Reducing the Backmarker Problem

[Rgms320]

I was just reading Briatore's tirade about the backmarker problem on Sunday:

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpa...s_art_id=30818

A couple of problems I see that might cause backmarkers to hold up a lead-lap car are the problems of identification and of situational awareness. In a vibrating mirror, it must be difficult to identify which car is charging up behind a backmarker. Even if identified, it's not always reasonable to expect a driver to know if the advancing car is on the lead lap.

I had an idea which might lessen these problems.

Add a forward-facing light to all cars whose color can be set by race control (similar to the position marker light mechanism on LeMans-class vehicles). If a car is on the lead lap, the forward-facing light would be set to one color -- say, blue, as in blue flag. If the car falls off of the lead lap, race control could switch that light to another color.

The forward-facing light would help a driver first, see that a car is approaching from the rear (particularly in the rain) and second, the color would help the driver decide what action to take.

Good idea? Bad idea? Already proposed and dismissed by the FIA?

[kipper]

Personally, I don't think such a system would work. This is because a light would need to be installed to cover many different eventualities. Firstly, a car would need to have one colour light to signal that they are on the same lap as the driver being lapped. Secondly, a different colour would need to be shown to signal that a car is on the lead lap. Thirdly, different colour lights would need to be used to signal those cars that are lapping the backmarkers but have already been lapped by the leaders. Given that there is a lack of space on the front of a F1 car installing these in a location that is easily seen in the tiny wing mirrors that a Formula 1 car has may prove tricky. Also an alternative strategy would need to be developed for dealing with cars whose lights have failed.

[FPV GTHO]

I dont know if you can do much more as far as identification goes. At some times last year, i thought it was a sheer attitude problem, especially amongst the Spykers, as there seemed to be countless examples of lead drivers complaining about the back markers.

Perhaps as an added incentive for the team to get their act together, they should scrap the idea of a drive through, and just give them a black flag if they ignore the marshalls. Would even work both ways, as the teams would be constantly reminding their drivers, and not relying on the marshalls to do so.

[zac510]

That would be pit to car communications.
Back markers have been around since the dawn of time and Briatore has been around F1 for long enough to know they're there.

[Nicholosophy]

They could also go back to the days of actually having to overtake the back markers. Perhaps this is another reason why there isn't as much overtaking as in other eras - the back markers no longer bunch up the faster cars behind them (and it was never much because you could still get close to the car in front once upon a time).

[BootsOntheSide]

Quite right Nicko. Dealing with backmarkers is a skill in itself, a natural part of any lengthy motor race. As long as a driver is not deliberately holding up another, they shouldn't have to get out of the way immediately.

[Dudley]

Absolutely agree. If you can't pass a car that's a lap slower then you don't deserve to win the race anyway.

Backmarkers should be subject to the same "1 move" rule as position places.

[Knowlesy]

Agree, agree, agree.

Make those leaders work, blue flags are a total nonsense.

[Snrub]

Well rather than simply having a blue flag waved, why not have a blue light on the dash that can be lit by the marshalls?

[Knowlesy]

Why bother?

[Paddockman]

There was obviously a time when lapping backmarkers was regarded as a driver skill. No flags or lights lets have some "Skill" back!

[Leighton Irwin]

Of course FISA could mandate larger mirrors.

[Novice]

Originally Posted by Snrub

Well rather than simply having a blue flag waved, why not have a blue light on the dash that can be lit by the marshalls?

They now have the blue light as well as yellow and red to supplement the flags.

[Mr V]

It's swings and roundabouts for the leaders, sometimes they will get bulked, other times they won't.

At least there is some sort of system nowadays (blue flags) to help the leaders out.

[chillibowl]

we had some really close running between the mid fielders so its no surprise they didnt just move out of the way.
personally i didnt see anything that impeded a Renault driver in the race, if anything it helped Renault as it kept the Mclaren's and BMW's closer to Fisi.
Flav should really be thanking them

[f1manoz]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Agree, agree, agree.

Make those leaders work, blue flags are a total nonsense.

*stands and applauds*

I still remember Gerhard Berger at the 1992 Italian Grand Prix holding up both Williams-Renaults for lap after lap, helping his team-mate Ayrton Senna catch then up. Brilliant bit of gamesmanship.

It's far too easy dealing with backmarkers nowadays. It's taken the skill out of dealing with lapped traffic.

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by Snrub

Well rather than simply having a blue flag waved, why not have a blue light on the dash that can be lit by the marshalls?

Why not install a robot in the car and the pilot can go to the beach for the afternoon

[MPA]

Yup, rejig the cars and the tracks so the quick guys can have a chance to pass the backmarker dills with the same amount of horses but no talent at a couple of places each lap.

Blur flags can then become an advisory message instead of a command.

[Marbot]

We could make the tracks a little bit wider just before each corner,and then put signs up that say "Passing place".Or maybe they could deploy the safety car until the offending vehicle has been passed safely.Or maybe just ban all radio contact,no blue flags,and let the drivers sort it out for themselves!....just like the old days. *cries into coffee*

[Nicholosophy]

Originally Posted by MPA

Yup, rejig the cars and the tracks so the quick guys can have a chance to pass the backmarker dills with the same amount of horses but no talent at a couple of places each lap.

Blur flags can then become an advisory message instead of a command.

Totally agree. And those flags would be a bit blurry at their speeds!

[Mekola]

Originally Posted by Dudley

Absolutely agree. If you can't pass a car that's a lap slower then you don't deserve to win the race anyway.

Backmarkers should be subject to the same "1 move" rule as position places.

Agree completely. That could force teams to agree on aerodynamics in spite of favour overtaking moves of the cars, and not obstructing them as they use to do at wind tunnels.