Spare cars should return - Domenicali

[cosworth151]

It used to be allowed, and they should go back to that.

Ali, it's like most appointed political positions - what you loose in pay you make up in graft! 

[lkjohnson1950]

Well, if they change the rules to allow a spare car, they would have to change them to allow its use. Oh wait it's the FIA.

Lonny

[Jericoke]

One thing that I really really miss in F1 is the first corner pile up, followed by the foot race to the garage to get into the T Car.  No other motorsport had anything like that.

Having a spare car on hand means that drivers can take greater risks at certain points, which would only increase spectacle, wouldn't it?

[John S]

Whether the car is in bits or assembled isnt relevant, the rules dont allow the use of the spare car for qualifying.

The rule was brought in as teams were using the T cars as race cars, they could put two different set ups on the car and then race the one that they thought offered the best chance. I agree that taking a pre assembled spare makes sense to save putting the track mechanics through hell for no apparent reason, but I think they should still keep the no quali rule as it keeps another lottery element to make the race more interesting. After all a shunt is a mistake by driver, his team or another driver/team so there should be a price to pay; that's motor racing surely.

[lkjohnson1950]

A shunt during quali, sure, he's out. A shunt during practice that can't be repaired in time, use the spare car.

Lonny

[Jugirl]

A shunt during quali, sure, he's out. A shunt during practice that can't be repaired in time, use the spare car.

Lonny

I totally agree. Rules are rules but Alonso suffered and could have been much higher placed if a spare car was allowed. Crashing in practice should allow the use of a spare car. If you crash in qualifying though, tough, your mistake.
Jugirl

[gato]

Space cars are not bad idea if it make that sport safer!

[cosworth151]

One thing that I really really miss in F1 is the first corner pile up, followed by the foot race to the garage to get into the T Car.  No other motorsport had anything like that.

Having a spare car on hand means that drivers can take greater risks at certain points, which would only increase spectacle, wouldn't it?

That makes me think of the USGP in 2004. Juan Pablo Montoya's car wouldn't start on the grid. He ran between the race car and the T car 2 or 3 times during the formation lap. He finally started the T car from the pit lane. He was only a few laps from the end when they finally black flagged him for it.

[Jericoke]

One thing that I really really miss in F1 is the first corner pile up, followed by the foot race to the garage to get into the T Car.  No other motorsport had anything like that.

Having a spare car on hand means that drivers can take greater risks at certain points, which would only increase spectacle, wouldn't it?

That makes me think of the USGP in 2004. Juan Pablo Montoya's car wouldn't start on the grid. He ran between the race car and the T car 2 or 3 times during the formation lap. He finally started the T car from the pit lane. He was only a few laps from the end when they finally black flagged him for it.

I remember that.  Very weird.  Very irresponsible of the marshalls too.  If he'd caused an accident, injury or worse, it would've been completely on them for allowing him to go out.  (Of course, as a fan, we just want to see the guys race!)