Formula1 talk

[gary]

Originally Posted by astroron

Times and reliability are improving, Mercedes are running well and seem to be the fastest so far.

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 (Ron)]

Originally Posted by 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!

I'll Drink too that
Cheers

[Astro_Bot]

Me, too.

[gary]

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

As they pointed out -

Originally Posted by BBC

Formula 1 has undergone its biggest rule change in living memory. We've got radical redesigns and brand new power units.

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

Originally Posted by Lawrence Barretto, BBC

To give you an idea of how the relative power units are performing in Bahrain today, Mercedes-powered cars are currently first, second, third and sixth.

Ferrari-powered cars are fourth, eighth and 10th. Those with Renault engines are fifth, seventh, ninth and 11th.

Originally Posted by BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer Andrew Benson

"Some measure of the trouble Renault have been in with their new power-unit is that at least two of its teams - and quite possibly all bar Caterham - have been unable to practice any full-on race starts with it at the first two tests for fear of doing so much damage the engine would fail. One insider joked that the only worry for any non-Renault driver who qualified behind a Renault-powered car at the first race was going to be not running into the back of them at the start! However, it appears some progress has been made. Lotus, for one, were planning to practice some race starts in their programme on Thursday."

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 -

Originally Posted by BBC

Laps completed on day three

1) Felipe Massa (Williams) 99

2) Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 103

3) Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) 87

4) Kevin Magnussen (McLaren) 88

5) Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) 81

6) Nico Hulkenberg (Force India) 115

7) Jules Bianchi (Marussia) 78

8) Marcus Ericsson (Caterham) 117

9) Romain Grosjean (Lotus) 33

10) Adrian Sutil (Sauber) 1

11) Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) 0

How they finished on day three

1) Felipe Massa (Williams) 1:33.258

2) Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 1:33.484

3) Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) 1:35.426

4) Kevin Magnussen (McLaren) 1:35.894

5) Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) 1:36.113

6) Nico Hulkenberg (Force India) 1:36.205

7) Jules Bianchi (Marussia) 1:37.087

8) Marcus Ericsson (Caterham) 1:38.083

9) Romain Grosjean (Lotus, 1:42.166

10) Adrian Sutil (Sauber) No time

11) Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) No time

Originally Posted by BBC F1 pit-lane reporter Tom Clarkson

"So that's it for Sebastian Vettel: just four corners of one lap on day three of this Bahrain test. Red Bull have confirmed that he won't run again today, making this the worst day of the winter for the world champions in terms of mileage.

"A battery problem stopped Vettel this morning and as the team fired up the RB10 to send him out again at 3pm local time, they discovered another problem. They wouldn't confirm what this secondary problem was, only that it will prevent any further running today. That points to an issue either within the power unit or the gearbox."

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/fil...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/2014/0...y-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.

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.

Originally Posted by simmo

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

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.

Originally Posted by simmo

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.

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.

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

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.

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?

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

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 (Doug)]

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

[04Stefan07 (Stefan)]

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

Anyone else going??

[gary]

Originally Posted by 04Stefan07

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

Anyone else going??

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