Formula1 talk

[astroron]

This owner talks good sense.
I agree with what he says in the sentence.

(Quote)
"The racing stays the same, with the same three or four teams there winning. There is no underdog who comes in.

I hope F1 will be more competitive this year.:prey::prey::prey:

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/25833881
Cheers:thumbsup:

[Andy01]

Yeah, ontresting point but barring a Bradbury like shunt where half the field is taken out (a la Melbourne 2002 where Webbo's Minardi came in 5th) that's not going to change.

What was Max Mosley thinking?

Driving out Toyota, BMW & Honda and bringing in underfunded, underdeveloped, unrarksble back marker teams with pay drivers like Caterham, Marussia, USGP & HRT?

F1 has always been a development formula. Best smartest, most funded team wins. Want parity? Watch Indycar. (Arguably better racing) won't stop me watching, but any billionaire like Tony Fernandes can buy an F1 team. But without perseverance, mega bucks and decent drivers no one will replicate Deitrich Matechitz success in a hurry.

[JB80]

When Button and Brawn came through and took the championship somewhat by surprise I was hoping it would be a sign of things to come but of course F1 was back to business as usual soon after.

Still, I love it and prefer it to any other racing format.

[viperau]

Should be more competitive with everyone having new chassis and engines. Well hoping so anyway. I was kinda hoping it would be like the 80's with cars on fire all over the place, but i fear things will be too reliable with modern engineering.

[gary]

Hi Ron,

The McLaren 2014 MP4-29 F1 car gets revealed online at 12pm UK time on Friday
24th which is 22:00 on Friday night in Qld and 23:00 in Sydney -
http://www.mclaren.com/formula1/car/

They are looking for a sponsor to replace the missing Vodaphone livery.
If everyone on IceInspace chips in $1000 and Mike comes up with
a big IceInspace decal for the rear wing, unfortunately I figure we would still
be about $73 million short.

Ferrari present their car online on the 25th at 23:30 Qld time which is the 26th at
00:30 in Syd -
http://2014f1car.ferrari.com/en/

How would it feel to be a 24 year old Daniel Ricciardo at the moment about to be
presented with an Adrian Newey designed car for the forthcoming season.
Not a bad place to be and there will be many other drivers on the grid wishing it
was them.

The Red Bull RB10 will be revealed at Jerez in Spain on the 28th where the teams
go for the limited pre-season testing and we will also get to see what Mercedes
have to offer and a few other teams as well.

[Astro_Bot]

Only $73 million? Chicken feed. :lol:

Thanks for posting the links - I'll be sure to checkout the cars.

[astroron]

Thanks Gary, great links.
Cheers:thumbsup:

[gary]

Hi Ron,

Did you see on the Ferrari web site you can vote on choosing the name of the car?

http://2014f1car.ferrari.com/en/#choose

Unfortunately the "Knight Rider" does not appear as an option.
The next time the cameras go on Hasselhof, I am sure his face will be disappointed too.

[goober]

I saw some images of the new Williams FW36 last night. Interesting nose that will attract a lot of ... comments. I'll start. What a cock-up :)

[The_bluester]

Actually the nose pretty much mirrors the predictions made last year about what they expected rule changes to result in. Expect to see a lot more of them.

This is from back on November last year

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111262


And this is this week.

http://scarbsf1.com/blog1/2014/01/23/f1-2014-finger-noses/#more-4033

[gary]

Thanks Paul!

Great link. :thumbsup:

[Astro_Bot]

Cool. The McLaren MP4-29 looks great! Better than the 2013 car. Now, lets hope it performs better as well. ;)

[gary]

Looks impressive!

Kevin Magnussen says we'll see some more sideways driving.

[astroron]

Thanks Gary and Astrobot and Paul for all the info. :thanx:
Now the nonsense continues.:screwy:
Double points to stay:sadeyes:
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/25859321
Cheers:thumbsup:

[astroron]

Just had a look at the at the new McLaren MP4-29
Wow such a lot of nose in front of the front wheels.
I think there will be a lot of front end damage as the driver will have such a great difficulty because he will have no idea where the nose is.
I really don't like the nose assembly at the moment.
Also Eric Boullier from Lotus, has taken up the position of team principal, replacing Martin Whitmarsh in that role.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/25858643
Lots of things going on in F1 at the moment.
Cheers:thumbsup:

[The_bluester]

That is quite a different approach to the nose than most were predicting, looks pretty good from most angles.

I am not so sure about that Ron, I made confident predictions of much the same thing including race outcomes being set by ripping off somethign that the drivers could not even see when going into the first corner when the previous aero changes produced the ironing board front wings hanging out to the outer sidewalls (Which I have always thought that combined with the skinny rear wings that look like they belong on an F2 car made the cars look ugly and unbalanced) But it did not happen much.

[astroron]

News from Lotus.
New Car picture,plus Eric Boullier departs,and is replaced by Gerard Lopez
It looks like the Lotus nose is more intergrated into the front wing,not like the McLaran, which is like Snoopy.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/25877832.
Cheers:thumbsup:

[04Stefan07]

Sound revealed.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112270

[astroron]

Cool sound:cool2::cool2:

Cheers:thumbsup:

[gary]

Did you also see this Jan 24th link -
http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/142581.html

Come 2015, tyre warmers will be banned.

Whoa!

Amid safety concerns about coming out on cold tyres, Pirelli have to
come out with a new compound.

Given the change of compounds in recent years have made huge differences
with regards how drivers trade-off speed versus tyre management, this might put
another cat amongst the pigeons.

For example, it is often cited that Vettel coped with the faster wearing tyres
whilst drivers like Hamilton did not.

So what changes might this make? Will the 2015 compound wear faster or slower?
Will tracks still "rubber-in"? What levels of grip will these new tyres provide when cold?
Can you come out of the pits, hit Eau Rouge at 300km/h and not come skating off?

Speaking of Eau Rouge, turn up the sound, go full screen, up the quality setting
and check out this onboard start by Fernando Alonso at Spa last year as he goes
wheel to wheel with the Red Bull. :thumbsup:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu34Kw490Ws

[Astro_Bot]

Thanks, all, for the extra links. :thanx:


I'm not so sure. The nose width is apparently 75mm narrower on each side, so less likelihood of getting clipped from the side. Wasn't most 2013 nose damage caused by clipping from the side, particularly when crowding through corners?

[simmo]

Things have changed a little.

This is how noses used to be damaged. Thank god he was wearing a helmet or it may have been worse.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8JogHiSR5P4&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D8JogHiSR 5P4

Simmo;)

[Astro_Bot]

:lol:

[astroron]

I remember watching that race and thinking, what a dumb ass.trying to hit someone in the head with a crash helmet on. :screwy:
Funny though:rofl::rofl::rofl:
Cheers:thumbsup:

[Astro_Bot]

Well, the Ferrari has been revealed. IMHO, the McLaren has cleaner lines and a shade more elegance but what that translates to on the track, if anything, I don't know.



I wasn't aware of that. Are any of the other manufacturers using brake-by-wire (McLaren doesn't say)?

[clive milne]

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/72519000/jpg/_72519259_72519258.jpg

Fernando gets sick of eating red bull dust... drives vacuum cleaner for 2014

[Kunama]

I think the idea of banning tyre warmers will be a good one as it again puts more emphasis on the driver's ability to drive "smartly". Driver's will have to curb their enthusiasm and think more carefully about how they run the first 3 laps after a pit stop and also whether to pit and run on cold tyres or make the others last a bit longer.

I remember Alain Prost's interviews where he said he did not care if he was not leading during race as it was only his wish to be in the lead on the last lap.
They didn't call him the 'Professor' for nothing, he was fantastic at analysing the whole race and then placed himself in the correct place at the appropriate time.

[gary]

Thanks Clive,

I'll pay that one! :lol:

4 minute video of release here.
http://f14t.ferrari.com/en/

At least Fernando gets the hug.

For those not familiar, the aces in the pack allegory in the video is also a tribute
to Fernando's love of performing card tricks :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mefLkzDyQS4

[astroron]

Just spent some time going through the new F1 cars for 2014, boy there are some funny noses among them.:eyepop:
http://www.formula1.com/news/
Cheers:thumbsup:

[gary]

Hi Ron,

With regards the noses, it is interesting to see the different engineering
interpretations, all of which, supposedly, are within the formula.

It makes you wonder whether there are F1 engineers who upon viewing a rival's nose
design for the first time, strike their own forehead and say, "Damn! Why didn't i
think of doing it like that!" :)

Looks like the changes challenged the best of them.



With those endplates right in front of your own wheels, you certainly wouldn't want
them bumped off as it looks like you will be the one scoring the punctures.

[astroron]

Hi Gary, I reckon there will be some fun and games at the Australian GP
14-16 March, I cant wait to see the first corner.:eyepop:
Cheers:thumbsup:

[04Stefan07]

Testing and the new engine noise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s99QFe6htJ4

[astroron]

Thanks Stefan, :thanx:
Some funny sounding engines there. :)
Cheers:thumbsup:

[gary]

Thanks Stefan! :thumbsup:

Perhaps Caterham drew from the evolutionary forces of nature when conceiving the design of the nose for their new car.
Nature:
http://thatwildbunch.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Old-Tongue-Nose-.jpg
Caterham:
http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2014/01/caterham-reveal-the-ct05-with-an-interesting-nose/

[Astro_Bot]

Thanks, Stefan. A couple of them sounded positively sick - the Red Bull and Caterham in particular. The Ferrari sounded "best" to my untrained ear.

Some weird noses!

The McLaren seems to be the best looking so far (or maybe that's wishful thinking), but I didn't see it on the track? Of course, we all know that attractive cars go faster ....... :P

[gary]

Testing in Bahrain starts today.

Back at Jerez in Spain, plagued with problems with the new Renault power units,
Red Bull only got in 21 laps of testing compared to Mercedes 309 laps, Ferrari's
251 laps and McLaren's 245 laps.

So the Renault-powered teams - Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Caterham - will have
some catching up to do by doing the baseline work in Bahrain that they had intended
to do in Spain.

Vettel is scheduled to test drive the RB10 later today and tomorrow and Ricciardo
on the 21st and 22nd of February.

Alonso will be testing the first two days in the F14-T and Kimi the following two days.

Lewis is going out first in the McLaren, then Nico.

Kevin Magnussen gets to push the McLaren around Bahrain ahead of Button.

There will be a third test session in Bahrain between 27 Feb and 2nd March before the
Australian Grand Prix on the 16th March.

[gary]

Vettel got out today in Bahrain in the Red Bull but some five hours late with
only three hours left to go today.

It is reported that Mercedes and McLaren are looking very impressive and consistently
at the top of the times and running generally reliably. Lewis is only 3.5 seconds
off the fastest time for P1 in Bahrain last year. Fernando is 3 seconds off the pace.

[astroron]

I am following it on the BBC website, the official F1 site is not showing much information at all,no times or much else for that matter.:shrug:
Cheers:thumbsup:

[gary]

Hi Ron,

Been reading the live feed from the BBC.

Still big problems for the Renault-powered cars. Did you see where Jennie Gow reported
that the RB-10's turbo was not kicking-in like the other cars, there was a distinct smell
of something burning and it came back to the pits on the back of a truck. They only
managed a handful of laps again.

[astroron]

Times and reliability are improving, Mercedes are running well and seem to be the fastest so far.
Last day of testing till early march then,
Can't wait for the start on 14-15 March In Australia for the first raceof the season.:)
Cheers :thumbsup:

[gary]

Hi Ron,

I saw where Christian Horner has already tipped them to win!

Good to see Daniel Ricciardo getting in some laps.

Roll on Melborune!

[astroron]

I'll Drink too that:drink::drink::drink:
Cheers:thumbsup:

[Astro_Bot]

Me, too. :cheers:

[gary]

Whilst working I have been keeping a browser open with today's live BBC commentary of testing in Bahrain.

As they pointed out -



I thought these pieces of commentary were telling about the status quo.





Commentary here -
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/26306607

[gary]

With the third day of final testing yesterday and with only one more day of testing
left to go, it was pretty telling for Red Bull where Sebastian Vettel didn't get to
run a single lap -







Now, the tricky thing for all the teams is the phased homologation rules for the
engines as part of the formula. The teams had agreed some time back that come
March 1st 2014, the homologation process would begin. What that means is that
on the 28th Feb 2014 the engine specifications and a reference engine were
submitted by the manufacturers to the FIA and certain parts of the design are "frozen".

So anyone with an engine advantage now is likely to enjoy that for the rest of the season.

It is a "phased" process because by 2015, 8% of the specification is frozen,
23% by 2016, 35% by 2018 and 95% by 2019.

Interested readers see Appendix 4 of the 2014 Formula One Technical Regulations here -
http://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/regulation/file/1-2014%20SPORTING%20REGULATIONS%20201 4-01-23_V2.pdf

The engines are of course far more complex this season because they have the
larger integrated Energy Recovery Systems (ERS) along with the turbochargers
plus they are now limited to the 100kg of fuel per race in 2014 compared to the
160kg of fuel last year.

There is one possible rule which leaves the door partly open for the engine
manufactures which allows for modifications after 28th Feb should they be for
reliability or safety reasons. But even this ruke is not without caveats. See -
http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2014/02/feb-28th-is-lock-down-day-for-f1-engines-but-will-renault-be-able-to-lobby-for-changes/

The new power units put down so much torque that the drivers are saying you need
to have a deft right foot in order to avoid spinning up the wheels and losing traction.

Kimi Raikkonen demonstrated how that can go terribly wrong a few days ago
when coming out of a corner in Bahrain during testing, he spun up the wheels
and crashed the Ferrari into the barrier -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCW_nvHI-Ec

So when you have a car that a driver like Kimi finds tricky, it must feel like an
untamed beast.

One thing is for certain during the testing thus far is that the Mercedes-powered
cars have an advantage over the Ferrari-powered ones and you could be in serious
trouble if you have a Renault-powered car.

Yesterday's fastest time by Massa in the Mercedes-powered Williams further
demonstrated how well the Mercedes power units are doing.

However, we are likely to be in for surprises when the season begins. For example,
cars from all teams possibly stopping due to reliability issues.

[simmo]

Very interesting times Gary in top tier Motorsport. The rule changes this season may bring around such a comical race season for all. It will be very interesting indeed. Let's hope it's not too one sided. Maybe the tyre issues of last season will seem insignificant or don't tell me this will just add to the melodrama. Cars not making it either due to motor failure, lack of fuel or tyre delamination. Many crew chiefs will be holding up this sign shortly I think. :help:

Alonso too must be kicking himself at the moment seeing Massa at the front and he must be smiling from ear to ear.

And what fortunes for Vettel! World champ reduced to laughing stock.

Poor Ricciardo. I noticed he's not on the time sheet? Is he not running or is he been relegated to Webbers position of the "other" driver for red bull and every effort is being put into Vettels car?

[Astro_Bot]

Thanks for these updates, Gary. :thumbsup:


I've been quietly wondering how long Vettel will tolerate that before he publicly spits the dummy. My (completely baseless) guess is that he's not mature enough to accept one poor season without venting anger at the constructor/team.

It's certainly going to be an interesting season. Can't wait for Melbourne. :)

[gary]

Hi Simmo, :)

Thanks for the comments.



And I think we can also add into the mix more drivers becoming unstuck because
of the higher torque and lower downforce which will be even more demanding
on seat-of-the-pants driving skills. Something that we know Kimi doesn't lack
but even he managed to crash the Ferrari.

All these changes to the formula have brought about a complete re-shuffle of the
pack and there are plenty of jokers in there. :)



In recent years a move from Ferrari to Williams would unfortunately been seen by most fans as a retrograde
step for a driver. Perhaps not so in 2014?

But as we know, Alonso knows a card trick or two and I don't think any of us will want
to underestimate the magic he has demonstrated with his driving skills come race day.



Ricciardo was the luckier of the two in that he managed to get in more laps
and faster lap times than Vettel when it was his turn a couple of days a go.

But Ricciardo has everything to gain and nothing to lose. That Red Bull seat is not the
coveted throne it was perceived to be by other drivers last year. But the majority of
the Melbourne crowd will be solidly behind him and the Australian psyche
loves a battler.

One of the luckiest guys in the right place at the right time might be
Kevin Magnussen now at McLaren. It was reported he was turning heads with
his performance during testing.

[Astro_Bot]

Season preview at ABC News:

Formula One 2014 season preview (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-12/formula-one-2014-season-preview/5314774)

Coverage starts on ONE at 10am Friday for P1/P2, on ONE/TEN 10am Saturday for P3/Qualifying, and on ONE/TEN 11am Sunday for race day.

At last, the wait is over! :)

[goober]

I will take a stab at .... 9 cars finishing on Sunday.

[04Stefan07]

Looking forward to it! 4 day grandstand ticket at the first corner :).

Anyone else going??

[gary]

Hi Stefan,

Had been hoping to drive down again from Sydney but unfortunately not going to
be able to make it so resigned to watching it on the TV.

Enjoy that prime grandstand seat! We look forward to your reports.

Best Regards

Gary