F1 2010

Posted by: Tony Lockhart on 02 January 2010

Well, the off-season has been pretty good so far. New teams, a Senna, new rules and the return of a legend. Will the championship live upto expectations? Will Legard still be doing his best to ruin Brundle's commentary efforts?

Will Big Howard have a good word to say about F1? Will people still act surprised when a driver makes a dumb move? Will people still look back at F1 in the 50s/60s/70s/80s through rose tinted glasses?

I'm looking forward to it, and I'm still trying to work out a way to seeing the Spa GP from beside the circuit, not the sofa.

Tony

Posted on: 10 September 2010 by Derry

There is no answer, there has been no answer for at least 10 years despite all the changes. There is no entertainment unless you get turned on by pit stop strategy which has nothing to do with racing.

Posted on: 10 September 2010 by winkyincanada

quote:
Originally posted by BigH47:
I hope we can have the clean lines back, plain front wings (if needed) simple single end plate and single element rear wing.

I simply don't agree. I just love the intricate multi-planar sexy-curved wings and all the little fins, plates and bits and bobbles that have emerged as very clever engineering responses to the challenge of drag Vs downforce. For me, aesthetic beauty follows function. To further arbitrarily restrict innovation with rules that decree that things must be "plain" or "traditional" is a step backwards. It is akin to reproduction furniture and anything-other-than-modern architecture. An abomination against the spirit of innovation and progress. Hell, if it were up to me, I'd allow the aero to be flexible as well. Then we'd see some REALLY cool stuff.

If you want close racing watch bloody touring cars. If you want "pretty" watch historic racing. But if you wnat excellence in engineering, athleticism (downforce enhanced cornering and braking really push the drivers' limits), strategy, skill and teamwork, watch F1. That what it is there for. F1 and MotoGP are the only motorsports that remotely interest me. They represent a pinnacle of achievement. Don't dumb them down in the name of entertainment.

Posted on: 10 September 2010 by Tony Lockhart

I think it's very difficult to dumb down F1. Take the engines as an example. They're of the same, same V angle, same rev limit, and yet give different power outputs. If you gave the designers plain bodywork they'd find somewhere to spend the millions, and that's one factor I love.
I just hope that as the money starts to trickle back into the game they allow mid-season testing again. Loved taking a day off at Silverstone mid-week, and it gets rid of a few aero dead ends before races.
Glad I'm not the only one that enjoys F1 for what it is.
Anyway, I should be getting back to sleep.

Tony

Posted on: 10 September 2010 by winkyincanada

I think we're in agreement here. F1 should be (and arguably is) a competition first, a race second and entertainment third. The expertise on display is phenomenal in all areas.

Posted on: 11 September 2010 by Tony Lockhart

If anyone here ever goes to the Goodwood fos, wander into the F1 paddock when it's quiet and pick up a wheel and tyre assembly. You'll be shocked! Even my old nan could have managed it! And I was lucky enough to handle sone engine parts recently from the V10 days. Titanium conrods, beautifully simple, and what seems like negative weight. Long may it all continue.
And that's before we get into the politics and commercial stuff.
I still gave mixed feelings about not getting the job with Super Aguri back at the end of '95. What a ride that would have been!

Tony

Posted on: 11 September 2010 by BigH47

Tony I agree a certain amount about unlimited development. I can lead to like 10 years or more ago to fuels that had to be poured wearing BIG suits and metals that had the potential to poison those making and machining them.

We went to Tyrells place many moons ago, carbon tubs were just introduced I couldn't believe how light a whole tube was, an as you say even then the "weightless" suspension parts probably titanium were also stunning.
I can only imagine what the newer CF parts are like.

As a follow up on the "fiddly" add on aero parts, what tends to happen is the cars are so dependent on them the slightest damage, and the car is the speed of a GP2 car, (an improvement if you are Virgin or HRT

).

Overall the great thing is that engineers and designers come up with these amazing vehicles, that any normal driver would have the utmost difficulty getting around the first corner any faster than his/her road car.

Posted on: 12 September 2010 by Tony Lockhart

Button's car for Monza. Ok, he's running lots of rear wing, which should hinder him on the straights, but what if he has slightly longer gearing? No good without a tow, but I used to run that set up on various F1 games and at Monza and the old Hockenheim it worked. I'd be passed half way down a straight, tuck in behind them, keep up til just before the braking point, pull out and overtake into the corner with more downforce. Only a game I know, but I wonder.

Tony

Posted on: 12 September 2010 by MilesSmiles

Strong start for Hamilton.

Posted on: 12 September 2010 by MilesSmiles

Excellent strategy by team Vettel.

Posted on: 12 September 2010 by Reginald Halliday

Lewis,
The phrase is 'I screwed up' not 'these things happen in racing'. Get over yourself and learn some humility. No wonder people think you're a twunt.
Fondest love, Reginald.

Posted on: 12 September 2010 by Tony Lockhart

Well I didn't relax or fast forward during that race! Silly mistake, Hammy. Good try, Belly. Very well done Ferrari and Alonso. Webber, get over it.

Tony

Posted on: 12 September 2010 by Naijeru

Good grief! Does anyone want to win the championship? This was the race for Hamilton and Webber to pull ahead, instead they both spent the points cushions they earned at the very next race! This season couldn't have been better if it were scripted.

Posted on: 15 September 2010 by Svetty

quote:
Originally posted by Naijeru:
Good grief! Does anyone want to win the championship? This was the race for Hamilton and Webber to pull ahead, instead they both spent the points cushions they earned at the very next race! This season couldn't have been better if it were scripted .

Perish the thought

Posted on: 15 September 2010 by Naijeru

Posted on: 27 September 2010 by James L

Singapore; good race.

The guys that kept their heads really earned their money.

Posted on: 27 September 2010 by BigH47

quote:
Originally posted by James L:
Singapore; good race.

The guys that kept their heads really earned their money.

All except one?

I 'm also surprised that no one raised an eyebrow about Alonso "doing an MS on RB" on Vettel, at the start.

Oh and later another MS assassination attempt, on another competitor.

Posted on: 27 September 2010 by Mike-B

quote:
no one raised an eyebrow about Alonso "doing an MS" on Vettel

He can't hold a candle to MS, he forgot the wall.

quote:
... and later another MS assassination attempt, on another competitor.

He's gotta a standard to keep up - he is a professional done & said all

------------

Seems like Ferrari have stuck all the kit bits together at last.
I just hope FA races with his driving skills & not by his & Ferrari's whinging skills.

I hope the Mclaren updates are as good as they claim for Suzuka
It'll be great to see all 3 teams well matched for the last 4 races

Posted on: 27 September 2010 by MilesSmiles

Couldn't get any closer for the last few races.

Posted on: 27 September 2010 by James L

quote:
I 'm also surprised that no one raised an eyebrow about Alonso "doing an MS on RB" on Vettel, at the start.

That start-line chop was fair. If that move of AF's had "gone upstairs" for a judgement then we really have seen the last of no-beg-your-pardon racing.

Posted on: 27 September 2010 by Clay Bingham

quote:
That start-line chop was fair.

James

Not really IMO, marginal certainly, but quite common now in F1. Consequence of error is not as great as in the past as most tracks today have huge run off areas. Some are more like large kart tracks than the real racing circuits such as Spa, Monza, or Silverstone. But, even then, I think its only a matter of time. Another Schumacher, Vettel, or Alonso move at the wrong instant in the wrong place and there will be tragedy. Webber came close earlier this year.

In contrast and for the most part, American open wheel tracks, certainly the road courses, are much more traditional in design. They can be dangerous, sometimes very dangerous, in places. The deliberate high speed chop moves you see in FI seldom happen here. Though its true, slow corners are another story!!!!

Commentary aside, Singapore was another enjoyable race in an excellent season.

Posted on: 27 September 2010 by James L

Clay,
I beg to differ.

A chop on an high speed oval is potentially deadly, yes. A blocking move off the start line is fair; it's been going on since the year dot, too. If you block once and hold your line, no issues there at all. Webber's case was a bit different in that he was passing a slow car who happened to move to the wrong side...

Posted on: 27 September 2010 by James L

quote:
Originally posted by James L:
Clay,
I beg to differ.
A chop on an high speed oval is potentially deadly, yes. A blocking move off the start line is fair; it's been going on since the year dot, too. If you block once and hold your line, no issues there at all. Webber's case was a bit different in that he was passing a slow car who happened to move to the wrong side...

Posted on: 28 September 2010 by Clay Bingham

Morning James

I take your point although I suspect "since year dot" has been quite a bit longer for me than for you.

I do recall a time when the sport was much more dangerous. I think Senna was a game changer on the subject we're writing about. Because his skill was held in such high regard he was given a pass on some dangerous and unacceptable moves. Others have followed his example. Win at all costs.

However, I hope you're more right than I am and things are not as scary as they sometimes look. F1 cars are amazing and the athleticism of drivers is greater than ever so maybe I'm just worrying about not much.

Anyway, really looking forward to Suzuka, one of my favorite tracks!

Posted on: 28 September 2010 by Frank Abela

It's been reported that the true game changer in terms of safety was, of all people, Michael Shumacher. Apparently he was instrumental in the 90s in working with the officials to sort ot better run-off areas as well as safer and stronger cars.

Posted on: 28 September 2010 by BigH47

quote:
t's been reported that the true game changer in terms of safety was, of all people, Michael Shumacher.

Obviously forward planning for his "new" tactics?

True MS was shocked by Senna's death. Unfortunately they failed to see what the culprit in that accident was , ie low tyre pressures and consequent destabilisation of the ground effects that were being used at the time.
Unfortunate side benefit of the changes were to allow the cars and tracks to be almost "TOO" safe, and allow for a feeling of immunity from prosecution in the event of an accident, perhaps trying to stop the accidents might have been more useful?

Possibly only the wheel tethers recently introduced "might" have stopped only one of the 3 death hits Senna received, (the wheel onto the head), the intrusion of suspension through the visor may have been stopped, but the brain into the skull reward deceleration probably not.