53 replies to this topic

[Poz85]

Only recently joined the forum so hello to everyone.

I've created this thread to give ideas on what we think would help improve F1 for the drivers, teams and above all the fans.

I'd like to see your opinions and solutions, thanks.

[Poz85]

I'll start with one, buy out the IndyCar production company if possible and let them work their magic.

Edited by Poz85, 07 September 2018 - 10:29.

[Fatgadget]

F1 is fine as it is. Trying to change/improve it other than for safety and reflexion of  the times  is what ***ks it up.

[Peat]

Poz85, on 07 Sept 2018 - 10:29, said:

I'll start with one, buy out the IndyCar production company if possible and let them work their magic.

 

Liberty have indeed been sniffing around 16th & Georgetown, but I can only imagine its with the intention of neutralizing a threat rather than poaching expertise. 

[Poz85]

Peat, on 07 Sept 2018 - 10:56, said:

Liberty have indeed been sniffing around 16th & Georgetown, but I can only imagine its with the intention of neutralizing a threat rather than poaching expertise.

With those onboard the show would be epic IMO.

[F1matt]

Give the sport a decent period of stability, we have the hybrid engines now, no new manufacturer has shown an interest in joining according to Jean Todt so stick with what we have got. Make all engine suppliers supply any team for an FIA fixed fee, so if Red Bull wanted a Mercedes engine supply and they were willing to pay the agreed fee then they can have one.

 

Work to reduce dirty aero to the car in front so we can eventually ditch DRS and have some passes where a driver has to work hard to pass the man in front, the fans will realise this and appreciate the pass more.

 

Make the prize money fairer throughout the grid, this will allow teams who have no manufacturer support and have suffered by losing sponsors because of the paywall to compete on a level playing field and not have to rely on pay drivers.

 

Make the maximum contract a driver can sign no more than 2 years to reduce the amount of "tied in" junior drivers we have. 

 

Bring in Hankook and Michelin, and if Pirelli want to stay they can, then watch the lap times tumble. (Porsche can stick their 919 up their arse)

 

Work on making the halo aesthetically pleasing and reduce the amount of run off areas we have by using kerbs or sleeping policeman (gravel traps if possible) to keep drivers on the track, personally I don't care if a driver is beached on lap 1 because he made a mistake, its his problem not the FIA's and they really shouldn't care if the fans paid good money to see him. 

 

Liberty and the FIA should fund a seat in F1 for the F2 champion, they should also fund a seat in F2 for the GP3 champion, have a F4 champions shoot out in November, lets call it a Festival and have it at Brands Hatch and the winner of that gets a fully paid GP3 seat, thus reducing the amount of junior programmes needed. 

 

Work with Indycar, WEC, and other key championships, acknowledge that they have the right to exist, put on a show and are relevant to fans, TV companies and drivers, and take that into consideration when putting the calendar together. 

 

I could go on forever but its a start...

[pacificquay]

The poster previous wants both faster cars and more overtaking - the two are simply not compatible.

[RedRocksF1]

About the car:

- More simple and cheaper motors, so more manufacturers can join the sport.

- Sound of the car like V8/V10.

- Quit DRS. Aero rules that allow overtaking.

- Change the approach of the tyre management. Not more Pirellis with artificial degradation. Let the Michelin, etc... enter and compete like motogp for example.

- Freedom to change tyres, or not to change the tyres, and refueling, or not to do it. You can do the pole and in the race stops soon, etc... a variety of strategies.

 

About the circuits:

- No more tilkodromes.

- No escapes without penalization. Gravel and grass, and the driver pays the mistakes (it´s not about security).

 

About the media:

- I think Liberty is doing well.

[Cirio]

Mercedes has suggested the top teams should be allowed to run 3 cars with the third being reserved for a young driver, say with 2 years or less F1 experience. Seemed like a good idea.

 

The third car WCC points don't count, of course.

Edited by Cirio, 07 September 2018 - 12:38.

[pitlanepalpatine]

Since people keep wanting third cars for rookies but are concerned about them locking out the podium they could try:

 

Rookie Cup: If 5 or more constructors submit an entry a rookie cup will be held.

 

Each constructor will provide 1 additional driver that has not previously  completed 2 or 1 seasons in F1.

 

Results could be organised as follows to prevent podium lockouts by 1 team

 

1. Participants for the Rookie Cup are not eligible for WDC or WCC positions. 

 

Or

 

2. Only the leading 2 cars for any participating team can be eligible for WDC or WCC positions. The remaining car is excluded.

Edited by pitlanepalpatine, 07 September 2018 - 12:36.

[Poz85]

What about a F1 Junior Championship?

That way a team could have 4 cars or if the costs are too high then they use the teams senior drivers cars after the feature race.

[Gemini]

Poz85, on 07 Sept 2018 - 10:12, said:

Only recently joined the forum so hello to everyone.

I've created this thread to give ideas on what we think would help improve F1 for the drivers, teams and above all the fans.

I'd like to see your opinions and solutions, thanks.

 

Are you Chase Carey?  

[Jerem]

Technical:

- Drop wings and bring back ground effect. Similar speeds with less dirty air, and better looks.

- Active suspensions should also help keep the speeds high and F1 as technological pinnacle.

- Make the cars much smaller and lighter. The current boats are ridiculously large. If that brings back refuelling so be it, I don't mind either format.

- I want either tyre war or tyres I don't constantly hear about. They're just some pieces of inflated rubber that make the car stick to the ground and sometimes get worn and need changing - NOT car parts whose random behavior decides who dominates or struggles.

 

Sporting:

- Stop the dirty driving (moving under braking, pushing cars outside the track...) and enforce track limits strictly by handing meaningful penalties. That should help overtaking and reward clean drivers.

- No more grid drops for components change. If your engine's going to fail, then let it fail in the race or retire the car... I'd rather see more mechanical failures than grid penalties.

- Budget cap.

- Don't fiddle with qualifying format. It's great as it is. Just drop the mandatory tyre from Q2 to race thing, it's pointless.

- In case of spec tyres, let the teams decide which compounds they want at each race and let them use them how they want in the race. Again, you may want to bring back refuelling to make pitstops useful, unlike now.

- Drop the VSC or change its implementation. Now it's impossible to follow and the outcome looks totally random. Real SC hampers the leaders? Tough luck.

- Radio ban especially because of driver pampering. Just use the good old pitboard for needful info.

[Okyo]

Cirio, on 07 Sept 2018 - 12:35, said:

Mercedes has suggested the top teams should be allowed to run 3 cars with the third being reserved for a young driver, say with 2 years or less F1 experience. Seemed like a good idea.

 

The third car WCC points don't count, of course.

Big teams would dominate even more just by having a rear gunner and someone who could just keep on testing aero parts constantly.  

[Kalmake]

Poz85, on 07 Sept 2018 - 12:46, said:

What about a F1 Junior Championship?

That way a team could have 4 cars or if the costs are too high then they use the teams senior drivers cars after the feature race.

Why not use F2 cars for the junior championship...

[Poz85]

Kalmake, on 07 Sept 2018 - 13:24, said:

Why not use F2 cars for the junior championship...

Because a F2 car wouldn't give the teams are proper comparison like a F1 car would.

[P123]

Fatgadget, on 07 Sept 2018 - 10:43, said:

F1 is fine as it is. Trying to change/improve it other than for safety and reflexion of  the times  is what ***ks it up.

Yes, let's not forget that they have been trying to 'improve' F1 for 30 odd years.....

[Atreiu]

Spec steering wheels to limit the incluence of the pit wall and have drivers do more with their heads, feet and hands.

[jonpollak]

Make pretty cars.

Jp

[cpbell]

With apologies to those who have already made similar suggestions, my proposals would be as follows.

 

Technical:

1. (a) Retain current Power Unit regulations until 2023 for the sake of stability, with the exception of (b) FIA/Liberty contracts Cosworth or similar company to produce a spec power unit which is made available to teams at cost price (Liberty/FIA pays the company that priduces it sufficient per unit for them to make a profit)
2. Maximum wheelbase 3 metres, with current wing overhangs retained
3. Minimum weight reduction of 10 Kg
4. Revert to a flat floor (position relative to the ground as present reference plane) with full-length sidepod tunnels of strictly limited width and depth to produce more predictable downforce. 
5. Sliding skirts not allowed
6. Reduce front wing width to the inner shoulders of the front tyres with steering set straight ahead
7. Front wing to consist of mainplane and two flaps per side with flat endplates (shape of endplates otherwise unregulated)
8. Rear wing reduced in height
9. DRS banned
10. Halo device must be unmodified other than paint scheme/vinyl livery.
11. Wing mirror size increased
12. Active suspension allowed
13. Fuel flow rate limit scrapped

 

Sporting:

1. Blue flags require lapped driver to give way within one full lap of first being shown
2. Entrants allowed to enter one car if desired
3. Drivers to have a free selection of tyre compound for the start of the race
4. Grid penalties for Power Unit section/gearbox changes scrapped and replaced with fines
5. Grid place drop retained for driver penalties only
6. Maximum number of Power Unit sections and gearboxes increased to 6 per season per driver
7. Review of run-off areas with intention of generating a mimimum time loss per corner if a car leaves the circuit without excessively compromising safety
8. Dry weather tyre compounds as proposed for next year
9. Tyre warmers retained
10. Allow drivers to complete full race distance without stopping provided that the hardest compound available that weekend is used
11. Time limit on windtunnel testing to be verified by audit of security access of aero personnel during the season
12. Maximum of 18 GPs per season, with cost reductions for French, Belgian, British, German, Italian and Brazilian GPs to ensure they remain in the sport

Edited by cpbell, 07 September 2018 - 19:00.

[KWSN - DSM]

RedRocksF1, on 07 Sept 2018 - 12:24, said:

About the car:

- More simple and cheaper motors, so more manufacturers can join the sport.

- Sound of the car like V8/V10.

- Quit DRS. Aero rules that allow overtaking.

- Change the approach of the tyre management. Not more Pirellis with artificial degradation. Let the Michelin, etc... enter and compete like motogp for example.

- Freedom to change tyres, or not to change the tyres, and refueling, or not to do it. You can do the pole and in the race stops soon, etc... a variety of strategies.

 

About the circuits:

- No more tilkodromes.

- No escapes without penalization. Gravel and grass, and the driver pays the mistakes (it´s not about security).

 

About the media:

- I think Liberty is doing well.

 

Agree to most of that.... Not Pirelli's fault they are mandated to make crap tires, and do not see Liberty as doing media well.

 

[ArrowsLivery]

Get rid of DRS, enforce budget caps, and give the smaller teams more money.

[Boing Ball]

cpbell, on 07 Sept 2018 - 16:39, said:

 

With apologies to those who have already made similar suggestions, my proposals would be as follows.

 

Technical:

1. (a) Retain current Power Unit regulations until 2023 for the sake of stability, with the exception of (b) FIA/Liberty contracts Cosworth or similar company to produce a spec power unit which is made available to teams at cost price (Liberty/FIA pays the company that priduces it sufficient per unit for them to make a profit)
2. Maximum wheelbase 3 metres, with current wing overhangs retained
3. Minimum weight reduction of 10 Kg
4. Revert to a flat floor (position relative to the ground as present reference plane) with full-length sidepod tunnels of strictly limited width and depth to produce more predictable downforce. 
5. Sliding skirts not allowed
6. Reduce front wing width to the inner shoulders of the front tyres with steering set straight ahead
7. Front wing to consist of mainplane and two flaps per side with flat endplates (shape of endplates otherwise unregulated)
8. Rear wing reduced in height
9. DRS banned
10. Halo device must be unmodified other than paint scheme/vinyl livery.
11. Wing mirror size increased
12. Active suspension allowed
13. Fuel flow rate limit scrapped

 

The suggestions 1 and 13 are in contradiction. The current PU regulations are based on the fuel flow rate limit.

[Dr. Austin]

Jerem, on 07 Sept 2018 - 12:59, said:

 Stop the dirty driving (moving under braking, pushing cars outside the track...) and enforce track limits strictly by handing meaningful penalties. That should help overtaking and reward clean drivers.

 

 

It will take decades to clean it up because all of this has gone on for so long that dirty tricks are now just considered "hard, but fair," and part of today's drivers's instinct. This goes all the way down to karting, so you are not going to install a culture of of safe, fair racing overnight. 

 

Hey, I'm with you on this, but I don't think it's going to change until, well............ you know.

[cpbell]

Boing Ball, on 07 Sept 2018 - 17:48, said:

The suggestions 1 and 13 are in contradiction. The current PU regulations are based on the fuel flow rate limit.

Fair point - scrap 13!

[RacingGreen]

Cirio, on 07 Sept 2018 - 12:35, said:

Mercedes has suggested the top teams should be allowed to run 3 cars with the third being reserved for a young driver, say with 2 years or less F1 experience. Seemed like a good idea.

 

The third car WCC points don't count, of course.

 

I for one don't want to see 3 Ferrari's, 3 Mercedes and 3 Red Bulls with the best of the rest trying to get tenth place, and I'm sure the people at Force India, McLaren, Williams, Toro Rosso etc agree with me.

[Cirio]

RacingGreen, on 07 Sept 2018 - 20:27, said:

I for one don't want to see 3 Ferrari's, 3 Mercedes and 3 Red Bulls with the best of the rest trying to get tenth place, and I'm sure the people at Force India, McLaren, Williams, Toro Rosso etc agree with me.

Yeah, probably right. Fighting for 7th is bad enough. Still, 3 more cars on the grid, and if Williams and ANO go bust they could make up the numbers.

 

Actually thinking about it, 9 cars capable of winning would be better than 6, and the likes of Vettel and Bottas being challenged by the youngsters would be fun. If the others can't compete then tough luck.

Edited by Cirio, 07 September 2018 - 20:36.

[RacingGreen]

Cirio, on 07 Sept 2018 - 20:32, said:

Yeah, probably right. Fighting for 7th is bad enough. Still, 3 more cars on the grid, and if Williams and ANO go bust they could make up the numbers.

 

The compromise suggestion would be let each team run a third car at two events per season (drawn from ballot) that don't score points. That would be effectively one extra car on the grid. This allows teams with young driver programs to give their young protegee a couple of runs a season and those who don't can just sell the drives to the bidder with the biggest wallet (and a super-licence.)

 

I am assuming that teams generally have enough spares to put together a third car for these two races and as such there is limited additional expense, but of course if this isn't the case the team could just decide to pass and just not take part in the scheme.

 

I actually see this also being a great marketing boost. A one off comeback drive by Bobby K or a special drive for Joesef Newgarden has to be worth a headline.

Edited by RacingGreen, 07 September 2018 - 20:45.

[Cirio]

RacingGreen, on 07 Sept 2018 - 20:42, said:

The compromise suggestion would be let each team run a third car at two events per season (drawn from ballot) that don't score points. That would be effectively one extra car on the grid. This allows teams with young driver programs to give their young protegee a couple of runs a season and those who don't can just sell the drives to the bidder with the biggest wallet (and a super-licence.)

 

I am assuming that teams generally have enough spares to put together a third car for these two races and as such there is limited additional expense, but of course if this isn't the case the team could just decide to pass and just not take part in the scheme.

 

I actually see this also being a great marketing boost. A one off comeback drive by Bobby K or a special drive for Joesef Newgarden has to be worth a headline.

I don't really see the point in that, tbh, although your last point is a good one.

 

But 9 competitive cars would be better than 6.

[RacingGreen]

RedRocksF1, on 07 Sept 2018 - 12:24, said:

About the car:

- More simple and cheaper motors, so more manufacturers can join the sport.

- Sound of the car like V8/V10.

- Quit DRS. Aero rules that allow overtaking.

- Change the approach of the tyre management. Not more Pirellis with artificial degradation. Let the Michelin, etc... enter and compete like motogp for example.

- Freedom to change tyres, or not to change the tyres, and refueling, or not to do it. You can do the pole and in the race stops soon, etc... a variety of strategies.

 

About the circuits:

- No more tilkodromes.

- No escapes without penalization. Gravel and grass, and the driver pays the mistakes (it´s not about security).

 

About the media:

- I think Liberty is doing well.

 

Much as I prefer the sound of a V8 (or a flat 12 come to that) unless you actually going down that path just making the PU's sound better for the sake of them sounding better is artificial and I'd be against it. 

 

My current gripe with the PU's is the grid penalties for changing them too often and I'm be happy to see that rule relaxed. 

[f1paul]

KWSN - DSM, on 07 Sept 2018 - 17:15, said:

Agree to most of that.... Not Pirelli's fault they are mandated to make crap tires, and do not see Liberty as doing media well.

 

Do only thing with this is that pre-season Pirelli said we would get more 2/3 stop races but they've made they haven't done this - they are not even close.

[PeterScandlyn]

Poz85, on 07 Sept 2018 - 10:29, said:

I'll start with one, buy out the IndyCar production company if possible and let them work their magic.

 

Why start there?

 

The Delta Wing people would be cheaper. Probably get Bowlby for peanuts......  

[PayasYouRace]

RacingGreen, on 07 Sept 2018 - 20:42, said:

The compromise suggestion would be let each team run a third car at two events per season (drawn from ballot) that don't score points. That would be effectively one extra car on the grid. This allows teams with young driver programs to give their young protegee a couple of runs a season and those who don't can just sell the drives to the bidder with the biggest wallet (and a super-licence.)

 

I am assuming that teams generally have enough spares to put together a third car for these two races and as such there is limited additional expense, but of course if this isn't the case the team could just decide to pass and just not take part in the scheme.

 

I actually see this also being a great marketing boost. A one off comeback drive by Bobby K or a special drive for Joesef Newgarden has to be worth a headline.

 

There are currently 126 empty grid spots over the entire season. So we could have full grids at most races if each team was allowed to choose up to 12 races to enter a third car. Could even allow a 4th car for one or two races. I'm sure four Ferraris would go down well a Monza for example.

 

I'd still allow the drivers to score points, and maybe have only the two best finishes count for the constructors.

[Victor]

Welcome to the forum Poz85.

I like RacingGreen's idea of a third car in two GP not scoring points.

[Poz85]

Can someone actually tell me why we haven't gone down the ground effect route? Would it actually make that much of a difference in allowing cars to follow each other?

[Loosenut]

Look at It 1990 season, best ever imo for beautiful cars and great racing, just spoilt right at the end. They had big wings, no ground effect, yet you see Mansell slipstreaming Prost around Tamburello, round the outside of Berger in Mexico. Ok, you can't strap Nigel's balls to a driver, but you could base aero rules on that model if you really wanted to, couldn't you?

[Bleu]

The problem with going just to old rulebook is that the engineering etc. has evolved so much that the cars would hardly look the same.

[Poz85]

Loosenut, on 09 Sept 2018 - 10:21, said:

Look at It 1990 season, best ever imo for beautiful cars and great racing, just spoilt right at the end. They had big wings, no ground effect, yet you see Mansell slipstreaming Prost around Tamburello, round the outside of Berger in Mexico. Ok, you can't strap Nigel's balls to a driver, but you could base aero rules on that model if you really wanted to, couldn't you?

I should also think the cars of 1990 would look like milk floats compared to the cars of today, I want the speed of 2018 with the racing of 2014.

Edited by Poz85, 09 September 2018 - 12:05.

[Poz85]

This is a great idea from Mario Andretti, it would be great having a 3rd car that allows guest drivers at specific races.

Just imagine having legendary Nigel Mansell back at Silverstone, seeing Marc Marquez at Catalunya etc......

I agree with him, it would set viewing figures sky high IMO.

https://www.motorspo...3175743/?nrt=54

Edited by Poz85, 13 September 2018 - 09:51.

[SenorSjon]

Those 'guests' would only get in the way at title deciders.

[Poz85]

SenorSjon, on 13 Sept 2018 - 09:55, said:

Those 'guests' would only get in the way at title deciders.

Well have them run a seperate race on a Saturday or on a Sunday if need be.

At the end of the day if people want bigger grids then who cares what the title challengers say? Other teams now get in the way at title deciders already so what's the difference?

[PayasYouRace]

Poz85, on 09 Sept 2018 - 08:51, said:

Can someone actually tell me why we haven't gone down the ground effect route? Would it actually make that much of a difference in allowing cars to follow each other?

It can if done right. The problem is the teams don’t want to go outside their comfort zone with all the years they’ve spent developing flat floor concepts.

[PayasYouRace]

Loosenut, on 09 Sept 2018 - 10:21, said:

Look at It 1990 season, best ever imo for beautiful cars and great racing, just spoilt right at the end. They had big wings, no ground effect, yet you see Mansell slipstreaming Prost around Tamburello, round the outside of Berger in Mexico. Ok, you can't strap Nigel's balls to a driver, but you could base aero rules on that model if you really wanted to, couldn't you?

You can’t erase the knowledge gained since then. The cars of that time were very primitive by today’s standards. Only March (with Newey) and Tyrrell were exploiting underbody aero in any sense other than a diffuser. Wings were large and basic, less susceptible to dirty air but actually the cars didn’t produce as much downforce as you’d expect. If you look at lap times those cars were slower than we’d expect from F1 today.

If you based rules about those cars’ proportions, you’d have to make them extremely restrictive and prescriptive. Much more than today’s rules. Otherwise the cars would look much like today’s but with different proportions. There are also many safety features which you could not remove.

[septerra]

Points for all cars. 

Wider range of tyre choices in conjunction with refuelling, so teams can do very aggressive short runs or conservative long runs. 

No DRS. 

Fair distribution of prize money, reducing need for pay drivers. 

Combine F2 and F1 weekends. 

 

Sensible budget cap but freer interpretation of rules i.e. innovation.

Current engine limitations relaxed, allowing for more PU per season to promote aggressive racing as opposed to engine management. 

Above two are related and need to be balanced properly. 

[Nonesuch]

Poz85, on 09 Sept 2018 - 08:51, said:

Can someone actually tell me why we haven't gone down the ground effect route?

 

What is commonly referred to in F1 as 'ground effect' (a discussion for another place) was set to return for the proposed 2013 aerodynamics overhaul.

 

It was abandoned in 2011 because the teams complained it would be costly to take such a different approach, as well as make it harder to match the FIA's downforce and drag targets.

[MikeV1987]

More spec parts like gearboxes, brakes, maybe even some ERS components and a single fuel supplier. Anything to kill this two tier formula we currently have, it just devalues the results in my eyes. I'm not expecting every team to be within .5 seconds off the leader but it has to get better than this.

 

I do like the prospect of each team having a third car but I think it would just be chaotic during some sessions around the shorter tracks, they would probably have to change the qualifying format for 30 cars to work at certain tracks, which is not something I support at all because qualifying is one of the few things that they don't need to change, other than starting the race on the tires you qualified on, which adds nothing to the race.

 

The price of tickets doesn't help either given how shitty the show is most of the time. For the amount of money I could spend on decent grandstand seats, hotel, food, booze, etc in Montreal, I could easily spend a week or two in the Caribbean getting drunk on a  beach at a really nice resort for much less. Meanwhile a ticket for the Honda Indy in Toronto is $200 max WITH a 3 day paddock pass, and the racing is more than likely going to be more exciting. How much is it for a 3-day paddock pass in Montreal again?

Edited by MikeV1987, 13 September 2018 - 13:59.

[absinthedude]

Seriously consider dropping multi-element front wings altogether and bringing back ground effect. Ban all the little aero devices on the bodies of the cars. Barge boards, little flaps and winglets and suchlike. 

 

Allow third cars to be entered by each team in up to five races per season, with the proviso that the driver of the third car cannot have competed in more than eight F1GPs in the last three calendar years. Third cars and drivers are eligible for points. Entries must be made two months in advance and announced to other teams. 

 

Points system is fine the way it is. Scoring points as a driver or constructor in F1 should be difficult. It should be a major achievement. 

 

Normally Aspirated engines of 2.5 litres, any cylinder configuration, limit the fuel to give some environmentalism. KERS is fine. 

 

Get rid of DRS. 

 

Do something to cut costs, or to lessen the gap between the best and lesser funded teams. F1 ruddy well should have 26 cars on the grid from 13 teams. I well remember the 80s and 90s when sometimes there were 36 cars vying for 30 pre-qualifying spots and then those 30 cars vied for 26 places on the grid. Exciting times with different cars, engines and so on. 

[Cornholio]

septerra, on 13 Sept 2018 - 13:41, said:

Points for all cars. 

Wider range of tyre choices in conjunction with refuelling, so teams can do very aggressive short runs or conservative long runs. 

No DRS. 

Fair distribution of prize money, reducing need for pay drivers. 

Combine F2 and F1 weekends. 

 

Sensible budget cap but freer interpretation of rules i.e. innovation.

Current engine limitations relaxed, allowing for more PU per season to promote aggressive racing as opposed to engine management. 

Above two are related and need to be balanced properly. 

 

Points to all cars is something I've seen suggested more frequently of late, not just by fans but by those inside the sport. To be honest I don't really agree on that one, the scoring system is something that F1 does (and has in most past eras to be honest) generally get spot-on. I like the idea that a single point represents something realistically attainable for anyone in the field on a good day, but at the same time is earned and not just given for showing up or being classified. I was in favour when they opened it first to the top 8 cars and then top 10, but only because it reflected the increasing reliability rates of cars.

 

I'm sure Marussia and Bianchi would have been pleased with their run in Monaco 2014 either way in terms of it being their best finish, but the fact it represented their first points in years of trying made it a much bigger deal. Likewise when Minardi broke their scoring drought in the late 90s.

 

I do get the other side of the argument - e.g. that consistent 12th/13th places may be worth more than a a bunch of 17ths/18ths with one 11th place in there, and discouraging delayed cars to park up near the end (a consequence of the x number of engine/gearbox rule), but on balance I'd probably keep it as it is.

 

EDIT: No argument on the fairer distribution of funds, it's literally the one thing I'd change if I could only choose one. Simply because of the knock-on effects of so many other issues (more competitive order through the field, less need to dumb down tech and standardise even more in the name of cost-cutting, etc.)

Edited by Cornholio, 13 September 2018 - 17:17.

[chr1s]

​Steel disc brakes, full manual transmission with clutch pedal, a steering wheel with nothing on it, no telemetry and NO radio!

[Paco]

chr1s, on 13 Sept 2018 - 19:48, said:

​Steel disc brakes, full manual transmission with clutch pedal, a steering wheel with nothing on it, no telemetry and NO radio!

 

LOLOLOL..  back to 80s.  So much for progress.  You do get, all that means a whole new Power Unit too..

 

Every team should replace their slow driver after 2 years of trying to compete against their lead driver or sooner.  I do not even feel a full year contract is a saving grace.  I would rather see guys coming given a chance then slow pokes making a mess of their chance. 

 

The big issue is aero cleanup.  When cars 7sec up the road are affecting aero balance we have a huge fundamental flaw that needs addressing over and above everything else.  None of the stuff above addresses the core issue.

The second is long life components. 

The 3rd but never solveable is the amount of money in it today that teams spend. Budget caps.  STUPID.  Teams can hide money in soooooo many ways.  Especially that car manufacturers.

The 4th and easier one is new driver entries.  People like Bottas should have a seat.. Ocon should have gotten.  Yeah, he did just enough but we cant have half a grid of just good enough.  All this Vando talk is nonsense, he shouldnt even be allowed to finish the season.