F1 - General discussion and 2017


McLaren duo get engine reliability update for Russia

McLaren's Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne will receive a MGU-H reliability update from Honda for this weekend's Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix following a series of problems in Bahrain.

Recurring MGU-H issues led to Alonso's engine failing in Bahrain GP qualifying, while Vandoorne failed to start the race, with the cause believed to relate to the same component.

Honda made temporary fixes to avoid a repeat of the problems during the two-day test that followed in Bahrain, with Vandoorne able to complete a full testing programme without problems on day two.

Since then, the Japanese manufacturer has been working on solving the problem and has moved to implement countermeasures.


Motorsport.com has learned both drivers will run new MGU-H components that have been updated for reliability in Russia, but it is believed it is not a brand new spec.

It means Vandoorne will use his fourth MGU-H of the season, meaning any subsequent change will lead to a grid penalty. Alonso will use his third.

"After a disappointing grand prix weekend in Bahrain, we have since had an extremely busy few days during in-season testing, also at the Bahrain International Circuit," said Honda chief Yusuke Hasegawa.

"The team has been working hard to implement some countermeasures to help combat our MGU-H issues.

"By the second day of testing, we think we were able to confirm the direction of our solution against the issue after completing 81 laps with Stoffel behind the wheel."

Vandoorne said the spirit of the whole team was lifted after McLaren encountered a trouble-free day on day two of the test in Bahrain.

"After a difficult couple of weeks, the last day of the Bahrain test was very encouraging, both for me and for the whole team," he said.

"It was a boost we needed and provided us with a lot of useful information about the direction we are taking the whole package in, so we go to Sochi with a better feeling than we had on Sunday night after a disappointing race."
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F1's Strategy Group set to discuss plan to help Honda

Formula 1's Strategy Group is set to face calls on whether it should intervene to help Honda make better progress, on the back of the Japanese manufacturer's difficult start to the 2017 season.

Honda has faced troubles with both reliability and performance this year, having failed to make the progress it had hoped to with an all-new concept for this year.

But ahead of the latest Strategy Group meeting that takes place on Tuesday, it has emerged that there will likely be discussions about the possibility of rivals approving a plan for Honda to get some assistance.

Such a move will come from both McLaren and the FIA, which made it clear last year that engine parity was a key aim for 2017.

As part of an agreement reached between F1's car manufacturers and the FIA 12 months ago to keep the current turbo hybrid rules in place until 2020, a plan was put in place to ensure all the current engines were pretty equal on performance.

The FIA said it would analyse the potential of each power unit after the first three races of 2017 and, if the difference between them exceeded 0.3 seconds on a simulation around the Barcelona circuit, then the Strategy Group would be asked to intervene.

The FIA's engine chief Fabrice Lom said at the Spanish GP last year: "We check every car of every lap of the first three races, we take the best of each power unit for each race, and then we do the average. That should give a power unit index of performance for each power unit manufacturer.

"Then we have a translation of this index for the Barcelona track, and this is what we will do. We transform this index to lap time and check the difference in lap time to the Barcelona track."

As well as the FIA work, McLaren racing director Eric Boullier has said that he will bring up the topic of Honda's situation himself, even though he is sceptical about the potential for any help.

"It is something that we have to raise," explained Boullier. "We are in a position today where I am not sure everyone wants us to get more performance from the power unit, but I think it will be fairer for F1 to have a level playing field.

"I am not saying helping someone to beat the best power unit, but to be within this 0.3 seconds ballpark of performance.

"I think it will fairer and good for F1. It will be more attractive for other car and engine manufacturers to join F1, and for the fans it will be much better as you will have closer racing on track.

"So it would tick all the boxes: except we are in a competitive world and I know a lot of people do not want us to deliver on that part."
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Sauber to complete Honda deal ‘in coming days’

Sauber's strongly rumoured deal with Honda is set to be confirmed imminently, according to reports.

Motorsport.com believe that a multi-year contract between the pair is now in place and Honda will start to supply Sauber with latest spec engines from next season onwards.

Sauber currently use one-year-old Ferrari power units, but have been on the lookout for a new supplier as they look to continue their progression following new investment last July.

Honda have also been preparing to supply a new team by expanding their base in the Milton Keynes, while McLaren boss Eric Boullier revealed that they would be willing to help Honda in their search.

""I think in this specific case it's better," Boullier said.

"I think more teams is better and more engine running is better. But there is a price to pay for that, which is deviating more resources into building more engines.

"Whatever happens, we are partners, so at some stage there will be a second team supply question, and I think we'll have to support this. But we want to make sure it's not detrimental to our partnership."

Teams have until May 8 to notify the FIA which engine manufacturer they intend on using for the 2018 season, but Sauber are set to announce the new deal ahead of the deadline.
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rakabos3 said:
WTF did i just read
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Well sauber will always be uncompetitive running last gen engines.
Honda will benefit from more testing and data mining.
So might work out nicely.
Vandoorne 's 2nd day testing was promising,
80 odd laps, 4th fastest.
Lets hope its starting to turn around for Honda.
 
^^Alonso radio to McLaren: "Hey guys, We made it through turn 1"
Pit wall: "Whoa, awesome, I think we've turned a corner!"
 
WTF is Sauber thinking?? Safe to say Honda will be pouring millions into their budget if they are even considering the switch.
 
Not a switch, just a customer team.
As I said last year, Honda need another team for the feedback and maybe Zak Brown agrees.
It was Ron that wanted exclusivity and it looks like it backfired.
 
From Supersport.com

F1 to ditch 'halo' protection device


Formula One is set to abandon plans for a 'halo' head protection system in favour of a transparent screen that could be introduced for 2018.

The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced the development following a meeting of the sport's core Strategy Group in Paris on Tuesday ahead of this weekend's Russian Grand Prix.

"A number of more integrated solutions for additional frontal protection have been studied, and the decision has been taken to give priority to the transparent ‘shield’ family of systems," it said in a statement.

"The FIA aims to carry out track tests of this system during this season in preparation for implementation in 2018."

The 'halo' cockpit protection device, which is fixed at three points including a central pillar in front of the driver that supports a protective loop above his head, was extensively tested last season with a mixed response.

The FIA said in January the net safety benefit had been established but a decision needed to be made about the aesthetics and whether such a system was right for Formula One.

Cockpit protection has become a priority since the deaths of drivers in other series after being hit by wheels and flying debris.

The shield, a see-through screen in front of the driver that does not cover the cockpit, was tested in practice for this year's Chinese Grand Prix.

Decisions made at the Strategy Group have to be approved by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council, which is usually a formality.

Tuesday's meeting also agreed changes to the 2018 regulations that will lead to the disappearance of the current 'T-wing' and 'Shark Fin’ aerodynamic devices that have also been criticised on aesthetics grounds.

Measures will also be taken to ensure that oil will not be used as fuel.

The Strategy Group, which is currently limited to top teams, will also be opened to non-members.

The governing body said this would demonstrate "the effective commitment of both the FIA and the Commercial Rights Holder to improve transparency in the sport."
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I can see the headlines and media spin now:

F1 Shows its Road Relevance by Inventing a Windscreen that places a transparent barrier in front of the driver.
I bet the car manufacturers will be queuing up to see that bright idea. ;)
 
Strategy Group agrees 2018 sporting and technical proposals

Full Story: https://www.pitpass.com/58896/Strategy-Group-agrees-2018-sporting-and-technical-proposals

I like this one:
"In the event of a red flag period during a race, the race will be resumed from a standing start."

and this one is a bit vague:
"Changes in the regulation boxes around the engine cover have been made so that designs incorporating the 't-wing' and 'shark fin' will be strictly limited."
 
caroper said:
...

and this one is a bit vague:
"Changes in the regulation boxes around the engine cover have been made so that designs incorporating the 't-wing' and 'shark fin' will be strictly limited."
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This is a regulation box:
Img_41.png

It defines the dimensional limits all cars must adhere to. So, those limits will simply be adjusted to disallow the shark fins and t-wings.
 
caroper said:
Full Story: https://www.pitpass.com/58896/Strategy-Group-agrees-2018-sporting-and-technical-proposals

I like this one:
"In the event of a red flag period during a race, the race will be resumed from a standing start."

and this one is a bit vague:
"Changes in the regulation boxes around the engine cover have been made so that designs incorporating the 't-wing' and 'shark fin' will be strictly limited."
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+1 on the standing start! About time. That's 30% of the excitement of a race right there... and in the case of a really dull track, as much as 70% IMO.
 

1022.6666666666666x767__origin__0x0_Sergey_Sirotkin-700x367.jpg

Sirotkin handed Renault FP1 run in Sochi

Renault reserve driver Sergey Sirotkin will take some part in his home grand prix weekend as he will replace Nico Hulkenberg for FP1 in Sochi.

Sirotkin drove the R.S.17 at the two-day test in Bahrain and will get another opportunity in the Renault seat on Friday's first session.

“I drove last year in Sochi so I’m familiar with what to expect," said Sirotkin upon confirmation by his team.

"It’s a modern-style F1 track with some interesting aspects to it. There have been some interesting Grands Prix there.

"The most challenging sector is the final one, off the back straight, as there are some tricky braking areas through corner after corner, then it’s really crucial to keep the rear of the car under control through this sequence.

“I’m proud of being a Russian driver so to be in front of thousands of Russian fans is always going to be a highlight. That said, I would settle with being in the car anywhere!

"Of course, there will be a lot of attention in the press and media, and many people I know will be there – which is always nice – however my focus is fully on track. I’m there to do the best job possible and focus on the entire race weekend not just FP1 when I’m in the car.”
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Those T-Wings and Shark Fins on the engine covers are about the scariest pieces of aerodynamics in the past 2 decades. The way they vibrate in the corners must be destabilising the car to quite a degree. The protruding nose on the nose cone should also go.
 
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