Driver discrimination...
Discussion
No surprise that Nige is commenting on this 
:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/24568089
Seems a bit unfair on the larger guys ...but surely an easy fix is a minimum driver weight of say 80kg & anyone under, ballast them accordingly (preferably under/back of seat area)
:http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/24568089
Seems a bit unfair on the larger guys ...but surely an easy fix is a minimum driver weight of say 80kg & anyone under, ballast them accordingly (preferably under/back of seat area)
yep, stupid. Just rais the minimum to say 700kg. Makes you realise what small frames all the drivers have if the heaviest are at 75kg with kit! I'd be f
ked!
Wonder what Nige weighed in his heyday
ked!Wonder what Nige weighed in his heyday
Edited by thiscocks on Saturday 19th October 16:50
Edited by thiscocks on Saturday 19th October 16:51
That is quite bad that Jenson believes teams will not run ballast next year, as that will have a much larger impact on driver weight deciding performance.
If you raised the minimum weight to 900kg's though, the lighter drivers will always have an advantage in that they can position ballast to suit their preference in set-up.
I think the minimum weight should be raised, but people are deluded if they think this is a form of 'discrimination'.
What next, 20 stone gymnasts?
If you raised the minimum weight to 900kg's though, the lighter drivers will always have an advantage in that they can position ballast to suit their preference in set-up.
I think the minimum weight should be raised, but people are deluded if they think this is a form of 'discrimination'.
What next, 20 stone gymnasts?
As said already a sensible weight is about 80kg and it really isn't that difficult to have a defined area of ballast to say just below the seat back or infront of their arse. Yes there is still an advantage to the lighter drivers as slightly lower CoG due to weight position but it would be nominal and much less of an effect than now!.
What on earth is discriminatory about requiring certain physical characteristics for a particular sport?
Given that 90% of sports are dominated by taller/larger competitors, why is it suddently so bad that smaller sizes can be of benefit?
In any case, what do you do about karting? Where the difference in performance between a small and a large person is much greater than in F1.
Given that 90% of sports are dominated by taller/larger competitors, why is it suddently so bad that smaller sizes can be of benefit?
In any case, what do you do about karting? Where the difference in performance between a small and a large person is much greater than in F1.
oyster said:
What on earth is discriminatory about requiring certain physical characteristics for a particular sport?
Given that 90% of sports are dominated by taller/larger competitors, why is it suddently so bad that smaller sizes can be of benefit?
In any case, what do you do about karting? Where the difference in performance between a small and a large person is much greater than in F1.
Weight ballast, same as always.Given that 90% of sports are dominated by taller/larger competitors, why is it suddently so bad that smaller sizes can be of benefit?
In any case, what do you do about karting? Where the difference in performance between a small and a large person is much greater than in F1.
oyster said:
What on earth is discriminatory about requiring certain physical characteristics for a particular sport?
Given that 90% of sports are dominated by taller/larger competitors, why is it suddently so bad that smaller sizes can be of benefit?
You mean you didn't see Wiggins and Froome with 10kg backpacks on to equalise things a bit?Given that 90% of sports are dominated by taller/larger competitors, why is it suddently so bad that smaller sizes can be of benefit?
angrymoby said:
London424 said:
You mean you didn't see Wiggins and Froome with 10kg backpacks on to equalise things a bit?
Don't forget the Tyson vs McGuigan fight ...that was a classicHow many sports can you name where being small (in height and weight) is an advantage? In cycling, only being light is an advantage, height is broadly neutral (better power with being taller versus aero drag penalty).
Football, golf, tennis, athletics, basketball - Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso et al certainly do not have the physique to excel at these sports.
oyster said:
Errr not quite. A taller, heavier boxer still has an advantage (obviously within a weight category - but a weight category is not a handicap).
How many sports can you name where being small (in height and weight) is an advantage? In cycling, only being light is an advantage, height is broadly neutral (better power with being taller versus aero drag penalty).
Football, golf, tennis, athletics, basketball - Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso et al certainly do not have the physique to excel at these sports.
well, you can't really easily handicap a boxer can you? ...hence the divisions, so all sizes are catered for, otherwise it would be a pretty limited appeal sport.How many sports can you name where being small (in height and weight) is an advantage? In cycling, only being light is an advantage, height is broadly neutral (better power with being taller versus aero drag penalty).
Football, golf, tennis, athletics, basketball - Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso et al certainly do not have the physique to excel at these sports.
Cycling is a bit of a red herring, as it's still an 'unassisted' sport & again has plenty of variety & categories to cater for all sized athletes, both endurance & sprint
The only sport on that list that is valid is basketball (height, obviously) ...but the rest? football/rugby/tennis all have plenty of 'stars' that a small in stature, because speed & agility are also required ...indeed, the world footballer of the year is 5" 7" & weighs 67kg
The problem i have is, who really wants to see a talent like Hulkenberg miss out on a seat due to his 'weight' (or indeed drivers emaciating themselves- see Webber comments above) ...when there appear to options that would easily rectify it.
The vast majority of top-level professional football, tennis and golf players are tall. Well above average height. So it has to be an advantage.
Of course there are a few exceptions to this. Even in basketball there are often smaller members of teams.
But if you're an up and coming footballer or golfer and your parents are short, then you had better be even more talented than some of the taller players in order to make it.
The same applies to Hulkenberg. If he's worth 0.2s a lap over another driver but the weight penalty is also 0.2s a lap then he's ok. Of course he has to prove he's worth that extra 0.2s a lap. That's nothing new in sport.
Asking to raise the minimum weight to accommodate all is a bit like asking to lower the basket in basketball. Which is a bit silly really.
Of course there are a few exceptions to this. Even in basketball there are often smaller members of teams.
But if you're an up and coming footballer or golfer and your parents are short, then you had better be even more talented than some of the taller players in order to make it.
The same applies to Hulkenberg. If he's worth 0.2s a lap over another driver but the weight penalty is also 0.2s a lap then he's ok. Of course he has to prove he's worth that extra 0.2s a lap. That's nothing new in sport.
Asking to raise the minimum weight to accommodate all is a bit like asking to lower the basket in basketball. Which is a bit silly really.
oyster said:
Asking to raise the minimum weight to accommodate all is a bit like asking to lower the basket in basketball. Which is a bit silly really.
not really because they're changing the weight limit anyway it's just a question of how much. Many aspects of the rules are changing.thiscocks said:
yep, stupid. Just rais the minimum to say 700kg. Makes you realise what small frames all the drivers have if the heaviest are at 75kg with kit! I'd be fked!
Wonder what Nige weighed in his heyday
Found this for some reason I had remembered 80kgked!Wonder what Nige weighed in his heyday
Edited by thiscocks on Saturday 19th October 16:50
Edited by thiscocks on Saturday 19th October 16:51
http://f1ad.narod.ru/Drivers/Mansell/MansellProfil...
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