New idea for Fridays at GPs

[german tony]

Apparently the FOTA is considering proposing a 45 minute, non-championship points scoring race on Fridays for prize money.

Ok, what do we think? Good idea or not?

Would you bunk off work early on a Firday to make sure you could watch it live?

[VladD]

I can't see it happening. Why take the risk of screwing your car on Friday and losing ground over the rest of the weekend. At the best it would be an extra test session for the top teams and a chance for a bit of cash for those lower down.

[zac510]

What exactly is the point? Wouldn't another race weekend be better value?

A 45 min race might interest a lower team like FI to build a car just for that race (ie tiny fuel tank, etc), then mope around the back on Sunday. I suppose that could be of interest to some.

[german tony]

The cars very seldom do more than 45 mins without re-fuelling in any case thus the benefit from designing 1 with the special, small tank is negligable.

[zac510]

It's impossible to say whether they'd build a new car or even make a fuel stop in that race without knowing the rules. I was just trying to make an example.

Half the field might be gunning for a Friday win, half for a Sunday win.

[dougc]

FF1600.

All drivers in a team liveried FF1600. Identical cars, engines, chassis etc. Thirty minute race. Grid positions pulled from a hat. One championship point for anyone with all 4 wheels still attached at the end of the race.

[Scuffers]

dougc said:

FF1600.

All drivers in a team liveried FF1600. Identical cars, engines, chassis etc. Thirty minute race. Grid positions pulled from a hat. One championship point for anyone with all 4 wheels still attached at the end of the race.

na...

F5000 with FF1600 tyres...

[skinny]

they should have a full day of F1 testing on the friday (and take away normal testing to a much larger extent) and then have a superkart race in the evening. no money involved, just for fun. they are all natural racers, i reckon they'd be up for it

[zac510]

Might aswell make it in a full sized car so you can have someone like BMW cough up for them!

[dougc]

Scuffers said:

dougc said:

FF1600.

All drivers in a team liveried FF1600. Identical cars, engines, chassis etc. Thirty minute race. Grid positions pulled from a hat. One championship point for anyone with all 4 wheels still attached at the end of the race.

na...

F5000 with FF1600 tyres...

and FF aero

[FourWheelDrift]

Mad idea and why do Fridays need to "deliver more for fans" the cars are out for 2x 90minute (3hours total) sessions on Fridays more time on track than Saturday or Sunday so plenty of time to move around the circuit and see the cars from different places.

[GBRM]

BMW M1s maybe??

[german tony]

Couldn't work, not when the drivers are so tied in to their current teams. Was a bit different way back when.

[jonnylayze]

I like the idea of a qualifying sprint race on a Saturday, with qualifying on Sunday decided by finishing positions on Saturday. I'd like to see see qualifying for the saturday race by ballot (as used to happen many many moons ago). This would mean that drivers would have to overtake on the track - no refuelling in a sprint race so it would be a simple test of raw speed.

[mikee boy]

Cynical ploy to allow circuits to charge more for weekend tickets.

It would be better to give fans who buy F1 tickets free tickets to other motorsports events throughout the year, where there is REAL racing decided on the track and not in the pits/courts.

[mikee boy]

jonnylayze said:

it would be a simple test of raw speed.

Surely the simplest and fairest test of raw speed IS qualifying.

[jonnylayze]

mikee boy said:

jonnylayze said:

it would be a simple test of raw speed.

Surely the simplest and fairest test of raw speed IS qualifying.

true...

I didn't put it very well - it would be a pure test of how far the current crop of drivers were racers

[dpbird90]

Here's a better idea. Mobility scooter race.

20 laps. "No" contact (as per BTCC). No championship points at stake, no cash at stake, just the person who finishes last will have to wear a silly hat for the rest of the weekend.

[Asterix]

mikee boy said:

jonnylayze said:

it would be a simple test of raw speed.

Surely the simplest and fairest test of raw speed IS qualifying.

It would be completely if the 3rd session was full on without race fuel.