Ferrari have been given some flack over the new “lollypop” lighting system that tells the driver when it is cleared to go.  Although this technology has been proven to save as much as a half a second, it has also come with some problems that have led to Ferrari’s demise for the race.  This lighting system seems to have been the main problem at both street circuits, Valencia and Singapore.  In the Valencia incident, Kimi Raikkonen jumped the light and accelerated out of the pits while still connected to the refueling hose.  After review this came down to driver error and the pod functioned as it should.  The later came in Singapore where Filipe Massa was given the “green light”, even though the refueling hose was still connected.  He drove through the pit lane while the hose was still connected.  It is speculated that a Ferrari personnel had utilized a manual override to release Massa early.  This lead to Massa’s collapse downward in the leader board and eventually would cause force him to take a drive-through penalty.

There is a solution though that could fix these types of problems.  In all cases the refueling hose was attached.  I believe that there is a sensor already on the refueling hose.  Since this is the case, there should be under no circumstances, a light to be able to go to green, even if the refueling attachment is engaged.  Instead, the deciding factor on if a car should be released from the pits is only if the refueling hose is disengaged, even if the manual override is initiated.  Because this Light-Pod is electrical, there should be logic embedded in the programming.  These logic codes would be things like; “if”, “not”, “then”.  As an example:

“If” the hose is connected, “then” the light will “not” turn green.  When the hose is released, “then” the light can turn green, “if” the tire technicians are done.

I think by adding this simple logic to the system will make for a more efficient and safer pit-stop.  These incidents with the Ferrari team will be a small blurp in the history books and it will be overshadowed by the endless victories to come.