Rule changes for 2012

[Dave B]

So you can't retake the racing line even if the car behind isn't close enough to overtake?

I guess the theory is that if you're close enough to cause the guy in front to make a defensive move, then you're close enough to try an overtaking move. As with all these things the true test is how the stewards interpret it, and whether they're consistent from one event to the next. Pretty much any rule is reasonable if all the drivers know where they stand from day one, and if said rule is applied fairly and consistently throughout the whole season - and that's been sorely lacking in recent years.

[AndyL]

Didn't we have that thing with the lapped cars being able (or forced?) to unlap themselves under the safety car before? Will they keep change it back and forth every time someone complains about the issue one way or another?

Looks like it.

[wedge]

I guess the theory is that if you're close enough to cause the guy in front to make a defensive move, then you're close enough to try an overtaking move. As with all these things the true test is how the stewards interpret it, and whether they're consistent from one event to the next. Pretty much any rule is reasonable if all the drivers know where they stand from day one, and if said rule is applied fairly and consistently throughout the whole season - and that's been sorely lacking in recent years.

Well there you go. It they, the stewards, make a complete a hash of racing incidents then how are they to run the rule fairly on overtakes?

And it has to be said the introduction of driver reps have done little in that respect, not to mention protocol as witnessed at the Italian GP when Derek Daly happened to "miss" an incident from Schumi.

The stewards have sunk to a new low and this new rule will have dug an even bigger hole for them.

[Koz]

Well it's clarified it in that the "one move" is now moving to defend not the racing line - move - back to racing line, which seemed to be the source of contention and conjectture. It's now in black and white

Yes, it's black and white. It confirms what we have known all along racing is not allowed.

[Koz]

Can we have a rule that black flags the slow fellows like Karthikeyan who don't let lapping cars past?

[TheFamousEccles]

I recon that the rules should change to require the DRS to activate at the entry to all corners (once the brake is applied), then shut once the power is on - might demonstrate which car has the best mechanical grip rather than which team has the best wind tunnel data

I'm only half kidding, but I do agree with the rule changes, especially the in-season testing.

[Mark]

#F1 In other changes, under a safety car lapped cars will now unlap themselves and join back of queue so they are not in way at restart

Don't like this one. The point of the safety car is to say "STOP!" and then go slowly until they get the "CARRY ON!" and everything is back as it was. Anything which changes the race beyond what's necessary - is simply not necessary. And allowing cars to unlap themselves lengthens the safety car period considerably.










Edit: Ah, that's more like it: a full list here: WMSC confirms F1 rule changes for 2012 | Adam Cooper's F1 Blog[/QUOTE]

[Dave B]

"STOP!"








"CARRY ON!"

It's like they never left

[wedge]

don't like this one. The point of the safety car is to say "stop!" and then go slowly until they get the "carry on!" and everything is back as it was. Anything which changes the race beyond what's necessary - is simply not necessary. And allowing cars to unlap themselves lengthens the safety car period considerably.

I'm sure this was actually allowed a few years ago.

[Bagwan]

Does it open the door for more calls of bias for the race director and advisors , when a following car can be either helped by a safety car taking away cars already lapped by the lead driver , or hindered , by leaving them there with mere yellows ?

And , will it tempt any to sacrifice a car , to get a safety car , when it not only brings the pack together , but removes any road blocks in between ? It sounds pretty tempting , and could easily be done with more finesse than the the way Flav and Jr. went about it .
If you worked it right , it could work .