Archive for January, 2010
January 31st, 2010 at 07:55am
Under Racing
Top qualifiers face a tyre choice handicap in 2010
It comes as no surprise to learn there are yet more changes to the F1 rules planned for this year.
Not only is a second change to the points system planned – the second in two months – but now some drivers may also be forced to start the race on the tyres they qualified on.
Will the needless meddling with the F1 rules ever stop?
The ‘top ten tyre’ rule
The latest proposed change, which will require drivers who reach the final stage of qualifying to start the race using the same set of tyres they qualify on, is particularly poorly thought-out rule.
Drivers who reach Q3 will now face a dilemma. They can qualify on the softer tyre, which will be quicker over a single lap but struggle for durability on a heavy fuel load at the start of the race. Or set a slower qualifying time on the harder tyre and be in a better position for the race.
In short, the rule makers have decided to handicap the top ten qualifiers with a compromise decision the rest of the field don’t have to make.
It is a classic piece of needless, arbitrary decision-making. Why penalise the top ten in this way? Why not the top three, or the 15 best qualifiers?
A football team that goes five goals down does not get a free penalty. They get thrashed, go home and figure out how to improve their team. In the same way anyone who qualifies outside the top ten for an F1 race should not be getting hand-outs from the rule makers, they should be building faster cars.
The new rule, proposed by the FIA’s Sporting Working Group, will be voted on at the World Motor Sports’ Council next week. I hope they throw it out.
“Improving the show”
I don’t believe the SWG is trying to spoil F1. And I’m grateful there is – as yet – no sign of them making matters worse by forcing drivers to make more pit stops, dishing out points for pole and fastest lap, or other
But I do think they need better leadership. The FIA instructed them to find a way of “improving the show” (their words, not mine) and, 41 days away from free practice one at Bahrain, their options were pretty limited.
F1 has somehow got hooked on tweaking its rules year after year. It began in 2003 when they first started fiddling with the points and the qualifying format after a particularly dull 2002 season dominated by Ferrari.
It’s as if those in charge are having a crisis of confidence about the shape the sport is in – but they needn’t worry.
This year we’ve got Michael Schumacher back in a works Mercedes, the last two world champions driving for McLaren, and Fernando Alonso back with a top team alongside the ever-improving Felipe Massa.
That’s not a show that needs improving.
Later this week FOTA is launching (another) survey of fans opinions on F1 (find it here). Among their key findings when they surveyed F1 fans last year was “F1 isn’t broken, so beware ‘over-fixing’ it” and “there is no evidence to suggest that grand prix formats need ‘tricking up’ via, for example, handicapping.”
This is clearly a message that needs repeating to the powers-that-be. So when the survey launches on Tuesday let’s give them a clear message that this endless, needless fiddling with the rules – especially handicapping the faster cars – is no good for F1.
Changing the F1 rules
By Mikel
January 31st, 2010 at 07:55am
Under Racing
I have been thinking about the 2010 season and the new teams in particular. While I was considering the challenges they face and the numerous rumors to their still-born birth in the 2010 season, I have arrived at a discussion point…Cosworth.
Cosworth has been in the racing engine supply business…
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By Mikel
January 31st, 2010 at 07:55am
Under Racing
So far on F101 we have covered the rules and regulations, we’ve talked about the refuelling ban, engines and gearboxes, tyres, the safety car, the teams and drivers, and the itinerary of a race weekend. This week, we’re going to cover something slightly different. Have you ever wondered what the…
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By Mikel
January 31st, 2010 at 04:47am
Under Racing
It looks like Kimi Raikkonen had a decent prep run at the Arctic Lapland Rally, even if a 30-minute crash left him to finish in 56th place.
During the second day of the event, Raikkonen kept his Citroen on the road and, at times, was running less than a second per kilometer off the pace of [...]
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By Mikel
January 31st, 2010 at 03:16am
Under Racing
Two more car launches today – the BMW Sauber breaks cover at 1.30pm British time followed by the Renault R30 around two hours later. Neither team has released details of any live broadcasts for the unveilings, but once the cars appear for the first time I’ll try to get pictures up as quickly as possible.
Until then, here’s the Sunday round-up:
Links
Remember when… Mastercard Lola existed
Dank takes a look back at the disastrous Lola F1 entry of 1997.
Kimi Raikkonen (official site)
Following Kimi Räikkönen’s move to the world rally champinship? Make sure you get a look at his re-launched website with video of him in the Citroen C4 WRC.
Michael Schumacher’s motor boat for sale (eBay)
The boat is called “Corinna” and is selling for €62,050 (£53,800).
Comment of the day
Tim made a good recommendation for a non-F1 series to watch this year, but he faces a classic F1 Fanatic dilemma…
The FIA historic F1 series is usually good value – a field full of Cosworth DFVs, historic Lotus, Williams, Arrows, Brabhams, Tyrrells, McLarens, Marches and maybe the odd Ferrari as well. They make a fantastic noise and the drivers actually race.
I’ve tentatively put the Brands Hatch round in the diary – but it falls on my wedding anniversary so I’ll have to convince the wife to let me go.
Tim
Site updates
Still working on the forum problem I’m afraid.
Happy birthday!
No F1 Fanatic birthdays today. If you want a birthday shout-out tell us when yours is by emailling me, using Twitter or adding to the list here.
On this day in F1
It’s ten years to the day since Jordan launched the EJ10. Although the team expected to build on its strong form of the previous year – when Heinz-Harald Frentzen won twice and remained in the championship hunt until late in the year – the team had hit its peak and 2000 was the beginning of their slip down the field. At the time it must have only seemed like a setback, but within a few years Eddie Jordan had sold his team to the Midland Group.
By Mikel
January 30th, 2010 at 03:55pm
Under Motorbikes
Fancy a classic project, winter hack or modern classic? Here’s four of the best spotted in MCN Bike mart this week. ’95 Gilera Nordwest 600, £500Pioneering factory supermoto was years ahead of its time and well-specced. Fickle, though We say:…
By admin
January 30th, 2010 at 03:55pm
Under Motorbikes
After wowing the crowds at the NEC Show… it’s now London’s turn, with Norton set to be one of the stars of the Carole Nash MCN Show! The revived British marque will be displaying all three of its newly-developed models,…
By admin
January 30th, 2010 at 03:55pm
Under Motorbikes
Auto-By magazine in Japan has tested the new fuel-injected Yamaha SR400 for MCN – revealing it has lost none of its charm. To clean the SR400’s emission for 2010 up Yamaha has replaced the carburettor with a fuel injection. It’s…
By admin
January 30th, 2010 at 03:55pm
Under Motorbikes
A theft victim has been arrested for harassing a vehicle pound which is holding his stolen bike. Michael Wheatley believes it should cost him nothing to get his stolen Honda Fireblade back after it was recovered by police within a…
By admin
January 30th, 2010 at 03:55pm
Under Motorbikes
Senior North Wales Police officers plan to keep motorcyclists waiting for another three weeks before announcing whether thousands of riders will face random stops this summer. The force has reviewed the controversial tactic, which saw 400 riders stopped every weekend…
By admin
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