2012 developments
question 1
Red Bull's 'holey' floor debate has sparked up a notch post the Monaco GP and the floor has now been deemed illegal. Do you think it was a mistake for the FIA to decide 3 races into its appearance in F1 to deem it illegal and is it fair to take it away after it has already been used in racing conditions?
@Donz358 : This is a controversial subject! To be honest, I’m not sure the ‘holey’ floor has made all that much of a difference - it’s not as if Seb and Mark have been running away with it this season! It does, however, seem a bit late for the FIA to change their minds. The real debate will be at the end of the season, especially if the championship is won over a matter of points. I can see a few teams protesting the earlier points / wins when the ‘holey’ floor was in operation.
@MarussiaF1Will: Yes, it was a mistake for the FIA to not ban it straight away. As it's illegal, they should have taken away the points Red Bull gained with the advantage.
@ChrisJ_F1 : Another example of inconsistent ruling by the FIA. I sometimes wonder if they themselves know the technical regulations. In theory Red Bull have taken a haul of points in a car that breaches regulations. Wheres the justice in that?, I don't know.
@jo_johnson63 : Apparently the FIA has known about this "hole" since China so surely they should have been able to decide long before now and avoid all this controversy it has now caused. It just makes them look unprofessional and inconsistent in my opinion.So yes, Red Bull should be allowed to continue to use it, or just turn it into a "slat" like Sauber.
@Donz358 : This is a controversial subject! To be honest, I’m not sure the ‘holey’ floor has made all that much of a difference - it’s not as if Seb and Mark have been running away with it this season! It does, however, seem a bit late for the FIA to change their minds. The real debate will be at the end of the season, especially if the championship is won over a matter of points. I can see a few teams protesting the earlier points / wins when the ‘holey’ floor was in operation.
@MarussiaF1Will: Yes, it was a mistake for the FIA to not ban it straight away. As it's illegal, they should have taken away the points Red Bull gained with the advantage.
@ChrisJ_F1 : Another example of inconsistent ruling by the FIA. I sometimes wonder if they themselves know the technical regulations. In theory Red Bull have taken a haul of points in a car that breaches regulations. Wheres the justice in that?, I don't know.
@jo_johnson63 : Apparently the FIA has known about this "hole" since China so surely they should have been able to decide long before now and avoid all this controversy it has now caused. It just makes them look unprofessional and inconsistent in my opinion.So yes, Red Bull should be allowed to continue to use it, or just turn it into a "slat" like Sauber.
question 2
Michael Schumacher is one driver who has made his feeling about the pirelli tyres obvious to the public. Do you agree that they are taking away the true racing or do you think it adds to the excitement of the racing?
@joshbohnf1 : It has added to the racing but it means faster drivers and cars can't win as easily! It is not racing!
@multicooldude34 : Michael Schumacher's opinion shouldn't be taken too harshly, as he has been poor in recent races so would be looking for an excuse. The new Pirelli tyres are a good thing for f1 as they make every race exciting and unpredictable.
@RobLMyers : Yes, I agree with Schumacher, Pirelli have now gone to far with their tyres. The drivers now have to drive with tyre management first and foremost in their minds. This obviously means that they won't be driving flat out which, for me, is what the pinnacle of motorsport should be all about; the best drivers in the world racing flat out against each other. How would drivers like Gilles Villenueve, Ayrton Senna and Jean Alesi have liked these tyres? I think the answer is that they wouldn't have liked them at all. If those drivers had driven with these Pirelli's, I doubt that we would have seen their particular brand of flamboyant and aggressive driving as they would have used their tyres up in a couple of laps!
@simpson_tweets : Tyres are taking away from the real racing as Drivers and teams are spending too much time managing tyres from 3rd quaifying to race end.....need to have a re-think before more races become a procession to the race end and veiwers turn off....where would Bernie be then because no viewers no TV deals and then no F1 races live.
@joshbohnf1 : It has added to the racing but it means faster drivers and cars can't win as easily! It is not racing!
@multicooldude34 : Michael Schumacher's opinion shouldn't be taken too harshly, as he has been poor in recent races so would be looking for an excuse. The new Pirelli tyres are a good thing for f1 as they make every race exciting and unpredictable.
@RobLMyers : Yes, I agree with Schumacher, Pirelli have now gone to far with their tyres. The drivers now have to drive with tyre management first and foremost in their minds. This obviously means that they won't be driving flat out which, for me, is what the pinnacle of motorsport should be all about; the best drivers in the world racing flat out against each other. How would drivers like Gilles Villenueve, Ayrton Senna and Jean Alesi have liked these tyres? I think the answer is that they wouldn't have liked them at all. If those drivers had driven with these Pirelli's, I doubt that we would have seen their particular brand of flamboyant and aggressive driving as they would have used their tyres up in a couple of laps!
@simpson_tweets : Tyres are taking away from the real racing as Drivers and teams are spending too much time managing tyres from 3rd quaifying to race end.....need to have a re-think before more races become a procession to the race end and veiwers turn off....where would Bernie be then because no viewers no TV deals and then no F1 races live.
question 3
Lewis Hamilton is the only driver in the top 5 who is yet to win a race. Do you think his plan to be consistent is working or will the others begin to pull away unless he produces a win within the next few races?
@SomersF1 : Lewis' consistency will be key to his chances of winning the title this year. McLaren lost its early advantage with most of the other teams converging on a similar exhaust solution to them. Fernando has managed to stay consistent like Lewis with only a win really the differentiator between them and Fernando leads the championship. With only a 13 point margin between Fernando and Lewis I see no reason to count Lewis out.
@NigelBeechey : Yes Lewis is the only driver in top 5 yet to win. This is partly due to the teams support. However, he has been quite consistent and yes this could still win the title this year. BUT he will be winning before too long. Do not rule him out!
@SomersF1 : Lewis' consistency will be key to his chances of winning the title this year. McLaren lost its early advantage with most of the other teams converging on a similar exhaust solution to them. Fernando has managed to stay consistent like Lewis with only a win really the differentiator between them and Fernando leads the championship. With only a 13 point margin between Fernando and Lewis I see no reason to count Lewis out.
@NigelBeechey : Yes Lewis is the only driver in top 5 yet to win. This is partly due to the teams support. However, he has been quite consistent and yes this could still win the title this year. BUT he will be winning before too long. Do not rule him out!
Bonus suggested by hedgeryhoops
With 6 different winners in 6 races, this year is more unpredictable than ever. What do you think are the reasons for this?
@alonsomanso : This year looks more fair, some people says is for the blown diffuser banned for this year, for me are tyres they change the race strategy because now you can see a train of four, five even six cars due the tyres. The prohibition of the blown diffuser and the new tyres for me are the key for this six different winners in this season.
@DarshanChokhani : In reality it seems that the big teams haven't been able to go a big step ahead, there margin of development seems less than the midfield teams who have taken a bit bigger step. The back field is relatively similar to what it was but main improvement is from midfield teams. And then due to close speeds, the race situation, strategy, pit stops, tyres come handy and whoever does well in these departments has a win or a strong race respectively.
@alonsomanso : This year looks more fair, some people says is for the blown diffuser banned for this year, for me are tyres they change the race strategy because now you can see a train of four, five even six cars due the tyres. The prohibition of the blown diffuser and the new tyres for me are the key for this six different winners in this season.
@DarshanChokhani : In reality it seems that the big teams haven't been able to go a big step ahead, there margin of development seems less than the midfield teams who have taken a bit bigger step. The back field is relatively similar to what it was but main improvement is from midfield teams. And then due to close speeds, the race situation, strategy, pit stops, tyres come handy and whoever does well in these departments has a win or a strong race respectively.