F1 Talk?
 

We havent talked about F1 lately. Which is odd because there have been some stonking good races - Canada for one. Just my opinion, but DRS, KERS and the frangible Pirelli are making thing interesting, and the first 4 rows are filled with some excellent drivers. Yes, Vettel is a bit dominant, but Jensen did beat him at last.

And what about the new reg developments? I'm disappointed the new engines are pushed to 2014, but glad they'll be turbo 1.6L V6 at 18K w/ 160HP KERS (2x current) with 10x the stored energy.

It's been a pretty boring season. Watching Vettle win only because his car is so much better than everyone else is pretty anti-climatic. It does seem that Webber has finally accepted his role as Vettle's development mule (in addition to Toro Rosso).

The only real hope for salvaging the season is if Red Bull gets caught with some very illegal technology that turns out to be the cause for their pace.

The migit tried to shut them down w/no engine mapping change between qual and race.

Didn't really workout so well. Like Vettel...Love Webber. I think RBR is Webber's worst enemy.

Not a boring season at all. I don't mind RBR dominating. It's no different than when Williams, McLaren or Ferrari did same.

Well, i just focus on the battles behind Vettel.

yeah I think its been a cracking season. Vettel is boring yes, but apart from that its been very good. I'm getting tired of hearing "YES - YES - THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, THANK YOU BOYS" at the end of every race, to a point where I'm turning it off as he goes over the line. Especially in Valencia. Not sure how he could be so excited about it. He drove on his own for an hour and a half in perfect conditions! Couldn't have been a challenge for him at all.

Canada was ace. So was Monaco.

I find the modern tracks don't produce exciting races very often though. Some of them are as wide as runways and have acres of run off space. Usually results in zero retirements and predictable results.

Silverstone has potential though.

I'm also not sure what I think about 1.6ltr turbos. A little bit of be hankers for the old days of v10's and turbos! Truth is, technology moves on so much the new four cylinders will probably produce the same speed!

that has been revised to V6 turbo's with a 15k rev cap
and pushed back to 2014
mostly do to the red guys crying
so 4 bangers are dead for now

link
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/92664

Loved the ESPN headline.

Heavy Vettel.

Thank goodness. While I appreciate technology moves on, I just don't think the ultimate motorsport should be running 4 bangers. Even a V6 seems a little lame but hey what do I know.

Does it seem like there have been almost no retirements due to engines going ka-blamo? I'm impressed at the reliability of the lumps these days.

I have watched F1 since I was 16, lived through the killer years, cried when Gilles died for no apparent reason, watched with horror as Ecclestone and Mosely worked their magic and turned it into a circus, albeit a lucrative one.

This season feels contrived, the DRS makes me ill to watch even if it does add some passing. KERS is interesting but the limit on how much it can be used again feels contrived. F1 used to be about engineering, now it is starting to look more like spec car.

Latest is the shenanigans by Ecclestone and Mosely to oust Todt and regain control.

I have had enough....cancelled the PVR settings and will just curl up with a good book.....no desire to watch it anymore. I declined a freebie trip to watch the Singabore F1.....I guess my interest in the sport is truly dead....

D.

The bigger KERS is going to be interesting - figure the current 2.4L V8 make about 800HP (?), the current KERS can add 80HP (+10%) for 5 sec/lap, suppose the turbo 1.6L V6 makes the same 800HP but the new KERS adds 160HP (+20%) for 25 sec/lap (nearly 1/3 of a typical lap). Clearly to win you'll need your KERS working - it won't be optional any more.

I'd like to see the restrictions on KERS get unleashed, that is technology that we could really use in road cars. I'd like an extra 100HP on demand - call it electric NOX if you like.

The 2.4L V8s have been cool but have been "frozen" technology, I'm not sure what they have developed there that is useful for future road cars.

Can anyone from Texas, especially Austin chime in regarding the track? Last I heard, the Austin City Council was starting a game of hardball, and I also heard stories of nonexistent infrastructure vis a vis ingress/egress to the track, hotel amenities, etc etc.

Ferrari is definitely catching up with the Red Bulls, I doubt Massa will be back next year.

Bring back the 1.5 ltr BMW 4 cylinder turbos....in a new chassis they would be the fastest ever F1 cars.. c'mon 1500 bhp in quali trim...with exotic fuels...mmmm.

4 bangers are not a problem...

Guess you look at the past with rose tinted specs..
Contrived? What about the turbo charged equivalency formulae.....the total fuel quantity volume.. banning the Lotus 88? Brabham 'Fan Car'.. all engineering marvels or chaging the regs to outlaw the 6 wheel tyrell... or 4wd.

Lots of 'entertainment management' prior to Bernie and Max...

The reality is that unfettered the cars could now exceed the ability of a human driver to drive it...in terms of longitudinal and lateral g forces...Technology could be made to make the driver unnecessary.. unless it was ruled against.

We may dislike the current rules but its a matter of opinion as to which are good and bad.. not absolutes.

Austin City Commission APPROVED the F1 agreement today. I believe this means they can get State funding.


Formula One: Austin City Council votes in favor of U.S. Grand Prix

Promoters are building a track southeast of Austin Texas to host a planned Formula One race in 2012.

By ALAN PEASE on 6/29/2011
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The Austin, Texas, City Council on Wednesday voted to endorse the proposed Formula One Grand Prix, opening the door for the promoters, Formula One United States and Circuit of the Americas, to access the $25 million in funds from the state of Texas’s Major Event Trust Fund (METF).

Following yet another contentious public meeting, the council voted 5-2 in favor of endorsing Formula One United States. Council members Sheryl Cole, Bill Spelman, Mike Martinez, Chris Riley and Mayor Lee Leffingwell voted in favor of the event, while council members Laura Morrison and Kathie Tovo voted against it.

Well into the late afternoon Wednesday, the council continued to capture worldwide attention from F1 and its fans, just as it has over the past several weeks.

Challenges on Wednesday were limited to the involved contracts--and whether or not they comply with applicable law.

The first speaker, James “Jolly” Clark of Austin, questioned the legality of Circuit Events Local Organizing Community (CELOC). Clark quoted chapter and verse of Texas laws that he believed would be violated by the City Council entering into any agreement with CELOC. Several speakers donated their time so Clark could complete his presentation.

Full AW story here.......

Formula One: Austin City Council votes in favor of U.S. Grand Prix - AutoWeek
Read more: Formula One: Austin City Council votes in favor of U.S. Grand Prix - AutoWeek

That has really surprised me for the last year. Imagine running a engine at 18,000 RPM for two hours, and not touching it for another two hours at the next race. They must really have their skills down to a T. I don't see where the 4 cyl. engines will make things better, and I would'nt doubt Ferrari say's goodby to F1 if it happens.

No 4 cyl. The teams incl Ferrari pushed V6 and got it.

Hamilton was very impressive in Spain. I don't think he ran into another car the entire weekend.