F1 2016

[1%er]

Calls for yellow flag rules to be clarified
Well one thing is for sure, F1 is always controversial. Questions are now being asked about the yellow flag rules and what exactly do they mean.

The rules are not really that clear and are subjective;
A single waved yellow flag warns drivers to slow down
Double waved yellow flags mean that drivers must slow down (reduce speed significantly) and be prepared to stop

So what is the real difference in terms of time? Currently it appears to mean that if a driver lifts off the accelerator for a fraction of a second that is enough in both situations, but is it and should it be? This is a question the FIA are now being asked to clarify.

A single yellow says to me that there is danger for example; a car stranded (off-line) or moving very slowly, debris on track etc.
Double waved yellows say to me there is extreme danger on track for example; marshals or people/machinery on track, an accident with cars on the racing line etc.

Is it therefore acceptable for the same indication in the reduction of speed? I think not. I have a feeling that we may get the point where under double waved yellow the VSC will be implemented automatically for that section of track (now the system is up and running) to ensure the safety of marshals, drivers and others.

(Article 41 of the rule books outlines how the VSC procedure will work - and makes it clear that it will normally be implemented when "double waved yellow flags are needed on any section of track and competitors or officials may be in danger, but the circumstances are not such as to warrant use of the safety car itself.") [I have a feeling that the word "normally" will be exchanged for "always" soon]

It will be interesting to hear what is said about this in tomorrows race show.

Edited to add my reasoning, why I think there will be a rule change. Clearly drivers can not be relied on to slowdown as it goes against everything in a racing drivers instinct also no-one should be able to gain an advantage under yellow flags, never mind double waved yellows. So I think the FIA will change the rule of double waved yellows ensuring that they are always covered by the VSC, meaning that drivers will have to slow by around 35% when the VSC is activated and have a target time for each sector.

 

[1%er]

According to an FIA press release, Nico Rosberg was called to the stewards 3 hours after qualifying finished for them to investigate his actions under the waved double yellows (not sure why it took them 3 hours). Toto said after the qualifying that the telemetry showed Nico lifted and lost a tenth of a second, I guess that a tenth is considered "a demonstration of a significant reduction in speed". No further action will be taken againset Nico and his pole remains. Nico arrived late to the scene and it could be that he just got lucky with the timing, I'm sure we will learn much more tomorrow.

As mentioned above, others including Lewis have asked for the FIA to clarify the yellow flag rules and I think they need to do so, it isn't that long ago since jules bianchi's accident that happened under double waved yellows, which was the reason for bring in the VSC that requires drivers to slow by around 35%.

If I had a steward sitting infront of me I can think of 5 or 6 questions I could ask about the the yellow flag rule

 

[Limejuice]

I think on the replay the audio confirmed that Rosberg lifted (for about a second) and in the past that's been enough for the stewards to conclude the driver made the effort.

This decision seems to be consistent with what they've accepted in the past, but it doesn't seem much of a "significant reduction". Certainly nowhere near 35%.

I think Alan Jones was the driver steward, so it may have been him saying: "The lad's taken his foot off the gas and didn't drive like a drongo. Right now there's a barbie that's not going to eat itself..."

 

[1%er]

I think on the replay the audio confirmed that Rosberg lifted (for about a second) and in the past that's been enough for the stewards to conclude the driver made the effort.

This decision seems to be consistent with what they've accepted in the past, but it doesn't seem much of a "significant reduction". Certainly nowhere near 35%.

I think Alan Jones was the driver steward, so it may have been him saying: "The lad's taken his foot off the gas and didn't drive like a drongo. Right now there's a barbie that's not going to eat itself..."

Do you think it was that long (about 1 second) wasn't it a purple sector, showing it was the fastest time of the session. I guess the track was the best it had been all day, I thought Toto said they had looked at the telemetry and he lifted for a tenth (but I was distracted trying to find-out how to stop AVG pop-up appearing on my old lady's computer ) The 35% is what I have read is the average sector time under the VSC compared to full racing speed, I'm not sure it is written in stone but I will have a look

For those who are anal about this sort of thing (I put my hand up), this is what appendix H of the sporting regulations says about yellow flags:
Yellow flag
This is a signal of danger and should be shown to drivers in two ways with the following meanings:
- Single waved: Reduce your speed, do not overtake, and be prepared to change direction. There is a hazard beside or partly on the track.
- Double waved: Reduce your speed significantly, do not overtake, and be prepared to change direction or stop. There is a hazard wholly or partly blocking the track and/or marshals working on or beside the track.

Yellow flags should normally be shown only at the marshal post immediately preceding the hazard. In some cases, however, the Clerk of the Course may order them to be shown at more than one marshal post preceding an incident. Overtaking is not permitted between the first yellow flag and the green flag displayed after the incident.

Yellow flags should not be shown in the pit lane unless there is an incident of which the driver should be made aware. The Clerk of the Course or Race Director may impose a speed limit on the full course or any section of the track when double yellow flags are displayed during practice, qualifying practice or races.

• When a single speed limit is imposed on the full course, this will be indicated with a single yellow flag and a board indicating FCY (meaning “Full Course Yellow”). If appropriate, double waved yellow flags will continue to be displayed at the post prior to the incident.
• At races where a variable speed limit may be imposed on the full course, this will be indicated with a single yellow flag and a board indicating VSC (meaning “Virtual Safety Car”.) If appropriate, double waved yellow flags will continue to be displayed at the post prior to the incident.

• In races where a speed limit may be imposed on a section of the track, the beginning and end of the sections will be clearly marked by the side of the track, with a double yellow flag and a board indicating SLOW (meaning “slow down”). They will be displayed at each marshal post in the section. A single waved yellow flag will be displayed at the post prior to that. In every case, the end of the imposition of the speed limit will be
indicated by a green flag at the next marshal post, or at each marshal post where appropriate. The sporting regulations for each race or championship may provide for the enforcement of these requirements.

 

[Limejuice]

When I say "a second" - I just mean he lifted just perceptibly, but not for long. If Toto says a tenth, I'll defer to the guy with the telemetry.

Are the drivers allowed to take a copy of the sporting regulations in the cockpit with them?

 

[1%er]

Good morning

Are the drivers allowed to take a copy of the sporting regulations in the cockpit with them?

I thought they had it as a pdf that they could view via the steering wheel

 

[1%er]

They have given Nico one of these to keep in his glove-box

 

[1%er]

Red Bull could go ahead of Ferrari in the constructors championship this weekend if they finish in the same position they start or better, just 6 points between them. I wonder what affect that may have on the team management jobs, if any.

1 Mercedes AMG 335
2 Scuderia Ferrari 204
3 Red Bull Racing 198
4 Williams Martini Racing 92
5 Sahara Force India 73

 

[Bungle73]

Problem with Massa's steering.

 

[Limejuice]

So, predictions for turn 1...

Red flag or not?

 

[Limejuice]

Problem with Massa's steering.

Can he start from the pit lane if they manage to duct tape it together?

 

[Bungle73]

Can he start from the pit lane if they manage to duct tape it together?

I don't see why not.

Edit: he's made it onto the grid.

 

[1%er]

He got to the grid I think

 

[1%er]

So, predictions for turn 1...

Red flag or not?

All clean at the front (I hope) maybe some action further back

 

[Bungle73]

I hope they move that piano before they start the race.

 

[Limejuice]

I think my Sky stream is 1 minute behind you guys.

Sky: "Massa on the grid"
Me: I know that now!

 

[Limejuice]

The Hungarian national anthem sounds exactly how I'd imagine.

Plangent and imploring with a spot of Wagner.

I wonder how they tuned that piano, as it's standing on a bloody hot track..?

 

[1%er]

I think my Sky stream is 1 minute behind you guys.

I start my stream a few times during the race because of that, on Brazilian TV they are sometimes around a minute in front so I restart

 

[Limejuice]

I hope they move that piano before they start the race.

Or put a decent engine on it.

Like, not a Honda.

 

[1%er]

The Hungarian national anthem sounds exactly how I'd imagine.

Plangent and imploring with a spot of Wagner.

I wonder how they tuned that piano, as it's standing on a bloody hot track..?

I hope you stood up and sang along

 

[Bungle73]

An Internet stream is always going to be a few seconds behind a TV broadcast.

 

[Limejuice]

I hope you stood up and sang along

Yup. I smashed the soprano parts.

 

[Limejuice]

An Internet stream is always going to be a few seconds behind a TV broadcast.

I refreshed during the adverts and it jumped forward about 30 seconds.

Double result!

 

[1%er]

we must be lagging for the sky guys as it has taken them ages to repeat what has been said here

 

[1%er]

Great start

 

[Limejuice]

Great start

Great close racing.

 

[1%er]

Nico didn't know if he should move right or left

 

[1%er]

oh Jenson

 

[Ax^]

Stay out

 

[Limejuice]

Stay out

"Just keep going and see it sorts itself out. Maybe switch it on and off. Are you sure it's plugged in?"