Do we need the safety car anymore?

[Tufty]

Disciplined rows, time to clear the track.

Oh, c'mon, Dave.

Just one word: boring.

I agree heartily with Strad. I know where he is going, we've discussed it many, many times. First, we talk about the boredom permeating F1. Then, naturally, the point of the safety cars pops up by itself.

So, Strad, let's explain our secret idea to the world. It is about time, the patent is only days away.

This is it:

An alternative would be to hire people like the marshal we all saw tumbling in Canada.

Presto! No safety car needed.

You just keep a row of fat marshals standing by at every straight. As soon as the accident happens, the marshals go into the tarmac.

Then, as the first car zips by over the crest of the hill at 320 kph, they tumble in panic, they fall on the track and they cover the carbon fiber shards with their squishy bodies.

First, safety is served.

Secondly, the landscape of squished marshals intermixed with car pieces would increase the level of the spectacle.

Thirdly, in Canada, evidently, the rain would carry away the remains quickly.

I don't know why people fail to see the simpler solutions.

Say no to safety cars! Say yes to squishy marshals!

Now, about the point of used tyres deployed as barriers... have you thought of using standing squishy marshals instead?

They could still use the flags, even when deployed in position and tied (so they won't fall when they see the car coming). We (well, actually it was Strad's idea. In our team, he's the brain, I'm the beauty) have thought of using kevlar ropes, so no squishy marshal (except perhaps the strongest ones) could leave his post unattended.

Isn't that a blend of spectacle and safety everybody can agree on?

Do Strad and myself have to find the solution to everything, people? For the love of Pete...

I'd pay to see you pitch this to the FIA

[beelsebob]

I'd pay to see you pitch this to the FIA

I'm sure bernie would go for such an imaginative idea.

[Tufty]

I'd pay to see you pitch this to the FIA

I'm sure bernie would go for such an imaginative idea.

No he wouldn't, the blood would obscure the sponsor' logos

[Ciro Pabón]

For Bernie we have thought about an old idea: the Burninator (or as Strad insists on baptize it: "The Bernienator". How low can you go to sell something?).

Are flames in F1 long enough? We say NO!

We laugh at current blown diffusers and their feeble capacity to burn. They are a first step, necessary but nonetheless a first step. They can barely burn the guy lifting the rear jack (that's the easiest position in pits, so he kind of deserves it).

What if a car had twenty foot flames in the back? Try to overtake that, Ham, and you will become Bacon! (how funny I am!).

I can imagine the pit radio: "Jenson, Jenson, warning. Hamilton is three seconds behind. Time to burninate".

Under the current circumstances, that pitch would sell itself, lemme tell you.

Tufty, Strad is the one in charge of the presentations. I just shuffle the presentation cards, silently, in my black miniskirt, trying to appear cheap and expensive at the same time like many pitbabes do. Remember, he's the brain.

Now, picture this: no safety cars, squishy marshals, twenty foot flames, Strad in charge of FIA, me in a miniskirt.

NASCAR will quit in less than a year.

[strad]

I think the the safety car yeasterday was due to the Pirelli wets and intermediates being unknown quantities in that no one really knew how they would perform.

Whilst the safety car periods were annoying (when it wasn't out due to an accident) I understand the reasoning if it was due to the tyres.

I don't. The tire thing doesn't hold rainwater.
The drivers have control over their right foot, or should have. They are supposed to be the best in the world, surely they can sense how much power they can put down on ANY tires in ANY conditions. F1 drivers are supposed to be able to race in the wet...If they can't IndyCar beckons.

[andrew]

It was a theory put around during the coverage on Sunday. it is the only reasonable explanation.

The options were probably hold the race start until the rain eased or get going behind the safety car until the rain eases. In doing so, they lessen the risk of a crash early on that requires the safety car.