Writing The Rules After The Event ?

[rodders47 2]

The FIA has clarified its stance on flat-spotted tyres and assured Formula 1's teams that they will not now be punished for changing them during the course of a race.

McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen crashed out of the European Grand Prix on the last lap after the vibrations from a badly flat-spotted right front tyre caused his suspension to fail.

The teams voiced their concerns to the FIA in the wake of the Finn's shunt.

Although they allowed that Raikkonen had caused the damage through driver error, they were unclear as to whether a dangerous flat-spot constituted a damaged tyre and would thus incur a penalty by the stewards should it be changed.

But the FIA has now sent a rule clarification to the teams according to Autosport's website.

From now on a flat-spotted tyre is considered damaged and can be changed "provided this is not done during a pitstop for the purposes of refuelling," according to an FIA spokesman.

Well what can I say here !!! Could not any of those so called people in charge of MAKING THESE BLOODY STUPID RULES not have seen this situation ?

So now if you are an aggressive driver and want to slot your car beside another where there is no room to do so, it is ok , because you can come back to the pits and change that BADLY flat spotted tyre for another one ??

COME ON F1 OR IS THAT F (one half) just admit it that this ONE tyre rule is BLOODY stupid !!!! and BLOODY DANGEROUS ALSO

so whats the next RULE change?

Could it be if your ENGINE blows through no fault of the driver you will not suffer the 10 grind position penality???

[nojvnof1 0]

well, if anything, it'll mean the drivers will be more aggressive on track as they now know they won't have to live with a flat spot should they screw up a move. Having said that it does say that changing tyres can only be done seperately to fuel stops, so we'll just have to wait and see.

[rodders47 2]

yep I agree but "WHEN IS A FLAT SPOTTED TYRE - NOT A FLAT SPOTTED TYRE " ??? like why even have tis rule ? HOW DEEP HAS THE FLAT SPOT HAVE TO BE ?

[nojvnof1 0]

I agree that it's up to interpretation, however I think it is pretty easy to tell when a tyre has a flat spot, no matter the depth or severity. Since there is no mention of there having to be a depth of a flat spot, then I guess any flat spotted tyre can be changed.

[rodders47 2]

yep no DEPTH as far as the rules stand TODAY, but WHY do we need all this bloody legislation ? just change the tyres as it was in previous years?

[nojvnof1 0]

I agree.

[JayStorm 0]

Me too, but we of course, are completely powerless, looks like we'll have to put so much pressure on them that they change the rules for 2008.

JS.