planetf1.com

I don't think this has been discussed before but apologies if it has and I missed it.

For those that aren't aware, the timing line used for Indycar qualifying laps is positioned before the final corner of the circuit. This means there is no in-lap required. The out lap ends up being about 8/10 of a full lap, they then have a full flying lap and are free to pop into the pits just one corner after finishing their flying laps.

This seems a very sensible idea. The in lap serves no purpose whatsoever so getting rid of it would be great. It means there are fewer cars going slow on the circuit so less obstruction for the cars on flying laps. There is a constant push to reduce costs. Well, this reduces the number of laps cars do in qualifying which all helps to save fuel and general wear on the cars.

I've been picturing F1 circuits in my head and I can't see a problem with it. Take Monaco, the line could be on the short straight after the swimming pool. At Monza, just before the braking point for Parabolica.

Yes, it's a better system in just about every way. Like you, I can't for the life of me see any advantage in forcing drivers to do in-laps in qualifying. There is no element of driver skill associated to in-laps (in qualifying).

Unless I'm missing something that seems to make a lot of sense.

It makes sense, it is not going to happen.

No, you're all speaking sense, it'll never happen. Sadly.

Alienturnedhuman wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 26, 2021 8:09 pm

A similar approach could just be to do a sector 3 - 1 - 2 qualifying lap, which would fit with the current F1 terminology.

I prefer this idea.
Still a effectively a full timed lap but only requiring 2 circuits in total: A 2 sector warm up after pit exit that would usually be pretty brisk anyway and only one "in sector" at the end. It's really neat.

Makes sense. Drop Todt and Brawn a line!

That really does seem like a sensible idea.

Tufty wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 26, 2021 9:08 pm

No, you're all speaking sense, it'll never happen. Sadly.

This, sadly!

What a great idea! There are many things that IndyCar does well that F1 should take notice of.

Yeah, that would definitely make more sense; in-laps just create more traffic for the other cars. But unfortunately I doubt it will happen.

My guess is money talks. The grandstand seats will want to be the ones to see the end of the laps - it's what they pay for, after all, to sit at the end of the lap. That might actually be the clincher for the idea not going ahead, even though it makes practical sense.

Tufty wrote: ↑

Fri May 07, 2021 8:32 am

My guess is money talks. The grandstand seats will want to be the ones to see the end of the laps - it's what they pay for, after all, to sit at the end of the lap. That might actually be the clincher for the idea not going ahead, even though it makes practical sense.

This is probably true.