Formula 1 Rule Changes

At a meeting of the F1 Commission recently a number of technical and sporting rule changes were put forward and agreed.

First of is the proposal for yet another qualifying system. This one splits qualifying into three parts. This first two parts being two 15 minute sessions where the slowest five cars will be eliminated in each session. A total of 10 cars will therefore be eliminated from proceedings before a final part which is a 20 minute session where the remaining cars will fight for pole position.

According to this article on GrandPrix.com, as a result of this proposed qualifying session, tyres are no longer restricted to one set for the weekend. However a total of 28 identical tyres (7 sets?) will be allowed per driver per weekend. In addition, tyre changes will be allowed during the race.

Personally I've always preferred a single session where everyone just went for it running on vapour. There was a complaint from the smaller teams notably Jordan that a free sessions would lose them the exposure (air-time) from single lap qualy. However, I do confess to not watch the early part of qualifying because I know its full of slow runners. A lot of folks I know do the same. In fact, if it were a free session, I'd be more inclined to be glued to the telly because you never know when the leaders will be out. This means that I was more likely to watch a Minardi run in previous years than I do during single lap qualifying.

There are merits to this new system. You'll see the leaders in action throughout the session and thats a good thing. There will be battles all the way through the entire session and the brilliant thing is it'll be done on vapour and we'll really see the ultimate pace of the cars and drivers during qualifying as opposed to free practise that we don't get to watch anyway.

I somehow do not think this new system will be too confusing to viewers. Its a knock out system plain and simple. Some are worried about the casual viewer but if they're really interested they'd catch on quite quickly. Otherwise they aren't real motor racing fans and I think I've seen enough of racing diluted and corrupted to meet the expectations of those who have no real interest in this sport.

As for the revised tyre regulations, apparently many of the teams were against it. No prizes for guessing that it was probably the Michelin teams who disagreed. Arguably they're losing a huge advantage but I would agree that its going to raise costs once more.

The most radical of changes proposed by the FIA and one which everyone is talking about is this new Centreline Downwash Generating (CDG) wing. You can view the FIA press release here. The CDG wing is best explained visually as per these images.

My first reaction is that they'll lose a huge rear wing to fix sponsorships on to. But on the other hand I guess the marketing folks would probably charge more per square inch for each of the two wings behind the rear wheels.

Second, the rear profile of the car reminds me of old Can Am sports cars. However, the diagram doesn't seem to show any rear diffuser. Does this mean that they will be banned? I hope not. The aero profile in the diagram does suggest that cars following immediately behind will still feel turbulence but they'd have to be absolutely bumper to bumper. A car behind following a little further back will still have plenty of fresh air for their front wings to work.

It seems like a good idea and it would be interesting to see how it works in practise. I'd like to know what the aero profile would be when going through a long fast corner as opposed to merely going in a straight line. I'm hoping it will work out so that we get more 2005 vintage Suzuka races.

Back to tyres, the FIA will be reintroducing wider, fully slick tyres in the future. Finally, they've come to their bloody senses. This should make cars quicker in the turns but the increased drag should slow the cars on the straights. Of course the FIA are adamant that these new tyres will be supplied by a single official supplier. So there will be some cost control there as the FIA will be in a position to dictate compounds and construction.

All in all, some radical but on the face of it, good ideas. We'll probably be seeing them introduced around 2007. However, I would have liked to see the two race engine rule thrown out. And I would have liked to see Max Mosley get a vote of no confidence and thrown out in the forthcoming elections as well. But we can't have everything can we?

Bernie Says Ferrari Will Win

Every time that Bernie E opens his mouth, everyone sits up and notice for his words usually have a habit of coming true. Almost without exception. He reminds me of Alan Greenspan. In this article on F1Racing.net, he's confident that Ferrari will be back to their winning ways next year. Whilst there's a better than even chance of this happening on its own, I get worried when the Formula 1 boss makes the assertion.

For I am sure, everything will be done to help Maranello back on its feet. Including some smartly made rule alterations. Like bringing back tyre stops for instance. In an age where FIA incumbent president Max Mosley is apparently crusading for cost cutting, here they are wanting to make another major rule change once more.

Months ago when everyone was complaining about how dangerous the one tyre regulation was, the FIA and Max (in the aftermath of Indianapolis) was smartly proclaiming that it is the responsibility of the teams and tyre manufacturers to ensure that correct tyres are brought. So please don't tell us that bringing back tyre stops is a matter of safety. For not long ago, this matter was simply dismissed by the powers.

No, let's be realistic. Tyre stops are meant to get Ferrari and Bridgestone back into a competitive position. A situation that I'm sure, in the wake of falling attendances by Ferrari fans at Monza, Bernie would want. Can't afford to lose those tifosi. Even if they aren't as loyal to their team as they seem.

Don't get me wrong. I'm all for tyre stops and tyre changes. Its just that I'm not sure that the powers are changing the rules for the right reasons. Had Ferrari and Bridgestone been competitive this year, I bet there wouldn't be any talk of it. But Luca complains, tifosi stay away from races and suddenly, tyre stops are all the rage again.

But having said that, Bridgestone will be supplying tyres to Williams and Toyota next season, so surely they cannot complain about the lack of top teams aiding in their development next year. And now that Bridgestone do have these two teams in their fold, will Ferrari now give up their relentless and unlimited testing? I very much doubt it but it would interesting to see what excuse they come up with.

How Does He Do It?

What a long Formula 1 season its been. I bet the teams are simply exhausted after that marathon. Don't know about you folks out there but even simply as a fan sitting on my couch for 18 races this year watching it on the telly, even I'm feeling a little jaded. Still a good end to the season especially that thriller in Japan. More importantly the scarlet forces of darkness have been vanquished. Well, for this year at least.

Anyway, with the season done, Kimi and Fernando are off on holiday. They won't be alone I bet. Still, plenty will be back at the factory working hard on next year's challenge.

Flavio Briatore in the meantime I bet is feeling rather good about himself. His client Fernando Alonso's won the championship and his team has won the constructor's title. In this article in F1Racing.net he asserts that failure this year would have resulted in his resignation. So he's glad it worked out. But seriously speaking, if they hadn't won it, the Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn would I bet have sharpened the meat cleaver and taken down the entire Formula 1 operation. He's not a particularly big fan of the sport and would love to have used failure as half a reason to get rid of an operation that to him is merely a cost centre that needs the chop.

Well, here's hoping that Carlos will now decide to keep the Renault team around for a long time to come.

So I'll now turn to the happy Flavio. Professionally doing very well. Personally, he's now out with an absolute stunner of a model named Rachel Swaney. Miss Swaney was the 2004 Face of Fosters at the Austrlian Grand Prix. She's gorgeous needless to say. But how the f*** does he do it? He's out with babes that look tons better than most of the driver's partners for f***s sake.

Flavio you must agree is perhaps the ugliest celebrity around. He's butt ugly. Really. And I'm not saying that simply because I'm sour grapes. Jeez man. What the f*** does he say to these women? I mean this guy dates Heidi Klum, gets her knocked up and then dumps her in the middle of her pregnancy. Most blokes I know would hang on to her for dear life.

If Flavio were Malaysian, I'd say he's been visiting the witch doctor. I mean come on. He's not your average Malaysian politician out with the local stewardess turned celebrity here. The women he dates have their pick of the lads. And there are lots of other rich blokes out there who have far better physical appearances. So I simply refuse to believe its about the money.

Argh. I guess I'll just have to resign myself to the fact that life is simply unfair. Still if I ever get a chance to chat with Flavio then I'd say bollocks to talking about Formula 1. I wanna know how he gets supermodels. And just admit it folks. So do you.