The formula one strategy group met on Thursday to discuss a number of sporting topics, one of those on the agenda was ‘wet standing starts’.
At a wet Silverstone round of this years championship, the race was started behind the safety car. This was met with accusations within the media and from the pit lane, suggesting that the FIA ‘robbed’ us of racing action at the start of the race. What strengthened this thinking was the fact that; as soon as the safety car pulled into the pits to let the field “go green”, a lot of cars poured into the pit lane for the intermediate tyres. Hardly that wet then one could argue?
The plan for a standing start was first floated last week, which would mean the safety car pulling into the pits as it does now. However instead of releasing the cars to race straight away, the cars would form on the grid to take their original starting positions for a standing start. Also ratified within this rule ‘tweak’, is that drivers wouldn’t be allowed to enter the pit lane under safety car conditions. This would force the drivers to complete the standing start, then pit for intermediates for example on that lap.
When asked by Motorsport.com about the new wet standing start idea, Lewis was in favour of the idea.
“It could be quite good,” said the world champion. “In Silverstone 2008 we started in the wet, and it was heavy.
“I think we were on intermediates, but it was still pretty wet. A wet start is exciting, just as exciting as a dry start, if not more. I’m all for that.”
Race start procedures are laid out in the regulations, however certain rules can be ‘tweaked’ and implemented straight away. However if the FIA choose to put this ruling within the rules, they will be required to vote on this in front of the F1 Commission and FIA World Motor Sport Council.
These are supposed to be the best drivers in the world. They should be capable of starting a race in the wet.
I understand if there are large puddles and cars are aquaplaning then it is unsafe, but if the track is deemed dry enough to race on, then it is dry enough to start a race on.
Seriously? Normal roads are slippery when wet. Drivers have to take appropriate care. Racing drivers should have the ability to cope with a bit of water. If they need flags to indicate the slippery bits, it’s no different to oil on the track. If individual driver’s think they can’t drive on a wet track, they can pull over and wait a bit like road drivers do on the roads now.
If needs be the cars should start behind the safety car and run for a number of laps to clear standing water, then as the safety car pulls in, form up for a normal grid start. That way drivers can be assured that there isn’t standing water and the public get to see drivers trying to put down that horse power in wet conditions, which is a real skill.
The problem with that, as I see it, is that only one side of the track will have been cleared of water. Those starting on the racing line side of the track would have a huge advantage at the start compared with those starting on the still wet side.
If the cars are doing a number of laps behind the safety car, all those due to start on the other side of the grid will be making sure they drive down that side of the grid each time around. Both sides will be equally cleared of water.
–“Also ratified within this rule ‘tweak’, is that drivers wouldn’t be allowed to enter the pit lane under safety car conditions.”
I’m presuming that’s just for wet starts, not for all safety cars? Otherwise that’s a massive tactical change.
Totally agree with Lewis on this. Normal starts should be in the wet, not rolling starts.