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Formula 1 2014: A preview.

Ferry_vO

Ferry_vO

Retired SOH Administrator
Just over 100 days to go until the start of the 2014 season, which will be an interesting one because of the massive regulation chages.

The biggest rule change is the engine unit:

The 2014 season will see the introduction of a new engine formula, with the return of turbocharged engines for the first time since 1988. The new engines will be a 1.6 litre V6 format with an 8-speed semi automatic gearbox. The rules dictate the use of a ninety-degree engine bank, with fixed crankshaft axis and mounting points for the chassis, while the engines will be limited to 15,000rpm. Individual engine units under the 2014 specifications must last for at least 4,000 km (2,500 mi) before being replaced, in comparison to the pre-2014 engines, which were required to last for just 2,000 km (1,200 mi).[
In order to promote fuel efficiency, fuel will be flow restricted to 100 kg/h above 10,500rpm; below 10,500rpm a formula for the maximum flow must be applied based on the rpm in use
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That may seem like a reduction in power, but the new engine will have not one, but two seperate Energy Recovery Systems:

The Kinetic Energy Recovery System (known from 2009 to 2013 as KERS, and renamed from 2014 as ERS-K) will be incorporated into the design of the engine and its usage increased; its function as a supplementary power source will be taken by the introduction of the heat-based Energy Recovery System (ERS). The ERS unit captures waste heat as it is dispelled from the exhaust turbocharger, using an electrical device known as a Heat Motor Generator Unit. This waste heat is stored as an electrical charge until it is utilised by a complementary system called the Kinetic Motor Generator Unit. This device is connected directly to the drive train to deliver the additional power in the most direct and efficient way.In combination with the ERS-K it will give drivers an additional 161 bhp (120 kW) for thirty-three seconds per lap, compared to the KERS units used prior to 2014, which gave drivers 80 bhp (60 kW) for six seconds per lap.Teams will be able to use electronic braking devices to managing the braking of the rear wheels as the increased power output of the ERS-K units will make regulating the brake bias much harder than previously.
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Engine reliability will also need to be increased:

Drivers will only be able to use five engines over the course of a season in 2014, down from eight in 2013. Drivers who use a sixth engine will start the race from pit lane, as opposed to the ten-place grid penalty handed down for going over the engine quota in previous season. In the event that individual elements of the engine unit—including the turbocharger, ERS unit or KERS battery—are replaced, drivers will incur a ten-place grid penalty.
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Externally the appearance will change too:

The 2014 regulations require the use of lower noses than in previous years, in the interests of safety. The tip of the nose will have to be no more than 185mm above the ground,in comparison to the 550mm allowed in 2012. These regulations were amended in June 2013 so as to completely outlaw the use of the "stepped noses" used in 2012 and 2013, thereby forcing teams to design a car with a genuinely lower nose rather than using the temporary solution.

The position of the exhaust outlet will change so that it is now angled upwards toward the rear wing instead of downwards to face the rear diffuser so as to make the practice of using exhaust blown diffusers—passing exhaust gasses over the rear diffuser to improve the car's downforce—extremely difficult to achieve.The minimum weight of the cars will increase from 642 kg (1,415 lb) to 690 kg (1,520 lb).

The use of false camera mountings will be banned. Teams had previously exploited a loophole in the regulations that allowed them to add additional pieces of bodywork to the car in the place of camera mountings and take advantage of the aerodynamic benefits. From 2014, this loophole will be closed, with the regulations rewritten to only allow camera mountings to be used for cameras.
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Here's a nice animation to visualise the changes:


The driver line-up:

Red Bull-Renault: Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo. Mark Webber retired after the 2013 season.

Mercedes-AMG: Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton. No changes here.

Ferrari: Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen. No apparent #1 driver at Ferrari, I wonder how long they can keep the peace within the team?

Lotus-Renault: Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado.

McLaren-Mercedes: Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen. Perez dropped in favour of McLaren talent program driver Magnussen, son of Jan Magnussen.

Force India Mercedes: No names confirmed yet, though Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez are the two names most likely to fill the seats. Di Resta might take the seat of Franchitti in Indycar.

Sauber-Ferrari: Nothing confirmed, but it seems likely Gutierrez stays for another season (Together with Carlos Slim's Telmex money). The second driver maybe Hulkenberg if teenager Sirotkin can't get a license?

Scuderia Toro Rosso-Renault: Ferrari leaves, Renault enters the team. Vergne stays for a year and is accompagnied by Russian rookie Daniil Kvyat.

Williams say goodbye to Renault and switches to Mercedes engines for 2014. Felipe Massa comes over from Ferrari, Bottas stays for a second season.

Marussia is powered by Ferrari next year, as Cosworth waves goodbye to F1. Both current drivers (Bianchi and Chilton) could stay for next year.

Caterham-Renault: Pic looks out, Van Der Garde could stay for another year. Options are Marcus Erissson, Heikki Kovalainen and Robin Frijns. Could the two have two Dutch drivers next year??

Next years calendar has a record 22 races, but most likely Mexico and New Yersey will be dropped and Korea is uncertain too.

01 AUSTRALIA (Melbourne) 13 - 16 Mar
02 MALAYSIA (Kuala Lumpur) 28 - 30 Mar
03 BAHRAIN (Sakhir) 04 - 06 Apr
04 CHINA (Shanghai) 18 - 20 Apr
05 KOREA (Yeongam) * 25 - 27 Apr
06 SPAIN (Catalunya) 09 - 11 May
07 MONACO (Monte Carlo) 22 - 25 May
08 AMERICA (New Jersey) * ** 30 May - 01 Jun
09 CANADA (Montréal) 06 - 08 Jun
10 AUSTRIA (Spielberg) 20 - 22 Jun
11 GREAT BRITAIN (Silverstone) 04 - 06 Jul
12 GERMANY (Hockenheim) 18 - 20 Jul
13 HUNGARY (Budapest) 25 - 27 Jul
14 BELGIUM (Spa-Francorchamps) 22 - 24 Aug
15 ITALY (Monza) 05 - 07 Sep
16 SINGAPORE (Singapore) 19 - 21 Sep
17 RUSSIA (Sochi) 03 - 05 Oct
18 JAPAN (Suzuka) 10 - 12 Oct
19 ABU DHABI (Yas Marina) 24 - 26 Oct
20 USA (Austin) 07 - 09 Nov
21 MEXICO (Mexico City) * ** 14 - 16 Nov
22 BRAZIL (São Paulo) 28 - 30 Nov

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Hey All,

"until it isn't anymore".

Great song by Kasey Musgreaves - look it up sometime but be aware it is country.

So is all this maneuvering (rule changes) an "anti" Vettel move? Actually get somebody else in the game?

-Ed-
 
EasyEd said:
So is all this maneuvering (rule changes) an "anti" Vettel move? Actually get somebody else in the game?
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No, it's all done to give the F1 a 'greener' image (Hybrid systems) and to once again slow the cars down.

IMHO it will be an interesting year! Pure speed isn't enough anymore, drivers will need to be smart and manage their fuel consumption too during the race. Tyre management 'should' be less of an issue, but the new engines will produce substantially more torque than the old V8 (Due to the electric engines) and Pirelli is expecting wheel spin up to fifth or even sixth gear! Reliability could be an issue too, let's hope the manufacturers will get it right. Might see some blow-ups though.
 
Update: Maldonado and Grosjean confirmed at Lotus, more announcements expected soon now that the most coveted seat has been filled.
 
Sergio Perez confirmed as the second driver for Force India, next to Nico Hulkenberg.

Empty seats remain at Sauber (2), Caterham (2) and Marussia (1).
 
With Caterham announcing their 2014 line-up, the grid for this season is now complete! Next week the first test sessions will beging in Jerez.

#DriverTeam
1(5)Sebastian VettelRed Bull Racing Renault
3Daniel RicciardoRed Bull Racing Renault
14Fernando AlonsoFerrari
7Kimi RaikkonenFerrari
22Jenson ButtonMcLaren Mercedes
20Kevin MagnussenMcLaren Mercedes
13Pastor MaldonadoLotus Renault
8Romain GrosjeanLotus Renault
6Nico RosbergMercedes
44Lewis HamiltonMercedes
99Adrian SutilSauber Ferrari
21Esteban GutierrezSauber Ferrari
27Nico HulkenbergForce India Mercedes
11Sergio Perez Force India Mercedes
77Valtteri BottasWilliams Mercedes
19Felipe MassaWilliams Mercedes
25Jean-Eric VergneScuderia Toro Rosso Renault
26Daniil Kvyat Scuderia Toro Rosso Renault
10
Kamui KobayashiCaterham Renault
9
Marcus EricssonCaterham Renault
17Jules BianchiMarussia Ferrari
4Max ChiltonMarussia Ferrari

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From this season, drivers will have to pick a number between 2-99 that they will use throughout their F1 career, with #1 of course being reserved for the reigning champion (If he chooses to). So if Vettel doesn't win the title this year, he will use #5
 
Just hope they have not ruined it, if you look past the RB dominance then last few years have been some pretty good racing. Managed to watch 2 whole season without getting bored.
 
The first official reveal, the new McLaren MP4/29:



And an impression of the new Lotus E22:



Interesting rumor: Williams will team up with Martini so a classic livery might make its return this year!
 
The new Ferrari, the F14-T (Doesn't that spell FIAT??), and it's the ugliest one so far!:







:dizzy:
 
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