Wet weather tyre degradation will be “huge” in Chinese GP

7 comments on “Wet weather tyre degradation will be “huge” in Chinese GP”

1. 

   Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
   8th April 2017, 23:04

   Those big tyres might offer more grip but they’ll also be prone to acquaplaining. I’m worried about the unknowns heading to this race. Too little testing, even in good conditions, and all these changes… hope everything goes well.
   1. 

      Diego (@ironcito)
      9th April 2017, 5:29

      I believe that aquaplaning of the floor of the car becomes a problem before aquaplaning of the tyres. That’s why races are typically stopped or the safety car comes out if there’s anything more than light rain, regardless of how good the wet tyres may be.
2. 

   Eastman (@eastman)
   8th April 2017, 23:31

   So I’m confused. Can someone please simply explain the new standing start procedures during wet conditions?

   This link from F1 on youtube has me confused…
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c79fznhAs00

   When is the grid set after following the safety car around for a few laps and they decide it’s dry enough to start? From when the safety car is deployed? From when the lights go off and it dives for the pits? If someone goes off or boxes does everyone move up a slot or is the grid position left empty?

   What if the safety car comes out later where it is a total downpour? How about “However, if the race is suspended before the Safety Car is called in, the procedures described in Articles 41 and 42 will be followed and there will be no standing start” is this a reference to a total red flag situation?
   1. 

      Andy (@andybantam)
      8th April 2017, 23:56

      @eastman if the race is started behind the safety car, the safety car moves to the front of the grid. When they start, they follow the safety car. There is no parade lap.

      When the track conditions have sufficiently improved, the cars slow down to allow the safety car to pit. The lead car controls the pace. Once the safety car has pitted and the cars are over the appropriate line, the racing can begin.
      1. 

         Eastman (@eastman)
         9th April 2017, 0:00

         When they start, they follow the safety car. There is no parade lap.

         But the regs say…”Each lap completed while the Safety Car is deployed will be counted as a race lap, except the first lap when the procedure set out in 39.16 is followed (see also Article 5.3).” Isn’t that first lap then the parade lap?

         The lead car controls the pace. Once the safety car has pitted and the cars are over the appropriate line, the racing can begin.

         But the sporting regs say the cars must now reform on the grid after it is deemed safe? I want to understand how that grid is now determined for a wet start.
   2. 

      Andy (@andybantam)
      9th April 2017, 0:04

      @eastman

      Ah, I see what you mean!

      I’m incorrect.

      So, after watching the clip, id say the race starts as normal, but if it’s too wet, the safety car will collect the pack.

      I imagine that the new grid will be as qualifying if the start is aborted. If not, they’ll line up in the order they were when the safety car was deployed. Or not. I’m not sure.

      Maybe we’ll see tomorrow.
   3. 

      Neil (@neilosjames)
      9th April 2017, 2:20

      @eastman Grid slots for the standing start, after the trundling around behind the safety car, are those the driver lined up in on the original grid – if a car ahead pits or drops out for any reason, they don’t move up a slot. Which sounds hopelessly confusing and likely to cause problems, especially with the reduced visibility caused by rain.

      But, any car that pits during the safety car trundling has to return to the pits when the SC comes in, and take the start from the end of the pit lane – and they receive a penalty if they change to a different type of tyre – so that should act as a sufficient deterrent.

      For the second question, safety car appearances later in the race will just be as they were last season.

      And the last bit… as I understand it, yes, that refers to a total red flag – essentially, they realise there’s no way they’re going to be able to do a standing start because track conditions are too poor so they suspend the start procedure. If that happens it’ll mean the cars will end up doing a normal, 2016-style safety car start, not a standing start.

      (That last part seems very silly indeed because it needlessly delays the start – it would be easier to simply include a line in the regulations saying the race director may choose to opt for a safety car start, and eliminate the need for everyone parking up in the pits, then setting off again).

      Hope that makes some kind of sense.

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