OT: Formula 1 tire profile, question Options

[lapuwali]

I wouldn't remove ALL restrictions.

My F1 rulebook would include all of the current safety regulations for the cars, which have been very successful at ensuring driver's survive terrible shunts. I would, however, completely drop all rules governing everything else, including engine size limits.

Physics will take care of limiting power, by limiting available traction. You can make way too much power simply by using a large, slow-turning engine, which would be vastly cheaper than a 19,000rpm 3.0 V10. Better tires will come along, but I suspect we're close to physical limits now. Remember that slicks first came into being as an answer to the huge power from 3.0 F1 engines, and they were a great leap forward in tire technology, which hadn't progressed all that much in the prior decade.

Make pitstops impractical by limiting stops to 2 crewmen, so even a 1 tire change will take some time, and ban adding fuel during a pitstop. This limits traction by simply requiring tires last the race, but also allows tire changes during the race in case of punctures or flat-spotting. By forcing teams to start the race with 100% of the fuel they need, you indirectly limit power, and encourage efficiency. Fewer crewman also means smaller and cheaper teams, and a safer pitline.

However, doing all of this could easily produce cars that are nearly undrivable by humans (they pull 4G now, and CART's experiences at Texas World Speedway a few years ago suggest that 6G is a practical upper limit). You may end up with an even worse situation than now wrt to passing.

And you still get into the situation where one well-heeled team destroys everyone else. The last nearly unlimited series was Can-Am, which was eventually dominated by the Porsche 917-30 (all 1500 turbocharged hp), and everyone else packed up and went home.

[Rand]

I shouldn't have said ALL restrictions. I was just imagining where it could go without performance restrictions that purposely hold back the capabilities of the technology. I don't want to see safety suffer.... But that will always be diametrically opposing paradox I guess.

Thanks James... Your posts are always full of great, solid info. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif)

[dinomium]

I think that if you remove some of the rediculous rules, you would then reduce the R&D exspedatures for some of the smaller teams. Ferrari, Willaims and McLearn would still spend 100million per season, but a Sauber or Minardi would at least be able to be on the lead lap when the checkered flag drops...

I woul git rid of those hidious canards on the uprights! They look like Zirg!

[alpha434]

QUOTE (Rand @ Jan 28 2006, 10:24 PM)

I shouldn't have said ALL restrictions. I was just imagining where it could go without performance restrictions that purposely hold back the capabilities of the technology. I don't want to see safety suffer.... But that will always be diametrically opposing paradox I guess. Thanks James... Your posts are always full of great, solid info. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif)

Drivers are a dime a dozen.

A say atleast let them go to Ti rollcages and framework.

And otherwise. I like those proposed rules. Thats a very good plan. With the two pit workers and all. And the 100% fuel capacity.

But remember- you could always limit the refill speed. Used to be the fastest that GRAVITY would fill. So no pressurized pumps.