Originally posted by Dalton007
Get rid of this stupid safety car rule!!! I don't understand the reasons for locking down the pitlane. Stupid, stupid rule.
The part that led to the pit lane lock down rules, was because before almost everybody headed into the pits for refueling, when the SC car came out. When teammates would run very close to each other, the one behind would slow down, so that both cars could be serviced without delay for the second driver. Since the SC car was out, no passing was allowed, and the teammate behind would keep his position. At least Ferrari and McLaren have been doing this in the past. It's difficult to find a fair solution for this issue. There was the idea of having 2 pit crews for each team, that would solve the issue and had even prevented the McLaren penalty in qualifying in Hungary last year. But the extra costs for teams and track owner would be a bit too much.
Fisichella was most vocal on the issue of lapped drivers in the way at the restart, so he and other requested that they line up in their actual race position behind the SC car. The obvious motivation was that it might enable to gain positions at the restart. However I think that was a not a good idea, because as far as I understand that led to the pit lane being closed down to give time for drivers to find their race position (another reason probably having a look how NASCAR is doing it), and even more importantly, it's a cheap way for the drivers behind to pass a lapped driver, effectively negating the work the leading driver has done.
For me while the changes have all good reasons, they are another artificial way to try and create overtaking opportunities. Which IMO I don't think is what racing is all about. Change the cars, to allow for overtaking.
The other option might be to give them tires that have to last for the race. And give each driver a credit card that he can use to refuel his car for himself.