Some F1 Questions

[DanicaRules]

First off, pardon my ignorance before I ask these questions but I watched some F1 qualifying and the F1 race today and I seemed somewhat confused..:confused:

Remember, my racing knowledge is in the Indy Racing League and some Nascar.
My questions are...

1. How does the qualifications work ? I was confused on this.

2. Do the driver's share pit crews ? Why dont they have their own ?

3. Do all F1 races start with a standing start like this one did ? I much prefer rolling starts, much more exciting.:)

4. How does the championship points work ? The winner had only 110 points, seems like a very low amount of points.

Those are the ones I can think of right now. Again, sorry if these seem like simple, dumb questions but I really have no clue.

[EIR Loe.307]

1. How does the qualifications work ? I was confused on this.

You have (3) 15 min sessions. In the first session you can run whatever fuel load and tire you want and can run however many laps you like. All cars must run laps. The slowest 6 are knocked out and will start in the order they finished quali. The second session is the same as the first but with only 16 cars. The final session is the top ten cars. They all have to declare their race fuel load for Sun. race and start the session on THAT fuel load. They run down the fuel load and pit for fresh tires near the end to get the car lightest to shoot for pole. They get a fuel credit so they can put the fuel burned back in to the car for the race. Next year they are going to shorten the last session because it's a waste of fuel.

2. Do the driver's share pit crews ? Why dont they have their own ?

Typicaly they do have their own or a mix. For the Brazilian GP McLaren had to use one team to play into the "fair play' thing.

3. Do all F1 races start with a standing start like this one did ? I much prefer rolling starts, much more exciting.:)

Always. It's the only real way to control a start. It's a test of reaction time, throttle control, etc. Much more technical and like I said, the ONLY way to have a controlled start.

4. How does the championship points work ? The winner had only 110 points, seems like a very low amount of points.

10,8,6,5,4,3,2,1 P1-P8 score in that system. No additional points.

[saltysurprise]

I much prefer rolling starts, much more exciting.:)



That's the strangest thing I've ever heard:confused:

Gee, I hate to disagree, but, I disagree.

10,8,6,5,4,3,2,1 P1-P8 score in that system. No additional points.

That has been known to change from year to year in the past if I'm not mistaken..

[DanicaRules]

Wow! That was fast EIR ! Thanks for the info. Yeah, I had no idea so I figured I would ask. I knew someone would know here.

Hey, I know Im the oddball IRL fan on this forum, so Im trying to learn more about this F1 stuff.:)

[EIR Loe.307]

That has been known to change from year to year in the past if I'm not mistaken..

I think so too. I know the old systems have been diferent. This is the current one. I'd like to see a point each for Pole and Fast lap.

[DanicaRules]

That's the strangest thing I've ever heard:confused:

Gee, I hate to disagree, but, I disagree.



Oh hey, its ok to agree to disagree. But watching the pace car roll of the track and the cars gaining speed by accelerating makes for an exciting but nervous start. I love it. I get so nervous seeing all those cars that close accelerating to race speed. I always hope Danica comes out unscaved.:)

[EIR Loe.307]

it took a little while for the quali system to be "iron'd out". :lol:

Oh in quali, if you cross the line before the time runs out you get to finish that lap and it counts. That had changed from when they started the knockout system. I think 2 seasons ago it was single lap quali. I think the knockout system is good, but I agree with losing the final 15 min. "burndown" in favor of maybe a shorter session or like 3 laps each for the top ten shoot out. One car on track at a time, 3 laps to get it right, any fuel load. That's just me though.

Oh hey, its ok to agree to disagree. But watching the pace car roll of the track and the cars gaining speed by accelerating makes for an exciting but nervous start. I love it. I get so nervous seeing all those cars that close accelerating to race speed. I always hope Danica comes out unscaved.:)

My only problem with a rolling start is that alot of times the front guys slow up to get the field to brake and then they take off which IMO is the same as jumping the start. The other thing in F1 is that it's a long twisty track and it would be impossible to do a rolling start. You can do it on an oval easily but not on a 2 mile road course.

[DanicaRules]

My only problem with a rolling start is that alot of times the front guys slow up to get the field to brake and then they take off which IMO is the same as jumping the start. The other thing in F1 is that it's a long twisty track and it would be impossible to do a rolling start. You can do it on an oval easily but not on a 2 mile road course.


Its more tricky on a road course but the IRL does em. Its very nerve wracking...:o

[EIR Loe.307]

You think there are a lot of penalties and "cars under investigation" now, you just try a rolling start. :lol: There would be so many drivers complaining about "oh he got a jump" "waaaaa, he did this, he did that" Cry babies!!:cry: :lol:

[Ryan]

The other thing in F1 is that it's a long twisty track and it would be impossible to do a rolling start. You can do it on an oval easily but not on a 2 mile road course.

Yes you can.

Every race I did was on a road course in a 2 by 2 rolling start. You just go single file until the last possible second. You usually form up before the final corner.

That said, most road course series do rolling starts. Champ Car(although that changed this year), ALMS, and many touring car series. As well as many (especially North America) junior formula's.

[EIR Loe.307]

You think there are a lot of penalties and "cars under investigation" now, you just try a rolling start. :lol: There would be so many drivers complaining about "oh he got a jump" "waaaaa, he did this, he did that" Cry babies!!:cry: :lol:

Like I said...impossible.


Maybe not "physically impossible"

[Driverdb]

That said, most road course series do rolling starts. Champ Car(although that changed this year), ALMS, and many touring car series. As well as many (especially North America) junior formula's.

Rolling starts seem to be the North American way for sure. In Europe it's very seldom used (unless it's karting). It's begun to make an appearance in touring cars as the BMW's are rear wheel drive cars and for that reason has too big of an advantage in the standing starts compared to the other front wheel drive cars.

[GreyKitten]

Always. It's the only real way to control a start. It's a test of reaction time, throttle control, etc. Much more technical and like I said, the ONLY way to have a controlled start.


Being from the UK I'm used to standing starts and I prefer them. I don't really think a rolling start would work in F1.

It used to be a far greater test of the drivers ability than it is now, in these days when cars are so full of technology!, but it's still really tricky. When you're psyched up and waiting for the lights it requires a lot of self-control not to 'jump the gun' - it's a bit like being a runner, you must go on the 'b' of the 'bang'. You have to be very fast and very controlled, it takes a hell of a lot of practice to get it right!

[NetOz]

Being from the UK I'm used to standing starts and I prefer them. I don't really think a rolling start would work in F1.

It used to be a far greater test of the drivers ability than it is now, in these days when cars are so full of technology!, but it's still really tricky. When you're psyched up and waiting for the lights it requires a lot of self-control not to 'jump the gun' - it's a bit like being a runner, you must go on the 'b' of the 'bang'. You have to be very fast and very controlled, it takes a hell of a lot of practice to get it right!

For sure i agree with every word you just said, and next year F1 will not have traction control, so i think the start of the races will be much more interesting

[JoStream]

For sure i agree with every word you just said, and next year F1 will not have traction control, so i think the start of the races will be much more interesting

It will be more interesting, but I've read more than one interview (including with Wurz, Heidfeld and Symonds) that the removal of traction control does not mean we will see spinning wheels at the start for example. There are many other elements that have been developed since the introduction of traction / launch control.

I'd love to see the start we had until 2000, where somebody could really gain or lose :wonder:. But from what I've hear and read, it doesn't look very promising.

[GreyKitten]

It will be more interesting, but I've read more than one interview (including with Wurz, Heidfeld and Symonds) that the removal of traction control does not mean we will see spinning wheels at the start for example. There are many other elements that have been developed since the introduction of traction / launch control.

I'd love to see the start we had until 2000, where somebody could really gain or lose :wonder:. But from what I've hear and read, it doesn't look very promising.

Agreeing 100% - the more technology that is taken out of the cars and the more it comes down to good design and engineering plus superb driver ability the better - ie, like it used to be!! Unfortunately, I don't see that happening any time soon........
:(

[MaxMunsie]

If you want nerve-racking starts then I'd say standings starts win hands down, since your new to F1 you've most likely never heard of or seen someone stall there car off the start and then the cars behind not notice... then ensues what is most commonly referred to as a pile-up of extremely expensive machinery. I can't think of any particular incidents off the top of my head but I'm sure you can find some good carnage on you tube saying F1 hasnt came in and copyright-*****slapped you tube and made off with the videos....
I race in F2000 and we do the whole rolling start bit and its very easy for the people up front to just gun it before the green flag falls because there isn't a set speed limit before the green flag, as far as I know is as long as we cross the start line in the positions we qualified goes.. so standing starts are my personal favorites.

[Harakimi]

I'm sure you can find some good carnage on you tube saying F1 hasnt came in and copyright-*****slapped you tube and made off with the videos....


Yeah those copyright claims make me fume! :mad:
Once I saw this F1 clip being removed with claim by the PREMIER LEAGUE!! (for you who think football is called soccer, the premier league is played in England :rolleyes:)

[saltysurprise]

Yeah those copyright claims make me fume! :mad:
Once I saw this F1 clip being removed with claim by the PREMIER LEAGUE!! (for you who think football is called soccer, the premier league is played in England :rolleyes:)

We're not retards, Bung-hole! Most of us know the difference between Football and Soccer:rolleyes::lol: And anyone with half a brain should know what the Premier League is:lol: I'm not pointing fingers at ANYONE:lol::cool:

[MaxMunsie]

hey so I was thinking and um this may be irrelevant and unimportant to the general workings of F1 but if anyone knows the answer itll help me sleep at night... ok so say one of the young racers (for example vettel at 19) places on the podium in the U.S. (as far as I know this won't be a problem next year in this case) or any other country where the legal drinking age is higher then the racers actual age, would they still be allowed to drink the champaigne??:confused::drunk:

[saltysurprise]

hey so I was thinking and um this may be irrelevant and unimportant to the general workings of F1 but if anyone knows the answer itll help me sleep at night... ok so say one of the young racers (for example vettel at 19) places on the podium in the U.S. (as far as I know this won't be a problem next year in this case) or any other country where the legal drinking age is higher then the racers actual age, would they still be allowed to drink the champaigne??:confused::drunk:

:lol::lol::lol:Good question!!:lol::lol::lol:

Who cares! :drunk::finishfirst: That's what I'd say, but I don't run for office:lol: The states is the only place I can think of that has a drinking age higher than 19. If my 12 year old son won a major championship, I'd let him drink champagne till he :sick:ed or passed out!:lol:

Just kidding.

[Ryan]

That's generally not a big deal. Series like Formula BMW USA and the Formula Atlantic series spray champagne after the races as well.

Most drivers in those series are under 21.

[Harakimi]

LoL! :lol: Yea I think so, but sure some jesus-lover-hippie would sue F1 for letting him drink. :drunk::D

[saltysurprise]

Methinks Max is optomistic in his endeavors:thumbsup: Good for you.

If the opportunity for copious amounts of champagne should come your way... Drink up!:finishfirst::drunk::thumbsup:

[JoStream]

ok so say one of the young racers (for example vettel at 19) places on the podium in the U.S. (as far as I know this won't be a problem next year in this case) or any other country where the legal drinking age is higher then the racers actual age, would they still be allowed to drink the champaigne??:confused::drunk:

Yea, I don't think it's a problem. It's not like he is going to a bar and ordering a drink by himself. As long as an adult family member is around, it's legal in Europe. Why do you think Hamilton brings his Dad to every race :lol:

[EIR Loe.307]

hey so I was thinking and um this may be irrelevant and unimportant to the general workings of F1 but if anyone knows the answer itll help me sleep at night... ok so say one of the young racers (for example vettel at 19) places on the podium in the U.S. (as far as I know this won't be a problem next year in this case) or any other country where the legal drinking age is higher then the racers actual age, would they still be allowed to drink the champaigne??:confused::drunk:

I'm sure they don't care. :drunk::lol:

[DanicaRules]

Another F1 question. I hope this doesnt sound dumb..:o

But why doesnt F1 have any oval track races ??:confused:

[Harakimi]

Another F1 question. I hope this doesnt sound dumb..:o

But why doesnt F1 have any oval track races ??:confused:

Now there is a question that has never even come across my mind :). I think the reason is that the main audience for F1 is based at Europe, and oval racing is more North American tradition. Also it's more challenging to design a car that is able to handle different kind of corners and bends. Also it's more challenging to the drivers. I think in early days of F1 at the 50's there was 1 or 2 races held on ovals but it died because most of the F1 audience found oval racing bit boring.

[DanicaRules]

I guess Im in the minority but I prefer an oval. As I said before, I love to watch the indy cars go 3 wide around or nose to nose around the track. Very exciting, nothing better !:thumbsup:

[EIR Loe.307]

Another F1 question. I hope this doesnt sound dumb..:o

But why doesnt F1 have any oval track races ??:confused:

Ya, there's not much market to see F1 on an oval.

[DanicaRules]

Ya, there's not much market to see F1 on an oval.

I would watch them.:D

On oval straightaways is where the car gets going real fast!
Indy cars can reach over 230 mph on them.

[Harakimi]

I guess Im in the minority but I prefer an oval. As I said before, I love to watch the indy cars go 3 wide around or nose to nose around the track. Very exciting, nothing better !:thumbsup:

There is nothing bad when it comes to racing at ovals, and I think you will be surprised to see that there is so few overtakes in F1. It's more about the tracks because IMO a racecar should turn also to right. ;)

[DanicaRules]

There is nothing bad when it comes to racing at ovals, and I think you will be surprised to see that there is so few overtakes in F1. It's more about the tracks because IMO a racecar should turn also to right. ;)


Yeah, my friends who arent into racing always tease me about that... They say how can you watch a car making left turns all the time.., thats not a sport..boring.

I guess they just dont understand entertainment.:D

[CWBeattie]

I find oval racing to be,and I've heard it referred to as a 200 mph traffic jam! Who ever gets the best draft on the last lap wins the race! That's providing you can creep through the carnage of the multiple, multiple car crashes. The slightest sprinkle of rain brings out 4 hours of watching the hairdryers drive around the track. Not the most exciting thing in my opinion, but to each his own!

[EIR Loe.307]

I used to think ovals were boring too. I still am not 100% sold BUT IRL is far more exciting than NASCAR on that front. This is a perfect example of why Champ and IRL should be one series. :rolleyes:

[JoStream]

I used to think ovals were boring too. I still am not 100% sold BUT IRL is far more exciting than NASCAR on that front. This is a perfect example of why Champ and IRL should be one series. :rolleyes:

Very true! Hehe :lol:, we've talked a lot about this fusion. The managers in both series should consult us ;). You're right though, I prefer IRL / Champ Car over NASCAR myself. But I still tune in occasionally to NASCAR, can be interesting at times :cool:

[DanicaRules]

Very true! Hehe :lol:, we've talked a lot about this fusion. The managers in both series should consult us ;). You're right though, I prefer IRL / Champ Car over NASCAR myself. But I still tune in occasionally to NASCAR, can be interesting at times :cool:

Dont worry Jo, before long I will have you liking the IRL the best..;)

[DanicaRules]

Ok...Another question. I know you guys are probably getting tired of my dumb questions...:o


But what is the difference between Torro Rosso Racing and Red Bull Racing ? Both have that logo on them ?:confused:

[EIR Loe.307]

Ok...Another question. I know you guys are probably getting tired of my dumb questions...:o


But what is the difference between Torro Rosso Racing and Red Bull Racing ? Both have that logo on them ?:confused:

2 different "fully independent" teams. The only thing they are supposed to have in common is a sponsor. The Torro Rosso squad is referred to as the Red Bull junior squad. The 2 teams are not supposed to share ANY information as they are competitors. It's also how Super Aguri and Honda F1 are set up.

[DanicaRules]

2 different "fully independent" teams. The only thing they are supposed to have in common is a sponsor. The Torro Rosso squad is referred to as the Red Bull junior squad. The 2 teams are not supposed to share ANY information as they are competitors. It's also how Super Aguri and Honda F1 are set up.


Thanks EIR. Im still trying to grasp this F1 stuff.;)

So, that answer made my decision for me. I will root for Sebastien Bourdais since he is driving the Red Bull (Torro Rosso) and he is the "new" kid from champcar.:D

[EIR Loe.307]

Thanks EIR. Im still trying to grasp this F1 stuff.;)

So, that answer made my decision for me. I will root for Sebastien Bourdais since he is driving the Red Bull (Torro Rosso) and he is the "new" kid from champcar.:D

No prob. There's plenty of it to grasp.....:wonder: When referring to the team in the future be sure to call them Red Bull and Torro Rosso respectively. I don't even think they call TR by Red Bull within the team as not to confuse the 2. :thumbsup:

[DanicaRules]

No prob. There's plenty of it to grasp.....:wonder: When referring to the team in the future be sure to call them Red Bull and Torro Rosso respectively. I don't even think they call TR by Red Bull within the team as not to confuse the 2. :thumbsup:


I will try and remember that. :D

Those recent speeds Sebastien did looked good for an early run.

Remember, I usually pick winners win it comes to racing.;):D

[Harakimi]

Those recent speeds Sebastien did looked good for an early run.



Except STR (Toro Rosso) to be the backmarker team. Bourdais will also have a hard time with teamie Vettel who is one of the most talented youngster in the grid. :thumbsup:

[EIR Loe.307]

I think come race time Seabass will do "ok" I think that he'll be a mid pack guy. Remember, he's only as good as his car in this case. Coming from Champ will help him with TC out this year. When it comes to practices and test sessions, you have to ignore the times. You have cars with new tires and 3 laps of fuel trying to test aero configs etc. so the times can be all over and waaaaaay off come race time.

[DanicaRules]

I think come race time Seabass will do "ok" I think that he'll be a mid pack guy. Remember, he's only as good as his car in this case. Coming from Champ will help him with TC out this year. When it comes to practices and test sessions, you have to ignore the times. You have cars with new tires and 3 laps of fuel trying to test aero configs etc. so the times can be all over and waaaaaay off come race time.

Good point on the testing.

Its like yesterday at Daytona, Dario Franchitti had the 3rd fastest time of all during testing at Daytona.:thumbsup:

But then again, this doesnt reflect as much driver ability as it does a fast car but its still a good sign. I have high hopes for Dario this year.