Appreciation thread for Ross Brawn's team and Pirelli for the 2019 Regulations

Many were unsure of whether the regulations would work to bring about close racing with battling up and down the field, and seeing the Mercedes domination has somewhat dampened the response to these regulations, but I think these regulations have done their job very well.

In 2017 and 2018, races were won in qualifying and following close behind another car would rubbish the tyres within a matter of 5-7 laps, and that's assuming one had the pace to stay close behind, which used to require at least a 1 second a lap delta, and driving distance closer to 3 in Hungary and Monaco.

Comparatively, in 2019, we've seen no less than 5 occasions in which drivers followed close behind each other and battled all race long for the podium places alone (Monaco, Canada, Austria, Silverstone, Italy) and great battles in the midfield at a handful of other races. It's been a joy to watch the racing this season, even if Mercedes has run away with the championship. The tyres can hold up and the aero regulations allow for battling on track and I just hope the Ferraris and Red Bulls are quicker next year because the battles will almost certainly be epic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamun99

Many were unsure of whether the regulations would work to bring about close racing with battling up and down the field, and seeing the Mercedes domination has somewhat dampened the response to these regulations, but I think these regulations have done their job very well.

In 2017 and 2018, races were won in qualifying and following close behind another car would rubbish the tyres within a matter of 5-7 laps, and that's assuming one had the pace to stay close behind, which used to require at least a 1 second a lap delta, and closer to 3 in Hungary and Monaco.

Comparatively, in 2019, we've seen no less than 5 occasions in which drivers followed close behind each other and battled all race long for the podium places alone (Monaco, Canada, Austria, Silverstone, Italy) and great battles in the midfield at a handful of other races. It's been a joy to watch the racing this season, even if Mercedes has run away with the championship. The tyres can hold up and the aero regulations allow for battling on track and I just hope the Ferraris and Red Bulls are quicker next year because the battles will almost certainly be epic.

I would say definitely an improvement on last season. But the regulations did not produce the effect that it promised would happen. For instance, the close racing was limited at most races it seemed. Drivers are still needing to pull back to prevent overheating. The big rear wing did not work at most tracks, and the effect at those tracks where it work was not as dramatic as the media suggested that it would be. The tyres are still a factor in the racing. Most teams struggle to get the tyre to work. So much so that some even asked for the 2018 tyres to be brought back. It has been hit and miss and very subject to track characteristics.

That said, the season has produced some exceptional racing. Silverstone, Hockenhiem, Redbull Ring Austria were quite brilliant. It didn't help when Ferrari failed to followup their great winter testing pace with strong racing weekends. Mercedes stole the show from Ferrari who were left reeling with surprised confusion as to where their pace had gone. We soon found out that they lost it at the corners.

They tyres has rob us of a proper duel in the midfields. Teams that should be racing at the leading edge of the midfield are languishing in the middle of the midfield pack. Haas comes to kind.

All eyes are on 2021 now. We hope they turn up with a car that is as great as the F2 cars which are capable of proper close quarter racing.

If Brawn is going to introduce qualifying races, then he should be removed from the F1 community all together.