F1 2014 thread

[Polish]

I think they crashed that one into the back of the real one...

 

[Polish]

Is that coincidental?
Re: mclaren, is Magnussen he the mascot? Doesn't look old enough to drive, let alone race in F1!

More like the development long-term driver, like another Kimi. Perez was a mistake, in fact, 2013 for McLaren was a mistake.

Cannot wait for testing to start to see how the new car performs.

 

[HapticSimian]

The MP4-29 actually looks nice.

One concern; They have no major sponsor on that car.

The rumour I've seen circulating is that there's major Honda money already at play, but it'd obviously be a bit odd to have Honda branding plastered on a Merc-powered car. BMW Sauber Ferrari F1 Team of a few years ago notwithstanding, of course. McLaren is a top-tier team - one lacklustre season doesn't change that; it's unlikely that the lack of obvious sponsorship implies a pending financial crisis.

 

[Polish]

The rumour I've seen circulating is that there's major Honda money already at play, but it'd obviously be a bit odd to have Honda branding plastered on a Merc-powered car. BMW Sauber Ferrari F1 Team of a few years ago notwithstanding, of course. McLaren is a top-tier team - one lacklustre season doesn't change that; it's unlikely that the lack of obvious sponsorship implies a pending financial crisis.

Word !

Toro Rosso launching today. I understand the whole Red Bull link but I do hope they change their paintwork a bit to prevent confusion.

 

[Wall]

The Mclaren looks awesome, the Ferrari looks

 

[Polish]

Definitely an interesting year ahead for us Petrolheads judging by the expert opinion.

Extract from ESPNF1.COM

There's no shying away from it, there will be a lot of reliability issues in 2014. The new engines represent a huge step into the unknown and there are only three weeks of on-track testing before the cars race for the first time in Australia. Things could get messy.

Link http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/141011.html#Ade8rYkcol7u5GGX.99

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

Check the nose on the lotus out. Whats up with the differing lengths at the end? And the pod on the right hand side just in front of the wheel?

The longer one is to deal with the new regulation and the shorter ones is to smooth the airflow under the car.

I'm starting to think that the designers at Ferrari have no imagination whatsoever and just get the regs and build a car to them, there is absolutely nothing new or interesting about that shape and I don't hold much hope for the season sadly.

Oh and the Sauber looks gooooood

 

[Polish]

This will all go down to reliability and performance. As fugly as some look, if they can win they'll be hailed.

I on the other hand am very interested in what Pirelli bring to the table.

 

[Willie Trombone]

More like the development long-term driver, like another Kimi. Perez was a mistake, in fact, 2013 for McLaren was a mistake.

Cannot wait for testing to start to see how the new car performs.

F1 needs to get their act together for testing. I don't care if the bottom half of the grid can't afford to do as many laps as the top half, I want to see teams able to develop their cars to their full potential in a real world track environment. I want to see a team that's lagging get a boost by being able to test different setups and iron out the kinks. Lack of testing has definitely made it harder for the teams to come up with their best... isn't coming up with the fastest car what F1 is about?

On that note, I hope Pirelli is making real F1 tyres this year... that will last at least 25% of the race at full throttle... not these 'slow down, your tyres are too warm' things.

 

[Polish]

On that note, I hope Pirelli is making real F1 tyres this year... that will last at least 25% of the race at full throttle... not these 'slow down, your tyres are too warm' things.

This is a must, I mean really, to manage, curb or curtail performance by a tyre is somewhat ridiculous. This approach must definitely go.

Re. testing, I also tend to agree there. Cost cutting yes, but effective cost cutting where positive things come out of it. I hate to see the minnows getting punished by a stupid 107% rule or something like that. We love our slower brothers and it really saddens me when a team falls off the grid. There should be some kind of carrots for them.

 

[Polish]

And on top of all I think Ferrari have more to worry about than just the new car.

I am very interested how the Alonso/ Kimi relationship will pan out. Both have raw talent and balls, but in every single team there is a 1st and a 2nd.

Bit of a gamble for them imho.

 

[Wall]

If I had 1 wish for F1, it would be to return refueling during the race. That alone, adds so much to a race strategy.

 

[Polish]

If I had 1 wish for F1, it would be to return refueling during the race. That alone, adds so much to a race strategy.

Same !

 

[Polish]

However I do not see it happening, with so much emphasis being put on safety. After stunts like that journo that got hit by the tyre in Nurnburgring last year.

Funnily enough I don't think its really the driver that its protecting as much as the rest of the team.

 

[Willie Trombone]

I dont have a problem with backmarkers and slower cars - it adds to the excitement for the faster guys - timing pitstops, getting through traffic, etc. 107% is a bit extreme IMO. As long as it's safe, sometimes the backmarkers can be more interesting to watch in terms of racing. They just need to balance it out a bit - I'd rather watch some racing further down than finger boy who's 50 seconds ahead going round and round on rails lol.

 

[Willie Trombone]

And on top of all I think Ferrari have more to worry about than just the new car.

I am very interested how the Alonso/ Kimi relationship will pan out. Both have raw talent and balls, but in every single team there is a 1st and a 2nd.

Bit of a gamble for them imho.

That will be just like Alonso / Hamilton - they WILL be arguing and saying things about each other before the season is warm IMO. The difference is that Kimi is not a rookie so Alonso will have to give him a bit more respect. That said, I can't wait to see two of the best drivers in the same car. I wish Hamilton was Vettel's teammate this year.

 

[Willie Trombone]

If I had 1 wish for F1, it would be to return refueling during the race. That alone, adds so much to a race strategy.

I never thought I'd say it, but I agree. It made qualifying interesting too - start in a heavier car vs 5 laps of fuel left, etc.

 

[Wall]

I never thought I'd say it, but I agree. It made qualifying interesting too - start in a heavier car vs 5 laps of fuel left, etc.

Having the ability to shorten or run longer stints could help get you ahead.

 

[greg0205]

I dont have a problem with backmarkers and slower cars - it adds to the excitement for the faster guys - timing pitstops, getting through traffic, etc. 107% is a bit extreme IMO. As long as it's safe, sometimes the backmarkers can be more interesting to watch in terms of racing. They just need to balance it out a bit - I'd rather watch some racing further down than finger boy who's 50 seconds ahead going round and round on rails lol.

Yeah, um, just thought I'd drop this in here... From this weekend's Rolex 24 hour.

[video=youtube_share;Gu4D-qJsz4U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu4D-qJsz4U[/video]

 

[Polish]

I never thought I'd say it, but I agree. It made qualifying interesting too - start in a heavier car vs 5 laps of fuel left, etc.

Exactly, and it’s all for the viewers to see. The commentary team quickly rationalizes the significance of the specific fuel load and we can watch the strategy unfold with excitement.