8 replies to this topic

[JosTheBoss]

Luca de M banging on about third cars (again) has got me thinking. We often hear that F1 is keen to 'shake up' the Grand Prix weekend, and I think I know how to do it, AND get Luca's 3 car teams happening.

Have two divisions! Here's how:

Say there are 10 teams with 3 cars each = 30 cars.

Qualifying at race 1 of the year is a two hour event, to essentially sort the fast from the slow. The top 15 cars form D1 at the first race, and the bottom 15 cars form D2. BUT the two hour qually ONLY happens at race 1, after that it's 2 x 30 minute qualifying sessions, one per division. Bottom 7 cars eliminated after 15 minutes, and then a top 8 shootout to decide the grids. Division 2 qualifies first, and races first on the Sunday, as we build up to the 'big boys' racing in D1.

Races are shorter, say 40 laps each with no refueling, but a mandatory tyre change between laps 5 & 35. There are two races on the Sunday, so fans at the track get better value too.

In Division 1, drivers and teams are awarded essentially 'regular points' from 1st to 12th. Cars that finish 13th, 14th and 15th get nothing, and are relegated for next race.

i.e D1 points per race:

1st: 50
2nd: 36
3rd: 30
4th: 24
5th: 20
6th: 16
7th: 12
8th: 10
9th: 8
10th: 6
11th: 4
12th: 2
13th: 0 (relegated for next race)
14th: 0 (relegated for next race)
15th: 0 (relegated for next race)

In Division 2, drivers and teams are awarded 'half points' from 1st to 12th; like D1 teams that are 13th 14th or 15th in D2 get nothing. The incentive, however, is that 1st, 2nd and 3rd get promoted to D1 for the next race!

D2 points per race:

1st: 25 (promoted to D1 next race)
2nd: 18 (promoted to D1 next race)
3rd: 15 (promoted to D1 next race)
4th: 12
5th: 10
6th: 8
7th: 6
8th: 5
9th: 4
10th: 3
11th: 2
12th: 1
13th: 0
14th: 0
15th: 0

Points accumulate towards a single WDC and WCC, regardless of where you score your points from.

Now, I know there's a few holes here, but can you imagine a technical failure or accident that forced a regular D1 team or driver to be relegated next race? A Red Bull-like bingle as in Turkey could conceivably have two of the top cars and drivers having to fight in D2 the following race, desperately trying to finish top 3 so they could a) get back in D1 asap, and b) not lose too much in the points race to their usual rivals in D1.

Ok, shoot me down!

Edited by JosTheBoss, 16 December 2010 - 17:27.

[TURU]

Ok, shoot me down!

If you plan to destroy Formula One, then yes, you have a great idea.

[JosTheBoss]

Just found my own first problem: would you really want to be promoted from D2 to D1 if you were essentially sacrificing a solid 8 to 12 points per race, just to finish 13th to 15th in D1 and get nothing?

oops.

I think I have to rethink the points, there's gotta be incentive (rather than points penalty) for getting into the lower reaches of D1.

[mdecarle]

What would it have meant in 2010?

[ManiaMuse]

1) More expensive. F1 needs to cut costs at the moment.

2) Two tier system. Fewer people will watch the 'slow' race which is not what sponsors want, particularly considering that the teams who most badly need money are towards the back of the grid usually.

3) Unfairly penalises drivers who get punted off through no fault of their own on the first lap of the 'fast' race.

4) Machinery is not necessarily identical within teams. A Vettel/Webber Silverstone wing issue would be even more controversial if it led to one driver qualifying in the 'slow' race.

5) The current qualifying format is arguably the best ever. Why change something that works well?

6) Fans want to see more cars on the race track at the same time not fewer.

7) Unecessarily complicated. Fans will be turned off and not understand what is going on.

[Gyan]

If you really want a 2 division F1, just plug in GP2 as the 2nd division and relegate the bottom 2 and promote the top 2.

Don't want it, nor would it work.

Edited by Gyan, 17 December 2010 - 07:46.

[teejay]

We can barely find 12 fit teams atm, where will more come from ?

[OneAndOnly]

Let's hope old fart Bernie isn't reading this topic .

Having two divisions like in football actually isn't bad idea. D1 would consist of actual teams, and then form D2 of teams that wanted to enter F1 or wants to enter F1. Two worst teams in D1 are relegated to D2 at the end of the season, and two best teams in D2 are promoted to D1.
If some new team wants to enter F1 first they have to prove themselves in D2, and the best way to do that is to beat other teams in D2.
This way you have more show, more action and real check for new teams before they enter F1.

[chrisj]

If you really want a 2 division F1, just plug in GP2 as the 2nd division and relegate the bottom 2 and promote the top 2.

I like this part. Run "GP2" with Formula one cars. I'd do qualifying for everyone on Friday, with the top 20 racing on Sunday in the Grand Prix and the rest racing on Saturday in the support race. Let any team that wants, run a 3rd or 4th car, allow customer teams, etc.