They say that the summer is the silly season, in which case this winter is shaping up to be unseasonably stupid. Numerous rule changes have been mooted for next season, such as double points, forced pit stops and car number changes; none of these seem to be finding much favour with fans. All of this got me thinking about previous rule changes which have proved controversial or laughable but which do you think are F1's most stupid rules?
Any rule brought in because of Schuey as it was previously not necessary because of the unwritten code of conduct that previously existed until he showed up The 'one-move rule (schuey chop)' at the start, the 'racing line means you can shove a driver off the circuit' rule etc etc
That's looking at previous eras with rose tinted glasses. Driving hard and ruthless was hardly invented by Schuey. Shocked that Manny hasn't landed on this thread already. Surely the Schumacher-abuse Claxton is signaling a code-red.
Yeah, but Prost invented the 'take out your opponent for the title' move. I didn't vote for sprinklers as it's never been a rule, neither is no donuts (afaik), I think DRS was a good idea poorly implemented, would've liked to have seen 'forced tyre compounds' as a choice because I hate that rule more than any other tyre rule as it pretty much forces everyone onto the same strategy, I think sauber or FI would've been in with a chance of a few more podiums with an open tyre choice.
<Laugh> Kimi is F1s guineapig. He even tried the set drivers eyes on fire when going through the pits rule.
Sorry, I should have been clearer because I didn't mean rules which were adopted but also those which were abandoned. After I posted this, it made me look again and reconsider which are stupid and which are really stupid, so I went for sprinklers, medals, double points and forced pit stops, although I agree that DRS is stupid in its current form and should be free or not at all; likewise forced tyre compounds, for the very reasons you say.
ah ok, there's always the rule blind-spots as well, like the infamous water cooled brakes that were the fashion for a while
Unfortunately, ASC, it seems I'm unable to use the 'say thanks' and 'like' buttons in this thread, or to add to your reputation*; but I thoroughly agree with your sentiment. His on-track behaviour is the reason behind many of today's hotly disputed (and often contentious) decisions about penalties for a driver's conduct. As I've maintained ever since he left (the first and proper time), his influence â together with coercive forces which more often than not saw him go unpunished â left F1 in a rather sorry state. It is perhaps true to suggest that Senna set a precedent; but Schumacher grabbed the concept, turned his nose up at, and mocked the unwritten codes of honourable conduct; and milked it for all it was worth⦠[*Perhaps this is a good thing because it has provoked a written response in the thread!]
