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To: Chode; Betis70; bobby.223; brf1; cld51860; Cowboy Bob; Daffynition; darthxenu; devane617; ...
How Formula 1 race strategy will be different in 2010

Bernie Ecclestone's latest controversial comments about introducing shortcuts to Formula 1 to improve overtaking has focused attention on the latest rule changes to be introduced into the sport.

Ecclestone's idea, dismissed by former Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine on 5 Live on Thursday evening as "horrible", is the latest in a series of proposals by him rooted in his belief that the decision to ban refuelling in 2010 will have a detrimental effect on the racing.

But that will not necessarily be the case - grands prix will look different but strategy, and the use of it, will still play a crucial role.

With just two weeks before winter testing starts in Spain on 1 February, and teams hurriedly putting the finishing touches to their new cars, we take a look at the key factors that will shape the races this season.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8461293.stm

Briatore verdict leaves FIA in a pickle

The decision by a French court to overturn the bans imposed on former Renault bosses Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds for fixing the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix leaves Formula 1 in a state of limbo.

The judgement effectively means that, for the time being at least, F1's governing body, the FIA, cannot hand down any punishments to members of F1 teams if they are found guilty of any wrongdoing.

The FIA has characterised the decision as "procedural not substantive", but I'm not so sure it's as simple as that.

What we're talking about here is that, following a scandal that the Times newspaper described as "the worst case of cheating in the history of sport", there has effectively been no punishment handed down by the governing body in question.

Judging from the FIA's statement on Tuesday - which talked about ensuring "no persons who would engage, or who have engaged, in such dangerous activities or acts of intentional cheating will be allowed to participate in F1 in the future" - new president Jean Todt does not intend to let that situation stand.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2010/01/briatore_verdict_leaves_f1_in.html

Eddie Irvine criticises Bernie Ecclestone shortcut plan Former Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine has dismissed Bernie Ecclestone's proposal that shortcuts should be introduced to Formula 1 circuits.

It is the latest in a series of radical ideas put forward by F1's ring master in an attempt to improve racing.

But Irvine told BBC Radio 5 live: "It doesn't make sense. It's not even a gimmick really, it's horrible.

"The whole point about Formula 1 is that it's difficult to overtake, it's something special."

Ecclestone's proposals are believed to be motivated by a belief that this year's ban on refuelling will have a detrimental effect on racing by reducing the ability of drivers to change position.

Overtaking is notoriously difficult in F1 and drivers and teams have often used pit stops and strategy to try to pass rivals who are holding them up.

But leading engineers say there is no reason to believe the racing will be worse in 2010 just because refuelling is no longer allowed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8461349.stm


230 posted on 01/15/2010 3:08:27 PM PST by Chode (American Hedonist *DTOM* -ww- NO Pity for the LAZY)
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To: Chode
I guess I'm old school, but I never liked the F1 move to refueling - too CART/Indycar-like. As far as overtaking . . . I could be wrong (and usually am), but I think all the track changes to help overtaking (chicanes and whatnot) actually help to decrease the chances of overtaking.
I play RACE ON with the F3000 and Formula Master cars and I can tell you it is very hard to overtake someone on circuits similar to, say, Kyalami or Monaco. But Monza-type circuits, or the old, loooong, Hockenheim, with their long straights and sweeping corners, prove much easier to pass someone and are actually more fun to run.

Ecclestone is nuts.

231 posted on 01/15/2010 3:44:10 PM PST by jeffc (They're coming to take me away! Ha-ha, hey-hey, ho-ho!)
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