And what would that "overall race strategy" be????

The only reason they got pole in the first place was because they put 3 oz of fuel in the car and can go a lap or 2 before pitting then compete for backmarker/midpack position just like they would on a "normal" fuel load.

They have NO chance of winning the race so how is that a race strategy?

You are right, every team has tried the light fuel strategy - and been rewarded with the pole position occassionally - that is all they should get. It gave them the advantage of starting up front for the race....now prove you are there for a reason during the race....Slower cars won't be able to do it so why reward them for being in the way of the faster cars?

The only strategy that it does work for is - publicity....Toyota have proven this time and time again....qualify on light fuel, occasionally grab a pole and finish back/mid pack....

How do you feel when you are stuck behind a slower car that won't move over when your at the track? And that is just for fun.....imagine when there are big stakes and the same happens....which is exactly the scenario you are saying would be good....

 

That would work too - and probably be a better solution as more cars are given points.

 

i don't understand what you mean.

we all know that there is a HUGE disparity in F1....if they are backmarkers, the results will show regardless of where they start....but it can fuk up everyone else.

you NEVER know what's gonna happen...that's racing.

 

^ that is exactly my point! If they are backmarkers - why artificially put them on pole? All it does is cause potential problems to the people that WILL pass them at some point. The slower cars don't deserve to be on pole as they are not faster so don't incent them be get pole (by running with next to no gas in the car) with the lure of points...

 

This is a tough choice. I like lead changes and not knowing who the winner is until the end. That suggests I'd be happier with bigger points spreads.

Should we add points for silly things -- highest trap speed, most laps led, best practice time, ... ?

We sure should take some points away for, oh, avoidable contact or unsportsmanlike behavior.

 

oh, so everyone should run the same fuel load, new tires, etc....level the playing field, so to speak.

that's not what i meant, but i understand what you're saying now.

because racing is so unpredictable, i prefer letting the teams do whatever they want within the framework of a race weekend...if they want to set their sights on pole (as opposed to competing for race win), i'm ok with that.

 

a la NASCAR? Points for leading a lap, points for leading the most laps, points for getting on the pole. (I think that's it.)

Leads to silliness like teammates swapping the lead intentionally just so they both pick up the bonus points for leading a lap.

 

1000%. The last thing I want to see is a backmarker artificially put on pole for commercial reasons.

But...where I was going with that pole bonus is...imagine it being a close championship race like last year...if you know there are 2 points to be had by grabbing the pole...if you were Ferrari or Renault...wouldn't you do anything you can possibly do to snag those up somehow. That's where more mindgames(read strategys) come into play.

We all know that the racing product for F1 could use a lot more spice. This might be one way to make them play more of a chess game.

 

and that's what i was meaning....be it midland or mclaren or renault or ferrari.

 

I can see some value there, but then a pole + second place = win. They would have to adjust the race points then which would again negate the fact that they got points for a pole....