What is wrong with the safety car rule?

[feni_remmen]

i agree a limiter would be a much fairer way. For example if someone is ahead with a 30s lead (on merit) then that wouldn't be wiped out because of a safety car.

Having said that, if that front car is ailing, it allows him to preserve his lead, which would otherwise be eaten up by the 2nd car.

Part of the point of the safety car is to close up the gaps on track. Marshals need all the cars to go past in 20 seconds, and then have a minute of clear track to do the business.

It is true the marshals need time, but we saw in Singapore the all cars didn't all bunch up like they would've 10 years ago. So whats to stop them running speed limited round the track and then extra slowly limited in the sector with the issue? Singapore's accident could've been cleaned relatively well using speed limited running without too much risk. It's true it would have new complications, but most of the issues discussed here previously, would disappear!

I like the idea of speed limited running because it would allow the rhythm of the race to continue afterwards without too much trouble. Speed limited running would actually still favour pitting under these conditions, as the pitlane time penalty would be reduced by maybe 10 seconds, but still the general spacing and feel of the race would remain and that is what I would prefer!

[kalinka]

For me the most annoying thing with safety car rule is the current ruling with lapped cars. They should reintroduce the rule when lapped cars could pass the safety car and unlap themselfs to allow a clear battle of front runners after SC gets out of the way.
It was really annoying in Singapore.

[komninosm]

For me the most annoying thing with safety car rule is the current ruling with lapped cars. They should reintroduce the rule when lapped cars could pass the safety car and unlap themselfs to allow a clear battle of front runners after SC gets out of the way.
It was really annoying in Singapore.

I think lapped cars should go to the back not the front ;p
I mean if the car in front of you is about to be lapped by you then you can pass it.

[kalinka]

True, but that idea involves lots of overtaking in already quite dense pack of cars, though that happens at low speed, but on street circuits it might take ages to restore the order.

EDIT : not to mention that if there are more lapped cars in front, then they have to maintain their position too regarding to each other. The first lapped car in front of the pack can't just stop and wait for everybody go by. Then all other lapped cars have to stop or at least slow down behind him + maintaing their position amongst lapped cars.

[mnmracer]

Yeah, while an interesting idea to have the lapped cars fall back (though not having to do anything with fairness of competition, it does provide more entertainment), it's undoable. If one driver has a problem with his radio, it will already be impossible to make it happen.

[rjsa]

Yeah, while an interesting idea to have the lapped cars fall back (though not having to do anything with fairness of competition, it does provide more entertainment), it's undoable. If one driver has a problem with his radio, it will already be impossible to make it happen.

I remember pretty well the C.A.R.T. oficials waving lapped drivers around in the 90's, it was a messy job in the ultra wide ovals. Now just imagine it in Monaco.