'Red flag tyre change rule ruined Monaco'

[Andy B]

I tend to agree with the majority on here that the only tyre changing should be from slicks to wets and no other. As for repairs I find that a little more difficult as if the racing is stopped for heavy rain half the field could have damage of some form and to eliminate them all could ruin a race.

I too was not able to get into the chat room as I am currently in the UK and not everyone I am staying with has Wi-Fi but I'll get in there once I return home which is over the Canadian GP weekend so that could be a tricky Grid Game weekend for me.

[cosworth151]

I agree with Andy and others that red flag tire changes should be limited to dry-to-wet. I would also allow teams to secure or remove damaged parts that might come loose on the track. Other than that, hands off.

I won't go as far as to say that Vettel's win is tainted. He won using the rules as they exist, the same as all the other cars. I wish the rules had been different, but the win was legit.

[Ian]

I was'nt slating Vettel Cos, I meant the rules done that.

[Jericoke]

I agree with Andy and others that red flag tire changes should be limited to dry-to-wet. I would also allow teams to secure or remove damaged parts that might come loose on the track. Other than that, hands off.

I won't go as far as to say that Vettel's win is tainted. He won using the rules as they exist, the same as all the other cars. I wish the rules had been different, but the win was legit.

Indeed, if for no other reason, the rules need to be changed to ensure that a teammate doesn't cause a red flag to help out a teammate who is leading, but struggling.  (I'd like to think that wouldn't happen in F1... but now that it's clear it would work, a simple rule change)

[cosworth151]

Not to worry, Jeri. Flav got the boot. 

[Alianora La Canta]

As far as I'm concerned, there shouldn't have been a restart in the first place (Article 18 of the General Prescriptions requires races that are red-flagged past the 75% mark to be finished and nothing in either the International Sporting Code or the F1 Sporting Regulations contradicts it). Therefore, the whole question of whether tyre-changing is OK is a bit moot.

[Jericoke]

As far as I'm concerned, there shouldn't have been a restart in the first place (Article 18 of the General Prescriptions requires races that are red-flagged past the 75% mark to be finished and nothing in either the International Sporting Code or the F1 Sporting Regulations contradicts it). Therefore, the whole question of whether tyre-changing is OK is a bit moot.

I do believe the rule needs to be discussed in case of a red flag at say 40% race distance. 



Remember when red flagged races let drivers get into entirely new cars?

Almost every single race featured a first corner pile up, and a mad dash to the t-car if both drivers on a team happened to get wrecked.  In close championship fights, the big teams would bring additional cars and parts, at their own expense, just to make sure both drivers would be on track for those crucial points.

[Alianora La Canta]

Very true, Jeri. A red flag at 40% ends up being a bit like a Safety Car because it allows a free pit stop to those who want one. F1 might want to ask itself if that's what it wants, or whether it would prefer people to take to the pit lane if they want pit work done.