Grand Prix-F1

[barmyarmy]

Half a second a lap is massive in F1. Can't believe the other teams won't catch up very quickly though.

 

[Sureshot]

F1 is great for people being innovative with the rules given, then the FIA are great at taking away those innovations.

Diffuser's for those interested.

Alarm is set for just before 6, for qualy tomorrow. I put Williams down as favourites. Field is quite close still, about 2 seconds between the lot of them. What was it towards the end of last season? About 2.5?

 

[Kev]

Not that I have read the regulations, but the fact that 3 teams have come up with the same design feature in the rear diffuser leads me to believe it's most likely legal. If it were just one team then I'd be more inclined to think they were interpreting the regulations "creatively". Pretty sure I read somewhere that Toyota consulted with the FIA technical department during the design process, just looks like a case of the other teams missing a trick to me.

In all honesty, if they are deemed illegal on appeal its yet another balls up that the sport can do without and will probably lead to more fans turning away from the sport as it becomes less an less like a sport and more like a courtroom drama.

 

[Sureshot]

We'll have a split within 2 years. FOTA clearly won't tolerate Bernie for much longer.

 

[m_vaughan]

Not that I have read the regulations, but the fact that 3 teams have come up with the same design feature in the rear diffuser leads me to believe it's most likely legal. If it were just one team then I'd be more inclined to think they were interpreting the regulations "creatively". Pretty sure I read somewhere that Toyota consulted with the FIA technical department during the design process, just looks like a case of the other teams missing a trick to me.

In all honesty, if they are deemed illegal on appeal its yet another balls up that the sport can do without and will probably lead to more fans turning away from the sport as it becomes less an less like a sport and more like a courtroom drama.

Although I can understand your view on how new teams must be allowed to compete with the big rich boys of the sport. It has to be said if the three teams are using something that the others are not simply because the latter feel it is not allowed, then there is no fun in it. After the hearing, if the three cars are cleared as "legal" then all the other teams like Ferrari and Mclaren have to do is use the diffusers similar to Brawn, Williams and Toyota and I would expect them to be back in front of the grid.

m_vaughan added 1 Minutes and 6 Seconds later...

We'll have a split within 2 years. FOTA clearly won't tolerate Bernie for much longer.

I have been hearing this all my life. Nothing has happened till now. And to be honest, I doubt it will ever actually happen.

m_vaughan added 5 Minutes and 0 Seconds later...

F1 is great for people being innovative with the rules given, then the FIA are great at taking away those innovations.

Except that the FIA had made it clear before these "innovations" were made that aerodynamics of the car must be altered so that the "dirty air" behind a car is largely reduced thereby enabling chasing cars to overtake more easily. Until before it was easier to close-in but difficult to overtake.

And from what the other teams are saying the diffusers used by the three teams in question are not following that guideline. If the FIA choose to take back their own words, then like I said, all the other teams have to do is start using similar diffusers, which will get the back to where they belong.

 

[surendar]

Its going to be an interesting race. Unexpected people on the front grid. I can see lots of changes in Rubens though. Right from Q3, he was driving so well as if he was in Ferrari With Ferrari drivers in top 10, I really can't come to conclusion whether they will win tom or not but it's going to be a tough one for Hamilton

Remember, Ferrari went without any points in first two races last season.. Still they applied so much pressure and came in front :cool: Ferrari just rocks! :hpraise

 

[m_vaughan]

You cant compare this season with any of the past ones. The new restrictions (or the lack of) make it a different ball game.

 

[barmyarmy]

I was thinking that 7am was a good time but it's actually 6am effectively because of the clock changes.
I'll watch it anyway...

 

[Skater]

I was thinking that 7am was a good time but it's actually 6am effectively because of the clock changes.
I'll watch it anyway...

Is that really because of the clocks changing? I was up at 6am this morning watching the qualifying.

 

[Dare]

hope that Brawn can keep this performance level for the entire season, it would make it more exciting.
Hope Kimi can make up some time and finish on the podium at least. Cant wait for tonight.

Is that really because of the clocks changing? I was up at 6am this morning watching the qualifying.

the clock changed a while back in North America, at least 3 weeks ago I would say.

 

[treva]

Qualifying was great, best I've seen in a long time. Good to see Button and Rubens doing well in the Brawn GP car. Vettel in 3rd as well, much to my delight

Vettel to notch up his 2nd career win tomorrow!

 

[Kev]

Beats the usual 3am start though. Although thanks to modern technology I'll be recording this then watching it as soon as I awaken from my slumber, gotta love PVR's.

Although I can understand your view on how new teams must be allowed to compete with the big rich boys of the sport. It has to be said if the three teams are using something that the others are not simply because the latter feel it is not allowed, then there is no fun in it. After the hearing, if the three cars are cleared as "legal" then all the other teams like Ferrari and Mclaren have to do is use the diffusers similar to Brawn, Williams and Toyota and I would expect them to be back in front of the grid.

Nothing to do with the big boys versus the little fish, it's just that 3 teams seem to have exploited the regulations. They may not be following the spirit in which the regulations were forged, but then that's the game in F1, you extract maximum performance from the regulations. I'm sure the other teams are busy trying out diffuser designs as we speak and have no doubt that the other teams will introduce them as soon as they can if they are deemed legal (not sure if this is a speedy process though). However I do believe Red Bull will have problems implementing such a design as their innovative pull rod rear suspension will not allow it. No surprise that Red Bull have been leading the protests really

 

[Skater]

the clock changed a while back in North America, at least 3 weeks ago I would say.

Yes I know that, but the clocks here in the UK go forward one hour tonight.

 

[Dare]

Qualifying was great, best I've seen in a long time. Good to see Button and Rubens doing well in the Brawn GP car. Vettel in 3rd as well, much to my delight

Vettel to notch up his 2nd career win tomorrow!

had to work at 6am this morning so I couldn't stay up for the qualifiers. They start midnight here in Canada I believe, but I'm not missing the race.

 

[treva]

That's where good old Sky+ comes in handy here in Britain