Safety car adverse impact

I wonder what conversation we would be having if the race leader had had to come into refuel under the SCD and then been sent to the back of the field.

To me, it is not right to be penalised so badly for an incident that is of no fault to that particular driver. Also for other drivers to be rewarded by the subsequent false demotion of the leaders.

I am not sure how it could be improved, but I feel what happened to Kovalainan while in 2nd place was wrong.

Originally posted by roger44
I wonder what conversation we would be having if the race leader had had to come into refuel under the SCD and then been sent to the back of the field.

To me, it is not right to be penalised so badly for an incident that is of no fault to that particular driver. Also for other drivers to be rewarded by the subsequent false demotion of the leaders.

I am not sure how it could be improved, but I feel what happened to Kovalainan while in 2nd place was wrong.

The previous rules gave too big advantage the other way.

Ban refueling if you don't like the current rules.

agreed, IMHO, there should be no refuelling and tyres should last the distance unless punctured. The cars would be have to compensate for changing weight, weight distribution, balance, and have huge fuel tanks.

Once out there, they would be on their own to the flag. Bring it on.

How about allowing cars to come in and then resume the place they were in before they pitted, or take the time difference between the cars before the safety car is deployed and add that back to the total time, bit like they used to do if there was a restart mid-race.

I'm sure there are a number of permutations that could be thought of, but each one will have its own flaw.

I dont see a reason why the teams are not allowed to pit under the SC if they are going to run out of fuel. Providing they post the fuel strategy with the stewarts prior to the race and as long as the driver pulls in during this window it should be OK.

Red lights at the end of the pits however should always be observed.

Like I said in teh other SC thread, just close the pits the entire time the SC is out. If you have to come in for fuel, you get some kind of penalty (stop go next time pits are open?).

Just ban refuelling, and this problem is solved.

Originally posted by Clatter
How about allowing cars to come in and then resume the place they were in before they pitted, or take the time difference between the cars before the safety car is deployed and add that back to the total time, bit like they used to do if there was a restart mid-race.

No, that wouldn't be fair to drivers who pitted lap or two before the SC was deployed.

Originally posted by roger44
I wonder what conversation we would be having if the race leader had had to come into refuel under the SCD and then been sent to the back of the field.

We'd be cheering for Heidfeld and his superb race victory with mesmerising brilliance that is all.


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Hamilton fans would have a Webber fan like chuckle at their favourite's amusing perennial bad luck. Good amusment that, hehe.

Originally posted by zakeriath
I dont see a reason why the teams are not allowed to pit under the SC if they are going to run out of fuel.

Red lights at the end of the pits however should always be observed.

Good point.

But drivers should also drive slowly when pit light is green.

Unfortunately Schumi thought it would be fun to blast around track at 95% under "full course yellows" gaining a large advantage [was it a whole lap!!! ... total chaos] on the rest of the field which was travelling slowly under safety car. Thus rules must be as they are.

Originally posted by kamix
Like I said in teh other SC thread, just close the pits the entire time the SC is out. If you have to come in for fuel, you get some kind of penalty (stop go next time pits are open?).

Then you would just be handing out random stop and go penaltys based solely on strategy. With the new rules people that have to pit in or shortly after the SC are penalised. With your rule they would only be punished harder.

Alternatives would be the quite commonly mentioned and with standard ECU certainly possible speed limit al around the circuit or on a certain location.

Another thing could be an extra fueltank in the car that is only to be used in case of a safety-car period. E.g. the safety car comes out, everybody gets another 10 laps of fuel, nobody has to pit under sc conditions.

Originally posted by kNt

Then you would just be handing out random stop and go penaltys based solely on strategy. With the new rules people that have to pit in or shortly after the SC are penalised. With your rule they would only be punished harder.

Alternatives would be the quite commonly mentioned and with standard ECU certainly possible speed limit al around the circuit or on a certain location.

Another thing could be an extra fueltank in the car that is only to be used in case of a safety-car period. E.g. the safety car comes out, everybody gets another 10 laps of fuel, nobody has to pit under sc conditions.

They both sound like horrible ideas IMO. They would just be creating much more work for FIA, extra inspections of fuel tanks, possible failures in speed limiter, lots of grey areas.

I´ve always hated the pace car thing. It makes a mockery of racing. A driver can no longer drive tactically, because a pace car interruption will alter the real face of any race. Something must be done about this farce.

Just wait until BE or the TV execs starts using the SC to tighten up the field for closer racing just like in NASCAR

Put a speed limit of, say, 150Km/h, as soon as the SC is out.

Drive through for every driver who speeds after, say, 15 seconds.

Disqualification for every driver who blatantly breaks the limit (+200Km/h).

Problem solved.

Originally posted by CaptnMark


The previous rules gave too big advantage the other way.

Ban refueling if you don't like the current rules.

I can't see your point. How was it the other way?

The pits should be open all the time. Thats what they are there for. But red lights at the pit exit should be turned on when SC passes the pit lane entrance and put out after the whole queue has passed the exit. That would be quite fair.