Formula 1 proposes two mandatory pitstops for 2014

[vcs316]

Formula 1 drivers will be forced to make two pitstops, as well as face a strict limit on how long they can stay out for, if proposals for new 2014 tyre rules are accepted by teams next month.

AUTOSPORT has learned that detailed tweaks to the regulations, which will have a dramatic impact on strategy and spectacle, have been tabled for discussion at next month's F1 Strategy Group meeting.

The rules, if accepted and then agreed by the F1 Commission and FIA's World Motor Sport Council, will demand that each driver must stop twice during the race to fit new tyres.

Furthermore, drivers will not be allowed to use the 'prime' specification of tyres for more than 50 per cent of the race distance, while the 'option' compound will not be allowed to be used for more than 30 per cent of the race distance.

Should the rule changes be accepted, they will almost certainly reduce the importance of tyre strategy in the races as there will no longer be an incentive to eke out a longer life from the tyres.

Getting rid of the focus on tyres next year is something that Pirelli itself has been eager for, after a 2013 season that was dominated by talk about their products.

As well as delamination issues and the British Grand Prix blow-outs, Pirelli faced criticism from several leading drivers about the nature of the high-degrading tyres.

Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery said earlier this month that his company simply wanted a clear answer from the sport's bosses about what type or product it wanted.

"We want a clear input and it clearly defined, because the characteristic [of criticism] this year is that people have maybe forgotten what we were asked to do," he said.

"That has got lost somewhere in the passage of time, and that is the important thing that we want to make sure is resolved.

"Somebody needs to tell us what they want to do."

TESTING TWEAKS TO BE DISCUSSED

Proposals to help deliver Pirelli more testing opportunities have also been tabled for discussion at the Strategy Group meeting.

As well as the idea of teams devoting one their eight in-season test days to specific tyre testing for Pirelli, it is also suggested that one of F1's pre-season test days is turned into a wet weather evaluation.

It will be up to Pirelli to nominate the day, as well as pay for the soaking of whichever track is chosen.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111657?

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This is madness! Whats next? Mandatory mistakes by drivers, mandatory engine blow ups.. These jokers are turning F1 into something that's gonna be way too artificial.

[Hermann]

They have mandatory pitstops in DTM, and it turned out to make the races more interesting, but they also have another rule: the cars on older tyres have to let the ones who just pitted through by blue flag as if they were lapped. That is a rule i really like, because nobody gets held up and they can fly on fresh tyres.

I have no problem with mandatory pitstops but they need to add the new tyres rule as well.

[mirafiori]

They have mandatory pitstops in DTM, and it turned out to make the races more interesting, but they also have another rule: the cars on older tyres have to let the ones who just pitted through by blue flag as if they were lapped. That is a rule i really like, because nobody gets held up and they can fly on fresh tyres.

I have no problem with mandatory pitstops but they need to add the new tyres rule as well.
Sounds OK to me.

[Tobes]

That's not too bad an idea, single stop races are usually very processional, forcing two stops will (to a large degree) reduce the tyre saving racing we've witnessed in recent seasons, that said, cars that get the best out of their tyres will obviously still have an advantage.
I do think a maximum of 50% on the 'prime' and 30% on the 'option' tyres is a bit of a small window, that gives you 10% of race distance to mix up the strategies, assuming every team will do one stint on the 'primes' as they will be the slower tyre and two stints on the faster 'option' tyre. If quali rules remain the same, the top 10 will all start on the 'option' tyre and will all stop within a couple of laps of each other, probably on exactly 30% of race distance...

Think it's a good idea that the tyre saving races will be a thing of the past, and the mandatory two stop races could work well to create a better spectacle, just think that the tyre usage percentages need to be a bit higher to create differing strategies...

[Hornet]

IMO, this is probably the only way out of tire conservation. Without refueling, the only thing that is forcing the drivers to pit is the tires lifespan, so irrespective of how durable they are, drivers will always be forced to conserve tires as lesser pit stop is always better. If they make the tires for 3 stop, teams will try to drag out a 2 stop. If they make the tires for 2 stop, they will drag out a 1 stop. So conservation is always there.

Not sure how I feel about the limit to each stint though. I guess its necessary to further prevent drivers from conserving.

Anyway I like this idea. Pirelli can make more durable tires, and the drivers will be free to punish those tires.

[ManFromMilan]

I still love the idea of one set of tyres for the race. If you drive like an idiot and abuse the tyres then you would have to make a pitstop.

Still remember Kimi's massive suspension failure on the last lap of the race because of flat spotting on his front tyre.

That would mean less discarded rubber on the track, so more space to attack and pass in the race and less tyres for Pirelli to fly around the world so more eco friendly. It means nothing if the cars only use 100kg of fuel, but the air transport in getting everything to the tracks is still absurdly unnecessary.

[stefa]

As I have said before, why just they don't give them bicycles and that's it!
Everything which is mandatory sound silly and stupid for me!
I guess I am old school Formula 1 fan, and that is what I miss the most! Old school races!

[Kiwi Nick]

As I have said before, why just they don't give them bicycles and that's it!
Everything which is mandatory sound silly and stupid for me!
I guess I am old school Formula 1 fan, and that is what I miss the most! Old school races!

I couldn't agree more!

[radosav]

To let drivers with new tyres through without proper overtaking? This is absurd! So it doesn't matter can you overtake , i mean your racecraft, if you have fast car you are on horse!
This is going into Vettels style of driving!
What will F1 turn into? They can in the end draw lottery for winner without racing!

[AfterLife]

It would make the tyre Management less important, So it is good.

and

Getting heat to the Tyres would be crucial as usual. Hope it is solved for Ferrari.

[impactX]

and what... still only allocating each driver 6 sets of tyres for the race and qualifying? lol

This is some crappy drafting...
"drivers will not be allowed to use the 'prime' specification of tyres for more than 50 per cent of the race distance, while the 'option' compound will not be allowed to be used for more than 30 per cent of the race distance"

So every driver will only be able to complete a maximum of 80% of race distance unless you put on some intermediate/wet tires to finish the remaining 20%.

[Hermann]

To let drivers with new tyres through without proper overtaking? This is absurd! So it doesn't matter can you overtake , i mean your racecraft, if you have fast car you are on horse!
This is going into Vettels style of driving!
What will F1 turn into? They can in the end draw lottery for winner without racing!

It sounds absurd, but at least in DTM, it makes for better racing, since the cars are specified and to let the car with new tyres through gives everyone a chance to make up time. And there is still quite a lot of 'normal' overtaking.
If you think it sounds too easy, the F1 drivers who have gone to drive at DTM didn't have any advantage, quite the contrary.

[F2002]

Furthermore, drivers will not be allowed to use the 'prime' specification of tyres for more than 50 per cent of the race distance, while the 'option' compound will not be allowed to be used for more than 30 per cent of the race distance.

Formula One fans will very soon need to have a degree in Mathematics to understand the sport. It's become more and more complex every year!

[Nero Horse]

Formula One fans will very soon need to have a degree in Mathematics to understand the sport. It's become more and more complex every year!

I agree with this. Soon every F1 viewer will need to read a 1000 page F1 rule book before every race to remember all the rules and laws of an F1 race. Why can't we just go back to the simple rules of the 80's, 90's or the early 2000's? There wasn't anything artificial or mandatory back then, just pure racing. I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to go back to the 90's rules for example. Why do they have to make it more and more complex? I just don't get it. I completely understand the evolution of technology in F1, that's normal, but I just think that the racing rules should be simple and constant every year.

[Tobes]

Formula One fans will very soon need to have a degree in Mathematics to understand the sport. It's become more and more complex every year!

Not really, if this happens it will just create very narrow pit stop windows, the 10% varient dictates that, it really isn't complicated and happens in other race series...

[aroutis]

As I have said before, why just they don't give them bicycles and that's it!
Everything which is mandatory sound silly and stupid for me!
I guess I am old school Formula 1 fan, and that is what I miss the most! Old school races!Yep.
Stupid rules.
Give whatever tyres each team wants. Accept a maximum number of changes they can have per race -depending on weather condition. And that's it.

Let them choose their options and race.

Let pirelli out of the choosing tyres for the teams. Let teams race as they see fit.

[Kyss4k]

I don't like it... way too artificial. I would just go for straight up racing. Massive engines, massive rear tyres, no downforce... let them struggle. But it's just me.

[Umbria]

This is getting out of control now! I still can't get over Massa's penalty from Brazil when he crossed the lines before the pit lane, now the FIA is going to mandate how many pits stops a car has to make? F1 is becoming a joke under current leadership. Look at the way Red Bull has been given latitude over any rules infraction over the past three years and it begs the question: Is Red Bull lining the pockets of Jean Todt & Eccelstone?

[wisepie]

Formula One fans will very soon need to have a degree in Mathematics to understand the sport. It's become more and more complex every year!

Fans have got pretty tired of the Vettel/RB domination but trying to add these mandatory/artificial tweaks to the race format will surely turn even more people off the sport. It's hard enough already for the average viewer and the drivers have to be increasingly told by their engineers what they should be doing, let's get back to proper racing without all these attempts to make it more complicated still.

[Hornet]

Yep.
Stupid rules.
Give whatever tyres each team wants. Accept a maximum number of changes they can have per race -depending on weather condition. And that's it.

Let them choose their options and race.

Let pirelli out of the choosing tyres for the teams. Let teams race as they see fit.

Teams will opt for 1 stop if the can get away with it. Due to the lack of refueling, 1 stop is the fastest way if the tires can last. This is the problem that they are trying to avoid. They will still chose the best compound that allows minimal pit stop.

If the tires can't last, then the drivers will have to conserve them to achieve the minimum number of stop. This is another problem they are trying to solve.

[Suzie]

and what... still only allocating each driver 6 sets of tyres for the race and qualifying? lol

This is some crappy drafting...
"drivers will not be allowed to use the 'prime' specification of tyres for more than 50 per cent of the race distance, while the 'option' compound will not be allowed to be used for more than 30 per cent of the race distance"

So every driver will only be able to complete a maximum of 80% of race distance unless you put on some intermediate/wet tires to finish the remaining 20%.

Yeah they need to make it a bit clearer that they mean per stint.

I like the idea of drivers not having to conserve tyres as much but wouldn't this make things a bit more rigid when it comes to deciding strategies? (Maybe I am being dumb).

[FrankAlfa]

Formula One is getting Dumb and Dumber! Why not just make the races a bit longer???? Say by 10 laps??

Then the tires will have to be changed just because wear!

[Rob]

So are Pirelli now going to make the tyres softer aswell? to go along with making the "show" better. Thought the whole point of Pirelli getting the tender couple years back was to "spice up" the show with multi pitstops. Bring back refuelling aswell, then they will HAVE to pit, no matter the state of tyres.

Its good FIA are going to do something about it. (just get Pirelli to make softer tyres :roll)

[Hornet]

Yeah they need to make it a bit clearer that they mean per stint.

I like the idea of drivers not having to conserve tyres as much but wouldn't this make things a bit more rigid when it comes to deciding strategies? (Maybe I am being dumb).

Yeah it will certainly make strategies more similar, it's the downside of that stint limit. I think it's an attempt to prevent anyone from doing 2 stop back to back just to get them out of the way.


Formula One is getting Dumb and Dumber! Why not just make the races a bit longer???? Say by 10 laps??

Then the tires will have to be changed just because wear!

That will not solve anything. Drivers will be told to be more conservative. We need a solution to prevent drivers from having to conserve tires.

[vcs316]

Fans have got pretty tired of the Vettel/RB domination but trying to add these mandatory/artificial tweaks to the race format will surely turn even more people off the sport. It's hard enough already for the average viewer and the drivers have to be increasingly told by their engineers what they should be doing, let's get back to proper racing without all these attempts to make it more complicated still.

+1

[wisepie]

Just a thought re bringing back refuelling (which I don't think will happen because of safety), at least there would be room for manoeuvre with the weight limits as well as adding another strategic element to the races. It then wouldn't just be about conserving tyres.

[impactX]

Yeah they need to make it a bit clearer that they mean per stint.

I like the idea of drivers not having to conserve tyres as much but wouldn't this make things a bit more rigid when it comes to deciding strategies? (Maybe I am being dumb).

Agreed! And if they still only allow 6 sets of tyres for qualifying and race while still making everyone drive on at least 3 sets of tyres at the race, it will be likely that either they conserve tyres at qualifying or use old tyres during the race... either way, it is not ideal for both the drivers and spectators!

[Ken]

Its time to rename F1.

I suggest Formula Pirelli. The sport is now about racing tyres and no longer about racing cars.

[wisepie]

Its time to rename F1.

I suggest Formula Pirelli. The sport is now about racing tyres and no longer about racing cars.

Not just tyres, Ken, but too much reliance on aero making it difficult to chase/follow/overtake without damaging the damn tyres!

[CurdaNeta]

Yeah they need to make it a bit clearer that they mean per stint.

I like the idea of drivers not having to conserve tyres as much but wouldn't this make things a bit more rigid when it comes to deciding strategies? (Maybe I am being dumb).

As I understand it is that you can only use 1 set of primes for 50% of the race and 1 set of option for 30%, that way you have to put another set of primes or options for the remainder 20%.

For example, if a race is 50 laps long, you can't use one set of prime tyres for 26 laps straight, you have to pit and change it to another set.

[Hornet]

The best way to encourage more pit stop is still allow refueling. We can do away with all the artificial rules and fragile tires, teams will use the pit stop just because it's the faster way.

But sadly that's not going to happen with the fuel limit thing.

[Kingdom Hearts]

If the tyres are rocks to the point that 1 stop races are possible, I agree with this. I have the feeling that next season will be manipulated again because the tyres. They need to pick the rules before the first race and stickwith them.

[Ken]

If the tyres are rocks to the point that 1 stop races are possible, I agree with this. I have the feeling that next season will be manipulated again because the tyres. They need to pick the rules before the first race and stickwith them.

Agreed. Plus all teams get to test the new tyres not just the chosen few

[Lucky Dodo]

It would make the tyre Management less important, So it is good.

and

Getting heat to the Tyres would be crucial as usual. Hope it is solved for Ferrari.

You do realize that 2014 Ferrari will have the 2 best drivers on tire management, and you apploud lessening their value on that? :)

[NickEice]

What happens with the 50/30 rule if we have a Spain/Malaysia type 4 stop race and the prime can't make half distance?

I hate adding anything artificial to the racing. Pirelli should have the data needed to make tires with equal incremental steps between compounds to ensure they can supply a 2 or 3 stop race for strategy at each circuit. Tires that do not grain, or blow up or need to be driven off the pace to make them last more than 2/3 a lap. It just seems that we need to have more of these tire tests so that Pirelli can produce a good product. Everyone is guessing what next year's cars will be like. How does Pirelli make a tire suited to that car? We need more testing!!

[Rob]

Formula 1 teams reject proposal to enforce two pit stops

By Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

Formula 1 teams have rejected a proposal to force drivers to make at least two pit stops in each grand prix. The idea was put forward as a way of preventing a repeat of 2013's tyre problems amid uncertainty about car performance following rule changes. But the proposal received no support from the teams at Monday's meeting of F1's rules strategy group.

An attempt to raise the minimum weight limit to prevent taller drivers being unfairly penalised was also rejected.
Play media series of other rule changes were approved and announced by the strategy group and FIA, however. Double points will now be on offer for the final race of the season to heighten interest in the championship finale from 2014, while the idea of a cap on teams' budgets from 2015 was also approved.

The plan to introduce a minimum of two pit stops for tyres was hatched at a meeting between FIA president Jean Todt, F1 commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone and tyre supplier Pirelli at November's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Pirelli made it clear it could not afford, in terms of public relations, a repeat of the multiple tyre failures seen in 2013.
These reached their nadir at the British Grand Prix, when six major failures during the race forced Pirelli to change the design of the tyres for the rest of the season.

But the plan for two mandatory pit stops met with severe resistance from the teams, who felt interfering in the race strategies they could run to such an extent would be unnecessarily artificial and risk most races being almost identical in their format. Pirelli has been granted an extra test this winter to conduct further evaluation in an attempt to ensure it does not run into problems in 2014. This will take place in Bahrain from 15-17 December, using 2013 cars from Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, Force India and Toro Rosso.

The decision by the Formula 1 teams to reject plans to force them to make at least two pit stops in a grand prix will be met with relief by both the sport's insiders and fans. It was cooked up between tyre supplier Pirelli and F1 bosses Bernie Ecclestone and Jean Todt at a meeting in Abu Dhabi in November, in response to Pirelli's desire to avoid the public relations disasters of 2013. Pirelli understandably wanted to do everything it could to avoid that happening again, but others felt that imposing two pit stops on the teams was, however well meaning, fiddling with the format of races in the wrong way and for the wrong reasons. One senior figure went as far as to say privately he thought it was a "completely rubbish" idea. Except he used ruder words than that. As one insider put it, if there are problems because the cars make more demands of the tyres than expected, "Pirelli can always change the tyres, can't they?"

Pirelli's concerns are rooted in its belief that the new 1.6-litre turbo engines that will be introduced next season will be much more demanding of tyres because they generate significantly greater torque than the 2.4-litre V8s used in F1 from 2006-13.
Meanwhile, governing body the FIA had wanted to raise the weight limit by 10kg to prevent heavier drivers being unfairly penalised.
The idea was rejected by Ferrari, Mercedes and Lotus - three of the six teams on the strategy group, which also comprises Todt and Ecclestone. The other teams are McLaren, Williams and Red Bull.

The minimum weight limit has already been raised from 642kg for the driver and car together to 690kg for next year to take into account the fact that the engines will be heavier as a result of the switch to 1.6-litre turbos with extensive energy recovery systems.
But the engines are turning out to be heavier than anticipated and teams are still struggling to meet the minimum weight limit as a result.
So having a taller - and therefore heavier - driver can put a team at a disadvantage because it means his car is likely to be over the weight limit.
The issue matters because 1kg of weight equates to about 0.035secs a lap on an average circuit.

That means a smaller driver such as Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who weighs 68kg, is at an advantage over a taller one such as Force India's Nico Hulkenberg, who weighs nearly 80kg, to the tune of 0.42secs a lap if the team cannot reduce the car by the amount of their weight difference.
And even if they can, the taller driver is at a disadvantage because his weight is higher up in the car, which also affects performance.
The weight limit is likely to be raised for 2015, but because of the short time before the start of the 2014 season in Australia on 16 March, unanimous agreement is needed for the rules to be changed for next year.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/25310485