Are Air Restrictors for F1?

[Edmonton]

Since the FIA is always trying to limit HP why don't they just make the teams run air restrictors like in sportscar racing?

[Knowlesy]

That would be much too easy.

[Kicking-back]

The trouble with air restrictors is that they give a whole new avenue for cheating. Every series that's used them has has problems.

[JAG]

They've worked pretty well in sportscar and the WRC.

[Kicking-back]

Originally posted by JAG
They've worked pretty well in sportscar and the WRC.

WRC? Ask the FIA and Toyota about that one!

[Startline1]

I don`t think they would work for the reasons stated above.

So my idea is to make rules for steel brakes,slick tyres, and most importantly a flat bottom front to rear(no difussers) and so encourage more mechanical rather than aero grip.

Now some will say thats a step backwards,but if F1 continues to be so processional fans will depart in droves and then will follow sponsors who see no promotional value in the formula.

The old adage of "F1 being the cutting edge of development" is all very well, but it is in great danger of developing/pricing itself out of existance.

Sorry have gone off topic somewhat, so air restrictors nice ides in some ways but wont work.

[RTH]

Better a fuel flow restrictor that would only pass 1 litre per minute and an electronic rev limiter set at 12000 rpm, at the same time min. 100mm ground clearance at all times and no aerofoil sections, return of slick tyres which are so much better at arresting a car in a spin, gravel traps replaced by tarmac, and no pit stops.

[Adam43]

This could well get lost in our desire for the 1970s, so I have split the thread into air restrictors and other rules which, no doubt, will be more popular than this, but I am keen that this one doesn't get lost. Her eis the other thread http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...threadid=49860

I don't think we have discussed this one before. I am not particularly pro air restrictors, especially in F1, but it is an interesting point.

Assuming we desrire a a reduction in power are air restrictors an easy and controllable way of achieving it?

Would air restrictors work?

[Gt_R]

How about limiting the petrol each car can use in a race... to a level where it is actually efficient...then engines are forced to make an environmentally friendlier engine - coincidentally lesser power .

And ban air-box...or stipulate the largest size the air-box can get.




Air restrictor is a viable option they could look into

[neilap]

Wait, dont they already have "restrictors"? Well dont the air boxes have to be a certain size? Some how anything else may seem a little like dumbing down the sport.

[krt917]

I'm not a fan of restrictors in any series, inlcuding Sportscars, especially when they are used to artificially 'level' the playing field.

At first, I though that the petrol idea might be good, but remember the annoying problems that that caused in F1 and Group C in the 1980s. The drivers didn't like it as they wanted to race, not drive for economy. So, in the end, I don't think I'd be a fan of either approach.