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[Ruby]

Finally, although I agree that gravel is not the way to go, I would like to see more of a penalty for going off the track.

Good idea, like what? A time or points penalty? No, points is a bit crap. Time's prob a better way to go...like maybe a drive through the pits? But then, you'd have to clarify what counts as off track.... it's a can of worms actually

[Stephen]

Finally, although I agree that gravel is not the way to go, I would like to see more of a penalty for going off the track.

Good idea, like what? A time or points penalty? No, points is a bit crap. Time's prob a better way to go...like maybe a drive through the pits? But then, you'd have to clarify what counts as off track.... it's a can of worms actually

But in most cases, falling off the track will cost you time anyway. And look at the Kubica/Massa scrap in Japan, they were off the track more than they were on it - great viewing, only ruined if they were later penalised.

[f1ea]

You see far too many DNFs just because the cars get stuck in the gravel traps. Even if another car makes a mistake and sends you to the gravel... yeah the hitter gets a 10 place penalty or whatever but your race was finished.

BORING races have the following ingredients: few cars finishing the race and few passes. These are the 2 issues F1 should urgently solve. Of course Im not saying overlook everything else!!

To me, gravel is really unsafe as drivers will always lose CONTROL (and this is what should truly be avoided if you want safety) mainly at high speeds. Grass is the same, maybe you dont get stuck as easily, but you still lose control... The problem with tarmac is that it doesn't penalise off-track adventures, and this is crucial to racing.

FIA rules should definitely be clearer regarding crane-rides anyway... Europe GP 2007 was a monstrosity. So they should consider a drive-thru penalty or something, to compensate piggy-back privileges; and some other penalty for off-track driving.

Oh... and if Max wants a better F1A, avoid spy-scandals. That mess should have been solved in a more professional manner, but Ferrari decided to make a circus before anything was proven or court-decided on... Silly season is almost over.

[McLaren Fan]

Finally, although I agree that gravel is not the way to go, I would like to see more of a penalty for going off the track.

Good idea, like what? A time or points penalty? No, points is a bit crap. Time's prob a better way to go...like maybe a drive through the pits? But then, you'd have to clarify what counts as off track.... it's a can of worms actually

I haven't really thought of what kind of penalty. In an ideal world you could have something, however, as you rightly state, there are too many complications which, Formula One being Formula One, people could exploit.

[ArtHowe]

A lot of common sense in there Flea. There is, of course, the built-in time penalty inherent in leaving the track. Suggesting an adjudicated penalty, such as a pit lane drive through, opens an entirely new area of subjectivity for further dubious race ' decisions by the stewards. I know you didn't suggest this option... just suggesting it could be a rats' nest. Nobody wants to be off the track. If someone, however, forces another driver off the track to gain a personal advantage then they should obviously be penalised. Otherwise, it's simply part of racing and the drivers can settle it in their own way after the race, or maybe rip a door off it's hinges... or something.

[darwin dali]

Finally, although I agree that gravel is not the way to go, I would like to see more of a penalty for going off the track.

Good idea, like what? A time or points penalty? No, points is a bit crap. Time's prob a better way to go...like maybe a drive through the pits? But then, you'd have to clarify what counts as off track.... it's a can of worms actually

But in most cases, falling off the track will cost you time anyway. And look at the Kubica/Massa scrap in Japan, they were off the track more than they were on it - great viewing, only ruined if they were later penalised.

Agree Stephen - if you want action, overtaking and all, you can't squeeze the drivers into a corsett of even more regs that actually penalize them for taking a risk for the spectacle.