Backmarkers, are they really a problem?

[raceman]

With all hell breaking loose on the issue of slowness of backmarkers in Formula 1 for 2010 season, do you think inclusion of such slow-speeded crash-prone-traps to 2010 World Championship is a another disaster by FIA?

There has been a talk of assisting newcomers into F1 and helping them technically to come up to the standard of F1 last year, but that talk has gone with the wind it seems!

It's anyone's guess that any newcomer will be off the pace in the first few races (let alone their debut season), so is it really right to just bash them before the season even starts - not knowing exactly what situation will arise at a race weekend?? If they genuinely are a threat, FIA may interfere and take necessary actions I am sure.

I mean, why not wait for FP1 and FP2 and then make your conclusions??

(I am very well aware of bashing each other even before the season starts to gain psychologic advantage in F1)

[Just_a_fan]

I think there should an additional vote option:
"So they're slow, so what?"

If they're slow then the fast guys need to figure out how to get by them and get on with their race. Strangely, racing isn't just about being able to lap the track the quickest but is also about being able to deal with other issues such as slower cars. It's called race craft and I think that some drivers have lost that craft (or even never had it in some cases).

Of course, it will mean that the stewards will have to allow people to overtake and occasionally make mistakes whilst doing so...

[Roger the knife]

If you're that good, backmarkers are no problem, especially with the draconian penalties for holding up the fast cars anymore.....

[raceman]

I think there should an additional vote option:
"So they're slow, so what?"

exactly my thoughts before submitting the poll. I gave a second for this option, but thought it wasn't necessary as it is just for fun and I wanted to know the opinions of people about backmarkers other than this one!

[Just_a_fan]

If you're that good, backmarkers are no problem, especially with the draconian penalties for holding up the fast cars anymore.....

We're told that fast cars need 1.5-2seconds advantage over a slow car to be able to easily overtake (hence the changes to the aero regs. etc). If these backmarkers are 4-5 seconds off the pace they shouldn't be anything more than a blip for the front runners. The blue flags will also make things relatively easy for the fast guys too.

It's all just moaning from drivers who realise that they might look really stupid if they get stuck behind a 5-second-slow car for too long.

Anyone remember Coulthard sat behind a much slower car at Monaco for something like 20 laps a few years ago? I can see some drivers doing that sort of thing this year too.

[gibells]

With the exclusion of fuel stops the show is going to need all the help it can get. Back-markers help that show. This is racing. It's no biggie.

[Pandamasque]

No. They are not.

[WhiteBlue]

The problem is most serious in practise when fast cars with low fuel may meet slow cars with high fuel on track. Then you may get 10 or 12 seconds difference. But again that is part of the job in the new age of the refueling ban. Drivers have to consider those things and set their practise strategy accordingly.

[Giblet]

Minardi was 4-8 seconds off the pace per lap for most of their existence. Their yearly goal almost every year was to get that down to the 3-5 range.

[Belatti]

No. They are not.

+1

[axle]

If they could build a car in 8 months that was only 1 sec off the pace I'd say the rest of the grid needs to get a shift on!!

It's not a problem, they will get faster, I expect they will all find at least 2 secs over the course of the year.

[Slife]

Well, unless I am mistaken, we haven't really had any actual new teams for a long while. In the past many teams have changed names, but the team was still a very professional outfit with many years of experience. So I'm fine with the new teams being slow, because they are just starting out and don't have the experience.

[roost89]

No. They are not.

+1

+1

Simply put, the fastest drivers (the ones who will pass them) will be fast enough to get past without the blue flag. Not that it matters, blue flag forces the slower car to pull over.

No problem what so ever.

[jddh1]

I'd be more worried about their parts falling off without contact on the track than their speed.

[Danlizzyman]

In the race it shouldn't be a problem, but in Q1 we could see a big name go out occasionally if they don't get a clean lap in, but again, shouldn't be too much trouble for the pitwall guys of the top teams to get them some space. The key for the top teams in Q1 is to get out early and don't leave it too late, Red Bull style!