Bite points

[AndyL]

I am not sure how many drivers on the grid have manual clutch experience at F1 level. I would think, Alonso, Button, Raikonen, Massa, Rosberg, Vettel and Hamilton are the ones that joined F1 just before launch control was introduced [l think]. Hence, Spa is going to be a first for most for the grid and a learning experience for a majority of the drivers.

Another possibility is it favours the rookie drivers who have been used to a manual clutch start in lower formulae more recently. On balance though I suspect the main differentiator will be who can keep a cool head at the start, and that will favour the older, more experienced drivers.

[Nitrodaze]

Another possibility is it favours the rookie drivers who have been used to a manual clutch start in lower formulae more recently. On balance though I suspect the main differentiator will be who can keep a cool head at the start, and that will favour the older, more experienced drivers.

Spa would throw up a few gremlins as this is a new mid-season changes to the car. Not tested and drivers would be learning the new setup during Free Practise. It would be fascinating to see what would happen this next race.

[Bagwan]

Rumblings in the paddock that this unaided start will be too dangerous .
I hope it happens , not for the danger , of course .

Though , it could be scary , it should show us who can master the software , at least .
That's if they plan to mash the throttle as per normal .

And , that's the argument ; that the software is too complicated for the driver to set .

So , the question is whether to teach the complicated system to the driver , letting him run it autonomously , while designing a system he can easier control , and then teaching him again , or let him fully control the start with his foot and hand clutch more manually while designing the new system ?

I will predict we will have at least one extra warm-up lap while they remove a non-starter or two from the grid and I hope , due to everyone being on edge and super careful , that we have a safe start , but one that shows us a few of these guys shining out with some nice pedal feel .

[AndyL]

Given the issues Kimi's had in the last couple of years with accelerating from low speed, I'm not optimistic for his chances. I hope I'm wrong!

[Nitrodaze]

Rumblings in the paddock that this unaided start will be too dangerous .
I hope it happens , not for the danger , of course .

Though , it could be scary , it should show us who can master the software , at least .
That's if they plan to mash the throttle as per normal .

And , that's the argument ; that the software is too complicated for the driver to set .

The problem with the introduction of a change like this, at mid season, to a critical procedure of operating the car under race conditions, is the lack of testing. We go into a race with teams hoping that they have got it right without introducing new problems. It could be very costly, if they get it wrong. Penalties, fines and loss of points etc.

[Robinho]

Surprised no-one has raised the possibility of Mercedes being ready for this since silverstone, it seems too much of a coincidence that both cars have suddenly started having bad starts. Have they been working on getting it right in the knowledge they'd probably find their way to the front anyway (backfired in Hungary) so that they were on the front foot from Spa onwards. Why else would the mercs suddenly start both having starts where they are passed off the line, hasn't happened at all for the last 2 years.

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[AndyL]

Surprised no-one has raised the possibility of Mercedes being ready for this since silverstone, it seems too much of a coincidence that both cars have suddenly started having bad starts. Have they been working on getting it right in the knowledge they'd probably find their way to the front anyway (backfired in Hungary) so that they were on the front foot from Spa onwards. Why else would the mercs suddenly start both having starts where they are passed off the line, hasn't happened at all for the last 2 years.

That thought had crossed my mind. Even if they have not been doing the new driver-only start procedure in full, (people surely would have noticed the change in procedure through team radio etc), they could have been laying some groundwork. If they go off like rockets at Spa then that will be a bit of a clue.

[Nitrodaze]

Surprised no-one has raised the possibility of Mercedes being ready for this since silverstone, it seems too much of a coincidence that both cars have suddenly started having bad starts. Have they been working on getting it right in the knowledge they'd probably find their way to the front anyway (backfired in Hungary) so that they were on the front foot from Spa onwards. Why else would the mercs suddenly start both having starts where they are passed off the line, hasn't happened at all for the last 2 years.

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It did cross my mind that they were hedging their bets abit. It think they may have been secretly testing part of the new manual launch system. It would make sense when you think back to how casual Lewis and Nico was about the issues they were having. Lauda was not on his usual critical self after the Hungarian GP. My money is on Mercedes trying to get a jump on the rest of the field, which would be the smart thing to do.

[Bagwan]

Not sure about the "jump" theory here , as it's risking the win when they know they are vulnerable in dirty air .

The poor starts may have been more due to them having to turn up the wick a bit with Ferrari closing in .
As you add more power , you will naturally get more issues getting it to the pavement .

If you add that all the teams should have been aware this was going to happen at about the same time , one would expect more issues throughout the grid , as others would surely be doing the same thing , and we didn't really see that , so I'm a little skeptical .

[Mia 01]

If the Mercedes drivers struggled with current launch system i´m sure it wont be better at Spa.