A lot of fuss was made last year over improving safety in
F1 in light of several crashes that occurred.
If F1 wants to improve safety and cheaply, they should do one
thing—don’t mess around with tires.
Currently in F1, teams are allocated a limited number of
tires per race. The amount given to
teams is to cover them for qualifying as well as the race. It’s not a generous
allowance and drivers are using used as well new rubber in the race. The idea is that it helps lower the cost of
racing for the smaller teams and helps add drama to the race.
Sounds good, but I don’t think it is. I think it’s
dangerous.
Having watched the
Australian Grand Prix the other week, the Pirelli's tires—even their more durable
tires—aren't that long lasting. Tires
weren’t wearing out. They were
disintegrating. Teams ran out of tires
and were forced to leave drivers on the track with shredded tires. That’s an irresponsible state of affairs
because it’s an unnecessary risk. Last
year, there were calls for expensive safety and logistically complicated
solutions such as enclosed canopies to improve safety. F1 wants to improve safety with a low cost
solution; all they have to do is to take away tire limited. Let the teams use
as many tires as they want. It won’t
take away all risk, but it’ll take away the unnecessary ones.
While I agree it's dangerous, I think the blame needs be placed on those responsible. The tire manufacturers. If the tires are disintegrating, make them harder. Problem solved. If Pirelli is not able to supply the teams with a tire that is suitable for a weekend, perhaps they should vacate the sport.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Pirelli have been poor all along and which Goodyear would replace them. But F1 could up the tire allowance because of the poor performing tires. Add the possible compound changes in IndyCar that will accelerate tire wear for added drama. It's a dangerous move.
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