SGP vs. Normal Racing

Aspects of a SGP that are great for spectators but not the greatest for safety:

As mentioned, starting everyone at the same time.

Scoring formula that gives you a whole place if you beat the other guy by one meter. And no more credit if you beat him by a lot.

This produces strategies much like sailboat racing. You don't have to go fast, you just have to beat the other guy. So if you can, get an energy advantage and cover, then dash to the finish. And argue about the last meter.

All landouts are the same.

From the reports, the last day in chile the pilots stuck in a big gaggle and kept pushing lower and lower over poor terrain. That makes sense strategically.

In the past, scoring finishes at zero altitude led to some very spectator-friendly finishes, but not exactly pilot friendly. Interestingly SGP has put in some altitude minimums in the interest of safety that remain controversial in regular US racing.

To its credit, starting everyone at the same time means start late, catch the gaggle and sit there will not work.

For pilot enjoyment, grand prix starts -- including allowing pilots to leave early if they choose to do so -- plus regular scoring might cut down on start roulette and leeching, without the incentives of win by a meter scoring. Granted it would be a lot less fun for the spectators who now want to see if Sebastian will or will not keep that meter or two ahead of Tilo.

Not a criticism really,