F1 2014 thread

[Polish]

But he should ditch his job as F1 commentator.

Liked his as a driver, dislike his current role.

 

[Dave]

F1 drivers 'not happy' with turbo cars - Coulthard

http://en.espnf1.com/f1

Some heavy opinions from DC, not sure if he is stuck in the past or has legit comments.

So ex-Red Bull driver Coulthard is making statements that name Red Bull driver Vettel as saying the new cars are ****?

What a surprise.

I bet if Vettel was leading the championship he would have a better opinion of the cars...

 

[Polish]

So ex-Red Bull driver Coulthard is making statements that name Red Bull driver Vettel as saying the new cars are ****?

What a surprise.

I bet if Vettel was leading the championship he would have a better opinion of the cars...

Oh but of course, he may not publicly display it but we know the Merc dominance is tearing him apart inside.

 

[Polish]

Also, DC is an idiot for saying things like that in public.

What's the point other than demotivating viewers. Because if I hear that the people who are my heroes on the sport are unhappy then I am unhappy.

 

[Ancalagon]

Also, DC is an idiot for saying things like that in public.

What's the point other than demotivating viewers. Because if I hear that the people who are my heroes on the sport are unhappy then I am unhappy.

I agree.

Quite simply, I think they need to decide where they want the sport to go. Currently it seems that they want to push technological developments to keep the sport interesting. However, that has 3 problems associated with it - it keeps the costs high, it allows for teams to dominate using technology and not drivers, and it can result in changes that don't please fans, like the lack of noise.

They can go back to V8, V10 or V12 engines if they want, but it will mean abandoning the technology angle for the most part. Essentially, they will become like NASCAR or CART racing. Teams will be even, engines will be loud, fans excited. But no technological progress.

 

[Polish]

I agree.

Quite simply, I think they need to decide where they want the sport to go. Currently it seems that they want to push technological developments to keep the sport interesting. However, that has 3 problems associated with it - it keeps the costs high, it allows for teams to dominate using technology and not drivers, and it can result in changes that don't please fans, like the lack of noise.

They can go back to V8, V10 or V12 engines if they want, but it will mean abandoning the technology angle for the most part. Essentially, they will become like NASCAR or CART racing. Teams will be even, engines will be loud, fans excited. But no technological progress.

Interesting words. The FIA will decide for us. I just hope they chose the correct option.

 

[Polish]

Personally i'd take the latter, back to V engines, the yanks don't seem to have a problem in having to revive NASCAR/ CART because they stick to basics and give viewers what they want.

FIA don't work that way, sadly.

And for heavens sake stop focusing so much on tyres. It seems that races are decided by tyre compound, who gets more laps from their tyres, looks after them, blah blah.

Fuk it. If I hear an engineer telling a driver to look after his tyres it makes me sick cos I know he will slow down and we see less excitement. Screw the tyres. They mean nothing to viewers. At least the refuelling was still exciting and was a major factor in strategy, that too is gone. We want loud banging beasts screaming down the straights fighting for position, behind the scenes strategy is important but not to viewing fans.

Imo DRS is the only positive that has come out in the last few years. Just my 2c worth.

 

[HapticSimian]

...

They can go back to V8, V10 or V12 engines if they want, but it will mean abandoning the technology angle for the most part. Essentially, they will become like NASCAR or CART racing...

Just as a point of interest: CART ceased to exist in the early 2000s, and modern IndyCars - what you're likely thinking of - run 2.2l turbo (single or twin, mind you) V6s limited to 12,000 rpm...

I think one can make a reasonable compromise though: add 500cc and 2 cylinders to the current F1 formula, keeping the hybrid drive trains, and I think most complaints would subside. That'd make the cars frighteningly quick though.

 

[TehStranger]

Imo DRS is the only positive that has come out in the last few years. Just my 2c worth.

+1

I think one can make a reasonable compromise though: add 500cc and 2 cylinders to the current F1 formula, keeping the hybrid drive trains, and I think most complaints would subside. That'd make the cars frighteningly quick though.

This sounds pretty good actually, especially the bolded part.

 

[HapticSimian]

This sounds pretty good actually, especially the bolded part.

Well, you'd think so, but you'll quickly reach a point where genuine safety concerns will see to the cars being neutered again. Heaven forbid we go another however many years with the supposed pinnacle of car racing being run on f'ng grooved tyres...

Also, DRS licks balls. The cars should be made less reliant on overall aerodynamic grip, which would lead to closer following and more natural overtaking. DRS is an artificial solution to a problem that shouldn't exist.

 

[TehStranger]

Well, you'd think so, but you'll quickly reach a point where genuine safety concerns will see to the cars being neutered again. Heaven forbid we go another however many years with the supposed pinnacle of car racing is run on f'ng grooved tyres...

Perhaps, but I'd like some serious testing to see how far away that point is. Pinnacle of motorsport should be pushing the limits at all times. Too fast to be safe? Good, then spur on safty development which will have a real impact on road cars a few years later.

 

[Polish]

Good, then spur on safty development which will have a real impact on road cars a few years later.

Good comment.

 

[HapticSimian]

Perhaps, but I'd like some serious testing to see how far away that point is. Pinnacle of motorsport should be pushing the limits at all times. Too fast to be safe? Good, then spur on safty development which will have a real impact on road cars a few years later.

From a pragmatic perspective one must realise that, at some point, the squishy bit in the middle of the car becomes the limiting factor. That concept car that Adrian Newey came up with for Gran Turismo on the PS3 a year or 3 back? A person likely wouldn't last a race distance, if even a few laps, at the rate that thing would go if real. Further, as I've already said in this thread, ultimate lap time does not necessarily lead to good racing. If the engineers were given free reign they'd be able to design cars that would utterly obliterate long-standing lap records, even using current power trains. But they'd be so reliant on aerodynamics that they'd need to keep 10s of car lengths from each other.

 

[TehStranger]

From a pragmatic perspective one must realise that, at some point, the squishy bit in the middle of the car becomes the limiting factor. That concept car that Adrian Newey came up with for Gran Turismo on the PS3 a year or 3 back? A person likely wouldn't last a race distance, if even a few laps, at the rate that thing would go if real. Further, as I've already said in this thread, ultimate lap time does not necessarily lead to good racing. If the engineers were given free reign they'd be able to design cars that would utterly obliterate long-standing lap records, even using current power trains. But they'd be so reliant on aerodynamics that they'd need to keep 10s of car lengths from each other.

Understandable, as long as the drivers are so squishy they will always be the limiting factor. However just because we will at some point reach that stage, it doesn't mean we should pause now when we might still be far away. I would love to see them push things to the absolute limit in terms of pace, and then dial back appropriately so that we have the best combination of speed, safety and exciting racing. At the moment we have artificial limits in the sport (tyre degradation, overall fuel limit, fuel flow etc.), we should be rid of those and rather have driver skill as the overall limit.

Also regarding DRS, I'm a huge fan of any system that adds tension and excitement. It's artificial yes, but by giving a small advantage to the chasing car it adds a new dimension to the sport. Remaining within the one second DRS window and setting the car up to take as much advantage of the DRS zone as possible is good for the sport IMHO.

 

[HapticSimian]

Understandable, as long as the drivers are so squishy they will always be the limiting factor. However just because we will at some point reach that stage, it doesn't mean we should pause now when we might still be far away. I would love to see them push things to the absolute limit in terms of pace, and then dial back appropriately so that we have the best combination of speed, safety and exciting racing. At the moment we have artificial limits in the sport (tyre degradation, overall fuel limit, fuel flow etc.), we should be rid of those and rather have driver skill as the overall limit.

I don't disagree, but I'd add the caveat that any activity has to at least be seen to be environmentally conscious. It sucks a bit, but it's the world we live in. Because internal combustion engines are rather inefficient reasonable limits in fuel flow and overall usage would spur development to improve efficiency. That's not a bad thing, and petrol contains enough energy per volume that there's a lot of headroom for improvement. I can see value in that, which likely ties in with me not sharing the seeming majority opinion that the sport's gone for a ball of ****.

Also regarding DRS, I'm a huge fan of any system that adds tension and excitement. It's artificial yes, but by giving a small advantage to the chasing car it adds a new dimension to the sport. Remaining within the one second DRS window and setting the car up to take as much advantage of the DRS zone as possible is good for the sport IMHO.

From where we were when DRS was introduced it certainly made for an improvement. However, it doesn't even approach racing like in Spain in '91 with Senna and Mansell were dicing wheel-to-wheel for position precisely because the comparative aerodynamic inefficiency of the cars allowed them to.

 

[TehStranger]

I don't disagree, but I'd add the caveat that any activity has to at least be seen to be environmentally conscious. It sucks a bit, but it's the world we live in. Because internal combustion engines are rather inefficient reasonable limits in fuel flow and overall usage would spur development to improve efficiency. That's not a bad thing, and petrol contains enough energy per volume that there's a lot of headroom for improvement. I can see value in that, which likely ties in with me not sharing the seeming majority opinion that the sport's gone for a ball of ****.

I'm all for the increase in efficiency when it comes to combustion engines, we have too much headroom to not pursue that avenue. But in the pinnacle of motorsport? I'm not so sure, save that sort of development for a "lesser" racing series and keep F1 as powerful as possible.

From where we were when DRS was introduced it certainly made for an improvement. However, it doesn't even approach racing like in Spain in '91 with Senna and Mansell were dicing wheel-to-wheel for position precisely because the comparative aerodynamic inefficiency of the cars allowed them to.

You have a good point and I agree with it. Still, DRS does help make the sport more exciting than it was shortly before introduction, and for that I'll support it. However if at any point removing DRS would lead to better racing, I'd be the first to say trash it.

 

[Fox1]

Sometimes I find myself falling off to sleep due to the lack of noise during the GP. These hybrid units have a place in the history of motorsport and cars of the future but it shouldn't impede on the fun factor because after all it's a "sport".

 

[Polish]

Weren't the smaller engine turbos reintroduced under the FIA's cost cutting umbrella ?

Irrespective of what you are doing in F1, if you don't have the budget to hire top dog resource and for research and development you will not go anywhere.

Limiting testing is another pet hate of mine. Imo that is not the correct way to curb spend.

 

[Polish]

Wolff warns Mercedes drivers against on-track collision

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff has warned his drivers that an on-track clash would result in team orders being implemented this year.

The dominance of the Mercedes car this season means Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton are already in a private battle for this year's drivers' championship, with Robserg leading by four points after victory in Monaco. The Monaco weekend saw tension between the two bubble over after Rosberg claimed pole position in a controversial qualifying session, although Hamilton insists the two team-mates are now back on speaking terms.

However, if the rivalry results in an on-track collision, Wolff has warned that it may mean the team has to intervene with team orders.

http://en.espnf1.com

Some more nonsense. Imo, Lewis wont listen to them, Nico yes but not Lewis.

 

[Polish]

Vital Statistics - the Canadian Grand Prix

The first Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal was won by the man after whom the circuit is now named - Gilles Villeneuve. But did you know that the only other Canadian driver to reach the podium on home soil was his son, Jacques, in 1996?

Ahead of this weekend’s Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada 2014 we present all the need-to-know facts, stats and trivia…

Circuit: Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve

Circuit length: 4.361 km

Number of corners: 14 (6 left, 8 right)

DRS zones: 2

Race laps: 70

Race distance: 305.270 km

2014 tyre compounds: Soft, supersoft

Circuit lap record: 1m 13.622s - Rubens Barrichello (2004), Ferrari

First world championship Grand Prix: 1967, Mosport (won by Jack Brabham, Brabham)

First world championship Grand Prix in Montreal: 1978 (won by Gilles Villeneuve, Ferrari)

Number of races: 44 (34 - Montreal; 8 - Mosport; 2 - Mont-Tremblant)

Number of races with at least one safety car appearance: 7 of the last 13 races

Longest race in Montreal: 2011 (4h 4m 39.537s)

Shortest race in Montreal: 1997 (1h 17m 40.646s)

Last year’s pole position: 1m 25.425s, Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull

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

Most appearances (current field): 13 - Jenson Button; 11 - Fernando Alonso; 10 - Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe Massa; 7 - Nico Rosberg; 6 - Lewis Hamilton; 5 - Adrian Sutil, Sebastian Vettel

Most wins (driver): 7 - Michael Schumacher; 3 - Nelson Piquet, Lewis Hamilton; 2 - Jacky Ickx, Jackie Stewart, Alan Jones, Ayrton Senna; 1 - Jack Brabham, Denny Hulme, Peter Revson, James Hunt, Jody Scheckter, Emerson Fittipaldi, Gilles Villeneuve, Jacques Laffite, Rene Arnoux, Michele Alboreto, Nigel Mansell, Thierry Boutsen, Gerhard Berger, Alain Prost, Jean Alesi, Damon Hill, Mika Hakkinen, Ralf Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen, Robert Kubica, Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel

Most wins (constructor): 13 - McLaren; 11 - Ferrari; 7 - Williams; 4 - Brabham; 2 - Tyrrell, Benetton; 1 - Wolf, Ligier, Renault, BMW Sauber, Red Bull

Most wins (engine manufacturer): 12 - Ford/Cosworth, 11 - Ferrari; 6 - Mercedes; 5 - Renault; 4 - Honda, BMW; 1- Repco, Matra

Most pole positions (driver): 6 - Michael Schumacher; 3 - Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel; 2 - Jackie Stewart, Alain Prost, Ralf Schumacher; 1- Jim Clark, Jochen Rindt, Jacky Ickx, Peter Revson, Ronnie Peterson, Emerson Fittipaldi, James Hunt, Mario Andretti, Jean-Pierre Jarier, Alan Jones, Didier Pironi, Rene Arnoux, Elio de Angelis, Nigel Mansell, Riccardo Patrese, Damon Hill, David Coulthard, Juan Pablo Montoya, Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso

Most pole positions (constructor): 11 - McLaren; 8 - Williams; 6 - Ferrari; 5 - Brabham, Lotus; 3 - Red Bull; 2 - Tyrrell, Benetton; 1 - BAR, Renault

Most pole positions (engine manufacturer): 14 - Ford/Cosworth; 9 - Renault; 6 - Ferrari, Honda; 4 - BMW, Mercedes, 1 - Repco

Number of wins from pole in Montreal: 15 wins from 34 races (44 percent)

Lowest winning grid position in Montreal: 10th (Jacques Laffite, Ligier, 1981)

Laps led (current field): 163 - Lewis Hamilton; 157 - Sebastian Vettel; 103 - Fernando Alonso; 27 - Kimi Raikkonen; 4 - Felipe Massa; 1 - Jenson Button, Romain Grosjean

Most podium places (current field): 4 - Lewis Hamilton; 3 - Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso; 2 - Kimi Raikkonen, Sebastian Vettel; 1- Romain Grosjean, Sergio Perez

Number of Canadians to have started at least one Grand Prix: 11

Number of victories for Canadian drivers in the Canadian Grand Prix: One (Gilles Villeneuve, 1978)

Fascinating fact: Ile Notre-Dame, the man-made island on which the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve is situated, was the site of the 1967 World Fair and also home to the rowing events in the 1976 Olympic Games.

Percentage of 2014 season complete: 31 percent

Maximum number of world championship points still available to a single driver: 350

Significant running sequences going into this weekend: Mercedes - five consecutive one-two finishes, six consecutive wins, six consecutive podiums; Ferrari - 73 consecutive races in the points; Nico Rosberg - 15 consecutive races in the points and six consecutive podium finishes; Max Chilton - 25 consecutive classified finishes.

Turbo history: If a Renault-powered car wins Sunday’s race it will be the first Renault turbo victory since the 1986 Detroit Grand Prix. Similarly, if a Ferrari-powered car wins the race it’ll be the first Ferrari turbo win since the 1988 Italian Grand Prix. The last turbo-powered victory in Canada went to Ayrton Senna in the McLaren MP4-4 in 1988.

www.formula1.com