Comments on: FOTA discusses F1 refuelling ban

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:18:01 +0000

Keep refuelling. It’s wonderful that F1 is a true team sport- the strategy is half the fun! As for Q3, I also believe that raceload isn’t a fair reflection of driving ability but it’s part of the tactics too. A quick first stint from a slower car will invariably lead to a slower one later. This ultimately leads to more action on the track.

By: Ben

Ben — Sat, 02 May 2009 23:30:59 +0000

I remember the days of no pit stops and the long procession that started from the green flag and was only ended by the chequered flag.

By removing fuel stops, all cars will be on the same fuel through qualifying and from the start. Meaning that the slow cars will be at the back and the fast car will be at the front of the grid. With the exceptions of a few dives down to the first corner this will entirely eliminate all overtaking. Taking F1 back to the dull days. At least now with pit stops and varying strategies it is possible for some of the lower end teams to mix it up a little. F1 is more than the driver or the car it is about team work and strategy. We should not lose site of this

By: Simons13

Simons13 — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 13:56:36 +0000

why would they do its there are to many rules already taken the ****, it not was i used to be dont think i will be watch much this season

By: Tori

Tori — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:12:22 +0000

Okay I am feeling a little bleak about the future of F1. As an “F1 Fanatic” I have taken time to understand the rules and the changes over the years and feel that anyone that is really interested in the sport would also do the same. To make it easier for viewers to understand suggests we are aiming F1 at everyone as opposed to targeet audiences. People that have a passion for F1 will understand the rules regardless of how complicated they are. Those that find it complicated are usually not that interested and are only interested in it for the glamour that it brings.

Also I feel that the likes of McLaren, Ferrari and BMW have worked hard for years to get to where they are now only to have rules brought in to bring teams, that have not been able to compete quite the same, to the same level.

Hmmm lets see how 2009 works. Personally I am not so optimistic. But prepared to accept if I am wrong.

By: Stubie

Stubie — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:43:49 +0000

This one goes to Schumacher the Greatest

Overtaking idea

So, I have been thinking about this crazy idea for a while…

One of my favorite races this year was the Turkey race. Having Lewis forced to do a 3-stop strategy while most of the field was on a standard 2-stop completely changed the dynamics of the race.

So I got to thinking… most of the rules and regs are pretty arbitrary anyway, what if there was a coin toss, per race that relegated 1/3 (or less) of the field to one strategy, after first qualifying on another strategy.

so the process works like this… with a 67% chance of getting it right you run a quali lap with race fuel… and start on the grid in that order… then a random coin-toss assigns 33% of the cars to an “n-stop” strategy… so you either get the standard 2-stop or you are forced to do a 3-stop (or 1-stop) AND you then get to choose your fuel load while the rest of the grid sticks with the qualifying fuel loads.

think about the mayhem! but also, think about the cars running light (very light!) slicing through the field.

am I nuts or would this make for interesting racing? or would it be too gimmicky?

By: Stuy

Stuy — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:17:48 +0000

I don’t think this rule would be fair on the back runners as it would make it harder for them to gain places which is important. The higher places mean more funding and sponsorship for teams and it all balances out in the end because everyone is relying on tactics with refueling. To take this away would be devastating to a lot of teams. It would also mean larger fuel tanks with longer lap times and more other problems like cars having to work harder and not getting enough air due to slower speeds and more brake pad wearing due to extra weight. If they want to do something help the lower teams with a little funding I know there is plenty of it out there.

By: chunter

chunter — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:39:21 +0000

Refueling is not compulsory, it’s just a good idea. If you must stop to change tires at least once, you might as well fill up on fuel at the same time, since you are allowed to do so- carrying more fuel than needed to get to the tire change is dead weight.

By: gak67

gak67 — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:21:17 +0000

Can somebody please confirm for me that refuelling during a race is not currently compulsary? If it was such a bad thing (teams losing out on points on a regular basis in particular) the teams wouldn’t do it, they would put larger tanks in their cars and not stop all race.

I am definitely against the ban on refuelling because it lessens the impact the team has on the outcome of a race – not only the pit crew who do the refuelling, but the strategists who pick the best time to come in and refuel.

I am old enough to remember the boring mid-race stints where nothing was happening . At least now you get people on different strategies pitting at different times, feeding out amongst others who have either already stopped or are yet to stop.

Something does need to be done about the safety car rules and the qualifying though.

By: WillD

WillD — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 23:58:57 +0000

I love F! and am a true fan!!! Hamilton Rocks!!!!
But refuelling and race strategy are what makes the races fun, especially when teams such as ferrari get it really wrong, allowing torro rosso and force india cars half a chance at podiums, If u take away the refuelling then the fastest car will always win and it will be as dull as the old days!!!

By: heyheyhey

heyheyhey — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 10:47:02 +0000

As a newer fan to F1, coming from NASCAR I can say I thoroughly enjoy F1 qualifying. I respect that F1 is and needs to be different and I love watching the strategy unfold in qualifying and the race. Refueling is and should not be an issue. IT NEEDS TO STAY!