Fuel management zones

[Whyzars]

Just as a discussion point, if it wasn't for stuff ups in qualifying we would never see cars running out of fuel. All because of computers.

What would be the problem of fuel management systems being only enabled on straights in specific "Fuel Management Zones"?

In the same way as the DRS, a driver turns on his fuel management at the start of the straight and it is disabled when he hits the brakes at the end of the straight. If he doesn't turn it on then he uses more fuel for that straight.

Drivers should have some role in fuel management through their driving style and if a computer does need to be involved then it should only be for specific zones on the track.

A badly managed race could see cars crawling down the straight - exactly as it should be...

[dj_bytedisaster]

Teams would just add more fuel or turn down revs. Why do you want to see cars running out of fuel?`The driver hasn't got the capacity to 'fuels manage' during the race. Even back in the 80s it was the teams job.

[Whyzars]

Teams would just add more fuel or turn down revs.

Exactly right but they won't. If they do though, then that is a good thing.

Why do you want to see cars running out of fuel?`The driver hasn't got the capacity to 'fuels manage' during the race. Even back in the 80s it was the teams job.

I don't want to see cars running out of fuel and know that todays cars, in essence, can't run out of fuel.

If fuel management or engine settings are only enabled for part of a lap then fuel management becomes a consideration for the teams in early laps equally as much as later laps. The drivers will have more of a role to play as well. The effect of a car going into fuel managed mode would be plain for all to see in the speed traps.

Rather than cars extending their leads and then dumbing their cars down at the end, fuel management zones would ensure that gaps are reduced as leaders save fuel. Following cars could choose to burn more fuel to stay closer. Couple that with the DRS and things get interesting. It could even mean the end of the DRS as the primary "artificial" passing tool.

F1 cars never run out of fuel because the management has reached that point. Maybe its time to make it harder.

[Mark]

Fuel management isn't a good thing really. I'd rather they just raced flat out irrelevant of fuel.

[Whyzars]

Fuel management isn't a good thing really. I'd rather they just raced flat out irrelevant of fuel.

I think most people would agree with you.

Reality though is that currently they start with less fuel than they need to finish but are able to record the fastest laps at the end of the race. In the between time they are running at 50% and we're supposed to be happy about it.

My idea is for fuel management to be made difficult so that the teams do less of it and when they do it, it is obvious to spectators - and their opponents.

[D-Type]

If I run out of fuel and don't get to my destination, it's my fault - end of story. It should be the same in racing. No telemetry, it should be up to the driver to manage his fuel - full stop. If it means that refuelling is again allowed is that a bad thing. If it were enforcible I would ban all car-pit and pit-car telemetry and allow only voice communication with the driver, which can be monitored. By all means allow recording telemetry for analysis after the race but not during the race.

[steveaki13]

I seem to remember Senna being a specialist at running out of fuel in the last few laps. I seem to remember 3 or 4 races he stopped his car.

I agree with Mark, It should be that the cars get full fuel and race flat out, but how you enforce that is the question?

[Whyzars]

I seem to remember Senna being a specialist at running out of fuel in the last few laps. I seem to remember 3 or 4 races he stopped his car.

I agree with Mark, It should be that the cars get full fuel and race flat out, but how you enforce that is the question?

I agree too but fuel will eventually be restricted to lesser and lesser volumes anyway so fuel management is here to stay.

What I think would work much better is the concept of "DRS style" fuel management zones. In the same way that the DRS is only enabled at certain points on the track, fuel and engine management systems would only be enabled in specific zones. For the rest of the lap its the drivers foot that controls the fuel.

What would be the effect of fuel management zones?

First thing I see is that from the first lap a decision is made whether to save fuel or to not save fuel. This would lead to much closer racing as leaders conserve fuel and chasers burn more fuel.

The second thing I see is that as the fuel load gets lighter, the impact of lax fuel management becomes greater and greater. When the switch is hit it could noticeably restrict performance.

A much better show for the spectators who are treated like mushrooms at the moment where fuel is concerned.

[janneppi]

Why not just make the minimum required fuel load at the start 1,5 times greater than what's needed to run the longest race full out?

[Whyzars]

Why not just make the minimum required fuel load at the start 1,5 times greater than what's needed to run the longest race full out?

There is limited fuel available either by design or through the rule book. Whether we like it or not we're stuck with cars that are having their fuel drip fed to them.

This being the case, I think the concept of only allowing fuel management technology to be enabled for part of a lap, on straights for instance, is a more attractive way forward than what we have now.