Formula1 in chaos, again!

[EasyEd]

Hey All,

F1 needs to find it's identity and stick to it. If it's:

1) a race what you bring technology show where drivers are secondary - then be that - and whoever brings the most money will win and the "losers" will probably pack up and go home. I think F1 would likely die a slow death this way.

2) a parity based event with more emphasis on drivers and teams than technology then do it and call it NASCAR without fenders on curvy tracks and watch the "big money" guys be all ticked off cause money doesn't guarantee the wins it used to although it still helps. Like NASCAR I think this is the future of F1.

Either way just make up your mind and do it.

A couple more notes.

1) Interesting to see Lewis Hamilton showing his true colors and character. Most drivers I think are honoured just to have a ride.

2) A race what you bring series commonly won't work - cars are too fast for the tracks and the subsequent insurance risks/costs won't allow it. It surprises me that insurance concerns hasn't shut down rally racing but I'm sure glad it hasn't - yet. It has forced NASCAR to slow the cars down from their potential.

-Ed-

 

[Panther_99FS]

Where did this forum come from??

....
Stick around here and enjoy

 

[wombat666]

Ed, just throwing big money at Formula 1 doesn't work, over of the past 10 years or so Toyota and Honda have poured vast amounts of JPY into their teams and have failed.
BAR were another good example, big budget but nothing to show for it.
Having just had a first hand look at the 2009 cars on-track today I'm underwhelmed.
They are remarkably ugly, and I do mean 'Ugly'!

You're quite right, EffWun is neither 'Entertainment' or 'High Tech', the major 'news' dominating the season opener is the controversy over the three 'cheater' teams ........

I've long been an advocate of a basic formula which is a fixed length, width, height and weight, a set amount of fuel and a set number of tyres per event, and that's it.
Any type of powerplant, any number of cylinders, a free form of gearbox and as many wheels as you like ....... including 4WD.
In other words, if F1 is cutting edge technology then it should be exactly that, if not, then there are any number of spec formula series to choose from.

As for Insurance concerns, it has no real impact, the old 'Motor Racing is Dangerous' clause still holds up and the WRC will always be the WRC.

Ugly F1 cars aside, this will be a nice weekend trackside, good wether and with ticket sales well down plenty of space.

Quick cars so far on day one, both Toyota Williams, Kimi's FIAT and 'Local Boy's' RBR.

:wave:

 

[wombat666]

Where did this forum come from??

Sorry, I had no idea there was a forum for this on SOH and that this subject has probably already been done to death. Thanks to whoever the moderator was who moved the thread!

One of our well kept secrets!
Unlike most 'Motorsport' forums we respect opposing opinions ....... 'agree to disagree' rules.

 

[Ferry_vO]

Entertainment, Technology, diffusors, money,... Whatever! Time to race!

And with Ferrari on position 10 and 11, Renault on 12 & 19, BMW on 14 & 15 and McLaren down in 17 & 18 this should become quite the interesting season!

Toyota, Williams, RBR and Brawn GP take the top eight positions for now.

:d

 

[6297J]

I know practise can be very misleading but I was still surprised to see that Kovalainen completely outclassed Hamilton earlier today. Doesn't tell you much about the McLaren in comparison with the others but Hamilton is really struggling.

Predictions for pole tomorrow?

 

[Cazzie]

Well, I have to get up at 2:00 AM to watch qualifying on the antipodean side of the world. Small loss, I'll go to bed at 8:00 and set my alarm. Nice getting up in the wee hours, all quiet.

Caz

 

[stiz]

That what NASCAR has done and evey one says it sucks now.

well maybe if they turned right every once in a while it might make it more intresting

 

[wombat666]

Just gone 10.20 and we're off.
Only have to walk a half kilometre and we reach our 'box'..... :wave:
Decided that the price of a suite for three days was worth paying as it can accomodate six people and due to a shortage of bookings the cost is about 50% down on the usual asking price.
Split between thee couples and it ends up better value than commuting to the circuit each day.
Perfect weather for the weekend so we'll see who's sandbagging and who's not.
Excellent support races so I doubt I'll be bored.
:friday:

 

[6297J]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching qualifying this morning, (except that the BBC coverage was appalling!! - they have got to change the commentator).

But, I still want to see relative fuel loads before getting too excited.

 

[Ferry_vO]

But, I still want to see relative fuel loads before getting too excited.

Voilà: the weight of each car with the fuel load it will start with tomorrow.

1. Jenson Button - 664,5 kg
2. Rubens Barrichello - 666,5 kg
3. Sebastien Vettel - 657 kg
4. Robert Kubica - 650 kg
5. Nico Rosberg - 657 kg
6. Felipe Massa - 654 kg
7. Kimi Raikkonen - 655,5 kg
8. Mark Webber - 662 kg
9. Nick Heidfeld - 691,5 kg
10. Fernando Alonso - 680,7 kg
11. Kazuki Nakajima - 680,5 kg
12. Heikki Kovalainen - 690,6 kg
13. Sebastien Buemi - 675,5 kg
14. Nelson Piquet - 694,1 kg
15. Giancarlo Fisichella - 689 kg
16. Adrian Sutil - 684,5 kg
17. Sebastien Bourdais - 662,5 kg
18. Lewis Hamilton - 655 kg
19. Jarno Trulli - 660 kg
20. Timo Glock - 670 kg

 

[6297J]

So I see - thank you.
The Brawns are a touch heavier than I was expecting relatively speaking.
Looks like Hamilton should be able to make up a dozen places or so in the early part of the race.

It's going to be a very interesting race I think

 

[Panther_99FS]

So I see - thank you.
The Brawns are a touch heavier than I was expecting relatively speaking.

Relatively speaking?

The Brawns are heavier than the next 6 cars that they out qualified to include Ferrari....

 

[6297J]

Relatively speaking?

The Brawns are heavier than the next 6 cars that they out qualified to include Ferrari....

Yes, that means they are heavier, relative to the next six cars and some of the others.

 

[Ferry_vO]

Button was 0.6 seconds faster than Vettel in qualifying with the weight of the cars as mentioned above. Assuming the cars will use about 2.5 kilo's of fuel per lap Vettel will have to pit around lap 18, and the BGP cars about 4-5 laps later. 18x0.6 equals 10.8 seconds and Vettel will have to drive a heavier car for four laps while the Brawn cars still have a light fuel load, which should give them another second a lap on Vettel. Unless they run into technical problems or fight each other too hard, it should be an easy victory for BGP..

 

[6297J]

Ah yes, but which one!

Is everyone starting on soft compound slicks I wonder? They won't last very long on a hot track.

 

[Panther_99FS]

Yes, that means they are heavier, relative to the next six cars and some of the others.

Which means they have quite a fast package

 

[Panther_99FS]

If Jensen wins,
It will be interesting to see how the Button-Hamilton feud plays out....

 

[6297J]

Which means they have quite a fast package

That would be the logical conclusion :mixedsmi:

If Jenson wins I am going to lose a very large bet as I was convinced Hungary 06 would be his only ever victory.

But I'd rather Jenson than Lewis anyday.

Hopefully Alonso will beat Lewis too, just to rub it in!

 

[Panther_99FS]

If Jenson wins I am going to lose a very large bet as I was convinced Hungary 06 would be his only ever victory.

:d :d :d

That being said,
I'm not entirely comfortable with the rules for the Kers cars vs the diffuser cars. It wouldn't surprise me at all if we see a rule change one way or the other...