Webber calls for an end to engine grid penalties
- Published on 05 Jul 2017 17:12
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Ex-F1 driver Mark Webber would like to see a halt to drivers being handed grid penalties when engine parts fail. The Australian doesn't agree with the fact a driver has to suffer consequences that are not of their own making.
For the hybrid power units, drivers are only allowed to use four of each component before grid penalties begin to be handed out. Already this season, McLaren has gone way beyond that allocation, with other drivers coming close to receiving penalties.
"There's too much policing," Webber said. "I don't want any penalties for a driver that's had nothing to do with it. If a mechanic has put a brake disc in the wrong way, and a driver is at the back of the grid.
"A lot of people don't watch qualifying, they turn on [the TV] and are like, 'why is my favourite driver at the back of the grid?' and so we lose people for that. It's hard enough to get the quality at the front of the grid as it is, let alone having guys diluted down the back through no reason of their own, so we don't need all that junk in there."
Webber offered a solution, stating that perhaps the team should be deducted points in the championship rather than have the driver suffer, who he feels is the innocent victim: "Constructors' points, whatever," he said when asked about an alternative penalty, "Find a way that you don't hurt the driver.
"There have been so many ridiculous penalties over the last five years that the driver has had nothing to do with, and it's had a big impact on how the weekend would have been in terms of entertainment."
Fergal Walsh
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Replies (7)
Login to replyf1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
I agree its too unfair a driver has to suffer
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I understand the frustration, and agree some regulations need to be adjusted. However, I think it would change the essence of the sport to start separating too much the driver from the constructor. It's supposed to be a team sport where you win and lose together. Same way that a driver can ruin a weekend for the constructor with a silly mistake.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
That's actually a really good point, AJP.
That being said, I'd like to see heavy deregulation in F1. If we went back to a simpler technology where you could have multiple suppliers, including independent suppliers, this limited number of engines would become redundant, as it is a cost cutting measure.
We'll see what direction Liberty takes, but I'm cautiously optimistic thus far.
f1ski
Posts: 726
I think this is brilliant. Teams who cannot compete for higher positions in the manufacturers standings can go for higher positions in the drivers standings thus keeping sponsors happier.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Not a removal, a revamp. We still need some sort of limit to put pressure on the engine manufacturers. However, as it stands it doesnt benefit anyone. Increase the amount of parts they are allowed to take, and/or give the teams the freedom to take the parts they need instead of limiting them to take this or that amount or every part. Some teams does maybe not need 5 ICEs, but might perhaps need 5 turbos.
kngrthr
Posts: 203
one engine per race with the ability to use an old one if there is a failure during the weekend.
the cost wouldn't i crease much if at all because its the r and d and testing that costs the most.
imagine how it will look if this years championship is decided by grid penalties
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
R&D is indeed the most expensive bits, but contracts with one engine per race would increase the costs significantly, especially with these current engines.