Grids.

[Matt]

Hello TT F1 forum,

I was watching clips from F1 races back in the day, and noticed the grids were arranged 3-2-3-2-3-2-3-2.

Why couldn't we do that now? Sure, there would be a bigger chance of an accident, but, with all the runoff we have now, it could be done!

Your thoughts?

Cheers,
Matt.

[Dutton]

It could be done on some tracks, but not on others. Malaysia would be alright, but not Monaco. That kind of idea.

If we were to do 3-2-3-2, why not just do 3-3-3-3?

[johnh875]

Originally Posted by Dutton

If we were to do 3-2-3-2, why not just do 3-3-3-3?

There was room to line up 3 cars across the track, but not to stagger them in alternate rows - the outer cars were virtually at the edge of the track. The row of 2 was I imagine a way of lessening the impact of a car not leaving the grid - you didn't have a car immediately in front of you. Many tracks still stagger the rows.

[steve_r]

I don't see any advantages in lining up 3 abreast....

[Matt]

Originally Posted by steve_r

I don't see any advantages in lining up 3 abreast....

Making the start an even bigger spectacle in motorsports than it already is?

[Mathias]

...and then pretty much guaranteeing that all you get is a start, cos they all pile into each other at turn 1...

[kipper]

Originally Posted by Mathias

...and then pretty much guaranteeing that all you get is a start, cos they all pile into each other at turn 1...

I'm not sure if this would automatically follow; I would imagine that drivers would be aware of this risk and being alert to taking avoiding action if needs be. As a result I doubt whether first corner accidents would increase beyond current levels.

[Yannick]

Grid rows of 2 have proven to be pretty reasonable. So let's keep them.

[Mr V]

Originally Posted by johnh875

There was room to line up 3 cars across the track, but not to stagger them in alternate rows - the outer cars were virtually at the edge of the track.

The problem of this is a faster starting driver doesn't have the room to make a potential overtake at the start.

The more worring thing is, if a car were to stall on the grid, there is nowhere for the cars behind to go, big accident time!

The F1 should (and indeed will) leave the grids as they are.

[Raglanparade]

i think the grids are too far apart. every circuit used to have a different grid format. at wide circuits like bahrain, turkey and malaysia... three or four wide would work.

infact, you will notice that tilke tracks are wider then other tracks.

you could easily have a 3-4-3-4-3-4 at any of the tilke tracks.

also, there doesnt need to be 10 metres between grid slots... surely one car length (3 metres is more then enough).. if grid slots were done a 2-3-2 or 3-4-3 basis..

to me.. the first corner is the only worthwhile part of a grand prix... i get sleepy after that..

motogp on the other hand...

[Red Bulldog]

The current grid formation works well, and is the one thing F1 should not tamper with.

[Robin_D]

The gaps are the size they are at the moment due to launch control and pure grunt. If you have 1 car space gap and the car infront stalls you would only know about it when you pile into the back of it.

[johnh875]

Mr V - a fast starter would aim for the gaps between the cars in front, if a car stalled it is either on the side of the track or not much different to the current situation. Obviously there was a reason why two by two was adopted however.

Raglanparade - if you had 4 cars wide with a car length between rows half the field probably wouldn't make the first turn!

[Jeff 8]

Having used both inline and staggered grids, I think that staggered grids of 2-2-2-2 are safer than 2-2-2-2 inline as when someone stalls or makes a bad start you don't find two or three of you going for the same gap. In F1 the cars are more even so getting a good start will not be as big an advantage. I also do not ever remember seeing a Formula 1 jump the start.

Jeff

[Paddockman]

Just get rid of computer generated starts with Launch Control, then maybe some skill will be involved!!

[Knowlesy]

They don't run launch control.

Although TC is still there admittedly.

[Dutton]

Well, launch control in the traditional sense is not allowed.

I think it is safe to say, though, that they have made adequate advances in other areas to mean that formation starts are the expectation. You know, for the most part, what kind of get away the different teams are liable to get.

There would have to be further tightening of design parameters to try and reduce this effect.