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Should Launch Control be banned at Monaco ?  

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From the Spanish Grand Prix this year, a number of driver electronic aids were allowed by the FIA. One of those aids is Launch Control were the computer reduces the amount of wheel spin at the start of the race ensuring a good start. Since then, a number of drivers have had problems with the new system. In Spain Coulthard had a problem on the formation lap while Heinz Harald Frentzen was stuck on the grid. At the last race in Austria 4 drivers were stuck on the grid due to launch control problems and it is the combination of driver skill and a wide track that the cars behind avoided those who were stuck. Heinz Harald Frentzen who for 2 races now had problems with his launch control described the situation he was in following the Spanish GP "The rest of the field roared off and I was left crouched down in my car, bracing my head against the headrest and keeping one eye on the mirrors as cars roared past inches away at around 200 kph not knowing or not if one of them was going to drive into the back of me."

Monaco is a tight circuit and having a car or more at or near the front stuck on the grid can cause a terrible pile-up of cars. A few teams are debating whether they will use launch control or not at Monaco but for the safety of everyone concerned should this driver aid be banned here ? Have Your Say   (What others are saying)

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What others are saying:

Launch control should be banned at all races.  The "take off" stage is part of the skill (or lack thereoff) of a driver and should not be taken over by a computer or such.  Where are we going to stop with electronic help ?? Next we will have such a thing as "curve or turn controls" (maybe rails of sort) and little is left to the drivers skills.... Gary H - USA


no way. drivers have to get the car off the line as part of driver skill - Wayno - Australia


Launch Control should not be used by any of the drivers.
Eddie Irvine thanked the "guy" who made him do a good start in Austria but apart from that FORZA FERRARI!!!!!!!!! - Jessica - Australia


It is a great shame for the once great sport to have leave everything in the hands of under 20 something programmers who haven't got a car yet... Ok, maybe some of them have already got their first Ferrari due their extraordinary programming skills. But that's no sport anymore... Let the real skills and reactions make the difference!!! The worst decision ever made in F1 world is the introduction of launch control. Should we just see the first dead driver in the grid there might be some hope for a change to racing... Kari - UK


NO, if u want it too be banned from Monaco then they shouldnt have brought back at all - Chris - Australia


Launch control!! What rot.  Let the drivers do what they do best, and the back room people do what they do best.  Never the twain shall meet - Christine H - Australia


Unfortunately this will not happen.  Launch control seems to have reduced one of the skills that were left to the driver.  The start of the race has always been an opportunity for the skilled driver to gain a few places or consolidate the front row placing.  Once all the teams have their technology fine tuned and working then theoretically they will all get off the line with no advantage.  Monaco was and still is one race where the pressure on the driver to get a good start was as important as gaining the No.1 grid position.  What ever happens let us all hope for every one to return safely and we see skilled, aggressive over taking maneuvers.

Come on Minardi - Brad R - Australia


Yes

Considering the fact that Launch Control did not work into 4 cars last time in Austria I believe that the FIA authorities should have been a little more responsible and decide firmly not to take that kind of risk in Monaco.

We all know what the consequences could be if a car or more stall in the grid at Monaco. Yes...it will produce sensational Media rushing on the site to report the shunts "Monaco is usually a place of accidents" but come'on for the safety of all the drivers in the grid and especially the ones in front. It is not a risk worth going through.

I, personally will watch the Grand Prix with a lot of emotion in fact after Monza it is my favourite race in the calendar.

I am aware that the Arrows do not have a good record on this circuit but I will be hoping for the best! - Rob - Australia


No, I don't believe so.

In the 2 races so far since LC was introduced we have had 5 cars lest standing on the grid (albeit DC's was at the start of the warm-up lap).

I am sure that the affected teams will work hard to rectify the problems. Aside from this going back to manual starts does not guarantee that all the cars will get off the line (far from it).

If any of the teams are concerned about their system they can go to manual starts, however is it fair to handicap those teams (e.g. Williams) who seem to have perfected the software?

Safety is, of course, a concern especially where there is so little room, however I am sure the drivers will be extra vigilant - Dunder - Hong Kong


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