real challenge to Hamilton.
Imagine saying to Novak Djokovic that he can't use his first serve against Murray because Andy can't read it or it's too fast.
The outcome of today's race was overly influenced by the referee and he may have influenced the title outcome too. Rosberg was not comfortable out there and the constatnt stopping kept pressure off his gear box.
Had he not done that, Verstappen might have won the race or we could have seen him make a real challenge to Hamilton.
Imagine saying to Novak Djokovic that he can't use his first serve against Murray because Andy can't read it or it's too fast.
The outcome of today's race was overly influenced by the referee and he may have influenced the title outcome too. Rosberg was not comfortable out there and the constatnt stopping kept pressure off his gear box.
Clevers said:
The problem with what we saw today was that Charlie Whiting managed the race down to a scenario that the drivers less confident in the wet could handle. He effectively negated the natural advantage some drivers have over other
It's very important to understand just how much the Bianchi crash has influenced the way wet races are run. Imagine if Raikkonen's spin had left him sitting sideways in the middle of the track and someone had ploughed into him at full speed because they couldn't see through the spray - what would people have said then? I agree with you that there were times when the race really should have started, but there were also a few incidents and since the Bianchi crash there's a reluctance to just go racing.There were also some pretty big rivers out there for much of the afternoon.
Clevers said:
James Hunt and Ayrton Senna would have viewed today as a farce. The drivers know the risks coming into the sport.
As Hamilton said in the post race media briefing, it wasn't even an extreme wet race, these conditions are part of F1 otherwise everyone would be doing it.
Okay, you know best. As Hamilton said in the post race media briefing, it wasn't even an extreme wet race, these conditions are part of F1 otherwise everyone would be doing it.
Clevers said:
James Hunt and Ayrton Senna would have viewed today as a farce. The drivers know the risks coming into the sport.
As Hamilton said in the post race media briefing, it wasn't even an extreme wet race, these conditions are part of F1 otherwise everyone would be doing it.
I can assure you that for better or worse, Bianchi's death really has drastically changed the way GPs are run, wet or dry. I think we all agree that to us viewers, the race should have been from a standing start and not red flagged. But from the FIA perspective, and given the legal action from Bianchi's family, they erred on the side of caution. As others have said, it was totally the right decision to red flag the race for Kimi's shunt. So we do have to live with this I think for the future.As Hamilton said in the post race media briefing, it wasn't even an extreme wet race, these conditions are part of F1 otherwise everyone would be doing it.
They need a better way of managing it for sure. What's the point in pootling around behind a safety car for 10 laps in steady rain? It's not really clearing the water and the cars aren't reacting as they would at race speeds. It seems to be the default position until drivers are considering inters, but if the safety car periods were 2 or 3 laps instead of 7 or 8 it would make no difference whatsoever.
Give them a few laps under a reasonably quick VC delta, clear some water, warm everything up and give the drivers a reasonable assessment of the track, then have a rolling or standing start.
The SC periods felt more dangerous than the racing at times today, cars bunched up, weaving, masses of spray etc, it was pointless.
Give them a few laps under a reasonably quick VC delta, clear some water, warm everything up and give the drivers a reasonable assessment of the track, then have a rolling or standing start.
The SC periods felt more dangerous than the racing at times today, cars bunched up, weaving, masses of spray etc, it was pointless.
So. And I am serious about this; cant we have white paint with more grip? Not more grip then the tarmac, as that would give an advntage, but as much grip as wet tarmac??
Or do we leave it be: in dry races we all get annoyed when they drive over the white line to gain and advantage. Maybe the white line needs to be this slippery normally??
Or do we leave it be: in dry races we all get annoyed when they drive over the white line to gain and advantage. Maybe the white line needs to be this slippery normally??
We need to go back to allowing teams proper wet and dry setups.
I understand the reasons why there are park ferme rules - but there should be some allowable alterations for wet races - changing ride height, suspension and wing settings to suit the conditions.
F1 cars are so sensitive and complex, it's not simply a case of sticking on a set of wets and increasing wing angles - the plank catches standing water and causes aquaplaning, and you're not allowed to play with ride height if you've qualified on a dry setup.
I understand the reasons why there are park ferme rules - but there should be some allowable alterations for wet races - changing ride height, suspension and wing settings to suit the conditions.
F1 cars are so sensitive and complex, it's not simply a case of sticking on a set of wets and increasing wing angles - the plank catches standing water and causes aquaplaning, and you're not allowed to play with ride height if you've qualified on a dry setup.
williamp said:
So. And I am serious about this; cant we have white paint with more grip? Not more grip then the tarmac, as that would give an advntage, but as much grip as wet tarmac??
Or do we leave it be: in dry races we all get annoyed when they drive over the white line to gain and advantage. Maybe the white line needs to be this slippery normally??
It has always been like this. White lines have always been less grippy in the wet. Sensible drivers adjust their virtual circuit limits to the inside of the white lines in the wet. Others deal with the consequences in their own way when they drift onto them. No need to change things, it is what it is.Or do we leave it be: in dry races we all get annoyed when they drive over the white line to gain and advantage. Maybe the white line needs to be this slippery normally??
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