Night races in F1???

Question

good or bad???

I think terrible, how can the drivers see properly when doing high speeds and what if theres a power cut mid race??? and how many spectators are going to sit in the dark watching cars racew round who have no lights on them and only see them very briefly under floodlights???

bernie has gone crackers hasnt he???

Answer 1

There are both pros and cons. The pros- for one, it'll definitely be interesting because it is something different. People are so used to watching F1 races in the daylight and being under the hot sun. And even when it rains, it's still bright enough to see everything that's going on on the race circuit. So, if night races are introduced, people are going to find it a breath of fresh air- something new, something different and something exciting. And anyway, we all know that something new always attracts attention and interest.

Secondly, night races will be cooler and therefore, people watching at the circuit would feel more comfortable. The night race atmosphere would be more relaxed and less tensed. And some people who are the types who are more awake at night (night owls) would probably enjoy the race.

Thirdly, the race would be really fun. It'd be interesting to see which driver can actually drive just well at night just as well as how he drives in the afternoon. This is because we already know who are the current best drivers in F1 (Alonso, Lewis, Kimi, Massa) but we've only seen them drive in the daylight.

How would we know if they can drive just as excellently at night? A good driver would be able to drive at any given time in a day- night, afternoon, morning, evening. A good driver can drive in different race conditions- whether it's raining heavily or the sun is shining brightly. So, a night race would definitely test the drivers from a different perspective and I'd actually be very keen on watching the race just to see who can adapt to the different race condition. Being able to adapt to different race conditions are very important.

Now onto the cons. Firstly, it's the safety concern. It might be too dark and the drivers may not be used to driving in the dark. Thus, this might lead to serious accidents and cause them unimaginable, unsightly and undesirable injuries.

They may even hurt themselves by crashing into the walls just because it's too dark. If the races are going to be held at night, many safety measures ought to be taken to protect the drivers from sustaining any injuries. For one, the FIA should have street lamps along every corner of the circuit or wherever that is necessary. Secondly, the FIA should make sure that the drivers are armed with extra protection on their bodies to prevent injuries.

If the races are held at night, there should be a close watch on the fans who come to watch the race. They have to make sure that none of the fans get in the way of the drivers during the races, else the fans might get knocked down and sustain injuries. Safety of the drivers and the fans should be the main concern.

So, night races in F1 isn't such a bad idea after all. There is just the need to weigh the pros and cons and decide whether the idea should be carried out or cancelled.

Answer 2

I think it's a good idea - the races would be road races - I guess like Monaco or Melbourne where the races are run in proper streets rather than race tracks. As long as the road surface is good enough and the lighting is very good it would be fine. Bernie is trying to spice the sport up and get more people interested in it. I think NASCAR run at night so probably Indy in the USA would be a good track for a night race too.

Answer 3

Nascar and other series, like professional drag racing race at night with cars that have no headlights without additional fear of injury etc but they are able to do it because the tracks are completely lit up all around. I didn't think that F1 tracks had lights all over since their races were during the day but I guess whatever Bernie wants Bernie gets.

Answer 4

My son raced Fords and Renaults in several night races here in the UK. I was scared stiff on the pit wall as visibility was seriously impaired and could lead to a high speed accident or worse, the injury of a marshall.
This would only work for GP if it was lit up like daylight all the way around the track.
Although I never raced at night I did on many occasions drive through tyre smoke so heavy that I was "driving blind". It is not a good feeling believe me.

Answer 5

spend millions surrounding the track with super powerful floodlights so the drivers can see where they are going - just as well put another day race into the calendar. not one of Bernie's best ideas

Answer 6

They want to make the sport more "Green" so let put up thousands of flood lights!

Please Bernie, I'd rather get up early than watch non competitive race, only the fool hardy would go as fast as during the day.

Answer 7

I know a few years ago, Champ Car held a night race on a road course (Cleveland).

As long as the track is well lit, a night race on a road course can be pulled off successfully. I can guarentee you NASCAR had the same qualms about high speed night racing when tracks started installing lights at their speedways.

Answer 8

The Monaco GP would be the only track that you want to run at night. Primarily due to the lower speeds. That, and part of the track is already artificially lite (the tunnel). It would be an interesting event, but it would be the only place that you could effectively run a night F1 race at.

Answer 9

It's OK as long as the lights are good enough. Plenty of fans watch drag racing and speedway racing at night. In a hot place like Malaysia it's entirely appropriate.

Answer 10

I am seriously concerned. How can drivers see in that darkness of the night?! Even if they do, what about the spectators? They need candles and torchlights to see the race!!