The Monaco Grand Prix has been an anachronism for many years. Overtaking on the observe has lengthy been borderline unattainable, and it in some way grew to become even more durable when System 1 made its vehicles 200mm wider eight years in the past.
However the clamour for F1 to do one thing concerning the processional nature of racing in Monaco grew louder after the acute circumstances of final yr’s race.
A primary-lap shunt led to a purple flag, throughout which just about each driver accomplished their necessary tyre change. Charles Leclerc was subsequently capable of nurse his tyres all the way in which residence, at instances a number of seconds off the tempo, with no practical prospect of anybody behind with the ability to assault him.
“We should not let that occur once more,” F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali declared afterwards. “We should anticipate such situations higher and canopy them with the foundations,” he mentioned, including F1’s guidelines “are usually too sophisticated.”
This week the FIA revealed its repair for the issue. In a extremely uncommon transfer, it’s imposing a particular rule for the Monaco Grand Prix alone. Whereas one necessary tyre change is enforced in all places else, in Monaco drivers should change tyres twice, although they are going to nonetheless solely have to make use of two totally different compounds. In an extra change, in Monaco the requirement to vary tyres twice will nonetheless apply even when they use intermediate or wet-weather tyres.
Has the FIA hit on the suitable resolution to enhance racing in Monaco? Do extra pit stops equal higher races? And will F1 resort to particular guidelines for some races? Give your verdict beneath.
For
Forcing two pit stops is probably the most practical means to enhance the racing. It’s simple to name for modifications to the circuit, however it isn’t sensible with the restricted area accessible in Monaco.
There is no such thing as a hurt in having particular guidelines for some races, and Monaco already does. Its race is run to 260 kilometres as an alternative of the standard 305.
Requiring drivers to make two pit stops will guarantee they’ve yet one more probability than regular to make up positions.
In opposition to
This can be a knee-jerk over-reaction to final yr’s uncommon race. A greater repair was potential: F1 might have merely decreed that tyre modifications made throughout stoppages don’t depend because the necessary change.
Including particular guidelines for some races creates pointless complexity – but extra guidelines to clarify and perceive.
However most significantly, a second necessary pit cease gained’t create actual racing on-track, solely within the pit lane.
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I say
The purpose of a race is to get to the end as rapidly as potential. So I don’t agree F1 ought to have a compulsory tyre change rule to start with – it’s arbitrary and pointless.
If one necessary pit cease is unhealthy, two is worse. The actual fact it’s being imposed for one race solely underlines what a contrivance that is and, by extension, F1 is popping itself into.
Whether or not it’ll ‘work’ or not is inappropriate, however it appears extra more likely to incentivise groups to strive weird methods within the hope of getting fortunate, or utilizing one automobile to carry up the chasing pack to profit the opposite.
As System E’s usually glorious races in Monaco present, it isn’t the venue’s fault that F1 has constantly chosen to vary its guidelines in such a means because it make racing there unattainable. F1 ought to both change its guidelines (and subsequent yr’s look like a small step in the suitable course on this regard) or settle for that that is one race the place the grand prix issues lower than the spectacle of qualifying, which is at all times a sight to savour in Monaco.
You say
Has the FIA discovered one of the best ways to enhance System 1 races in Monaco by forcing drivers to vary tyres twice? Solid your vote beneath and have your say within the feedback.
Do you agree having two necessary pit stops is one of the best ways the FIA might enhance F1 racing in Monaco?
Strongly disagree (48%)
Barely disagree (23%)
Neither agree nor disagree (12%)
Barely agree (8%)
Strongly agree (10%)
Whole Voters: 52
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