F1 2014 thread

[Polish]

2014 Formula 1 cars set for 'big steps' forward in pace

Formula 1 teams can still gain significant performance by better understanding the 2014 tyres, according to Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery.

Teams had to get on top of the new 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged engines, as well as the changes to the aerodynamic rules, during pre-season testing and as a result Hembery has no doubt that there are still steps to be made in mastering the tyres.

This, combined with the anticipated car upgrades, should lead to the 2014 cars getting significantly quicker as the season goes on, with estimates ranging from two to four seconds in terms of potential improvement.

"They have been focused on a lot of other factors at the start of the year and we will see more and more work going into getting the tyre/chassis working [together] to improve front-to-rear balance," Hembery told AUTOSPORT.

"And they are going to get a lot of the performance gains through cornering, so we envisage there are going to be a lot of changes as the season goes on.

"We are taking the view that there is going to be a lot of development this year and there are going to be some big steps in performance."

PIRELLI PREPARED FOR SPEED INCREASES

Hembery is certain that the four dry-weather compounds Pirelli has produced will give it the operational range it needs to allocate the right tyres through the season even if the cars do get significantly quicker.
"We are pretty confident, certainly at the start of the season at the more aggressive tracks," he said.

www.autosport.com

Hope they are right.

 

[Polish]

Walker predicts mass revolt over noise 'disgrace'

Australian Grand Prix chief Ron Walker has continued his crusade against the sound of F1's new turbo era, insisting promoters are likely to walk away from the sport in protest.

As one of the most vocal critics of the sound of the 1.6 litre V6 turbo engines, Walker said after the Australian Grand Prix that the muted noise was "not what we paid for". Walker is also head of the Formula One Promoters' Association and believes Bernie Ecclestone, who himself has been a critic of the new engines, will have a job on his hands keeping existing races on the calendar unless something is done about the noise.

Read more at http://en.espnf1.com

This I am sure of. The minute it starts impacting Bernie's fat wallet he will definitely step in and make changes.

 

[DJ...]

I don't see what the big deal is. Might be nice for those at the race to not have to sit in the stands with ear mufflers on. Certainly no issue from my side watching it on tele...

 

[Ancalagon]

I don't see what the big deal is. Might be nice for those at the race to not have to sit in the stands with ear mufflers on. Certainly no issue from my side watching it on tele...

People will bitch about anything.

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

I've heard the V10's and the V8's and it's brutal live, so that noise definitely adds to the live spectacle massively but have no idea how much more quiet these engines are live...

As for on the TV it makes absolutely no difference whatsoever and ppl must stop moaning. No one watches F1 for the sound of the engines, in fact for most the high pitch was an annoyance.

 

[Polish]

I don't see what the big deal is. Might be nice for those at the race to not have to sit in the stands with ear mufflers on. Certainly no issue from my side watching it on tele...

Tele is impacted much less. We only hear a small version of the sound and its easily controllable via remote. In real life the sound is unbelievable and definitely part if the package.

As a seasoned and avid fan this is def important, even for me.

 

[Polish]

Horner 'extremely confident' of winning appeal

Christian Horner has revealed the reasons why he is "extremely confident" that Red Bull did not break the fuel-flow regulations at the Australian Grand Prix.

Daniel Ricciardo finished second in Melbourne before being disqualified after the race when stewards ruled that his RB10 had repeatedly exceeded the 100kg/h limit. Red Bull announced straight after the race that an appeal would be lodged.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Horner said: "We are appealing on the grounds that we do not believe, we are extremely confident, that we have not broken the rules, that we haven't exceeded the 100kg/h of fuel that is permitted to be utilised by the car and the engine. So that was the reason for our appeal, we feel we have a strong case and it will be down to the appeal court to ultimately decide."

Horner and Red Bull do not dispute using another fuel-flow sensor, but are both adamant their equipment should be fine to use due to existing concerns with the FIA's equipment.

http://en.espnf1.com

We'll see what happens.

 

[Falco]

I don't see what the big deal is. Might be nice for those at the race to not have to sit in the stands with ear mufflers on. Certainly no issue from my side watching it on tele...

In the old days with the V10's you didn't have a choice to use ear plugs at the race it was so intense. Last time I attended a race was in 2010, Barcelona. The V8's was still very loud but you could get away with not using the ear plugs, as I did. These V6 engins must be a total let down for the regular on-track-fans in terms of noise.

 

[Falco]

Bernie Ecclestone says he was "horrified" by the lack of sound from the 2014 F1 cars at Sunday's Australian Grand Prix and has vowed to find a way of "making them sound like racing cars".

there...Zeus has spoken.

 

[Obieone]

Would like to hear the commentary volume turned down a bit and the background turned up. I remember the odd race in the past when commentary was lost and the sound was awesome. Murray Walker used to actually drown out the cars at times.

 

[Aventus]

Last time I attended a race was in 2010, Barcelona.

Going to the race in Barcelona in May. Any tips regarding transport and accommodation in Barcelona.

 

[Falco]

Going to the race in Barcelona in May. Any tips regarding transport and accommodation in Barcelona.

Well if memory serves me right we just took a taxi straight from the airport to the track since our ordinal flight was overbooked ( one of those where they squeeze you in on another flight) . Plenty taxis everywhere. We rented a flat, but that was pre- booked from SA.

So if you can get your accommodation sorted before you leave. Are you a bunch of friends going over?

 

[Aventus]

Well if memory serves me right we just took a taxi straight from the airport to the track since our ordinal flight was overbooked ( one of those where they squeeze you in on another flight) . Plenty taxis everywhere. We rented a flat, but that was pre- booked from SA.

So if you can get your accommodation sorted before you leave. Are you a bunch of friends going over?

Thanks. Yes, there is a group of 8 of us going. Trying to finalise accommodation this week. Will probably book an apartment rather than a hotel as it seems to be working out much cheaper. Also hoping to catch a Barcelona game while were there.

 

[Polish]

Going to the race in Barcelona in May. Any tips regarding transport and accommodation in Barcelona.

Jealous.

Lots of it.

 

[Polish]

Would like to hear the commentary volume turned down a bit and the background turned up. I remember the odd race in the past when commentary was lost and the sound was awesome. Murray Walker used to actually drown out the cars at times.

Murray was a Legend, irrespective of what what. I would love for him to do a race now, though its very unlikely. He made things so exciting, like the MotoGP guys do. Current commentators are ok but ja. DC should stick to racing or kilts, not radio.

 

[Falco]

Thanks. Yes, there is a group of 8 of us going. Trying to finalise accommodation this week. Will probably book an apartment rather than a hotel as it seems to be working out much cheaper. Also hoping to catch a Barcelona game while were there.

Cool, agree with the choice of apartment. When you go to the race, as you walk up to the track there's a "beer tent + open air deli and bar on your left....don't get stuck there before the race! those draughts are potent
We got stuck AFTER . Enjoy!

 

[Polish]

Vital Statistics - the Malaysian Grand Prix

This year sees Malaysia stage a Grand Prix for the 16th consecutive season, but which teams and drivers have performed best in the heat and humidity of Kuala Lumpur? And which former Williams star holds the lap record? Ahead of the 2014 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix at Sepang, we highlight all the important statistics, facts and figures about this popular race…

Circuit: Sepang International Circuit, Kuala Lumpur

Circuit length: 5.543 km

Number of corners: 15 (5 left, 10 right)

DRS zones: 2

Race laps: 56

Race distance: 310.408 km

2014 tyre compounds: Hard, Medium

Circuit lap record: 1m 34.223s - Juan Pablo Montoya (2004), Williams-BMW

First world championship Grand Prix: 1999, Kuala Lumpur (won by Eddie Irvine, Ferrari)

Number of races: 15 (all in Kuala Lumpur)

Number of races with at least one safety car appearance: Four

Longest race: 2012 (2h 44m 51.812s)

Shortest race: 2009 (55m 30.622s)

Last year’s pole position: 1m 49.674s, Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault

Last year’s podium: 1 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), 2 - Mark Webber (Red Bull), 3 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

Most appearances (current field): 14 - Jenson Button; 12 - Fernando Alonso; 11 - Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe Massa; 8 - Nico Rosberg; 7 - Lewis Hamilton

Most wins (driver): 3 - Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel; 2 - Kimi Raikkonen; 1 - Eddie Irvine, Ralf Schumacher, Giancarlo Fisichella, Jenson Button

Most wins (team): 6 - Ferrari; 3 - Red Bull; 2 - Renault, McLaren; 1 - Williams, Brawn

Most wins (engine manufacturer): 6 - Ferrari; 5 - Renault; 3 - Mercedes; 1 -BMW

Most pole positions (driver): 5 - Michael Schumacher; 2 - Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel, Felipe Massa; 1 - Giancarlo Fisichella, Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Mark Webber

Most pole positions (team): 7 - Ferrari; 3 - Red Bull, Renault; 1 - Brawn, McLaren

Most pole positions (engine manufacturer): 7 - Ferrari; 6 - Renault; 2 - Mercedes

Number of wins from pole: 8 wins from 15 races (53.3 percent)

Lowest winning grid position: 8th (Fernando Alonso, 2012)

Laps led (current field): 169 - Fernando Alonso; 129 - Sebastian Vettel; 75 - Kimi Raikkonen; 18 - Jenson Button; 16 - Felipe Massa, Nico Rosberg; 15 - Lewis Hamilton; 4 - Sergio Perez

Most podium places (current field): 5 - Fernando Alonso; 4 - Jenson Button; 3 - Kimi Raikkonen, Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton; 1 - Nico Rosberg, Sergio Perez

Number of Malaysians to have started an F1 Grand Prix: 1

Best finish by a Malaysian in Malaysia: DNF (Alex Yoong, Minardi, 2002)

formula1.com

Some interesting stuff here.

 

[Polish]

Mercedes will be caught - McLaren

McLaren boss Ron Dennis is confident the gap to Mercedes will be closed, despite his rival's strong performance at the opening grand prix in Australia.

Mercedes' Nico Rosberg won by over 26 seconds from the McLaren of Kevin Magnussen after Daniel Ricciardo was disqualified. McLaren leads the constructors' championship thanks to both drivers finishing on the podium, but the gap in outright performance to the Mercedes cars is clear.

"The racing was pretty close between everybody other than Mercedes, but it's not the first time one team has had dominant form at the beginning of the season," Dennis said. "Clearly it's going to be challenging for all the other teams to catch that sort of performance lead, but it will happen."

He added: "Their pace is only apparent in qualifying and qualifying in Australia is always confusing. It's clear that they have a good 1.5 seconds on anyone else. That is challenging to close, but not impossible."

Dennis said McLaren would find another 0.5s a lap at this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix and he will not be happy until it is winning races again.

More at http://en.espnf1.com

Stern warning from Dennis.

 

[Polish]

Trulli impressed following Formula E run

Jarno Trulli has applauded the Formula E following a test drive at the La Ferte Gaucher circuit near Choisy-le-Roi in France.

The 39-year-old, who last week signed up to the Championship's Drivers' Club, spent a whole day at the wheel of the single-seater using the final race-going 200kw (270bhp) battery.

Trulli, one of the most experienced drivers in the history of F1, and who, over the course of a 15-year career, drove for Minardi, Prost, Jordan, Renault, Toyota and Lotus, said: "From inside the cockpit it feels like driving a proper Formula One car, the sound is different but you still hear the sound of the electrical engine and gearbox, so in terms of feeling it's perfect for a racing driver. Maybe from the outside it seems different but inside you don't notice it. So far I have enjoyed it because it's a nice car to drive.

To date, the SRT_01E has completed more than 1,500km of testing and will shortly go into production with the first cars delivered to teams at the Championship's new Donington Park headquarters in mid-May.

Source www.pitpass.com

Sound very exciting. If Formula E attracts big names it will attract big sponsors, and with that big crowds.....people follow names.
And then we have real entertainment on our hands. I think the FIA can make this work.

 

[Polish]

Mateschitz fires warning salvo

Ahead of appeal hearing into his team's disqualification from the season opening Australian Grand Prix, Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz has warned he could quit F1.

The days of the Formula Una girls a distant memory, the Austrian billionaire, who also owns the Toro Rosso team, has warned that if he feels the sport is heading in the wrong direction he would have to seriously consider his future in it.

Whilst many believe the fuel flow meter issue to be an open and shut case, with his team already on the back foot, this is a clear warning from a man who enjoys much influence within the sport but who has, thus far, not exerted it.

Asked under what circumstances he might leave F1, he told Austria's Kurier: "The question is not so much whether it makes economic sense but the reasons would be to do with sportsmanship, political influence, and so on. In these issues there is a clear limit to what we can accept."

Following four championship winning years, 2014 has got off to a pretty dreadful start, the Austrian team, like its fellow Renault users, clearly losing out to the Mercedes and Ferrari teams. While little was expected in Melbourne, Ricciardo's front-row qualifying performance and his podium winning drive next day gave the team cause for optimism. However, the subsequent row over fuel flow not only resulted in Ricciardo's disqualification, it also cast doubt on the team's integrity - not for the first time - and cavalier approach to the rules.

Aware, like most teams, of the issue with the meters, Red Bull ignored the FIA and came up with its own solution, a move which has not impressed the sport's governing body or rival teams.

Unbelievable. Instead of getting on with it they start wining and make such threats.

RBR has just dropped in my respect books, big time.