Fueling (for green reasons) is the easiest thing to fix by a mile. Everyone starts on exactly the same fuel level of x litres, no more, no less - deploy as you see fit!
Next season make that x-1 litres - woohoo we're saving polar bears!
Or is there a reason why F1 have felt the need to make it incredibly complicated?
I wonder if there's merit in going back to a form of ground effect type design, but with an early 90s "push to pass" suspension that lifts the cars a few millimeters clear of the track to aid overtaking.
I wonder if there's merit in going back to a form of ground effect type design,
A simpler (than the 70s) ground effect system was tested by Williams last season. Reading between the lines I think this is getting kicked out due to Pirelli's recent concerns about tyre loads.
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I think this is getting kicked out due to Pirelli's recent concerns about tyre loads.
Pirelli have been pretty vocal about teams running outside their parameters for pressures / cambers, as they don't want the negative press associated with high speed tyre failures. Running a G/E set-up would just load more stress through an already weak tyre, so I'm not surprised they put a stop to it.
The tyres have been designed to fail, yet all the teams / FIA / fans get their panties in a twist when they do just that.
Just make the damn things last 3 times as long and not degrade. I'm still at a loss as to why they enforce a driver to use 2 different compounds during a race.
Or is there a reason why F1 have felt the need to make it incredibly complicated?
Because manufacturers want to use it as a technology showcase for hybrid powertrains.
holst - Member
Because manufacturers want to use it as a technology showcase for hybrid powertrains.
Fuel flow rates mean naff-all to the general public though. I still believe my way up there is better and easier, and doesn't get in the way of the hybrids either
I agree, it would be much better racing. The manufacturers will not agree though, they want to develop hybrid technology. He who pays the piper, etc.
Fuel flow rates mean naff-all to the general public though. I still believe my way up there is better and easier, and doesn't get in the way of the hybrids either
There must be some appeal/draw from the technology side though?
If people just wanted to watch simple, close racing then Indycar would be bigger than F1.
And if F1 didn't help manufacturers to develop and sell their cars they would soon shift their money elsewhere.
The tech, bluffing, soap-opera side of F1 has always been as big a draw for me as the racing is.
The technology side would still be interesting as the teams are stretched to meet the fuel limit and work out how best to deploy what they have through the race.
Plenty of drama too when the FIA (possibly) go "this year was too easy, next year you're losing x% of your fuel"
Easier as a marketing tool for the manufacturers, showing how they get more power with better fuel economy.
Just seems a lot better to me than the current fuel flow situation
The technology side would still be interesting as the teams are stretched to meet the fuel limit and work out how best to deploy what they have through the race.Plenty of drama too when the FIA (possibly) go "this year was too easy, next year you're losing x% of your fuel"
This is already the case. Fuel weight limits are (were!), due to reduce over time.
They are limited to 100kg of fuel now (down from approx 160kg in 2013). They've done a great job and are often running races with a fair bit less than 100kg on board.
The fuel flow rate is to stop them dumping massive amounts of fuel into the engine for short bursts.
The problem IMO lies with the F1 promotors - they are so tied to old TV only broadcast methods they are failing to get these message out to the average punter. The internet is King now, and they need to embrace it.
They've done a great job and are often running races with a fair bit less than 100kg on board.The fuel flow rate is to stop them dumping massive amounts of fuel into the engine for short bursts.
Running less than 100kg as they know its more efficient for lap times than starting heavy. Then the bore-a-thon ends up kicking off as they've effectively been conserving fuel since the start of the race. Hence the idea of everyone being forced to start on the same load.
Fair enough if you need to keep some (high) limit in place to avoid afterburning for the first 5 laps as they try to get back to the situation above. Apart from that let them crack on, the latter parts of the race could get much more enjoyable as it becomes clear who has managed their allocation better and can turn up the wick to the finish.
Fair enough if you need to keep some (high) limit in place to avoid afterburning for the first 5 laps as they try to get back to the situation above. Apart from that let them crack on, the latter parts of the race could get much more enjoyable as it becomes clear who has managed their allocation better and can turn up the wick to the finish.
As is ever the case in F1 I don't think it was that simple! I'm read an article last year that said the fuel rate was a much for safety as anything else.
You could have a (possibly rare) situation where one car is on a Banzai series of laps on full wick that comes across another on a fuel saving period. The closing speeds could be massive and to introduce this possible scenario wasn't in F1s interest.
If I was making the rules, they would be allowed to use any engine or tyres they liked, but the fuel tank would only be allowed to hold the same weight of fuel as the driver weighs naked and the rear wing would have to be a flat plate with a chord of 6 inches. Refueling would be allowed, but the teams would have to draw the fuel out of a drum using a bucket and then carry it over to the car. Tobacco sponsorship would be allowed, but any driver with tobacco sponsorship would be required to smoke from the time he reached the circuit to the end of the race.
Pirelli have kept quiet about their snow-chain compound!... 😀
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2016/01/14/verstappen-takes-to-the-ski-slopes-in-a-red-bull-rb7/
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Oh and stop this obsession with employing old drivers sons, it is nepotism of the worst kind.
I dunno if Jonathan Palmer would have the clout to get his son a drive if he wasn't pretty quick.
It's the first week of January. What are you expecting..............
Hard hitting investigative journalism based on this template:
(Insert team name 1) has replaced the long-serving (Insert personnel name 1) as (Insert job title) with (Insert team name 2) 's (Insert personnel name 2).
(Insert personnel name 1) joined (Insert team name 1) in (Insert year) and progressed through the ranks to (Insert job title) in (Insert year) when the team was owned by (INSERT TEAM NAME 4). He retained the role after (INSERT TEAM NAME 4) departure from the sport at the end of that season.
The (Insert nationality) is set to leave (Insert team name 1) to join (INSERT TEAM NAME 4) in (Insert name of rival racing series) and the team has payed tribute to his long service.
"(Insert personnel name 1) has decided to leave our company after more than (Insert length of service) years of service to pursue another challenge," a (Insert team name 1) spokesperson confirmed. "We would like to thank (Insert personnel name 1) for his dedicated and highly valued collaboration over all these years. We wish him all the best for the future."
(Insert personnel name 1) is being replaced by (Insert team name 2) 's (Insert personnel name 2) (Insert personnel name 2), who joined the outfit when it was known as (Insert team name 3) in (Insert year). He remained an (Insert job title) when the team became (Insert team name 2) in (Insert year) and was promoted to (Insert job title) in (Insert year), a role he retained until the most recent season.
(Insert team name 1) is excited by the experience (Insert personnel name 2) can bring from his experience of multiple championships.
"We are very pleased to announce (Insert personnel name 2) as our new as (Insert job title). (Insert personnel name 2) has been working for more than (Insert length of service) years for one of the big F1 teams. We are confident that we can benefit from his long-time experience in order to improve our performance."
If I was making the rules, they would be allowed to use any engine or tyres they liked, but the fuel tank would only be allowed to hold the same weight of fuel as the driver weighs naked and the rear wing would have to be a flat plate with a chord of 6 inches. Refueling would be allowed, but the teams would have to draw the fuel out of a drum using a bucket and then carry it over to the car. Tobacco sponsorship would be allowed, but any driver with tobacco sponsorship would be required to smoke from the time he reached the circuit to the end of the race.
You're just reading aloud from the 1968 rulebook and I claim my five pounds.
I see injuns have come down in the January sales.... [url= http://www.crash.net/f1/news/226163/1/v6-turbo-hybrids-set-to-stay-as-engine-cost-cuts-agreed.html ]Psst! Wanna buy a cheap injun....?[/url]
Just seen on Facebook both JB and Mclaren sharing stories that Honda have 'found' 220bhp+ over the winter, 70bhp in the engine and 160'ish in the hybrid system, Alonso now 4th favourite for title!!!
what of the odds of it blowing up on the grid ?
Klunk - Memberwhat of the odds of it blowing up on the grid ?
You mean you think it'll even get to pre-season testing??
That will be Japanese BHP.
They are unable as a culture to say "no" and let you down. That will result in them losing face.
Manor seem to be hiring some decent staff at the moment, they may not end up at the back this year.
I reckon the middle of the pack could be very interesting this year.
well they will probably have more than one, maybe we should have a number of engines sweepstake.
Manor seem to be hiring some decent staff at the moment, they may not end up at the back this year
Yup, and they've got the Merc engine, so hopefully unlike 2015 they'll have the start-up codes come Australia.
It'll be interesting to see how far back the Renault ends up, with Lotus having seriously little cash to develop their 2016 contender towards the middle and end of last season it could be a contest between Renault and Sauber for the back of the grid.
ut standard aero packs for the front and rear wings would be good
You don't have to go that far; a constant profile across the width of the element would do it. You pick your profile and run 6 foot of it; cut to suit the width of your wing.
Webbo gobbing off this morning; very funny. Maldonado the worst he ever drove against, out of his depth...
Anyone going to argue against that?
I think sauber not turning up at the first test maybe their first problem. I reckon renault above sauber
160 of those Honda horses comes from sorting out their deployment problems - mainly mgu-h, which even Newey conceded was an easy fix. Don't think missing the first test is such a big deal given the minimal amount of time between them this year, if you find a fundamental problem in the first test then it'll be difficult to fix it before the second anyway. Stupid testing rules.
I thought webber was a bit harsh on alonso given that they're reasonably friendly for f1 drivers.
It's pretty much guaranteed that Honda will be much better than last year, but those numbers are basically just made up. Until they run the engine in the car, they won't really know what the real-world figures are. My guess is that they'll start the year where they should have started last year, midfield on a good day but with enough development potential that they can aim to be regular podium contenders by next season without people laughing out loud.
Renault still haven't put a sign up outside their factory where the old Lotus sign used to be. Either they still haven't finalised the deal or they don't have the money.
(or they could be busy building cars, but where is the conspiracy in that theory)
To be fair to MacHonda, there have been worse engines, although I'm not sure that's quite what Ron Dennis had in mind.
[url= https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_Racing_Engines#The_W12_adventure ]The W12 Adventure[/url]
Interesting the way the wet test is being reported by some "more engine problems for honde" rather than "stoffel stuffs kimi". Ie an end of life 2015 Honda unit eventually gave up after more than a race distance but van doorne still posted a quicker time than kimi.
stoffel does catch the eye every time hes in a car. I wonder if its kimi dislike of testing duties. That said it is testing and ultimately lots of variables.
So who is going to be in the final seats at manor? Kmag, Rio, Rossi, werhlein, stevens, mehri or anyone else?
The one with the biggest wallet.
Looks like Crashtor may be finally on his way out...
http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/magnussen-on-verge-of-f1-return-with-renault-670349/
Let's hope so. He's a joke.
Today's bigger news may be the adoption of driver head protection, probably the Halo concept. Fugly but hard to argue against someone who wants a tiny bit of protection from flying objects. Just as the main distributor of loose carbon fibre loses his seat.
we might see some credibility come back to f1.. no wait theres still Bernie to contradict everything
Helmet's helping to smooth out that relationship with Renault I see:
[url= http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/marko-tells-renault-to-focus-on-red-bull-over-own-f1-team-670324/ ]http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/marko-tells-renault-to-focus-on-red-bull-over-own-f1-team-670324/[/url]
It's official - no Maldonado this year...
http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/maldonado-confirms-he-won-t-be-on-the-grid-in-2016-671006/
I find Maldonado hugely entertaining to watch, but I strongly suspect that if I were on the grid next to him every other weekend, I'd eventually contemplate thumping some situational awareness into him. There must have been a whip-round amongst the drivers to fund a gift for the guy in the PDVSA accounts payable dept.
Magnussen is one of the great missed opportunities IMHO, I sure as heck hope he gets the second Renotus seat and has his chance to shine.
As for Renault/Lotus, I'm confused about branding/engines for 2016...will they be reverting to Renault power and thus ensure there's a couple of spare Merc engines (presumably going to Manor)?
As for Renault/Lotus, I'm confused about branding/engines for 2016...will they be reverting to Renault power and thus ensure there's a couple of spare Merc engines (presumably going to Manor)?
Basically yes - Renault's in the back of the Renault's, and the Mercs to Manor.
There is some sense in them backing Red Bull this year though, as this years Renault/Lotus car was designed for a Merc engine so will be a compromise.
Well they still don't have any branding on the factory gates.
...that may be to do with whether or not they are including Infiniti in their team name, and also this weeks team launch may provide some answers.
A shiny new sign could be a give-away!
http://en.f1i.com/news/40153-infiniti-to-feature-in-new-renault-f1-team-name.html
As for Renault/Lotus
Some speculation that they will be Renault/Infiniti. Like it used to say on the Red Bull when they were good.
That'll give Helmut something else to gripe about.
Shut up Marko, Magnussens confirmed for Renault 😀
It's official - no Maldonado this year.
And in related news, manufacturers of motorsport carbon fibre parts have issues a profit warning for 2016 and have speculated about possible redundancies.
An industry source has been quoted as saying "This is potentially the biggest crisis in motorsport since BMW had to lay off half of their catering staff when Juan Pablo Montoya left"
Roebuck suggests Red Bull's Renaults will be TAG-Heuer-branded.
Ah yes JPM and his love of food 😀
I suppose there'll be a chance of Magnussen beating the McLarens on a fairly regular basis then, which must feel pretty satisfying!
Great to see KMag get a seat he deserves it, just a shame that McLaren had 4 amazing drivers on the books for two seats.
All black from Renault - not quite what people expected! may change though...
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http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2016/02/03/renault-reveals-rs16-in-black-livery/
I like that...I like it a lot!
Needs more yellow. Amazed they've stuck with the Infiniti branding, but I suppose the bills need paying.
Renault owns most of Nissan* and Infiniti is Nissan's premium brand so they are only sponsoring themselves!
(*and Nissan owns a bit of Renault).
Mmmm, I will ride past the factory tonight and see if they have a nice new shiny sign outside then.
In this photo it's got a bit of a Cadbury's Dairy Milk thing going on
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Has anybody ever seen a Nissan Infiniti around? Maybe they are sold in other territories?
There's an Infiniti dealer in Glasgow, and it would appear that a handful of people have actually bought the pug-ugly things! Fittingly, they are on Braille Crescent
Haha! Yes, just been checking them out in Google. They're a pretty dull looking bunch!
Quite a few on the roads around here (together with Mustangs, Chargers, Hummers, cadillacs and miscellaneous other oddities) ..... mostly due to the American air bases.
Has anybody ever seen a Nissan Infiniti around?
Chap near our work has one, along with his BMW i8 and 3 Porsches!
I find it funny that Pastor doesn't feel a manor drive is worthy of his ability. I think Manor may give some of the midfield a whooping this year.
"Manor are not really an option," said Todt. "After five years at Williams and Lotus...with all due respect to Manor, it makes no sense for Pastor."
Admittedly Manor's budget may not extend to crash liabilities that come with Pastor.
[quote=bombjack ]Needs more yellow.
I'm thinking the yellow needs replacing with gold on that Lotus...
Exciting stuff- it'll be good to see Renault and their drivers next year 🙂
Yep, it's all looking good! Nice to see KM back in a car and curious to see how JP works out- it's always good to see new drivers on the grid 🙂
Pity we won't see Pastor rubbing shoulders with other drivers in 2016
Quite a few infinities around here too, posh and smart but pig ugly! I'd be thinking the manor seat wouldn't be a bad bet this year, merc power at very least
Stupid engine token system to be scrapped in 2017 - bring on the POWEEEEEEEEEEER! 😀
http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-to-scrap-power-unit-token-system-from-2017-671488/
Has anyone ever seen any numbers on how much the cost saving projects over the years have actually saved? Always seems that where they restrict one area, funds just go straight into another (or a new) one
The team with the biggest budget doesn't always win - Toyota was expected to sweep all before it after their 2001 debut, but I don't think they ever won a race. Williams is pretty small, yet they seem to be good at hiring the right personnel. A good chunk of the budgets of the larger teams go on PR (McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari).
If only they outlawed bullshit in F1...while you cannot argue with improved safety (nor should we ever grow complacent in this area, especially after losing the likes of Jules Bianchi and Justin Wilson to preventable accidents), I do yearn for a return of real characters to the sport. I was rather fond of Maldonado because he seemed to speak his mind, even when it was careering off the track and into a portaloo.
The token thing is a sensible move, shame they're not doing it this year as I think it might have removed one of the barriers to new engine suppliers coming in.
Looks like the Halo is coming too - they say they'll work on ways to make it look good but I can't help think it's reminiscent of when the prettiest girl in school got braces fitted
I see the halo system as just being roll bars by another name, and as such they make a lot of sense to me. We may even look back and wonder why they weren't there for so long!!
I'm also a little sad to see Maldonado go- even in the dullest races you could always rely on the bailer from Venezuela to provide some absolute balls-out craziness
Manor have signed Pascal Wehlein. Sounds like he's a quick driver! It also sounds like Manor chose a quick driver with some cash rather than a slow driver with tonnes of cash, which is exciting...
He's the next best option once vandoorne and ocon are out of the equation, but it really shows how Manor is actually Mercedes' B team this year. I doubt they'll be hanging 2 seconds off the back of the grid now.
Manor have a genuine chance of embarassing McHonda this year I reckon.
According to the press releases so far - EVERY team is going to score points this season. 🙂
Could be really close in the mid-field with no real tail-enders unless Haas or Honda make a complete mess of it.
My money is on Sauber propping up the back of the grid.
Or Renault, they have an old car and wont have much time to sort that.
I think Renault will be OK, with regular points finishes. The talk is that last years car was decent, just let down by lack of money to fund development.
I think they knew what was wrong, so a bit of cash chucked at it over winter should keep it mid-field.