May 08, 2011
Published on tags: Superleague
‘Could all non-essential personnel please leave the grid now’, or something to that effect. Yes it’s the heart-racing signal both drivers love and dread. Your blood pressure exceeds expected limits; your pulse races, and a rush of adrenaline engulfs your bloodstream. If you weren’t due for a physical, you sure are now. Yes! It’s the beginning of uncertainty for many and a certain foregone conclusion for others: it’s supposed to be the most formulated lap a driver will undertake - yet for some of us it causes a lot of issues, and ruins a good chance at points. Yes: it’s the formation lap!

Up in the commentary box it’s a snooze fest, an equally good chance at hyping up an enthralling race, and a last gasp effort to remind us of the grid. Yet the drivers may know what it’s about, but for the non-fans, it’s one of the most critical laps a driver will complete all race long.

It’s been argued it should be abolished; it’s conducted in a haste and stealth-like manner, yet the formation laps allure lies beyond what many of us can see. Some racing drivers take displeasure at the fact that they get an opportunity to waste a lap’s fuel, yet others relish the chance of driving it. It provides ample opportunity to warm up your tires, check your brakes haven’t gone ‘cold’ and that your engine and all other systems are working within specification.

Drivers weave from side to side in a vain effort to retain heat lost from the tyre blankets. Some drivers slam on their brakes and recover quickly with a short burst from the clutch and accelerator. This method also attempts to conduct a practise start which they have imagined hundreds of times in their heads ?yet only a few us have actually achieved these dream like, bank robbery-esque getaways.

The formation lap has caused problems before. Despite the slow regimented and pedantic nature of the lap, some drivers have managed to take out a driver ahead when checking their instruments or warming their tyres; some have weaved into other drivers, while some lucky ones spin off without taking anyone with them, and in a ice skate like manner quickly recover, wipe off their shame, and line up on the grid. A red glow awaits you as you gaze longingly ahead for the slot. Despite the nice, colourful rectangular image ahead of you, some drivers fail to position their vehicle within their allocated spot.

Once all qualified drivers are in place, the five red lights come on. Your heart beat accelerates, sweat slowly expires down your forehead, and your vision suddenly increases 10 fold! Those drivers, who have executed the strange yet necessary stages of the warm-up lap, can reap benefits from warm tyres, hot brakes and a lightning type reaction.

Then, as you gaze longingly you realize the lights have become eclipsed. No, there hasn’t been a false start, you’ve just made a sh*t one! Oh! And that flash of blue that’s just caressed the side of your car, that’s the medical car gone by! Don’t forget now, clutch, accelerator, lights, and release! Launch control is for kids.