13 replies to this topic

[Amadeus]

Teams at Silverstone are currently testing a new brake light system, wired into the high intensity light that is mandatory on all F1 cars. Introduced at the suggestion of Ferrari technical Director Ross Brawn in light of consecutive accidents to Michael Schumacher and recently championed by the Williams BMW team following a sequence of 'rare' rear endings. The new system is designed as an early warning to following drivers, felt to be particullarly important if the leading car brakes unexpecdedly. Not all drivers are in favour - Jordan tester Ricardo Zonta is quoted as saying "It could help, but you don’t really have any time anyway. If you are behind someone and the guy touches the brakes, and you touch them later, then you’re going to hit them already, because the brakes are too good."

In a related move the FIA are keen for teams to adopt an 'indicator light' system - a concept not as strange as it sounds. A source close to Max Mosley is quoted as saying "The new brake lights will warn a following driver of a sudden loss of speed, but following traffic has no way of knowing if a driver is about to move sharply in a particular direction - to avoid some debris, or to overtake for example. The system is an important passive safety measure". It seems that the lights would be activated automatically if a certain degree of steering lock is applied, but would only show at the rear of the car to prevent warning the driver ahead of an overtaking bid.

Taken from an e-mail newsletter I get, I can't find confermation of the rest but http://www.itv-f1.co...story_5881.php3 verifies the brake light bit.....

[Clatter]

I cant see the point myself. Brakelights are only going to help if you are a safe distance behind to enable the following driver to react. When they are trying to slipstream they are so close that I seriously doubt that they could react to a light coming on.

[Clatter]

Dont think they would have helped in Jos's case as he was so close anyway. RB must have had his eyes closed anyway, the way he complained you would have thought RS had just turned out of a side road in front of him.;)

[Hooster]

Originally posted by Clatter
Dont think they would have helped in Jos's case as he was so close anyway. RB must have had his eyes closed anyway, the way he complained you would have thought RS had just turned out of a side road in front of him.;)

Yes, you are right. I figured it out and deleted my post

[miniman]

I don't think it will help drivers either but as someone else already pointed out in another thread, it may make it more interesting for the TV audience by making the braking points on the track more obvious.

[Clatter]

I'm not sure we will be able to pick it up on tv unless the concentrate on the corner without following the cars. If the cameras are following the action then we arnt likely to be able to see the lights properly.

That side of things I think will only benefit the live audience.

[McBain]

I wonder if teams could use this to their advantage by having the light come on just a split second earlier to try to through off a trailing driver. Of course, you couldn't use it all the time or teams would just tend to ignore it, but you may be able to get a trailer to brake just a bit earlier and give yourself an advantage.

[titrisol]

brake lights??? why not a beeping signal?

The pilots won;t have much time anyway:down:

[Viss1]

Originally posted by McBain
I wonder if teams could use this to their advantage by having the light come on just a split second earlier to try to through off a trailing driver. Of course, you couldn't use it all the time or teams would just tend to ignore it, but you may be able to get a trailer to brake just a bit earlier and give yourself an advantage.

I would hope some sort of language would be included to prohibit monkeying with the brake light... otherwise everyone would install some sort of manual switch or something.

[RJC1]

I don't see much use for it, I think the drivers will just become obsessed with trying to trick the car behind them into thinking they are braking earlier than they really are.

[KinetiK]

I like Ralf's comment from the news conference!

Q: Did you test with the brake lights at Silverstone?

RS: Everybody had the brake lights, I must say it was good. It looked a bit strange to begin with but you get used to it pretty quick. It is an advantage, definitely. It tells you if some other driver decides to brake a bit earlier and gives you an additional chance to react. It's a good idea. We should have policemen on the circuit as well to direct you.

[RV_Canada]

Can't see it working, personally .. how many rear-enders do you see on the highway daily?? In order to make brake lights effective, a safe driving distance is 1 to 2 seconds behind the car in front .. these guys follow a little closer than that.

[Hi Test]

It sounds useless to me.

How about a light that comes on just before you crash? It would be a help to anyone following Montoya...

[BARouette]

OK.. and what's next from the FIA? A flasher to tell when you turn left or right?