2008 European Grand Prix

[Blake]

I imagine they'd go for a relatvely low-tech solution of patching the driver into a buzzer that would go "beep-beep-beep-beep-BEEP" in sync with the start countdown.

Except that the period that the last light goes on to when it goes off is completely random so there’s no way to count yourself in.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Except that the period that the last light goes on to when it goes off is completely random so there’s no way to count yourself in.

I meant the event organisers rig it up and the teams tune into it. That way the timing will always be perfect.

 

[Metar]

Well once the roads reopen and cars start driving down them everyday then it should clean up the whole track equally.

Nope. A single F1 lap leaves so much more rubber than a dozens of cars, simply because those cars are nowhere near their limits of traction, with tyres not nearly as soft and grippy - the regular roadcars won't affect it one bit.

I meant the event organisers rig it up and the teams tune into it. That way the timing will always be perfect.

Then why have the lights at all? Teams would simply tap into that mechanism to generate split-second reactions beyond a driver's ability...