New Safety Car in Formula 1

[banibhusan]

How about using NOS in the safety cars for straight line speed boost??

And if its dry weather, give them slick tyres too.

[bettonracing]

Also keep in mind the driver & co-driver usually stay in the safety car throughout the entire race (sometimes without moving at all...) so the car needs to have good climate control. I would assume heavy noise damping is also a required feature to minimize radio miscommunication.

Regards,

Kurt

[kris]

Probably over the top query, but do we really need a safety car?

As I understand (with my seriously limited knowledge) the safety car's function is to keep the cars to a fixed speed, and for cars to maintain their position around the track keeping in view the dangers on the track up ahead.

Can't the same function be achieved with having speed limiters in the cars themselves? We have pit lane speed limiter, so why not have something like safety period speed limiter. Which can be enabled based on race controls directions and once enabled all cars could stack up behind the lead car and then follow in fixed speed around the track?

[Websta]

The safety car travels at different speeds all around the track. A speed limiter fitted to the cars would be very difficult to manage through corners because the cars would need to go fast down the straights and slow through the corners.

[bot6]

Anyone who has gotten into one of those will tell you:

That's not a safety car. That's a danger car.

[bettonracing]

Probably over the top query, but do we really need a safety car?

As I understand (with my seriously limited knowledge) the safety car's function is to keep the cars to a fixed speed, and for cars to maintain their position around the track keeping in view the dangers on the track up ahead.

Can't the same function be achieved with having speed limiters in the cars themselves? We have pit lane speed limiter, so why not have something like safety period speed limiter. Which can be enabled based on race controls directions and once enabled all cars could stack up behind the lead car and then follow in fixed speed around the track?

There was another thread discussing this somewhere here on F1Tech (I think right after Canada 2011), I can't remember the conclusion of that thread, but my own personal opinion is that the safety car:

• provides a portable, easily-duplicated-when-necessary, simple-to-execute, indisputable visual cue to the participants and spectators of the current field status,
• provides an unbiased (in theory...) means of reconnaisance for race control; pre-race and during safety caution periods,
• provides a means for race control, and Bernd, to [seemingly arbitrarily] screw over some drivers & teams during a race.

While electronic equipment may be able to achieve all of the above, it won't be an easy task, and will come with its own set of problems.

Regards,
Kurt

[Nando]

Bugatti Veyron SS.

Just because it´s F1.

[Giblet]

Lambo Countach 5000qv
0-60 5.6
quarter mile 13

Mercedes SLS 2012
0-60 3.4
quarter mile 11.4

Mercedes C63 AMG Estate F1
0-60 4.6
quarter mile 15.3

I don't see the issue. The SLS would smoke this car in every way.

I wasn't thinking of performance, although Lambo was SC 30 years ago. Now, if 1 or 2 seconds advantage is something which modern Mercedes SC can laugh for at old Lambo, than it is really pathetic. What has F1 achieved since than (performance-wise) if modern SC with all possible electronics, ECU, carbon fiber etc. has just slightly better performance than car designed in early 70s, still having carburetors in 1983.

When we compare computers from that time for instance, than an obvious stagnation in F1 is visible. It started with ban of aero development in 1983, than continued with ban of suspension and brakes development in 1994, followed by gradual uniforming of tyres and engines.

Yes, yes, I know, contemporary F1 car is faster than F1 car from those 2 or 3 decades ago, but relative to elapsed time, F1 has hardly made a step forward, compared with consumer electronics, communications etc.

Back in those days, up to mid-90s, F1 was attracting people since it represented one of the areas of highest human achievements where we had technology, chemistry, physics, design, mechanics, electronics etc. all combined in one. It was just like space program. That was mind-blowing. For almost two decades now, it is mind-boring, and people loose interest in it.

Its not the best car in the world, but Mercedes pays to have their cars used, and their best car for this is indeed the SLS.

The SC is obviously as much marketing as it is a worthy vehicle to do the job.

And it has a boot for holding extra medical gear.

[exepm]

Pagani Zonda? something like that?

[FrukostScones]

Mercedes DTM car tuned for wet conditions.

[Sombrero]

F2012 ideal for wet conditions.

[Paul]

No, no, I suggest a Lamborghini with some extra ground clearance:



It can also help tow the unfortunate out of gravel traps.

[ackzsel]

How about using NOS in the safety cars for straight line speed boost??

And if its dry weather, give them slick tyres too.

If I recall correctly I can rememer Bernd saying that he could do 280kph at the (Hockenheim) straight but deliberatly didn't to slow the pack down. That was when the previous safety car was used.

[MIKEY_!]

Yes f1 needs a new safety car, i suggest a zonda or koenigsegg. Or if they want 4 wheel drive, Porsche 911 gt3, Audi r8 v10, Lamborghini Gallardo or even Ferrari FF.

[WilliamsF1]

I suggest a any Group C or LMP1 car