F1 to use rear wing endplate lights in 2019
- Published on 13 Oct 2018 13:40
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Formula 1 will use rear wing endplate rain lights in 2019 as an added safety feature. The lights will enhance visibility to drivers behind during rain-affected sessions. The lights were first featured in Barcelona earlier this year by Mercedes during an in-season test.
The Wolrd Motorsport Council met on Friday to solidify the 2019 regulations with the new calendar also confirmed, which will once again feature 21 races. The new rear wing lights will be an addition to the existing rain light that is placed above the diffuser.
There were also a number of other changes confirmed in the meeting in Paris, including tweaks to the mirror regulations and rear wing height changes for rear view visibility and safety.
The onboard cameras will also be changed up in order to improve the spectacle for fans watching at home, combating the onboard cameras that are somewhat obstructed by the halo cockpit protection device that was introduced in 2018.
Changes have also been made to the safety car procedure to ensure that there is a consistent point on tracks where cars may overtake. Minor modifications to the halo fairing will be brought in for safety reasons during a potential situation where the driver needs to be hastily extracted.
The official end to the race will be made by a chequered light panel in addition to the physical flag being waved. This comes after a recent blunder at Canada where model Winnie Harlow was given false instructions, causing her to prematurely wave the flag.
Formula 1 teams will now also be responsible for initial scrutineering of their cars and must declare conformity with all safety related matters before the cars take to the track.
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Replies (13)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I dont mind that, chances are it might look kinda cool.
f1dave
Posts: 782
If they are used as turn indicators.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I dont think so, they're probably more meant as extra rear lights.
f1dave
Posts: 782
I was joking..
xoya
Posts: 583
Tbh, everyone could benefit from Magnussen and Verstappen being forced to use them as indicators. xD
RogerF1
Posts: 501
Hamilton would have his blinking all the time to signal people to move over, you know - like the infuriating guys on the autobahns who own the outside lane.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Those light will make for some spectacular long exposure shots. This is the sort of thing that can enhance safety without ruining the DNA of the sport.
RogerF1
Posts: 501
Waste of time, when it rains heavy enough to really need them they don’t race (half serious). Also, with proximity radar, they could flash red when a driver behind is getting so close he could overtake, just to warn him he’s not supposed to do that. Maybe a drive though penalty if the LED fails.
RogerF1
Posts: 501
Don’t forget the fog lights at the front, especially the ones that light up on one side when you turn the steering wheel, might help to see the kerbs on the night races.
blade
Posts: 341
Look cool, good move I guess for the rare bad rain race - there's bigger issues to be sorted out though - overtaking, track designs, B teams, Ferrari appearance fees......
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Agreed, though any positive move is better than nothing.
RogerF1
Posts: 501
I guess that was really the drift of my sarcasm. There are bigger, bigger issues to tackle and when the cars already have a glaring red spot light behind when wet, why do they need more? The sensible part comes with the halo mod. for quick driver extraction but that kind of after event change worries me that it hadn’t been completely covered pre season. Also, remember, last season when a Hulkenberg had to pull off and exit the car without touching bodywork due potential unsafe discharge - how do they do that with the halo? All the drivers exit by hauling themselves up with their upper arms over the top!!! Was this resolved as well, a complete one off?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Well, Im not really in the mood to spot sarchasm, as demonstrated twice in the same commentfield. ;) I think they can simply tear off the halo in case of emergency. I fully agree there were more pressing matters, however since there has been som complaints filed against the visibility of when a car is in energy charging mode and the likes, I guess this was a desired feature. 'sides, now the fans in the audience can better see the things we tv viewers can easily spot.