What we learned at the Malaysian GP

[Scott]

http://m.crash.net/f1/feature/201628/1/what-we-learned-at-the-malaysian-grand-prix.html

A good article.  Interesting about why we have fuel flow sensors, the penalty point tally so far, and a bit scary is the last bit about drivers weight goals getting a bit dangerous.  If drivers are shedding dangerous amounts of weight (are the weight goals set by the teams?  Probably), something should be done right away about weight regulations.  Simply they should give an advantage to a car with a heavier driver, and a disadvantage to a car with a tiny driver, and balance it out so there is simply no speed or fuel savings to either combination, and allow changes throughout the season, in case a drivers weight changes over the course of it. 

I read something about Button saying that some drivers were even dehydrating before the race to reduce weight, which is extremely dangerous.  Can you imagine a driver feinting at race speed?

[lkjohnson1950]

The main reason they want the driver to be light is so they have more ballast weight to play around with. Front/rear balance is very critical to tuning the chassis, more weight gives more options. You could just make them attach most of the ballast permanently.

 

[Jericoke]

The main reason they want the driver to be light is so they have more ballast weight to play around with. Front/rear balance is very critical to tuning the chassis, more weight gives more options. You could just make them attach most of the ballast permanently.

 

Or require the cockpit, with driver, be a minimum weight.  That way any ballast for a lighter driver would have to be located in a specific location, rather than moved about the car as the team pleases.

[Scott]

The main reason they want the driver to be light is so they have more ballast weight to play around with. Front/rear balance is very critical to tuning the chassis, more weight gives more options. You could just make them attach most of the ballast permanently.

 

Or require the cockpit, with driver, be a minimum weight.  That way any ballast for a lighter driver would have to be located in a specific location, rather than moved about the car as the team pleases.

That would be a great solution.  Of course they would need to also ensure that the ballast is located evenly, so as not to bring the car using ballast to a lower centre of gravity.

[John S]

So we need detachable cockpits now then to check the limits are not exceeded, how's that gonna work if the computer selects a car for a weight check during quali?   

[Jericoke]

So we need detachable cockpits now then to check the limits are not exceeded, how's that gonna work if the computer selects a car for a weight check during quali?   

I thought about that problem.

I've come up with a solution:  the driver needs to some sort of removeable sand bag that fits in right behind the seat.  Easy to remove and weigh.

[John S]

I've come up with a solution:  the driver needs to some sort of removable sand bag that fits in right behind the seat.  Easy to remove and weigh.

So really you favour a handicapping system like in horse racing. Hey they could add the weight to the race suits so the drivers look as comic as the MotoGP riders waddling about with humps on their backs and baggy trousers. 

I think handicapping could be a slippery slope, how long before they start adding weight to equalize the performance and close the field up? 

They should just make the weight allowance for the driver the adult average of all 18 to 45 year olds, then add that to the lowest car weight they wish to allow - voila a total minimum weight that allows equality for various body sizes.   

[Vince]

Can you imagine a driver feinting at race speed?

They do, don't they? As long as they don't change direction more than once... 

[Scott]

Can you imagine a driver feinting at race speed?

They do, don't they? As long as they don't change direction more than once... 

    Meant fainting...whoops.

[F1fanaticBD]

I think increasing the minimum required about 30 kg will be fair to all. It may slow things a bit, but at least taller drivers will not have to face wrath of designers.