Massi and Red Flag

[F1nKS]

I'd actually be fine with that, making sure that anything potentially damaging to other cars through a track hazard is required to be fixed with the resultant grid drop. And that way there is no "free" stop for anyone, and those that stopped under green don't suffer for it.

They could let them change tires (to alleviate the concern that some tires might have been compromised by debris), by only allowing them to change to the same type of tire they were on. That way if they had not made their pit stop to run their 2nd type of tire in the race.

[Nitrodaze]

I'd actually be fine with that, making sure that anything potentially damaging to other cars through a track hazard is required to be fixed with the resultant grid drop. And that way there is no "free" stop for anyone, and those that stopped under green don't suffer for it.

Well, innocent drivers who were victims of the crash and especially if not involved in it would be unfairly punished. And cars that pass over carbon fibre fragments that damage their tyres would also be unfairly punished by this approach. It is imperative that all damaged parts should be changed but must be changed within the 10 minutes before the red flag is lifted. And those that do not, should retire the car.

I would support the idea that undamaged parts or tyres should not be changed. But l am opposed to cars with any damage to cat or tyre losing their track position for it.

[Nitrodaze]

If Hamilton loses last race because of the red flag - you would have not complained?

The only reason Max even had a chance at winning the race was because of the delayed red flag, otherwise, it was a Mercedes 1-2 with Hamilton in the lead going into this weekend.

Well, l did not complain about that, did l? Here l am actually defending it. So what is your point?

[F1nKS]

Well, l did not complain about that, did l? Here l am actually defending it. So what is your point?

That was not the question was it? Search deep into your heart and answer the question - if Hamilton's race was ruined by the Red Flag rule would you have not complained?

Just odd anybody would be defending the "red flag rule" - because anybody in F1 has pretty much spoken up about it and have all said it needs to be changed before next year.

"it's just crap, the rule ruins everything."

We will see if you are on the right or wrong side of history.

[Nitrodaze]

That was not the question was it? Search deep into your heart and answer the question - if Hamilton's race was ruined by the Red Flag rule would you have not complained?

Just odd anybody would be defending the "red flag rule" - because anybody in F1 has pretty much spoken up about it and have all said it needs to be changed before next year.

"it's just crap, the rule ruins everything."

We will see if you are on the right or wrong side of history.

Oooh F1nky, have your nerves been touched buddy.

BTW l agree some sort of change may be needed. But whatever it is, it would need to ensure they do not let damaged cars re-enter the race when Redflag is lifted. If teams are required to lose their positions if they fix damaged parts, then many would risk not fixing the damage which could be more problematic than allowing them to fix their damage without losing their positions.

If they are forced to replace damaged parts but at the same time lose their positions in the races as a consequence, the victims of the crash would be hard done by and would complain about the unfairness of the rules; as they should. I don't see how a rule that punishes victims of crashes doubly is fair.

I think there is merit in banning changing undamaged tyres during Red flags. But even this poses a new problem. Creating a situation where drivers go hunting for carbon fibre pieces on the track to run over, just to allow them to be able to change their tyres. The majority of the time, this opportunity may not be available to cars in the lead. Hence, this rule may well be effective. But it may allow cars out of position to manufacture an opportunity in this way by having fresher tyres to recover into race-winning positions.

There is no foolproof way to resolve this. Team and drivers would find a way to benefit.

[F1nKS]

Oooh F1nky, have your nerves been touched buddy.

Not at all.

All is good with the rules and FIA. They are perfect.

[airshifter]

They could let them change tires (to alleviate the concern that some tires might have been compromised by debris), by only allowing them to change to the same type of tire they were on. That way if they had not made their pit stop to run their 2nd type of tire in the race.

That only works if everyone has the right amount of the right tires to switch to though.

The more I think about it, the more I like the approach given by Denkimi. No work on the car or tire changes without going to the back of the pack. Give them the option based on the order they were in. There would still likely be drivers that gain an advantage, but not to the same extent.

One thing I would add though, it just skip the lapped drivers unlapping themselves. If the drivers leading the field had to pass them on track, why change it so the slower drivers behind them don't have to pass on track? And second..... unlapping allows them to burn fuel and makes them quicker. If their race pace was poor enough to get them lapped on track, why give them a slight upper hand because of it?

If nothing else, it just wastes time unlapping cars behind the safety car and/or after a red flag. If you're a lap down, you're a lap down.

[ouvreur]

Another potential solution could be, that in situations where first the SC is deployed, then a red flag is shown:

-The current rules for tyre changes and working on cars apply - change away, no problem
-The mandatory pit stop is no longer necessary provided drivers change to a different compound of tyre
-The restart grid is in the order which the cars were in at the end of the last complete lap before the SC was deployed

That way, nobody who made a stop under the SC is unduly penalised by the other drivers having a free tyre change, nobody who didn't stop is unduly penalised by having to stop again, and we go racing in the same order as we were running in before the incident happened. Happy days, right?