F1 Bahrain – A Theory Gone Wrong
With no refuelling, the time spent in the pit is now dramatically reduced.
Although Ferrari has confirmed competitiveness this season by a 1-2 finish, the highlight was the failure of ban on refuelling. With the most anticipated season ever as far as I can remember, the race failed to live up to the expected built up drama. The rule which is supposed to encourage overtaking this season has done exactly otherwise.
The race was too predictable, too processional. The name of the game now is to conserve. Conserve your tyres, conserve your brake, conserve your fuel. We heard it few times on the teams radio communication as the race unfold. Adding to all of those recipes, the car is now super heavy too, so it gets sloppier in the wake of another car. Hence, it’s almost impossible to stay close let alone attempt an overtaking move. Webber, Button and Hamilton suffered the worse. With previous rules, I’m sure we will witness those drivers fighting for podium.
For the entire race, a train of cars lapping closely to each other around the circuit with almost no position turnover was a common sight.
Big names in the paddock, Schumacher, Button, Eddie Jordan, David Coulthard, Martin Whitmarsh, Alex Yoong and Lewis Hamilton expressed a valid concern on the increasing difficulty to overtake because of the rule. Few of them even already suggesting a corrective action must take place as soon as possible. One of the suggestion is to introduce two pit stop mandatory effective at the next race. However it’s unlikely all teams would agree.
Overtaking only occur few times at the back since the laptimes vary so much among the newcomers.
What I don’t understand is why in first place they didn’t see this coming? With a heavier car, mechanical grip will reduce. With a heavier car, the tyres and the brakes will take so much pounding. Even with a lighter car last season, they were having immense difficulty following the car in front. Common sense or basic physics informed me new rule will only magnify the difficulty of getting close to the car in front. From earlier on, I already sense this coming.
Teams argue that ban on refuelling will cut cost, which is the primary initiative behind the decision. Now, with the sport in mess, the cost of fixing the problem might be even more expensive. In my opinion, it was an incorrect decision in the first place. No simulation was done or no proper study was conducted. Otherwise, the processional race outcome wouldn’t be that surprising to many in the paddock.
Editorial : Mu’az Zakaria
Image Source : Lotus Racing / Mercedes GP
I Completely understand what your stance in this topic is. However I would disagree on a number of the smaller details, I think that you did an exceptional job explaining it. Without a doubt beats the need to study it on my own. Appreciate it.