The Lucky Spanner is a team action Losers Teams can take alongside DRS, Pitlane Punts and Ejector Seats.
The Lucky Spanner is an extreme measure that resets all of a Losers Team's choices. Think of it as a massive panic button.
You cannot wield the Lucky Spanner until September 1st. We need to explain this properly, so keep reading.
WHAT IS THE LUCKY SPANNER?
Each Losers Team gets one Lucky Spanner to use just once in a season. It should only be used by teams at the end of their (wheel) tether.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A LUCKY SPANNER IS USED?
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A LUCKY SPANNER IS USED?
If a Losers Team uses their Lucky Spanner:
- The Losers Team's existing drivers and constructor get sacked. All of them.
- They are replaced with new choices selected by the F1 Losers League.
That's right. The League gets to decide. Uh-oh.
A Losers Team using the Lucky Spanner will then face the rest of the season with this whole new set of team choices. For more detail on this, keep reading.
HOW DOES THE LEAGUE CHOOSE REPLACEMENTS?
The League chooses the new picks randomly, which carries some risk.
However, the League will abide by three principles:
- The new choices won't include any driver or constructor that has just been dumped from the Losers Team.
- Any driver or constructor that has won a Formula One race that season will be excluded from selection.
- The new choices will be subject to the Pit Garage Rule.
It's a haphazard way of changing team choices, or maybe it's not: we'll find out amid the chaos.
WHEN YOU CAN'T USE THE LUCKY SPANNER
- The Lucky Spanner is usable only from September 1st (see this on the Calendar page).
- The Spanner cannot be triggered in conjunction with an Ejector Seat at the same race.
WHY ISN'T IT CALLED AN "UNLUCKY SPANNER"?
Because it doesn't sound as good. Shut up.
THE PRACTICAL BIT
The Lucky Spanner must be used before a grand prix's first practice session (FP1) to take effect for that weekend’s race.
Roll on September 1st. *waggles spanner*
