German F1

[yellowperil]

I'm wondering if we'll have a new championship leader after this weekend's GP?
Any thoughts? Maybe some of the back marker's are catching up?


There may be a new reg outlawing a suspension system(FRIC) (front rear something something). They (the stewarts) might jazz things around a bit so Merc might not be as dominant last half. I keep thinking Vettel is about to turn things on for final half
so......

[livi]

I am kind of rooting for Ricciardo to keep doing well. He seems very likable, much like his fellow Australian Webber.

I am also feeling kind of sorry for Räikkönen. Whats happened? He is a better driver than the table suggests at the moment.

As for Vettel, he needs a bit of struggle. Last seasons been too easy for him.

As long as Nico is a head of Lewis I will not complain.

Have a feeling this will be a great race.

[yellowperil]

Yeah, Ricciardo does seem to be a nice guy and with talent to boot. Kimi has lost interest, and Vettel is definitely struggling.

Would like to see Ham win, or one of the Williams boys. I too think it's going to be a good race, as most races this year were. Except for the lack of motor sound and the ugly front nose, this has been an interesting year.

[legion]

This race will probably show us which Mercedes will take the title.

[yellowperil]

The top helmet of Nico's not permitted
This last one even nicer IMO and OK I guess.

[Flieger]

So it seems you can add passive suspension systems to the list of movable aerodynamic devices. Right behind lumps of tungsten inside the chassis (aka tuned mass dampers). I cannot stand such an illogical governing body.

Declaring a system that has been legal for many years illegal in the middle of the season. It is like telling everyone in the Tour de France they need to switch to unicycles for the rest of the Tour since the leader is too far ahead.

FIA = Jerks.

(They only "opted" not to run FRIC after being threatened by the FIA)

Teams opt not to run FRIC in Germany - F1technical.net

[kang]

F1: Paddock Pass: German Grand Prix Part 1 - YouTube
F1: Paddock Pass: German Grand Prix Part 2 - YouTube

[5String43]

Two interesting things are happening in conjunction with this weekend's race.

First, Niki Laura has called for an analysis, and perhaps a rethink, of every rule change made in the past 10 years. He did this just a day or so ago.

Second, Toto Wolff has said, in response to a dismal crowd turnout for practice on Friday, that if crowds are down on Saturday and Sunday, F1 needs to reevaluate where it's going and maybe hit the reset button.

There are lots of people, I think, who would agree with both Lauda and Wolff.

[Captain Ahab Jr]

A FRIC system is part of the suspension system but is not there to improve the suspension performance. It is a passive hydraulic system linking the front and rear suspension. It job is to maintain the attitude of the car in order to maximise aero performance.

The FIA have not threatened anyone, they have clarified it as being a moveable aerodynamic system which to be honest is exactly what it was designed to do. The FIA told all the teams it would be legal to run in Germany but only if all the teams agree it is ok to continue running with it. As no team can protest another team until a race weekend starts all the teams that have FRIC chose not to fit their system as it would compromise their race weekend setup stratergy if they were forced to to remove it all at the track.

There was no chance of all teams agreeing as Force India who are in with a sniff of a chance of finishing in the top 3 constructors (a boat load of cash comes with the the shiny trophy) do not have this system on their car but all the teams ahead of them do.

Another factor which I am sure played apart in the FRIC rule clarification is that Mercedes have the most developed system (an evolution and improved version of another teams system). As they are running away with the championship it is in the interest of the F1 show to slow them up a bit which is easier to achieve than making the other teams quicker. It would appear from 2nd practice the FIA have done a good job as Ricciardo in the Redbull is only 0.178 sec behind the slowest Mercedes. I don't think it will change this weekends race result but I think it will serve to help reduce the gap to the Mercedes cars.

Looking at photos of all the different teams cars it is very plain to see there has been little innovation. I think the reasons for this as most teams have been pre-occupied getting their power unit and systems to work properly and partly due to the FIA slowly nibbling away at any areas of the car that offer exploitation of the rules to find that magic golden bullet which would create a large chunk of extra performance eg double diffuser, blown tyre seal, flexi-wings etc

I agree 100% the rules need a revamp but this deserves its own thread as navigating the correct path forward would be like crossing a mine field full of angry sharks with frickin laser beams on their heads

[javadog]

I think the FIA have their head up their collective ass when it comes to moveable aerodynamic devices. Back at the dawn of time, things like the original flaps on a 917 were moveable aerodynamic devices. I have no problem with that. Now, anything that can influence aero is considered a moveable aerodynamic device. Remember the mass dampers?

Ironic, in that the DRS system is the very definition of a moveable aerodynamic device...

The spectator turnout on Friday was quite pathetic.

JR

[livi]

Good qualification today. Looking forward to the race. Bottas looks better and better.

[yellowperil]

***Quali Spoiler***Would the lack of FRIC aided in Ham's shunt?? From sixteenth how many laps before he's in the hunt?? My guess 7 or 8, or he's in the weeds.

[gamin]

Mercedes said it was right front brake failure that caused Hamilton's crash.
It has gotten tighter at the front. Could be an interesting race. Williams has come far.

[onewhippedpuppy]

The more rules to stifle innovation, the more F1 looks like NASCAR.

[Typ616]

How much do you wanna bet Hamilton is in the top 6 within a few laps ? Their car is about a second a lap faster than the rest in race trim...
At least this time the commentators didn't go crazy "Ooh, catastrophy for Hamilton" !
Hamilton brakes failed because he changes them as often as he changes underwear (hopefully), he had switched to brembos I think. Rosberg stays with the same reliable ones from Carbon industries.
I hope the williams and Redbull boys can stay put and act as a buffer - I admit I enjoy seeing Hamilton behind Rosberg, I like the boring smart guy over the talented drama queen...

[yellowperil]

Like I said a few posts ago, after a few laps he may well be near the front or in the wall. Catching Nico might be quite a task though, but I hope he does.

This battle is really almost all we've got to look forward to this year. I'm a Ham fan so perhaps it's more wishful thinking on my part, for him to get anywhere close to Nico as there really is a lot of talent between Ham and Rosberg on tomorrows grid
16th and first.

[URY914]

"Fingers of blame are being pointed at a supplier of carbon braking discs.

"Lewis decided at the last minute to use different discs," said Wolff. "Nico uses a different manufacturer."

Team boss Paddy Lowe was even naming names: Hamilton's failure was a Brembo, while Rosberg's pole-sitting car is fitted with Carbon Industries discs.

"I can't believe it really," said Hamilton. "The car felt really good, the setup was fantastic."

The BBC reports that Hamilton's car might be switched over to Carbon Industries discs for the Grand Prix.

Wolff said he hopes the gearbox was not damaged in the crash, as that could mean a further 5-place drop on the grid."


Mercedes points finger at disc supplier as the cause of Hamilton's crash | News | Motorsport.com

[nostatic]

I think he's going to have to start from the pit lane since the car won't be in parc ferme condition. If the weather stays hot, I think there will be some mechanical issues that might make things interesting. Though the forecast is for rain tonight and 40% tomorrow, so all bets may be totally off. Either way will be an interesting race. Go Bottas!

[herr_oberst]

It's looking like Massas' forced retirement is the best thing that could have happened for a driver of his caliber in the twilight of his career.

[livi]

Superb race!!!