Ferrari: "Pick up rubber"

[ensign14]

That's a very rude way of referring to Ralf.

[Sodemo]

I think the "pick up rubber" call over the radio happens in a lot of top flight motorsport.

I know the BTCC teams ask their drivers to do the same, or at least they used to.

[Knowlesy]

Originally Posted by AdamAshmore

AFAIK, there is no need for that in F1. They check the plank, which shows if it has been running too low through the race.

This is true, but they also have height checks for things like the front wing (endplates?) for example. So the more height the better, those extra millimetres could be the difference.

[Fletcher]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

This is true, but they also have height checks for things like the front wing (endplates?) for example. So the more height the better, those extra millimetres could be the difference.

The reference plane (Car's flat underbody) is used as a baseline in all the measurements FIA does excluding the plank wear, so picking up rubber wont do any difference at all in that respect.

[Knowlesy]

Ah, OK.

I thought it was mainly based on checking the plank wear, thus it would still be possible to run the wings a fraction too low, even without running the overall car too low (and thus not wearing the plank).

I am out of my depth here.

[Rgms320]

.

> Heard Patrick Head say on the radio right after the finish to Ralf: "Don't
> forget to pick up rubber". No why would they want to do that? To cover up
> excessive wear which leads to enhanced performance? Not that it matters
> anyway, they were way off the pace.

Head was referring to George "Rubber" Bands, a Williams spotter who had
spent the race standing near Rivazza with the track marshals. Bands needed
a ride back to the pits.

[Notso Swift]

Originally Posted by Mr V

Don't want to nitpick but wouldn't that be an Australian accent?

If you want Knowlesy, Bendigo Victoria

(Actually Eaglehawk)

[minimangler]

Its odd they did it quite so obviously, but it is common practice- the FIA tried to stop them, but it got silly.

[Adam43]

What is the problem with being obvious? As you say it is common practice and has been for decades!

I don't remember the FIA trying to stop this? When was that?

[medius]

Just a thought, they do that after Qually too don't they? Do they sit in the garage scraping off the rubber after scrutineering ready to use the tyres again? If so, its likely to be a weight thing.

[Super Hans]

Originally Posted by medius

Just a thought, they do that after Qually too don't they? Do they sit in the garage scraping off the rubber after scrutineering ready to use the tyres again? If so, its likely to be a weight thing.

You can't simply scrape the marbles off. At the end of a race the tyres are at such a high temparatue that the marbles simply melt into them, like plasticine.

[Redracer77]

I thought it was to do with ride height more that weight? The big chunks of rubber can lift the car up a little to make sure the car is not too low.

[zac510]

Originally Posted by Redracer77

I thought it was to do with ride height more that weight? The big chunks of rubber can lift the car up a little to make sure the car is not too low.

Post 29.

[cowchap]

dont the drivers lose a small amount of weight during the race too??