Blue Flag Rule Discussion

[Rob01]

Branson is just crazy..he hasn't given up hope for TWO TIERS. Max would be proud of the boy stepping up and speaking for the bottom group. He just wants free advert by running where the cameras are focused. He is such a pr whore. Maybe if he did more than just sign for loans and put some of his own money into play, I could see his side. This is nothing more than working HIS side of the puzzle. He wants all the free advert he got from Brawn and not having to pay. His cars are rarely seen, unless pulling into the pits to retire. It's sad enough that F1 allows lap down cars to be in with the lead lap cars after SC periods.

[andrew]

The blue flag rules are fine as they are and need no adjustment. The slower cars are at times moving chicanes and it is only right that there is some mechanism for the faster cars to safely lap the slower ones.

Perhaps there should be more emphasis on having the teams that regularly have cars lapped pay more attention so that they don't get in the way?

[Tim.Wright]

So the slower cars are upset at being forced to loose time letting a faster driver past because of the fact they have lost so much time they are being lapped??

Does this make NO sense to anyone else?

Why should it be Red-Bulls problem that Virgin and HRT are lapped 3 and 4 times in a race? In Hungary, exactly this occurred. The guys on the leading lap had to drive past the two bottom teams 14 times!

[piast9]

In my opinion the possible changes in blue flag rules will not be a problem for the leading drivers while overtaking tail-enders. Today the speed difference is just enough to overtake easily, maybe with the exception of Monaco. Look what Kubica have done in Singapore on new tyres which made him 4s faster than the cars he overtook. The real problem would be the same as it was before the new teams joined the F1 - overtaking the cars that are one lap down.
What do you think about the possible rule that car that is blue-flagged may not fight back the position when the front wheels of the faster car got further ahead than the blue flagged's car front wheels for example on outbraking or in drag race?

[ecapox]

Blue flag rules are fine the way they are. This shoudlnt even be a topic. The slow cars are just mad because they are WAY slower than everyone else. Next year, when HRT and Virgin are over the 107% rule, this will be resolved.

Virgin and HRT shouldnt even be in F1. Lotus is iffy, but HRT and Virgin are not F1 caliber teams, cars, or drivers. They are a disgrace to F1 and the remnant of Mr. Mosely. The sooner they fold up shop and leave, the better. Maybe then we can have some credible GP2 or LMS teams show up with the proper funding, personnel, and car.

[donskar]

Like the current rules. And i generally agree with escapox -- HRT brings no positive contribution to F1, to its drivers, or to Spain. Lotus is a decent team; I'm on the fence about Virgin.

If Branson demands a change, I have one tailored for him: I suggest cars be allowed to be lapped twice by the leader, then the lapped car gets a black flag.

[gilgen]

Like the current rules. And i generally agree with escapox -- HRT brings no positive contribution to F1, to its drivers, or to Spain. Lotus is a decent team; I'm on the fence about Virgin.

If Branson demands a change, I have one tailored for him: I suggest cars be allowed to be lapped twice by the leader, then the lapped car gets a black flag.

I didn't think that Branson was DEMANDING a change, only saying that there should not be a need to have blue flags. And I agree with him. A car being blue flagged is a backmarker, being lapped, and so the speed difference would be considerable. To a good driver, passing should not be a problem, and it is up to the overtaking driver to use the backmarker to his advantage if possible. It is ridiculous to see some cars having to come to a near stop, to let another past, especially if the overtaking car is nowhere near the slower car, but he has to comply with the four flags rule.
Monaco might be the exception though. Ask DC.

[marcush.]

tbh there are two sides to this coin.
the blue flag rule was introduced not for absolute backmarkers but situations when a lapped car was effectively destroying a battle for the lead or points scoring positions by letting cars pass and blocking others over whole laps.
For sure overtaking and dealing with traffic is something a worthy champion contender should be able to cope with in my opinion.So drop that blue flag rule.

[Tim.Wright]

I don't understand any logic for removing the blue flag rule. What would you put in its place? Is Kovalienen allowed to defend to Alonso or Hamilton who are trying to lap him? Why? What will that acheive? If not, where do you draw the line? Alll it will do it create uncertainty when lapping someone because there are no rules.

Can you not forsee a "racing incident" between a backmarker and a leader? Of course it would happen. Its so obvious.

[marcush.]

some drivers are useless in making their movements stick,simple as that .No other racing series does need a blue flag rule and rightly so.
A GT car would not fight a LMP car in a braking zone or in a corner....but why not on a straight when you have the grunt to do so..
In a world where a driver uses a car that is 5 seconds slower per lap as a ramp for a overtaking move a blue flag rule willnot be of very much help.
These are supposed to represent the pinnacle of driving ability .the blue flag thing is not so long in service...at least not in the sense it is used today in F1

[andartop]

Like the current rules. And i generally agree with escapox -- HRT brings no positive contribution to F1, to its drivers, or to Spain. Lotus is a decent team; I'm on the fence about Virgin.

If Branson demands a change, I have one tailored for him: I suggest cars be allowed to be lapped twice by the leader, then the lapped car gets a black flag.

And here's another one for Branson:
Update the 107% rule to current car performances for slower teams to earn their entry into each race by fighting each other. If a team fails to qualify for three races in a row go back to testing for the next three races to get your car up to speed before attempting again. How's that?

[ecapox]

some drivers are useless in making their movements stick,simple as that .No other racing series does need a blue flag rule and rightly so.
A GT car would not fight a LMP car in a braking zone or in a corner....but why not on a straight when you have the grunt to do so..
In a world where a driver uses a car that is 5 seconds slower per lap as a ramp for a overtaking move a blue flag rule willnot be of very much help.
These are supposed to represent the pinnacle of driving ability .the blue flag thing is not so long in service...at least not in the sense it is used today in F1

That's kind of a bad analogy. The speed difference between a GT car and an LMP car is substantial. Way more than a Ferrari and HRT. Also, there are blue flags in LeMans series and they actually wave the dam things almost the entire race. I was just at the Petite LeMans here in Atlanta this past weekend and i thought the marshall's arms were going to fall off.

[feni_remmen]

It is unfortunate that RBranson and TF are saying this sort of thing, because it makes them look ignorant. Having said that, it was nice when the like of Rene Arnoux and Andrea DeCesaris were being lapped. If a driver had to lap these fellows, he knew it could be trouble. I sort of like the idea of somebody holding a grudge for past behaviours, then making it hard at a later date. Sort of a "you chopped me last week, so guess what!"

So, I guess I'd vote for the usual blue flag rule that exists in the rest of motorsport and not this 3 flags then a penalty routine.

I'd be happy with driver being held up by back markers than ever having to see a safety car bunch the field up!