F1 2014 thread

Mercedes to trial 'megaphone' exhaust at Barcelona test

Mercedes will run a prototype exhaust at next week's Barcelona test in an attempt to amplify the noise of its V6 engine.

This year's regulations have received a mixed reception from fans, mainly because of the muted exhaust note from this year's V6 turbos compared to last year's naturally aspirated V8s. At the Bahrain Grand Prix the FIA announced it would investigate ways of making the cars louder and at next week's test Mercedes will trial a "megaphone" exhaust.

http://en.espnf1.com

Now we talking, this issue still bugs me.
 
Meh.. I'm not convinced of his pure talent. I would say Alonso has much more of a champion drive. I'm a Vettel supporter but even he is not showing the fight I expected.

LOL, lest we forget that a rookie Lewis beat a 2 times world champion Alonso. :p
 
I see what you are saying and unfortunately its the era we live in where it is 70% car and 30% driver more of the racing is done on laptops than on track. I would foam by the mouth if we had one season with identical cars to settle the battle for driver superiority once and for all.

Same! Actually I think they would do better to cover the behind the scenes guys more. Give the vehicle designer more credit and exposure instead of making the driver the face of the team - perhaps people will shift their focus to the real reasons behind success. I have no doubt that Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso and Raikkonnen could all win given the right car. I think this year, in Vettel's case, because the car's performance is so heavily dependent on the throttle and engine, it's a very different drive to the aerodynamic driven package they've had for the past two years - that's my theory on why Ricciardo is pipping him a bit this year. Different drive styles suited for a different car. Same for Hamilton - the throttle centric car suits his driving style.
 
Megaphone exhaust :D

The sound of the onboard cameras is also horrible.

LOL!
Why not just use MP3s and a decent amp.

And the driver's voice...
"Broom, broooooom, brooooooooooom!"

exhaust-whistle.jpg
 
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FP 1 results

Driver Teams Time
1 LC Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes 1:01'27.023
2 J Button (GBR) McLaren 1:01'27.891
3 D Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull 1:01'27.973
4 F Alonso (ESP) Ferrari 1:01'28.128
5 N Rosberg (GER) Mercedes 1:01'28.168
6 KM Räikkönen (FIN) Ferrari 1:01'28.337
7 K Magnussen (DEN) McLaren 1:01'28.423
8 P Maldonado (VEN) Lotus 1:01'28.744
9 S Perez (MEX) Force India 1:01'28.779
10 F Massa (BRA) Williams 1:01'28.791
11 D Kvyat (RUS) Toro Rosso 1:01'28.792
12 N Hülkenberg (GER) Force India 1:01'28.828
13 JE Vergne (FRA) Toro Rosso 1:01'28.859
14 F Nasr (BRA) Williams 1:01'29.272
15 A Sutil (GER) Sauber 1:01'29.688
16 J Bianchi (FRA) Marussia 1:01'29.820
17 R Grosjean (FRA) Lotus 1:01'29.944
18 G van der Garde (NED) Sauber 1:01'30.440
19 M Chilton (GBR) Marussia 1:01'30.748
20 S Vettel (GER) Red Bull 1:01'30.942
21 K Kobayashi (JPN) Caterham 1:01'30.997
22 M Ericsson (SWE) Caterham 1:01'31.421

http://en.espnf1.com/f1

As expected Merc on top, promising session from McLaren, Force India and Williams a bit slow.
 
Mercedes 2014 contender gets a new name

The technical revolution of 2014 can be expressed in one simple phrase: the engine is no more, long live the Power Unit! This change in terminology reflects the fact that the new powertrain is far more than simply an Internal Combustion Engine. Where the previous V8 format utilised a KERS hybrid system which was effectively 'bolted on' to a pre-existing engine configuration, the Mercedes-Benz PU106A Hybrid has been designed from the outset with Hybrid systems integral to its operation.

In recognition of the importance of this new philosophy to both F1 and Mercedes-Benz, from the 2014 Spanish Grand Prix onwards the team's F1 W05 car will be rechristened as the "F1 W05 Hybrid" and will carry the Hybrid branding featured on series production Mercedes-Benz cars prominently on the engine cover.

www.pitpass.com
 
It would be interesting if they allowed one driver to race every single car around one track, to see what the difference is. I mean, how much faster is the Mercedes? As mentioned though, I suppose driving style has an influence.
 
It would be interesting if they allowed one driver to race every single car around one track, to see what the difference is. I mean, how much faster is the Mercedes? As mentioned though, I suppose driving style has an influence.

Yes, driving style is definitely a factor I agree with that.

I assume somewhere there is a split of car/ driver combination input, maybe 80/20, everyone will have their own theory.

This goes back to understating why there are such differences within the same team, this should be purely based on driver talent, but that is only if they get treated exactly the same, which I don't think its the case, or maybe only in the first few races.
 
Some drivers just click with certain cars. Mansell was unstoppable in the FW14B but Patrese was generally a distant second. Hopefully the other teams will catch up to Merc soon so that they will actually have to race, not just manage fuel and tires. The season will probably be just about over by then but at least the last few races might be interesting.
 
I try, I try, I try... But I just can't get used to the engine noise (or should I say the lack thereof)
 
I try, I try, I try... But I just can't get used to the engine noise (or should I say the lack thereof)

I'm one of those who can't hear a difference on TV, the Merc does seem to make more noise than the others though.

Probably different in person on the track.
 
Like I said, MP3s, amps and the driver making their own noise..
"BROOOOM... BROOOOOOOOOM.... BROOM BROOOM..."
:D
 
Mercedes have announced a prototype exhaust which will make more noise for those who are moaning ;).


Mercedes have revealed they will test "a prototype solution" to increase exhaust noise at next week's two day test at the Circuit de Catalunya.

The dramatic difference between the high-pitched scream of the V8 engines used last year and the deeper sound of the new V6 hybrid units has attracted criticism from fans as well as F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/1...-prototype-solution-to-increase-exhaust-noise
 
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