Carlitox Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Oh yeah, how I had forgotten. It's awesome how we
> have gotten used to the cars isn't it? I always
> compared the '09 change with the '83 change
> (ground effect ban, therefore ridiculously small
> sidepods) and how we got used to both.
And doubtlessly we'll all get used to everything again.
--
The Budget Cap.
They've been talking about this for
years. Have the FIA finally found someone with the balls to tell the teams to stfu, this is how it's going to be?
Double points at season finale.
Wow.. this has
(and hilariously) seen just about the most unpopular response to anything F1 related ever. I think it's a massive
(and typical) internetz OMFGZ over reaction to be honest. Sure, I don't think double points are needed and implementing it now the way they are doesn't seem to make the greatest deal of sense either, it especially has potential to cause upsets in the mid-field squabbles.
If they really want to create a double points race, then really they ought to award it to a more prestigious venue
and then tweak the race to increase the challenge and significance. Like for example
(as Gav said) increase the race length at Monaco and replace a few of the apex barriers, Singapore in my eyes would also be a worthy venue.
But the actual race itself needs to have something different or extra to rest of the season. For example in WEC double points are awarded at Le Mans, due to the fact that the circuit is like no other in the series, it's history and prestige and the small fact that it's also four times the length of the other races.
Permanent driver specific numbers.
Okay again on the face of it, needless gimmicky. But again not exactly the end of the world championship as we know it. If they really want to make it easier to differentiate between drivers then they should perhaps dictate what drivers can do on helmet livery and propose that a driver sticks with same basic concept through out their career
(with the odd special edition permitted).
At the moment.. Vettel changes his design almost every race
(or every time he wins, which at the moment is the same thing). And because of this pretty much none of his designs are the least bit memorable. I'd like a helmet design to become part of a drivers signature much in the way it is intended these numbers do.
For example;
The London Rowing Club oars worn by the Hill dynasty
Ayrton Senna's vivid Brazilian national colors design
Nigel Mansell's union flag design
Jenson Button's similar union flag concept
Mark Webber
Alex Wurz
Allan McNish
Jacques Villeneuve
Martin Brundle
Johnny Herbert
James Hunt
All of these have
(save for the odd refinement) have stayed true to the original design concept and as a result were instantly recognizable, you don't have that today when Red Bull put practically identikit designs on their drivers, or a driver changes his design every other race. This year... you had to faff about remembering which Mercedes driver wore the slightly lighter shade of yellow.
And another thing.. if a driver is supposed to have a number which remains theirs throughout their whole F1 career, what happens when a driver takes a sabbatical
(enforced or not)? Many drivers when they find themselves without a drive for the next season are ever likely to compete in a Grand Prix again.. but they'd still be chasing opportunities of a comeback. Do they keep their number until they "formally" retire? Nigel Mansell still hasn't formally announced his retirement after ditching McLaren.. so he's still
#7 right? (or
#5)