Shortcuts on F1 tracks? Bernie Ecclestone’s winding everyone up again
Ecclestone made his suggestion to journalists at Ferrari's event in Italy
Bernie Ecclestone’s contribution to the debate over what should be done to improve racing in F1 is another one of his wind-ups:
Imagine a shortcut which a driver can use five times every race. It would stop people getting stuck behind others. It would be good for TV.
Bernie Ecclestone
We’ve had similar ‘ideas’ from Ecclestone before, not least the ‘Gold medals’ plan which was hastily introduced then dropped last year. His ‘shortcuts’ brainwave, reported by Reuters, will surely not be taken seriously.
Unfortunately it may serve to make some of the other poor ideas for “improving the show” hinted at by Stefano Domenicali earlier today seem more palatable.
Predictably Ecclestone didn’t have anything to say about the kind of innovations F1 fans really want to see – like broadcasting more team radio and the long-overdue arrival of HD coverage.
It’s all well and good for those of us who know not to take this kind of thing seriously. But tonight and tomorrow there will be a lot of headlines about the latest crazy, contrived changes being cooked up by F1′s boss.
And that will do the sport’s image no good at all.
Read more
- Domenicali hints at further 2010 rules changes and return of KERS (Video)
- The FIA wants to “improve the show”. Here’s how to get it right (and wrong)
- F1 in HD “not until 2011″
Image (C) Ferrari spa
TommyB said on 13th January 2010, 20:52
I have a great idea to keep the lead changing all the time. Each driver gets one blue shell during the race.
luigismen said on 13th January 2010, 20:56
And every lap the driver in last place gets a star for 10 seconds
Noelinho said on 13th January 2010, 20:57
Yes! We can SO sell this idea to the IRL!
F1Yankee said on 13th January 2010, 20:56
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MytfhzcSF-Y
David A said on 13th January 2010, 21:20
Ha! Exactly what I was thinking!
Ned Flanders said on 13th January 2010, 21:34
Perhaps the marshals could scatter some Wumpa Fruit for the drivers to collect on their way round
TommyB said on 13th January 2010, 21:44
My video. Mario Kart/F1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6M6JMnSKMc
Ned Flanders said on 13th January 2010, 21:48
Haha, I was going to suggest you reposted that video. But I still maintain that Crash Team Racing was better than Mario Kart!
Hammad said on 13th January 2010, 22:08
Totally agree with you there..
David A said on 13th January 2010, 22:42
The second most funny thing i’ve heard today Ned! But I do respect your opinion :)
sato113 said on 14th January 2010, 1:54
agreed Ned. i guess ctr felt more like you were racing. mariokart was a bit messy. (still amazing tho!)
Tom said on 14th January 2010, 11:53
I love Mario Kart, really I do, and have done for many years…but CTR was on a whole other level. By far the best kart racing game ever developed.
LewisC said on 13th January 2010, 23:50
Ha! That’s brilliant…
sato113 said on 14th January 2010, 1:55
wumpa fruit to recharge their KERS
Hallard said on 13th January 2010, 22:36
Spot On Tommy!!!
michael said on 14th January 2010, 1:52
just like in mario kart, it seems that Bernie has been speeding on mushrooms. Its the only explanation for his ideas
Ed said on 14th January 2010, 4:10
lol!
Ronman said on 14th January 2010, 14:55
You have to give the Coin collecting trick Stallone Does in DRIVEN a chance… it would be a great trick to pull off and award the driver points for every coin picked up (but he’s got to catch it)…
FIA can install coin cams to thrill the viewers…
that’s all from me…
some people called Mosley Mad Max, i think Bernie is the one that truly deserves the Mad pre-fix.
Jak said on 13th January 2010, 20:53
Yeah, we could put wings on the cars as well.
This isn’t Wacky Races, it’s Formula 1. It should be taken seriously.
Noelinho said on 13th January 2010, 20:54
Oooh, I see potential here. Once the driver has taken the shortcut, the car could automatically crawl at 30 miles an hour for 8 seconds, whilst the driver desperately tries to keep the car he just overtook behind him.
And if he takes the shortcut more than 5 times per race, his car could mysteriously run out of fuel. Just like in the games!
thestig84 said on 13th January 2010, 21:01
Oh dear he doesnt do himself or F1 any favours does he.
Scribe said on 13th January 2010, 21:01
The sooner F1 cars start flying the sooner its gonna take the world by storm.
An if the requirement is ray guns on the cars then i am essentially FOR this motion.
Anyways ecci is know for being in many ways a very hunmourous man, utterly deadpan and dry humour but a wee bit of a joker streak definately presant.
This plan is obviously stupid and no one should take it seriously. Like Keith said what we should take seriously is this disaterous plan to introudce mandatory numbers of pitstops.
Rikadyn said on 15th January 2010, 20:52
I long for the days when F1 becomes F3600…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wipeout_%28video_game%29
Damon said on 13th January 2010, 21:02
This would mean a possibility for the least spectacular, the most boring, the most lame “overtaking” manoevers known to mankind.
damonsmedley said on 14th January 2010, 10:02
Wouldn’t that be fun to watch… Anyway if someone was lining up the car in front of them, they’d both just take the shortcut. One of the worst ideas ever. Bernie thinks F1 is just for TV: “It would be good for TV,” but its actually a sport and there is more to it than just providing a spectacle for those who don’t actually like F1.
There is already sufficient technology to improve the show for fans without changing the rules of the actual sport, only there isn’t sufficient brainpower to implement any such improvements…
Jason said on 13th January 2010, 21:04
They may as well just let them cut chicanes, 5 times a race, and keep the stewards out of it. That idea doesn’t sound HALF as crazy as Ecclestone’s.
ledzep4pm said on 13th January 2010, 21:04
How about the cars can spray oil or tacs from behind the cars once a race.
Bernie will love that one.
He must have gone clinically insane
Paul said on 13th January 2010, 21:12
I have an idea that will revolutionise F1.
I suggest adding an extended cockpit so cars can carry a passenger, this passenger can then man a rear mounted mini gun with a limited amount of rounds for the duration of the race.
Also I suggest that all cars have front mounted machine guns that the driver can use when chasing down another car.
I would allow a select amount of fans to enter a bidding process where a few can gain access to sniper rifles at select points in the race to take pot shots at anyone they like.
Lastly I would add 90 degree turns in the track so that cars might pile up and crash out.
Ohh, I forgot… throw in a few nitro boosts as well Need For Speed style.
Too much or do you think Bernie might like my ideas?
David A said on 13th January 2010, 21:39
“Ohh, I forgot… throw in a few nitro boosts as well Need For Speed style.”
There’s no way F1 will ever have anything like this boost system. Oh wait a minute…
Maksutov said on 14th January 2010, 16:59
“throw in a few nitro boosts as well Need For Speed style”
isn’t that what KERS was supposed to do.. kind of
Pink Peril said on 14th January 2010, 0:44
I think we should institute ‘pub rules’. The loser has to run around his car twice with his trousers round his ankles. That’d spice F1 up for us ladies at least ;)
his_majesty said on 14th January 2010, 16:56
Or instead of switching cars after every race, drink a pint for every lap you lead. Keith, do you know how i can get in touch with bernie?
beneboy said on 14th January 2010, 19:06
Turn the lights off, light a candle and say his name three times while looking into a mirror.
David A said on 13th January 2010, 21:19
HAHAHA! Cue Italian voice announncing “Welcome to-a Mario Kart-a!”
Dane said on 13th January 2010, 21:29
All racing points awarded are multiplied by 12.5 then divided by the size of your underpants, but only after 4:15pm or above 28c.
Ben said on 13th January 2010, 23:55
ummm, thats the V8Supercar point system.
Matt said on 15th January 2010, 2:01
LMAO thats gold!!!!
As Homer says “its funny cause its true”
Ned Flanders said on 13th January 2010, 21:44
People used to say the Earth was flat. People said Fantasy football would never take off. And people used to think the moon was made of cheese! (ok, only loonies thought that) What do we know?!
My point is mabye in 50 years time people will be sat watching Mario Kart style F1 races thinking: ‘wow, to think F1 never used to have short cuts… madness!!’
Ned Flanders said on 13th January 2010, 21:44
People used to say the Earth was flat. People said Fantasy football would never take off. And people used to think the moon was made of cheese! (ok, only loonies thought that) What do we know?!
My point is mabye in 50 years time people will be sat watching Mario Kart style F1 races thinking: ‘wow, to think F1 never used to have short cuts… madness!!’
Ned Flanders said on 13th January 2010, 21:56
Sorry for the unprecedented 5 identical comments, not sure why that’s happened, delete the duplicates
DK said on 13th January 2010, 21:49
Ive just put a bet on Luigi to become 2025 F1 champion at 1000/1. Marios odds were rubbish at only 50/1 so not worth it.
David A said on 13th January 2010, 22:44
Nah, you’ll win it! :D
Gman said on 14th January 2010, 5:11
How about Princess Peach and Yoshi? ;)
Katy said on 14th January 2010, 11:53
Luigi never wins though :-P it’s all about Peach!
Spud said on 13th January 2010, 21:54
NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Ernie Becclestone has lost his last remaining marble gone completely bonkers.
What a ridiculous idea!