44 replies to this topic

[ANF]

I think it would be a great way to end 2015 – the year when Formula 1 was officially declared broken – by asking ourselves how to fix it.

You can tick as many boxes as you like. And yes, you can participate even if you don't celebrate Christmas! I'm sure your wishes will come true when Bernie, Todt et al. get to see the result.

Sadly, the poll would only allow 60 different answers, so I'm sure some of you will have to add your own favourite ideas that I've left out.

[Otaku]

So many things to vote... 

[ANF]

So many things and so many characters that I'm afraid it caused a forum night of database error. Sorry if that was the case.

[Marklar]

Good selection. I've voted for

• Decrease the downforce levels significantly
• Simplify the bodywork regulations to allow greater design freedom
• Ban power steering
• Ban a number of in-cockpit adjustments that will improve drivability (e.g. differential settings and various engine maps)
• Ban any beeps or lights (other than the rev lights) that inform the driver when to lift off the throttle or change gears
• Ban pit-to-car radio; only allow safety messages (from the team or race control)
• Ban real-time telemetry; only allow data to be gathered in the pits
• Allow unlimited amounts of fuel to be used in the race
• Allow unlimited fuel flow rates in the race
• Allow a wide variety of engine types; make hybrid power units optional, even for current engine manufacturers
• Allow more or unlimited upgrades to the power units during the season
• Limit the number of times a driver can use the overtaking aid in the race
• (Re)install natural limits (gravel, grass, barriers, etc.) to discourage drivers from abusing the track limits
• Stop imposing grid penalties for power unit and gearbox changes
• Ban tyre temperature sensors
• Scrap the rule that forces Q3 drivers to start the race on a specific set of tyres or compound
• Scrap the mandatory use of more than one dry-weather compound in the race
• Make the entire range of compounds available (that are safe for the circuit) instead of (as from 2016) only three compounds
• Give teams complete freedom to decide which compounds to use (no mandatory race tyres selected by the tyre supplier)
• Let there be more than one tyre supplier
• Relax the parc fermé rules and allow more changes to be made to the cars between qualifying and the race
• Dissolve the Strategy Group
• Create a more equal distribution of prize money to teams

With regards to the prize money I would add that neither the teams nor the shareholders should get more money. In my opinion the race promoters (especially tracks like Spa, Monza) should simply pay less

[Maustinsj]

Poll needs more options.

Edited by Maustinsj, 10 December 2015 - 10:12.

[Wheels23]

Each team has a Christmas song they have to play during radio transmission. Each team has to use one of each tire (one option, one prime, one inters and one wet) at the same time. 

 

You can use DRS whenever. 

[king_crud]

isn't there a bazillion threads on how to improve F1?

[noikeee]

Wow, that is a comprehensive list. I voted only for the following:

 

Cars: Increase the downforce levels significantly

Cars: Lift the ban on active suspension

Fuel: Allow unlimited fuel flow rates in the race

Power units: Set a maximum price for customer power units and gearboxes

Power units: Allow more or unlimited upgrades to the power units during the season

Overtaking aid: Make the overtaking aid less powerful down the straights than the current DRS

Track limits: Tighten the enforcement; give a penalty for every time a driver leaves the track (even if he didn't gain an advantage)

Tyres: Scrap the rule that forces Q3 drivers to start the race on a specific set of tyres or compound

Tyres: Let someone other than Pirelli be the single tyre supplier; reject the Pirelli contract for 2017–19

Race weekend: Relax the parc fermé rules and allow more changes to be made to the cars between qualifying and the race

Finance: Introduce a budget cap for all teams

 

My vision of F1 is that a budget cap and a set maximum price for the engines, would compensate for the large expenses of making all of these changes and the slightly less restrained development, particularly on the engine side.

 

An increase in downforce, the return of active suspension, opening up the fuel flow rate, and a tyre supplier mandated to develop performance tyres, not degradation tyres like the current Pirellis; would all help the cars look more on the limit and be more exciting. I believe Michelin would be able to provide tyres that don't last the whole race but can be pushed. I also voted for toning down (but crucially, NOT removing) DRS as it's often too powerful as it stands, although with quicker cars you may need DRS to remain as powerful as it is as you automatically will get less overtaking.

 

The races hopefully would still be somewhat dynamic, not complete processions 2010 style, with differences in performance as the race goes on, thanks to the ban on parc ferme, and the fact you'd still have to juggle tyre compounds around by being forced to drive with 2 of them (plus the choice you get from 3 possible compounds). I don't love this rule but you do need something to create swings in performance throughout a race, if you bring back performance tyres. If the races still turn out boring, at least you now get much more interesting, quicker cars to watch on their own; and the engine development throughout the season should make a season more unpredictable.

 

Along the same lines, the ability to start on new tyres rather than the ones you qualified, should give us exciting full performance qualifying laps again.

 

The race format and qualifying format is fine and shouldn't be messed with.

 

I'd tighten down track limits and make it an auto penalty the third time you leave the track or whatever. This would take away any ambiguity and make penalties fairer. Ideally you'd have some sort of surface on the outside of corners that discourages going there and isn't unsafe, instead of such a draconian rule (we had a similar rule in iRacing and I hated driving under it), but it's not feasible to do so in every single track as it is. I'm a little undecided how to deal with this problem tbh, might well be that the current status quo even if often annoying is still the best option.

Edited by noikeee, 10 December 2015 - 12:32.

[Afterburner]

Holy s&#t, do you write surveys for a living?

[ConsiderAndGo]

This thread looked interesting. I then saw the list, and lost all of my interest.

 

great effort, though!!

Edited by ConsiderAndGo, 10 December 2015 - 16:45.

[mp4x]

 

Sometimes I manufacture some questionnaires to mess up with people or my friends, I don't know why but it sounds like one of those, maybe because it's too long.

 

Nice effort.

[statman]

for me:

 

Cars: Ban gearshift paddles; mandate a sequential gear lever
Cars: Ban a number of in-cockpit adjustments that will improve drivability (e.g. differential settings and various engine maps)
Cars: Ban any beeps or lights (other than the rev lights) that inform the driver when to lift off the throttle or change gears
Cars: Ban pit-to-car radio; only allow safety messages (from the team or race control)
Cars: Ban real-time telemetry; only allow data to be gathered in the pitsPower units: Make the internal combustion engine more powerful
Power units: Offer an alternative non-hybrid engine to customer teams
Power units: Allow a wide variety of engine types; make hybrid power units optional, even for current engine manufacturers
Overtaking aid: Ban them; drivers shall only use the throttle pedal to go faster
Track limits: Relax the enforcement; only penalize drivers for short-cutting the track
Governance: Dissolve the Strategy Group

[ardbeg]

I would like to speak for lifting the ban on active suspension: Currently the (best) teams have active suspension of sorts, but the mechanisms are clumsy and expensive to develop. Lifting the ban would make it cheaper and (therefore) more equal.

[GuilhermeMach]

I'm surprised that "lift the ban on ground effect / Venturi tunnels" wasn't mentioned. I believe a moderate level of ground effect and less reliance on wings for downforce would be great, and I'm really sad they backtracked on this idea when it was proposed for 2017.

 

My votes:

 

Cars: Simplify the bodywork regulations to allow greater design freedom

Cars: Ban power steering

Cars: Ban a number of in-cockpit adjustments that will improve drivability (e.g. differential settings and various engine maps)

Cars: Ban any beeps or lights (other than the rev lights) that inform the driver when to lift off the throttle or change gears

Fuel: Allow unlimited fuel flow rates in the race

Power units: Set a maximum price for customer power units and gearboxes

Power units: Allow more or unlimited upgrades to the power units during the season

Overtaking aid: Ban them; drivers shall only use the throttle pedal to go faster

Tyres: Scrap the rule that forces Q3 drivers to start the race on a specific set of tyres or compound

Tyres: Scrap the mandatory use of more than one dry-weather compound in the race

Governance: Dissolve the Strategy Group

Finance: Create a more equal distribution of prize money to teams

Finance: Distribute more of the profit to the teams, less to the F1 shareholders

 

I think it's unrealistic to ask Pirelli to bring all 7 tyre options to every race weekend, so I think they should instead bring the softest possible tyre to every track - maybe they could even remove the hard compound from the lineup. Also don't think we need to have a different tyre supplier. As much as I dislike Pirelli's work, I'm pretty sure they can make durable and grippy tyres if they were allowed to.

 

I like the weekend format as it is, but as a wacky idea, I'd love to see a short, parallel superkart championship between F1 drivers during the European season, maybe on Saturdays or Sunday mornings.

 

Edit: also didn't vote for unlimited fuel because well, that would be a wasted freedom - teams already run with as little fuel as they can get away with. I'd just like to have unlimited fuel flow, so drivers could go all the way if they had some fuel in reserve.

Edited by GuilhermeMach, 10 December 2015 - 18:51.

[Volcano70]

Gravel,refueling and unlimited fuel flow 

[ANF]

Don't forget to make your list!

[SonJR]

Appreciate the effort that's gone into this

[ANF]

There may be a bonus Christmas gift to anyone who can explain the reason for the ****ed up poll percentages.

[thegforcemaybewithyou]

Currently 49 members voted.

 

In the first section 26 votes corresponds to 9.06% -> 26/9.06*100 = 287 total selections

In the second section 38 votes corresponds to 14.9% -> 38/14.9*100 = 255 total selections

In the third section 37 votes corresponds to 11.6% -> 37/11.6*100 = 319 total selections

[THEWALL]

Don't transmit driver wohoos if he wins the race.

 

Ban celebrations after dominating races.

 

Ban pit boys.

 

Execute the ones that came up with DRS, mandatory use of compounds and hybrid engines.

 

Eliminate WCC or ban TOs.

 

One set of tyres per race (?)

[noikeee]

Great racing series there in your imagination Mr Hitler.

[Lotus53B]

I went mainly for lowering the use of radios/telemetry, changing the tyre regulations, more equitable distribution of the profits based on common ownership of the means of prod^w, oops, sorry - wrong meeting, comrades...

 

My main one though "Cars: Simplify the bodywork regulations to allow greater design freedom!"  I'd like to extend that though - simplify the aero surfaces - mandate a maximum number of planes, mandate minimum chord angles.  Get rid of the razor edge sculptures that slice through tyres like a cutthroat razor slices through a balloon.  Bring back limited underbody venturis.

[Disgrace]

I appear to have voted for quite a lot of options:

 

Spoiler

Cars: Increase the overall car width from 180 cm

Cars: Decrease the downforce levels significantly

Cars: Simplify the bodywork regulations to allow greater design freedom

Cars: Ban a number of in-cockpit adjustments that will improve drivability (e.g. differential settings and various engine maps)

Power units: Make the internal combustion engine more powerful

Power units: Set a maximum price for customer power units and gearboxes

Overtaking aid: Replace DRS with a push-to-pass power boost

Overtaking aid: Make the overtaking aid less powerful down the straights than the current DRS

Overtaking aid: Limit the number of times a driver can use the overtaking aid in the race

Track limits: (Re)install natural limits (gravel, grass, barriers, etc.) to discourage drivers from abusing the track limits

Race weekend: Relax the parc fermé rules and allow more changes to be made to the cars between qualifying and the race

Governance: Dissolve the Strategy Group (26 votes [6.55%])

Finance: Create a more equal distribution of prize money to teams (46 votes [11.59%])

Finance: Abolish all existing bonus and historical payments (let there be no so-called privileged teams)

Finance: Distribute more of the profit to the teams, less to the F1 shareholders

Tyres: Scrap the mandatory use of more than one dry-weather compound in the race

Tyres: Let there be more than one tyre supplier

Tyres: Scrap the rule that forces Q3 drivers to start the race on a specific set of tyres or compound

 

Simplify the formula, uncouple the links between Saturday and Sunday, replace DRS with a genuinely strategic device that can be deployed completely freely but for a limited number of uses, bring back a tyre war and distribute the prize money more equitably. Quality racing, wet races, grid numbers and lap times all solved. No need for a budget cap either. I accept the risk that one tyre manufacturer may dominate but we do so with the cars, engines and drivers.

[ANF]

Currently 49 members voted.
 
In the first section 26 votes corresponds to 9.06% -> 26/9.06*100 = 287 total selections
In the second section 38 votes corresponds to 14.9% -> 38/14.9*100 = 255 total selections
In the third section 37 votes corresponds to 11.6% -> 37/11.6*100 = 319 total selections

Ah, the multiple-answer polls count the total number of votes, not the number of voters. Thanks.

[Lemans]

World peace and more grid girls.

[Nathan]

Scrap the zones; let drivers use the overtaking aid anywhere on the circuit + Limit the number of times a driver can use the overtaking aid in the race

 

This is an interesting idea.  I'm not too fond of DRS, but it does help 'the show' most times, and allowing it's use for say 6 seconds per lap, anywhere on the track, would make it a more tactical devise (and maybe increase DNFs).

[PlatenGlass]

The percentage thing is screwed. It should be the percentage of voters that voted for that option, but it clearly isn't.

[ANF]

This is your 15-hour warning. Hurry, hurry!

[Currahee]

Stop Bernie from continuing to ruin everything for the sake of money.

[Dick Dastardly]

Should have a circuit section...say which circuits / races you'd like to keep and/or recover....

[jonpollak]

Teach Kimi where "1" is.
(the poor guy has ZERO rhythm...and no, he does NOT know what he is doing.)




Jp

Edited by jonpollak, 24 December 2015 - 13:08.

[HuddersfieldTerrier1986]

Can't be bothered writing down everything I voted for, but definitely get rid of the 'must use both types of tyre' rule. Let them choose any compounds and for example use hard tyres in the race and don't stop at all, mediums and stop once, softs and stop 2-3 times etc. Basically free reign (but obviously keep the 'pick what tyres you want to take' deadline just for logistical reasons, but ultimately let them take ultra soft, supersoft, soft, medium and hard to a race weekend if they want to.

[Peter0Scandlyn]

 Each team has to use one of each tire (one option, one prime, one inters and one wet) at the same time. 

 

 

 

Didn't Williams pioneer something similar this season past.......?

[PayasYouRace]

Fans: Stop complaining about every little change, realise that not everything was better in the past, enjoy F1 for what it is or don't watch.

[Kristian]

The main thing to me is to bring challenge and character back to circuits - bring back gravel traps. Plant some trees at the Tilkedromes. Make it easy to tell from a photo exactly which circuit the car is at, like you used to be able to. Get rid of any opportunity to abuse track limits. 

 

For me, that would solve a lot. 

 

And please Santa, make the Honda engine good. Seeing Jenson and Fernando fighting Hamilton will be a joy. 

 

Oh, and all the governance items I agree with. 

Edited by Kristian, 24 December 2015 - 21:36.

[Kristian]

Its interesting looking at the top 10 of this actually... this is much more of a poll of what fans want to see than those 'official' polls that took place this year, as it gets right to the heart of the issues. So looking at the top 10 changes fans want, in order, they are also what more than half of those here polled (96 right now) want to see:  

 

1. Track limits: (Re)install natural limits (gravel, grass, barriers, etc.) to discourage drivers from abusing the track limits 81

2. Finance: Create a more equal distribution of prize money to teams  77

3. Finance: Distribute more of the profit to the teams, less to the F1 shareholders 67

4. Tyres: Give teams complete freedom to decide which compounds to use (no mandatory race tyres selected by the tyre supplier) 58

5. Finance: Abolish all existing bonus and historical payments (let there be no so-called privileged teams)  57

6. Power units: Allow more or unlimited upgrades to the power units during the season  56

7. Fuel: Allow unlimited fuel flow rates in the race  53

8. Tyres: Scrap the rule that forces Q3 drivers to start the race on a specific set of tyres or compound  50

9. Cars: Simplify the bodywork regulations to allow greater design freedom 49

10. Tyres: Scrap the mandatory use of more than one dry-weather compound in the race 49

 

There are trends: 

- Tracks are a big issue at the heart of fans. It would have been interesting to see more track-related questions here to see if the limits being no.1 concern is a trend (e.g. classic circuits coming back, or relaxing of FIA regulations on new circuits, etc.). Given that circuits are the most simple and visual representation of the challenge of F1, and also the most romantic in terms of the sports history, I think the powers-that-be are taking a big risk in ignoring how important they are to the appeal of the sport.

- The financial regulation, despite having absolutely no on-track relevance in terms of the actual action on race day, is massively important to fans. That it overshadows the sport is a massive injustice that needs to be rectified.

- There is too much regulation in the eyes of fans. All the other popular points are about abolishing restrictive regulations and improving freedoms within the sport.

 

Although this thread seemed a bit of an off-season filler when it was posted, it is acutally very very useful in looking at these patterns. Thanks for taking the time OP!  

Edited by Kristian, 24 December 2015 - 21:51.

[Jimisgod]

This is your 15-hour warning. Hurry, hurry!

 

It's going to take longer than that to read them all.

[Wuzak]

I think a budget cap is the key to allowing more freedom in other areas.

 

Unlike Max's absurdly low cap proposed in 2009 (?), I would start high and reduce each year.

 

The budget cap would start at around the level of Red bull and within, perhaps, 5 years, go back to something like Williams'.

 

The budget cap would cover chassis and team costs, but not power unit development costs. Power units would be considered a fixed price item, whether the team pays for them or not.

 

Drivers' salaries to be included under the budget cap.

 

With the budget cap you could remove the restrictions on wind tunnel testing, CFD analysis and remove the ban on in season track testing, or any private testing.

[Marklar]

Didn't Williams pioneer something similar this season past.......?

Wait for next season: we are going to top that....
 

Fans: Stop complaining about every little change, realise that not everything was better in the past, enjoy F1 for what it is or don't watch.

In the end this is also a important point: but not neccesarly just the fans (you should have the right as a fan to be pissed about something), but more the media/promoters of the sport. F1 has basically a image problem, even if you solve the other problems they wont go forward much. You just need to look to Indy Cars: they are imo the best racing series in the world, stil they are not attracting many people (from the mainstream). It's all about the image...
 

Drivers' salaries to be included under the budget cap.

I would exclude the driver salaries. Because otherwise the small teams are again disadvantaged. For instance Damiler could pay Hamilton 34 m of his salary as a Mercedes-Benz ambassador  and 1 m as a racing driver from the racing teams budget (Ferrari, RBR, Renault and McLaren-Honda could do the same). While teams like Williams can't do that. They would need to pay Massas 4 m salary from the budget....

Edited by Marklar, 25 December 2015 - 12:34.

[HeadFirst]

1. Ease regs on engine development

2. Simplify and tighten regs on aero/bodywork (leave them just short of spec)

3. Total ban on drivers with receding hairlines, bald spots, or are just plain ugly

4. Ban Felipe Massa ...... well just because

[BuddyHolly]

Ban DRS

Allow another tyre company to join (tyre war would force Pirelli to up their game)

Ban paddle gear changes, move back to manual gearbox

Ban beeps and lights to tell the driver when to shift gears

Allow engine development throughout the season

Remove "mile wide" runoffs and put gravel traps back to have a punishment if the drivers go off the track

[Spillage]

1) All the money allocated to the teams to be pooled and dished out evenly, a la the NFL. If teams can make any more through sponsorship/outside investment, they're welcome to it.

2) Bigger engines so the cars are faster and louder.

3) Tyres that allow drivers to push all the way through.

4) GRAVEL TRAPS. Track limits wouldn't have to be policed at all if we still had them.

[Ali_G]

No mention of re-introducing ground effect aerodynamics. Sigh.

[ANF]

Let's see if we can have some proper bar charts now that the year has come to an end and a whopping 117 members have cast their votes.


Most popular wishes – more than 50 percent of the members

███████████████████████████████████████████████▌81.2% More gravel/grass/barriers to prevent track limits abuse
██████████████████████████████████████████████  78.6% More equal distribution of prize money to teams
██████████████████████████████████████████  71.8% More money to the teams, less to the shareholders
████████████████████████████████████  61.5% No mandated race compounds for all teams to use
██████████████████████████████████▌59.0% More in-season PU upgrades allowed
██████████████████████████████████▌59.0% No bonus/historical payments to teams
█████████████████████████████████▌57.3% Unlimited fuel flow rates
███████████████████████████████  53.0% Q3 drivers may start the race on any set of tyres
██████████████████████████████▌52.1% All (safe) tyre compounds made available at every event
██████████████████████████████  51.3% No mandatory use of two race compounds


Least popular wishes – less than 10 percent of the members

█  1.7% More powerful overtaking aid than current DRS
█  1.7% Qualifying race
█▌2.6% More restricted fuel amount/flow
█▌2.6% More than one race per event
██  3.4% Fuel restrictions for hybrid cars; none for non-hybrid
███▌6.0% Traction control allowed
████  6.8% Single-lap qualifying
████  6.8% Wind tunnels banned
████▌7.7% Less powerful overtaking aid than current DRS
█████  8.5% Reverse grids
█████▌9.4% Open-session qualifying; no knockout


Cars: Driving, Designing & Engineering

████████████████████████████▌48.7% Less detailed bodywork regulations
████████████████████████████▌48.7% More post-qualifying adjustments allowed
████████████████████████████▌48.7% Pit-to-car radio banned unless for safety
████████████████████████████  47.9% “Lift-off beeps” banned
██████████████████████████▌45.3% Decreased downforce
████████████████████████▌41.9% Real-time telemetry banned
███████████████████████▌40.2% Less in-cockpit adjustments allowed
███████████████████████  39.3% Increased car width
███████████████  25.6% Active suspension allowed
██████████████  23.9% Power steering banned
████████████  20.5% Tyre temperature sensors banned
███████████  18.8% Gearshift paddles banned
█████████  15.4% Increased downforce
████████▌14.5% Standardized pieces of bodywork
████  6.8% Wind tunnels banned
███▌6.0% Traction control allowed


Power units & Fuel

██████████████████████████████████▌59.0% More in-season PU upgrades allowed
█████████████████████████████████▌57.3% Unlimited fuel flow rates
██████████████████████████  44.4% More powerful MGU-K
█████████████████████████▌43.6% Maximum price for customer PU/gearbox
█████████████████████████  42.7% Many engine types allowed; hybrids made optional
█████████████████████████  42.7% No grid penalties for PU/gearbox change
████████████████████████  41.0% Unlimited amount of race fuel
███████████████████████▌40.2% More powerful ICE
██████████████  23.9% Refuelling allowed in the race
█████████████  22.2% Alternative non-hybrid engine for customer teams
██  3.4% Fuel restrictions for hybrid cars; none for non-hybrid
█▌2.6% More restricted fuel amount/flow


Tyres

████████████████████████████████████  61.5% No mandated race compounds for all teams to use
███████████████████████████████  53.0% Q3 drivers may start the race on any set of tyres
██████████████████████████████▌52.1% All (safe) tyre compounds made available at every event
██████████████████████████████  51.3% No mandatory use of two race compounds
████████████████████████████▌48.7% More than one tyre supplier
██████████████▌24.8% Single tyre supplier, but not Pirelli


DRS or P2P

███████████████████████▌40.2% Overtaking aids banned; DRS scrapped
████████████████  27.4% DRS/P2P allowed anywhere on the track
█████████▌16.2% Limited number of DRS/P2P uses
█████████▌16.2% P2P power boost instead of DRS
████████▌14.5% No 1-second gap rule for using DRS/P2P
██████▌11.1% Overtaking aids developed by teams; no standard device
████▌7.7% Less powerful overtaking aid than current DRS
█  1.7% More powerful overtaking aid than current DRS


Track limits

███████████████████████████████████████████████▌81.2% More gravel/grass/barriers to prevent track limits abuse
█████████████▌23.1% Stricter enforcement of track limits
████████▌14.5% Relaxed enforcement of track limits


Race weekends & Competition

█████████████  22.2% Three-car teams allowed
██████▌11.1% Decreased amount of free practice
█████▌9.4% Open-session qualifying; no knockout
█████  8.5% Reverse grids
████  6.8% Single-lap qualifying
█▌2.6% More than one race per event
█  1.7% Qualifying race


Governance & Finance

██████████████████████████████████████████████  78.6% More equal distribution of prize money to teams
██████████████████████████████████████████  71.8% More money to the teams, less to the shareholders
██████████████████████████████████▌59.0% No bonus/historical payments to teams
████████████████████████████▌48.7% The Strategy Group dissolved
████████████▌21.4% Budget cap for all teams


Conclusions, anyone?

[PayasYouRace]

No real surprises, most of that stuff has been asked for for years.. Conclusion: F1 fans know what we want, the FIA, FOM and teams don't actually listen.