Author Topic: 2009 F1 Thread (Read 112373 times)

Degs · « **Reply #2640 on:** April 30, 2009, 11:58:26 AM »

Quote from: nandotorres on April 30, 2009, 10:32:27 AM

not ferrari bashing just pointing out the simpe fact that they have got away with a lot

Examples from this century please, where Ferrari have broken the rules and got away with not being punished.

Degs · « **Reply #2641 on:** April 30, 2009, 12:28:19 PM »

£40 million budget cap, and we knew it all along:

scatman · « **Reply #2642 on:** April 30, 2009, 01:54:48 PM »

Quote from: Degs on April 30, 2009, 11:58:26 AM

Examples from this century please, where Ferrari have broken the rules and got away with not being punished.

felipe massa in the pits last year, think it was spanish gp, i remember a smaller team getting punished for doing exactly the smae thing in the next race

Degs · « **Reply #2643 on:** April 30, 2009, 02:25:10 PM »

Quote from: rapcage on April 30, 2009, 01:54:48 PM

felipe massa in the pits last year, think it was spanish gp, i remember a smaller team getting punished for doing exactly the smae thing in the next race

Is that it, a questionable race-incident incident at best decided by stewards and not the FIA?

And he was fined 10,000 Euros, a greater punishment than McLaren got this week for blatant lying/cheating.

The A in F.I.A. must stand for Anglo.

Laughter is the best medicine... · « **Reply #2644 on:** April 30, 2009, 02:27:08 PM »

bernie's stupid, attention seeking comment for today:

http://www.crash.net/Formula+One/News/146142/1/ecclestone_f1_needs_a_black_female_jewish_driver.html

Ben S · « **Reply #2645 on:** April 30, 2009, 02:44:20 PM »

Are you forgetting that Mclaren lost their points for the Austrailian GP?

40 Million budget cap, thats a lot of people out of work then...

Degs · « **Reply #2646 on:** April 30, 2009, 02:47:21 PM »

Quote from: Ben S on April 30, 2009, 02:44:20 PM

40 Million budget cap, thats a lot of people out of work then...

With a possible 26 cars on the grid next year could it not balance out?

Danny Boys Dad · « **Reply #2647 on:** April 30, 2009, 02:50:19 PM »

I don't think they got off with it, I think a suspended ban was about right although I did think that there would be a fine as well.

The verdict is very clear that if anything else arises about the Australia incident then they're back in trouble, it's not like everything is being swept under the carpet. If they subsequently found out anything else, like Whitmarsh knowing anything about what Ryan and Hamilton were planning to do, then the penalty would be applied.

Isn't the budget cap optional? More design freedom but less money to pay for it?

Degs · « **Reply #2648 on:** April 30, 2009, 03:02:49 PM »

Quote

Refuelling ban confirmed for next season

The FIA has confirmed a ban on refuelling from the 2010 season, the governing body citing cost-saving reasons for its introductions

"It was confirmed that from 2010, refuelling during a race will be forbidden in order to save the costs of transporting refuelling equipment and increase the incentive for engine builders to improve fuel economy (to save weight)," said the FIA in a statement following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.

The governing body also confirmed that tyre blankets will be banned from 2010 and that the ban on other tyre-heating devices will be maintained.

gazzalfc · « **Reply #2649 on:** April 30, 2009, 03:09:29 PM »

Quote from: Degs on April 30, 2009, 03:02:49 PM

The governing body also confirmed that tyre blankets will be banned from 2010 and that the ban on other tyre-heating devices will be maintained.

Seems like a stupid idea. Especially if the 2010 engines can be rev'ed higher. You would need the heat for added grip.

It always looks like one step forward and 20 steps back with F1

Danny Boys Dad · « **Reply #2650 on:** April 30, 2009, 03:16:07 PM »

Banning refuelling is a pretty good move. Makes the teams work harder on car and engine design and changes the whole balance of the car as it lightens so should make the ends of the races a lot more interesting.

I like the changes on tyres as well. Seeing the drivers have to tiptoe round the circuit on cold tyres after a stop will be like a return to the old days. No more of this blasting out of the pits and up to full speed by the first corner, should be a lot more interesting.

matchyg · « **Reply #2651 on:** April 30, 2009, 09:22:00 PM »

What? They've banned refuelling? That really sucks.

rotistgeil · « **Reply #2652 on:** April 30, 2009, 11:37:14 PM »

Quote from: matchyg on April 30, 2009, 09:22:00 PM

What? They've banned refuelling? That really sucks.

Yeah! How I will miss the flames that we sometimes got to see.

Ben S · « **Reply #2653 on:** May 1, 2009, 12:29:38 AM »

Meant to post this earlier but was busy in work, it 15 Years since the death of Senna (today) and Roland Ratzenberger (yesterday).

RIP

Phil M · « **Reply #2654 on:** May 1, 2009, 12:32:58 AM »

Quote from: Ben S on May 1, 2009, 12:29:38 AM

Meant to post this earlier but was busy in work, it 15 Years since the death of Senna (today) and Roland Ratzenberger (yesterday).

RIP

God, where has that time gone.

One of the greatest drivers and sportsmen of all time.

R.I.P

Degs · « **Reply #2655 on:** May 1, 2009, 12:45:03 AM »

Quote from: Ben S on May 1, 2009, 12:29:38 AM

Meant to post this earlier but was busy in work, it 15 Years since the death of Senna (today) and Roland Ratzenberger (yesterday).

RIP

I can still remember watching that as a kid. It was horrible because after what happened to Ratzenberger the day before everyone knew.
Sad day.

When people have a go at Max Mosley fair enough but I always remember how he reacted after that weekend, tearing up the concorde agreement and going on a quest to make cars much safer, so much so that it's been 15 years since the last F1 death.

grimreaper · « **Reply #2656 on:** May 1, 2009, 01:05:34 AM »

Bloody hell 15 years, flown by

matchyg · « **Reply #2657 on:** May 1, 2009, 01:47:55 AM »

I never seen him drive personally but I've read up on him. I love this quote from him, amazing intensity; life and work philosophy.
“The harder I push, the more I find within myself. I am always looking for the next step, a different world to go into, areas where I have not been before. It’s lonely driving a Grand Prix car, but very absorbing. I have experienced new sensations and I want more. That is my excitement, my motivation.” Ayrton Senna

scatman · « **Reply #2658 on:** May 1, 2009, 12:57:48 PM »

thats true about Mosley, it affected him a lot, he was the only person I think from the head honchos who didnt go to Senna's funeral, as he went to Ratzenbergers because he expected everyone to go to Senna's. Was quite touching.

Laughter is the best medicine... · « **Reply #2659 on:** May 1, 2009, 06:05:33 PM »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgktruZUDgs&feature=PlayList&p=5F8D309EFB05CCBE&index=0&playnext=1

Ben S · « **Reply #2660 on:** May 1, 2009, 06:22:47 PM »

Bring back manual gearboxes. That would be the best thing that could ever happen to F1.

masch · « **Reply #2661 on:** May 1, 2009, 06:49:49 PM »

Quote from: Degs on April 30, 2009, 11:58:26 AM

Examples from this century please

:p

Does that not say quite a lot?

vegasred23 · « **Reply #2662 on:** May 1, 2009, 07:02:00 PM »

Quote from: Ben S on May 1, 2009, 06:22:47 PM

Bring back manual gearboxes. That would be the best thing that could ever happen to F1.

I was just thinking the same thing while watching that video. The amount of skill it takes to drive half the circuit with only one hand on the wheel is amazing.

Jagdip · « **Reply #2663 on:** May 2, 2009, 12:30:40 PM »

Quote from: vegasred23 on May 1, 2009, 07:02:00 PM

I was just thinking the same thing while watching that video. The amount of skill it takes to drive half the circuit with only one hand on the wheel is amazing.

It's incredible.

Degs · « **Reply #2664 on:** May 2, 2009, 12:39:44 PM »

They're semi-manual now, they change up an down with the paddles behind the wheels but there's no clutch.

Would be great having the old school style back but when F1 has a technology that is incorporated into road cars then they see it as justification for the huge budgets.

Ben S · « **Reply #2665 on:** May 2, 2009, 03:40:38 PM »

Which removes any element of skill as it's impossible to miss a gear and they have lights on the dash telling them when the press the button.

Degs · « **Reply #2666 on:** May 2, 2009, 03:42:00 PM »

Quote from: Ben S on May 2, 2009, 03:40:38 PM

Which removes any element of skill as it's impossible to miss a gear and they have lights on the dash telling them when the press the button.

Yep, you'd think they'd let the best drivers in the world have a normal gearbox - but I suppose it's all about the cars and not the drivers.

matchyg · « **Reply #2667 on:** May 3, 2009, 10:46:58 AM »

These caps in F1 are getting ridiculous, it's R&D intensive sport so, it will hamper the sport in general. I don't get it anyhow, the more money teams spend the more jobs, the money is just circulating in the economy. Personally I'd hate to see all 20 cars of the track evenly match speeds due to all this. There's enough overtaking already as it is. I prefer to see 2-3 teams fighting it out at the top.

Quote

Ferrari president attacks 'unfair' F1 budget cap

1 day ago

LONDON (AP) — Ferrari has accused Formula One's governing body of damaging the sport with the planned introduction of a voluntary budget cap, in letters sent to the FIA by president Luca di Montezemolo.

In cost-cutting measures announced Thursday, the World Motor Sport Council said teams who accept a $59 million cap will be given more technical freedom next year.

But in a letter to FIA president Max Mosley published Friday by British newspapers, Di Montezemolo said it would create a "fundamentally unfair" world championship.

F1 has 10 teams with two cars each, but that will be increased to up to 13 teams and 26 cars in 2010. The WMSC is also banning refueling during races to save money on transporting refueling equipment.

Di Montezemolo said the system will split teams into two groups — those who operate on a limited budget with fewer technical restrictions, and those who keep spending perhaps more than twice as much but with less freedom.

"There are doubts as to whether or not two categories of teams should be created, which will inevitably mean that one category will have an advantage over the other and that the championship will be fundamentally unfair and, perhaps, even biased," Di Montezemolo wrote, according to the Times of London and Daily Telegraph.

In January, the teams unanimously agreed to a series of cost-cutting measures, including limits on expensive testing and a cheaper engine for smaller teams starting in 2010.

Degs · « **Reply #2668 on:** May 3, 2009, 10:56:06 AM »

Quote from: matchyg on May 3, 2009, 10:46:58 AM

These caps in F1 are getting ridiculous, it's R&D intensive sport so, it will hamper the sport in general. I don't get it anyhow, the more money teams spend the more jobs, the money is just circulating in the economy. Personally I'd hate to see all 20 cars of the track evenly match speeds due to all this. There's enough overtaking already as it is. I prefer to see 2-3 teams fighting it out at the top.

Without a cap you mightn't even get 20 cars on the grid.

The cap is a good idea in theory but in reality it will create a 2 tier series with 1 set of cars alot faster than the other.

Jagdip · « **Reply #2669 on:** May 3, 2009, 01:19:19 PM »

Tiptronic

TheRedBull · « **Reply #2670 on:** May 3, 2009, 06:47:48 PM »

Quote from: matchyg on May 3, 2009, 10:46:58 AM

These caps in F1 are getting ridiculous, it's R&D intensive sport so, it will hamper the sport in general. I don't get it anyhow, the more money teams spend the more jobs, the money is just circulating in the economy. Personally I'd hate to see all 20 cars of the track evenly match speeds due to all this. There's enough overtaking already as it is. I prefer to see 2-3 teams fighting it out at the top.

Your view on things seems really weird. I do believe budget cap is a really great idea as it level the playing field and make the F1 more competitive. It was really boring seeing only 2-3 teams fighting at the top. Despite all the mess regards double diffuser, it is really refreshing to see a new challenger and big gun struggling.

Andyb · « **Reply #2671 on:** May 3, 2009, 09:18:08 PM »

http://www.nearlygood.com/video/lewishamiltonandtheofficegrandprix.html

anyone seen this? watch to the end !

apologies if already posted

Degs · « **Reply #2672 on:** May 3, 2009, 09:20:03 PM »

Quote from: Andyb on May 3, 2009, 09:18:08 PM

http://www.nearlygood.com/video/lewishamiltonandtheofficegrandprix.html

anyone seen this? watch to the end !

apologies if already posted

Good but it's a fake viral ad for Vodafone though.

matchyg · « **Reply #2673 on:** May 4, 2009, 10:55:35 AM »

Quote from: TheRedBull on May 3, 2009, 06:47:48 PM

Your view on things seems really weird. I do believe budget cap is a really great idea as it level the playing field and make the F1 more competitive. It was really boring seeing only 2-3 teams fighting at the top. Despite all the mess regards double diffuser, it is really refreshing to see a new challenger and big gun struggling.

Hrm I don't know what you mean, I just saw one of those CART races a decade ago, there so much overtaking and position changes I thought it was ridiculously boring and easy for the drivers. I guess I don't want to see it in F1.

BIGdavalad · « **Reply #2674 on:** May 4, 2009, 11:18:01 AM »

Quote from: matchyg on May 4, 2009, 10:55:35 AM

I just saw one of those CART races a decade ago, there so much overtaking and position changes I thought it was ridiculously boring and easy for the drivers. I guess I don't want to see it in F1.

You're right. Who the fuck wants to see over taking in a race?

You weirdo.

Danny Boys Dad · « **Reply #2675 on:** May 5, 2009, 12:29:38 PM »

I can't really see what Montezemolo is on about, there's always been more than one tier in F1, it's never been a level playing field because some teams have far more money than the others.

There used to be supercharged and non-supercharged, turbo and non-turbo, works and privateer teams, there's always been differences.

If this brings more teams in or helps existing teams carry on then it can only be good. Relaxing some of the rules for the capped teams might make it a bit more interesting as well.

Degs · « **Reply #2676 on:** May 5, 2009, 01:00:19 PM »

Quote from: Danny Boys Dad on May 5, 2009, 12:29:38 PM

I can't really see what Montezemolo is on about, there's always been more than one tier in F1, it's never been a level playing field because some teams have far more money than the others.

There used to be supercharged and non-supercharged, turbo and non-turbo, works and privateer teams, there's always been differences.

If this brings more teams in or helps existing teams carry on then it can only be good. Relaxing some of the rules for the capped teams might make it a bit more interesting as well.

Thing is though he's always going to moan as the big budget teams are giving up alot and getting nothing back in return, so the bigger the stink he kicks up the more compromise will be made by the FIA, they have already changed the budget cap from 30 to 40 million because of people moaning so especially as President of FOTA Montezemelo is almost duty bound to kick off with Mosley whenever he gets the chance.

It'd be like us moaning at the Premier League for allowing teams that spend less than 200grand per week on wages to field a 12th player, while we'd still probably win because of the excessive amount we spend there would still be the bigger chance of an upset than before and we've got nothing out of it.

Degs · « **Reply #2677 on:** May 6, 2009, 03:32:09 PM »

Ferrari to run virtually new car at Spain

Quote

The Ferrari team will be taking a new double diffuser to the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend as the Italian squad strives to catch the likes of Brawn, Red Bull and Toyota at the front of the field. As well as the diffuser, the Scuderia will be introducing a lighter car for 2008 Spain winner Kimi Räikkönen, the heavier of the two drivers.

With a total of 104 points, the top three teams already have more than treble the amount of points in the constructors' championship than the rest of the field added together. Ferrari lies ninth in the standings, ahead of only Force India, although a combination of KERS and a cocktail of new aerodynamic parts is looking to boost the red cars in Barcelona.

The F60's newest components include changes to the bodywork as well as front and rear wing additions and modifications. The team has also brought forward changes due originally for the Grands Prix of Turkey and Great Britain in June, with development of the new diffuser hurried since the FIA's approval of the devices on 14 April. Although testing during the season is essentially banned this year, running for aerodynamic purposes is permitted for limited days during the year; Marc Gené tested the car in Italy last week, with his test team reporting larger amounts of downforce as a result of the new diffuser.

The diffuser's installation has involved the redesigning in other departments as well as aerodynamics, with both 'complicated' electronic and hydraulic adjustments being made at the rear of the car in order to accommodate the new component.

The team has also announced that a lighter chassis will be used in Barcelona by Kimi Räikkönen, with the Finn weighing in heavier than team-mate Felipe Massa as a result of his general build and height; the objective is for the added mass of the KERS device (30-40kg / approx. 4.5 - 6 stone) to no longer act as such a burden to Räikkönen, who had already lost weight on the runup to the season. The team predicts good reliability, with cooler temperatures in Spain than those in countries such as Bahrain or Malaysia.

classycarra · « **Reply #2678 on:** May 6, 2009, 03:54:41 PM »

wonder who the heaviest on the circuit is. maybe kubica?

Degs · « **Reply #2679 on:** May 6, 2009, 04:00:45 PM »

Quote from: classycarra on May 6, 2009, 03:54:41 PM

wonder who the heaviest on the circuit is. maybe kubica?

There was a good article on it recently

Quote

Formula One's new rules are forcing even the drivers to adopt a more aerodynamic shape for the 2009 season.

And with the biggest changes coming to the world championship in more than 25 years, it may be a racer's weight that decides the title.

The brand-new Kinetic Energy Recovery System, a hybrid technology that gives drivers an extra boost for overtaking, will take up approximately 35 kilograms (77 pounds), while car weight limits have not been increased. That leaves teams with only one variable to change - the driver.

"(Weight's) always been an issue in F1, but particularly this year because of the KERS - all the weight is in the back and with this year's rules it's beneficial to be a bit further forward," said Nico Rosberg of Williams, who said he lost several kilograms (pounds) to get down to 70 kilograms (154 pounds). "So that's definitely something where the weight has become more important than ever, so I've watched that over the winter."

BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica may have started the rend last season when the Polish driver dropped six kilograms (13 pounds) to be lighter in the seat. He's had to make sure he didn't slip up this winter either because of KERS, which is not mandatory for teams to use this season.

"As I am a tall and relatively heavy person I have disadvantages regarding he weight and consequently the weight distribution of the car," Kubica said. "But on the other hand KERS could be a big advantage because of the boost."

Fernando Alonso and Rubens Barrichello have dropped two kilograms (4{ pounds) each going into 2009, when at least half of the drivers expected to fill he 20-car grid have lost weight ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 29.

Even Kimi Raikkonen, notorious for his party ways, reportedly gave up alcohol over the winter in a bid to rebound from a sub-par 2008, when the Ferrari driver didn't win a race after April as the defending champin.

"I think you can change the car a lot to how you like it and of course now the rules are slightly more difficult, with the weight and everything. It depends on the weight of the drivers how much we can change it," said the Finn, who was coy about how much he weighs.

"I don't know. I haven't g scales," Raikkonen said. "I am happy as long as we are OK with the overall weight, that's all that matters."

The Formula One Teams Association, which represents all 10 F1 teams on this season's starting grid, will petition governing body FIA to increase the minimum weight limit as a result of the chanes.

"The KERS system has added weight to an F1 car that engineers have been forced to meet the same weight, which leaves few options for reducing weight, aside from getting drivers to shed pounds ahead of the upcoming season," BMW Sauber team principal Mario Theissen said.

Barrichello still managed to keep trim despite the 36-year-old Brazilian not having his seat confirmed until this month when Ross Brawn bought out Honda to form Brawn GP. The former Honda team is looking like a surprise contender.

"I went to the gym not because I wanted to show my body on the beach, it was because I knew I was driving the car," Barrichello said. "Nobody told me I was driving the car, it was a case of being good within myself and to keep on working. I went every day to the gym thinking I had to keep my body strong, my neck strong, because at some point somebody would call and I would have to drive."