ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

**MINOR SPOILER**

I just watched the Barcelona qualifying session. Yet another crazy deal with some underdog teams doing well, a top team not doing well, and another new driver on the qualifying podium. At the end of Q2 (second qualifying session) the top 12-13 spots were within 1 second of each other. Pretty cool.

Mobius

iTrader: (2)

My DVR failed to record the race but I have seen results. Can this season get any more F*ed up?

And wtf is up with Pirelli ... why are they introducing tires that are so temperamental and sensitive to both on-track temperature and warmup treatment. This is the best they can do?

hustler

iTrader: (6)

If you watched it, you wouldn't think it was so fucked up.

I love it. I want to see KERS and DRS go away, keep the tires exactly how they are. The current tire thing is exactly what this sport needed. For the first time that I can remember I'd rather watch F1 than Grand-Am or Rolex.

Mobius

iTrader: (2)

Well KERS isn't going away, too applicable to the real world. I like DRS because something had to be done about overtaking, which tires cannot do.

The best racing I've ever seen is MotoGP. But the only way to replicate the slicing and dicing they do would be to make the track 3x as wide. Even then the marble buildup from tire debris would still choke the track down to only one real line. Maybe that's the missing part - requiring the tires to hold together and not constantly shed rubber like a Siberian Husky sheds fur in 100 degree heat.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

I think tires create as much passing as KERS, but I'm not running the stats.

I like MotoGP too but thats another ball of wax.

njn63

iTrader: (4)

Go watch a Bridgestone era F1 race. Tires that last forever create some boring racing.

redrider706

iTrader: (4)

Yesterday's WSBK race made MotoGP races look pretty tame. Moto2 races are pretty awesome.

Mobius

iTrader: (2)

Obviously, then, what is needed to spice up F1 is for them to let me drive.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

Sorry dude, but I don't think much needs to change about F1, its pretty good right now.

ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

I agree overall I like the way the last two seasons have gone. The fact that tire strategy is so important really makes it a visible team effort during the race since good, fast pit stops are so critical (pit crew) as well as awareness of the situation with the car and everyone else on track (engineers). You have to admit, those pit stops when well executed are really impressive. I get a kick out of watching them.

I can see why some think DRS is a little gimmicky but it works. It just gives a faster car a good chance to get by a slower one in a fairly expeditious manner. Think of it this way... If it was giving an unfair advantage to the car in the rear between two otherwise equally matched cars, then we would see more back-and-forth passing between two cars. In other words, Car A would pass Car B, then on the next lap Car B would pass Car A, repeat ad nauseum. I do not see that happening. Usually when someone gets by with DRS then they leave the car they just overtook, unless their tires go off or the like. It works.

The Catalunya race was a good one. Even half way in it was anybody's race, at least between the top 5 cars. And, again, a new driver not just on the podium but on the top spot. Very cool. No one is dominating. Hell, Kobayashi finished 5th in a Sauber, beating Vettel and Red Bull. Who would have guessed the outcome of this race before qualifying?

It's not the Schumacher/Ferrari show like it was 10 years ago, just watching for who finished second, and seeing if Ferrari would break down. It is much better now. Even Ferrari is doing much better thanks to Alonso; he and Vettel are tied for first place right now. The top four drivers in championship points are all racing for different teams.

njn63

iTrader: (4)

Assuming Massa makes it to the end of the year, who do you think will score less points: Schumacher or Massa?

They're currently tied at 2 points each and are behind everyone except the drivers for Caterham/Marusa/HRT.

ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

I think Massa is going to lose his ride soon. Mostly the same equipment as Alonso and a huge chasm of points between them. He's been warned. I do not know contractually if he can be dropped before the end of the season or not.

njn63

iTrader: (4)

Yeah, that's why I put that disclaimer. I really think he has to go. He was outscored by Alonso by a 2:1 margin in 2011 and nearly that in 2010. Granted, there were some team orders but this has to be the last straw. 61 vs. 2 points after 5 races... getting outscored by Force India, Toro Roso, etc. drivers.

I'm sure they can do whatever they want contractually. He'll still get paid but he won't be driving. Is Kubica ready yet?

Efini~FC3S

iTrader: (4)

I don't think the contracts mean a whole lot. Ultimately the team can replace the driver whenever they want to. Sure if Massa gets replaced during the season (which, no matter how I feel about the guy, should definitely happen soon) he'll still get his paycheck. Heck, Kimi had a full year left on his Ferrari contract when they brought Fernando on. Kimi made something like $20+ million to not drive for Ferrari that year.

ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

I did not know about that one. Good work if you can get it, jeez.

owenwilliams

Regarding "bad" Pirelli tyres: This year, the TV pundits involved in the UK coverage of the races have made it pretty clear from the start that Pirelli have been obliged by the FIA this season to make tyres that are a bit rubbish. It helps the show. I remember reading snippets on autosport.com earlier in the season that confirmed this also.

Mobius

iTrader: (2)

Overall I like the F1 tire strategy. Pitstops make for more interesting racing.

But, that being said, what we saw this weekend was teams bagging Q3 to save tires. IMO the teams should always be incentivized to go for Pole - this provides the most positive TV drama and the best action for the fans that have actually paid to attend Qualifying. The speed announcers suggested a bonus set of softs to be used only for Q3, which almost works, but then you have to determine what set of tires they put on to race with - and having to race on the tires you qualify on is a good strategic twist IMO.

In hindsight somebody should have put on a set of primes in Q3 and gone for a 2-stop strategy.

curly

iTrader: (25)

They could use their last Q2 set of tires. They wouldn't be terribly conservative on the Q2 tires, since if they're fast enough for Q3, they'd get those bonus tires and claw their way up the field. Who knows though, they'll never do it.

ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

Give anyone who makes it to Q3 a set of options (soft) with special markings designating them as Q3 only tires. The teams can use these for Q3 and Q3 only. Then for the race they can start with primes or options from the regular allocation.

Of course that could be the suck for anyone starting behind them on options if a top 10 car chose to start on primes. And round and round it goes...

Or, just leave it the way it is.

Or, let them run Hoosiers during Q3

hustler

iTrader: (6)

I don't think tires designed to wear out quickly are "rubbish". For the last 20-years the FIA tried to make the car slower with smaller engines and less aero, that never worked. It works with tires and I like it. Every race should feature tires two steps apart so changing compounds makes a difference rather than marginally longer wear or marginally faster laps where performance does not balance with pit-stops.