Motorsports Thread

[Drago]

In such a technical sport its quite right that technical limits are enforced as tightly as technology permits. They wouldn't be permitted a car 0.1 of a KG underweight, or 0.1 litre of fuel too little at the end of a race, so theres no reason why 0.1 of a kmh should not be policed with the same rigour. The same technology that caught Ramilton out can also be used by the team to ensure compliance.

 

[AndyRM]

Exceeding the pit lane speed limit is a slam dunk penalty, even if it's only by a small amount.

It's there for obvious safety reasons.

As Lewis was the only one done, then it's either on him or whoever programmed the software on the car.

Aye, I get that, but for a fraction of a km/h? That seems a bit much, though I get the need to be strictly enforced because drivers/teams will just push the limit as much as they can, which is basically what the commentators said.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

There should be a greater tolerance on the limits as it was reported that he exceeded the limit by 0.1kph on exiting the pit. That could easily be done if you accelerated a fraction too soon.

But this is F1
is you have tolerance then they will use all of it all the time to gain time/speed

It has to be specified exactly and implemented and enforced to that exact point

allow them to do 0.1 over and they will just set their speed limiter 0.1 faster

they have to - getting out that split second earlier could put e.g. Lewis in front of Max instead of behind

 

[FishFright]

There should be a greater tolerance on the limits as it was reported that he exceeded the limit by 0.1kph on exiting the pit. That could easily be done if you accelerated a fraction too soon.

Or don't accelerate too soon and stay within the rules

 

[katiewlx]

Unless systems have changed drastically, the speed limiter still has to be activated by the driver. So there's opportunity for brain farts and just simply getting the timing wrong.

Measurement is done by a set of timing loops along the length of the pit lane that computes in a similar way to average speed cameras on motorways and trunk roads. The days where a guy stood there with a speed gun are long gone.

or unactivated as per Ferraris reasoning,the point really is they can set their speed limit to 80.0kph and be absolutely sure thats the speed the equipment measures. albeit other sources claimed it was on entry. but at 80kph these cars travel 2.22cms per millisecond, at 80.1kph they travel 2.225cms. so the margin of measurement is 0.005cms or 50micrometres at a millisecond.

its not unreasonable to question if the system they use, however fancy and technological based it maybe, can be that accurate, when the Monaco issues all stemmed from the fact they hadnt measured the distances out properly. how much margin of error is there if a driver does take a different line on pit entry ?

part of me thinks a guy with a speed gun might be less open to such debates.

 

[FishFright]

or unactivated as per Ferraris reasoning,the point really is they can set their speed limit to 80.0kph and be absolutely sure thats the speed the equipment measures. albeit other sources claimed it was on entry. but at 80kph these cars travel 2.22cms per millisecond, at 80.1kph they travel 2.225cms. so the margin of measurement is 0.005cms or 50micrometres at a millisecond.

its not unreasonable to question if the system they use, however fancy and technological based it maybe, can be that accurate, when the Monaco issues all stemmed from the fact they hadnt measured the distances out properly. how much margin of error is there if a driver does take a different line on pit entry ?

part of me thinks a guy with a speed gun might be less open to such debates.

The Monaco problem was that the entry was changed but the sensors weren't adjusted to the change . IIRC .

Pit lane speed is an absolute safety issue , there can be no over speeds allowed. Not even for drivers we like ,

 

[figbat]

The Monaco problem was that the entry was changed but the sensors weren't adjusted to the change . IIRC .

Pit lane speed is an absolute safety issue , there can be no over speeds allowed. Not even for drivers we like ,

And they were using the same speed limit all weekend long, through all practice, qualifying and race sessions. And it’s the same for everyone. Sometimes pushing the limit takes you over the limit and there are well-defined and well-known consequences.

 

[Drago]

Part of the problem is Fezza arent used to rules always being rigorously applied against them. Shock, horror! Sadly theres no human factor, no latitude for opinion or doubt when it comes to an empirical measurement.

 

[FishFright]

Part of the problem is Fezza arent used to rules always being rigorously applied against them. Shock, horror! Sadly theres no human factor, no latitude for opinion or doubt when it comes to an empirical measurement.

It's been Mercedes given the pass for a good few years. But , in general, the FIA rewards winners nowadays .

 

[Reynard]

Aye, I get that, but for a fraction of a km/h? That seems a bit much, though I get the need to be strictly enforced because drivers/teams will just push the limit as much as they can, which is basically what the commentators said.

Hmmm, but I know racing drivers, having worked as a photographer and journalist for a decade. And dated a few as well. Give them an inch, and they'll take a mile. As a species, racing drivers are ridiculously competitive, and will squeeze whatever they can, where they can.

 

[Reynard]

There should be a greater tolerance on the limits as it was reported that he exceeded the limit by 0.1kph on exiting the pit. That could easily be done if you accelerated a fraction too soon.

That's pretty well much what happened - he was trying to beat Antonelli to the safety car line while coming out of the pits. He didn't quite, and had to give back the place he gained as well.

 

[AndyRM]

Hmmm, but I know racing drivers, having worked as a photographer and journalist for a decade. And dated a few as well. Give them an inch, and they'll take a mile. As a species, racing drivers are ridiculously competitive, and will squeeze whatever they can, where they can.

Aye, I know, I'm not disagreeing!

 

[katiewlx]

The Monaco problem was that the entry was changed but the sensors weren't adjusted to the change . IIRC .

Pit lane speed is an absolute safety issue , there can be no over speeds allowed. Not even for drivers we like ,

I couldnt care less which driver it was, Im more interested in how they use this system, and what its tolerances are, given how fine the margins are and how precise F1 teams are at setting their stuff up, as there seems a distinct attitude of just well the computer says, so it must be so, and everyone believes the computer...whilst Monaco proved you cant actually rely on that if youve fed the computer duff info to start with.