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F1 News & Discussions => General F1 Discussion => Topic started by: John S on February 01, 2019, 12:20:29 AM

Title: Teams may not use extra fuel allowance for new F1 season
Post by: John S on February 01, 2019, 12:20:29 AM

At some tracks in 2018 cars were well below fuel limit says Renault's Budkowski, - so why will it change for this sesason?  :crazy:
I reckon it's taking race strategy a step too far.  :(
To make sure all drivers can push as much as possible why not make all teams start with the same fuel load????  :confused: 

https://www.planetf1.com/news/renault-compromise-between-fuel-load-and-heavier-car/

Title: Re: Teams may not use extra fuel allowance for new F1 season
Post by: Calman on February 01, 2019, 12:29:48 AM

Yes indeed John, the fuel aspect of the strategy is just plain silly.

By all means, look after your tyres as best as your driving style allows ... but top teams watching their cars lap slowly, simply to conserve fuel is just plain daft!!!

It's called "racing" ... yet teams inform their drives to either "conserve" or "push" .... right.


Best Regards,
Cal :)

Title: Re: Teams may not use extra fuel allowance for new F1 season
Post by: lkjohnson1950 on February 03, 2019, 02:41:09 AM

This is not new. Even though they were for the most part racing hard in the '60s, Colin Chapman often under fueled the Lotus cars trying to get them as light as possible. Lotuses ran out of fuel on more than one occasion.

Title: Re: Teams may not use extra fuel allowance for new F1 season
Post by: cosworth151 on February 03, 2019, 03:16:32 PM

Fangio famously started the 1957 German GP with only a half tank of fuel. He used softer tires and won the race in spite of having to make a pit stop. Many folks, including me, think it was the greatest F1 race ever.

Title: Re: Teams may not use extra fuel allowance for new F1 season
Post by: John S on February 03, 2019, 03:53:45 PM

I take the point Cos that Fangio's strategy was a great call, however there is no refuelling in F1 now.
When more than one team is running the same tactics of lower fuel it kinda defeats the object somewhat.
That's why I'm in favour of starting them all on the same fuel load, allowing drivers a bit more freedom to open the taps for longer.

Title: Re: Teams may not use extra fuel allowance for new F1 season
Post by: lkjohnson1950 on February 03, 2019, 08:03:27 PM

The opposite can also be true. The Bentley LMP P1 used basically the same engine as the Audis they raced against at Le Mans. Bentley opted for a slightly larger displacement. They would be faster but used enough extra fuel that they would require 1 extra pit stop. So the Bentley drivers went at it hard right from the green to make up the several minutes extra they would spend refueling. They made it work and in the end the Bentley won. There are pluses to both strategies.

Title: Re: Teams may not use extra fuel allowance for new F1 season
Post by: Jericoke on February 03, 2019, 10:37:22 PM

Quote from: lkjohnson1950 on February 03, 2019, 08:03:27 PM

The opposite can also be true. The Bentley LMP P1 used basically the same engine as the Audis they raced against at Le Mans. Bentley opted for a slightly larger displacement. They would be faster but used enough extra fuel that they would require 1 extra pit stop. So the Bentley drivers went at it hard right from the green to make up the several minutes extra they would spend refueling. They made it work and in the end the Bentley won. There are pluses to both strategies.

Agreed, and with so much of the car locked down, it's not like one Mercedes powered team can mix it up over a different Merc team.

I'd love to see the rules approached holistically:  fuel requirements should be thought of at the same time as engine formula and tire degradation and aerodynamic regs.