Formula 1 2014: General Discussion Thread

SnowDrifts · 07-01-2014 4:37pm

logik wrote: »

While its not a good sign, I don't think Lotus are going to be the only team to miss the first test. This is further proof that the costs are too high in F1 and the season maybe too long for teams.

It may have been the case in recent years that missing the first test wasn't such a big deal (I'm nearly sure RedBull made a habit of this, but with the complete overhaul of regulations this year, it could really damage them.

A good article here from Craig Scarborough on the topic..

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112045

Killinator · 07-01-2014 5:04pm

Via Twitter:

McLaren reveal announced for Friday 24th of January at 12 midday.

Zcott · 08-01-2014 2:52am

Love this time of year...all the excitement of what new cars will look like :-)

podmu80 · 08-01-2014 7:09am

Zcott wrote: »

Love this time of year...all the excitement of what new cars will look like :-)

I'm the same. Although the term "spear noses" I've been reading about has sent a shiver down my spine!! I remember January 2012 and watching the unveiling of the step noses in horror!! I don't want a repeat. Call me shallow, but looks count in my book:-)

ZiabR · 08-01-2014 10:12am

I am expecting cars along the lines of the Brawn GP car but slightly narrower.

Frank Bullitt · 08-01-2014 8:38pm

logik wrote: »

I am expecting cars along the lines of the Brawn GP car but slightly narrower.

Careful now, some of the early renderings doing the rounds are quite horrific. I was also hoping for a Brawn-esque style approach, but it would seem there is a way around it and the cars are looking odd, quite odd.

Have a look on the autosport forum, they are plenty of images there, and make sure you are sitting down.

_rebelkid · 08-01-2014 9:24pm

There's a lot of debate, and quite a lot of worry around the new nose regulations for this year.

The big issue is the lowering of and narrowing of the nose end, which has lead to many technical analysts drawing some of the most ugly noses since Williams "walrus" nose of 2004.

The designs center on the lowering of the forward chassis height, 100mm lower than last years 625mm and the lowering of the nose tip height to 185mm from the reference plane.

What designers have to work with is a set of boxes where bodywork can and can't be.

Now, what follows is a rake of designs which fit the regs, and may well be seen this year.
BcHTkiFIcAAIpXZ.jpg:large

This Saber-tooth design is quite interesting. It just about complies with the regs, and does seem quite similar to the 2004 Williams.

This Lower Wedge design pushes the limit as to what is a nose tip, and what isn't.
BbXZSzGCIAApH3r.jpg:large

This is a rendering by Craig Scarborough of this years Caterham nose. Caterham released footage of the first FIA crash test, which left a very detailed wall imprint from where the nose impacted the wall. From that, it's quite easy to see the extremities of the nose construction.
BbX2gHECYAAmzeQ.jpg:large

To read up more abut this years regulations, read Matt Somerfields blog post about it.

Images courtesy of Craig Scarborough and Matt Somerfield.

Peanut Butter Jelly · 08-01-2014 10:41pm

If a man takes his lad out in public, it's perverted.

Bob puts his knob on view to millions around the world and it's "aerodynamics". Yea, suuuuuuuuure :rolleyes:

podmu80 · 08-01-2014 11:29pm

Some of those sketches make the 04 Williams look good:-( some of them are actually worse than the step noses imo. I'm sure there will be some variation at least. Adrian Newry has already said the new cars will be ugly.

Jordan 199 · 09-01-2014 12:07am

Peanut Butter Jelly wrote: »

If a man takes his lad out in public, it's perverted.

Bob puts his knob on view to millions around the world and it's "aerodynamics". Yea, suuuuuuuuure :rolleyes:

Who peed in your cornflakes? :eek:

Peanut Butter Jelly · 09-01-2014 12:17am

Jordan 191 wrote: »

Who peed in your cornflakes? :eek:

It weren't me who called them "Bob's Knobs" it weren't.

Firewalkwithme · 09-01-2014 1:07am

Peanut Butter Jelly wrote: »

It weren't me who called them "Bob's Knobs" it weren't.

You're right.

If this years Ferrari has a knob nose it's gonna look like a Red Rocket

ZiabR · 09-01-2014 10:13am

Seems Caterham will have their car ready for the first test. They have been very quiet since the end of the season.

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/01/08/caterham-will-new-car-first-test/

Any word on their driver line up yet?

_rebelkid · 09-01-2014 1:39pm

logik wrote: »

Seems Caterham will have their car ready for the first test. They have been very quiet since the end of the season.

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/01/08/caterham-will-new-car-first-test/

Any word on their driver line up yet?

Caterham have been working at lightning speed as far as I can tell. They were the first to have their chassis tested and homolgated. It seems like they really are pushing to understand the regs fast, and use the possibly tricky first few races to "jump" the competition.

Grim. · 09-01-2014 2:49pm

Ficus wrote: »

So would i if i had gotten my ass handed to me by the Marussia team.

bit off topic but what's the Oreca 03 like to drive :P

GarIT · 09-01-2014 2:52pm

Ficus wrote: »

So would i if i had gotten my ass handed to me by the Marussia team.

They hardly did, Marussia got the highest individual result. Over the season Caterham were better, If you implemented a points system all the way down to last Caterham would have won.

TheChrisD · 09-01-2014 4:34pm

GarIT wrote: »

They hardly did, Marussia got the highest individual result. Over the season Caterham were better, If you implemented a points system all the way down to last Caterham would have won.

F1 with IndyCar or NASCAR points system?

GarIT · 09-01-2014 4:40pm

TheChrisD wrote: »

F1 with IndyCar or NASCAR points system?

I don't know what the points systems are like there. I'm just saying that Marussia might have been good in the the first few races in 2013 and got one good result but they weren't consistently better than Caterham. I wouldn't call getting one good result over someone over a season of 19 races handing someone's ass to them.

09-01-2014 5:25pm

GarIT wrote: »

They hardly did, Marussia got the highest individual result. Over the season Caterham were better, If you implemented a points system all the way down to last Caterham would have won.

Meh, make it about retirements and suddenly Massa, Alonso, Hamilton and Button matched Vettel. They didn't, and Marussia beat Caterham.

_rebelkid · 09-01-2014 5:33pm

Ficus wrote: »

So would i if i had gotten my ass handed to me by the Marussia team.

GarIT wrote: »

They hardly did, Marussia got the highest individual result. Over the season Caterham were better, If you implemented a points system all the way down to last Caterham would have won.

Ye're both wrong (and right)

Caterham didn't have their asses handed to them, and Marussia weren't out driven either.

If you average the finishing positions of each teams drivers excluding retirements, Caterham wins hands-down 13 to 16.

BUT, if you include retirements as finishing 22, Caterham would be 18, and Marussia would be 18.

Here's the exact number:

Excluding Retirements:
Marussia: 16.26315789473684
Caterham: 13.39473684210526

Including Retirements:
Marussia: 18
Caterham: 18.02631578947368

Jordan 199 · 09-01-2014 6:01pm

logik wrote: »

Any word on their driver line up yet?

No word on who will drive for Caterham this year as of yet. I think they might hang on to Pic though.

Marussia still have to confirm who will drive alongside Bianchi, but I think they will keep Chilton on board.

ZiabR · 09-01-2014 6:10pm

Jordan 191 wrote: »

No word on who will drive for Caterham this year as of yet. I think they might hang on to Pic though.

Marussia still have to confirm who will drive alongside Bianchi, but I think they will keep Chilton on board.

Do you think Chilton deserves another year? He is painfully slow, he is not cut out for F1.

Edit - If they do keep him, it won't be because of his speed, it will be because of his money.

Myrddin · 09-01-2014 6:12pm

logik wrote: »

Do you think Chilton deserves another year? He is painfully slow, he is not cut out for F1.

Edit - If they do keep him, it won't be because of his speed, it will be because of his money.

Personally, no. He was mauled by his team mate all season. The hype about him breaking some record for most finishes for a rookie is absurd beyond belief too...starting from the back every race is a handy place to be for those kinds of awards

Peanut Butter Jelly · 09-01-2014 6:13pm

logik wrote: »

Do you think Chilton deserves another year? He is painfully slow, he is not cut out for F1.

Just chipping in here, IMO, he's nowhere near the required level, but once daddy writes a £12m check to Manor Grand Prix Racing and he'll have his seat for next year sorted.

ZiabR · 09-01-2014 6:39pm

Myrddin wrote: »

Personally, no. He was mauled by his team mate all season. The hype about him breaking some record for most finishes for a rookie is absurd beyond belief too...starting from the back every race is a handy place to be for those kinds of awards

My thoughts exactly. He should not be in F1. He looks like he should be in a Harry Potter movie, I can't warm to him. He is slow, his interviews are unbearable and I truly believe that if he was put into the current GP2 grid he would struggle there too.

Myrddin · 09-01-2014 6:40pm

logik wrote: »

My thoughts exactly. He should not be in F1. He looks like he should be in a Harry Potter movie, I can't warm to him. He is slow, his interviews are unbearable and I truly believe that if he was put into the current GP2 grid he would struggle there too.

What's his background, was he ever in GP2 before?

ZiabR · 09-01-2014 6:46pm

Myrddin wrote: »

What's his background, was he ever in GP2 before?

Yeah he raced GP2 Series in 2010 - 2012. His career is actually not bad on paper, he just doesn't have what it takes for F1.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Chilton

Myrddin · 09-01-2014 6:49pm

logik wrote: »

Yeah he raced GP2 Series in 2010 - 2012. His career is actually not bad on paper, he just doesn't have what it takes for F1.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Chilton

Yeah, seems he done well in GP2 later on in his time there. Rating him against the only reliable barometer we have though, his team-mate, it's clear Chilton has been left really wanting in F1.

GarIT · 09-01-2014 6:50pm

Jordan 191 wrote: »

No word on who will drive for Caterham this year as of yet. I think they might hang on to Pic though.

Marussia still have to confirm who will drive alongside Bianchi, but I think they will keep Chilton on board.

I've heard a few bits of info. Kobayashi claims to be discussing contracts and sponsorship deals with them and Kovalinen would appear to be out of the picture because he has no money. Kob is estimated to have around £6m a lot of that from fans and donations. I've also heard Kov would have gotten their number 1 seat if they had beaten Marussia.

ZiabR · 09-01-2014 6:51pm

Myrddin wrote: »

Yeah, seems he done well in GP2 later on in his time there. Rating him against the only reliable barometer we have though, his team-mate, it's clear Chilton has been left really wanting in F1.

Yeah Bianchi is a bit of class alright. He looks quick in a slow car. I think he will do well for himself if he can hold a seat in F1. Isn't he a Ferrari development driver?

ZiabR · 09-01-2014 6:53pm

GarIT wrote: »

I've heard a few bits of info. Kobayashi claims to be discussing contracts and sponsorship deals with them and Kovalinen would appear to be out of the picture because he has no money. Kob is estimated to have around £6m a lot of that from fans and donations.

Would love to see Kob back in F1. He is a breath of fresh air.

Myrddin · 09-01-2014 6:53pm

logik wrote: »

Yeah Bianchi is a bit of class alright. He looks quick in a slow car. I think he will do well for himself if he can hold a seat in F1. Isn't he a Ferrari development driver?

Yeah I think he is, he certainly was previously anyway...

Peanut Butter Jelly · 09-01-2014 6:59pm

logik wrote: »

Yeah Bianchi is a bit of class alright. He looks quick in a slow car. I think he will do well for himself if he can hold a seat in F1. Isn't he a Ferrari development driver?

He is indeed, that's why Ferrari are doing them a deal with next years engines.

KarlFitz01 · 09-01-2014 7:02pm

I'am just wondering, judging from the second half of the season has Nico Hulkenberg taken a step backwards going from Sauber to Force India? And if so why didn't he stay at Sauber as far as I heard they wanted him to stay?

Myrddin · 09-01-2014 7:04pm

KarlFitz01 wrote: »

I'am just wondering from judging from the second half of the season has Nico Hulkenberg taken a step backwards going from Sauber to Force India? And if so why didn't he stay at Sauber as far as I heard they wanted him to stay?

Hard to say, the Force India looked alright at times..you could only imagine that in the right pair of hands, they'd have gotten more out of it. In saying that though, next year has a huge shake up coming...the rumour around which engines are better etc comes into effect. FI prob convinced him that they'll be pretty competitive with next seasons Merc engine

kksaints · 09-01-2014 7:05pm

logik wrote: »

Yeah Bianchi is a bit of class alright. He looks quick in a slow car. I think he will do well for himself if he can hold a seat in F1. Isn't he a Ferrari development driver?

Actually thought that Bianchi got worse as the season went on. He started really well but didnt improve after that. Dont know how much of that could be put down to the car either.

GarIT · 09-01-2014 7:09pm

I forgot to post a couple of days ago that Clare Williams did an interview on the topic of Williams switching to Mercedes and said that there is nobody in F1 that could give you an honest answer on which engine is better.

Myrddin · 09-01-2014 7:10pm

GarIT wrote: »

I forgot to post a couple of days ago that Clare Williams did an interview on the topic of Williams switching to Mercedes and said that there is nobody in F1 that could give you an honest answer on which engine is better.

She's prob right. Admittedly though, I've be very surprised if the Mercedes power plant was anything but really competitive in 2014

GarIT · 09-01-2014 7:13pm

kksaints wrote: »

Actually thought that Bianchi got worse as the season went on. He started really well but didnt improve after that. Dont know how much of that could be put down to the car either.

VS Max he was still good though. Caterham had a slow start to 2013, Marussia probably didn't improve as fast, especially with two rookies giving their feedback, Caterham had Pic. Ferrari seem to consider Bianchi to be better than DLR or at least having a lot more potential anyway. Bianchi was also considered for the Ferrari number 2 seat during the year.

PopePalpatine · 09-01-2014 7:18pm

KarlFitz01 wrote: »

I'am just wondering, judging from the second half of the season has Nico Hulkenberg taken a step backwards going from Sauber to Force India? And if so why didn't he stay at Sauber as far as I heard they wanted him to stay?

TBH Force India only went backwards after the mid-season tyre change.

Plus, I'm not expecting much from Ferrari's turbo V6.

ZiabR · 09-01-2014 9:15pm

PopePalpatine wrote: »

TBH Force India only went backwards after the mid-season tyre change.

Plus, I'm not expecting much from Ferrari's turbo V6.

Ferrari can't afford to be playing second fiddle this year. They need to hit the ground running. They have two world champions to keep happy and the team need to get back to winning ways.

Myrddin · 09-01-2014 9:22pm

logik wrote: »

Ferrari can't afford to be playing second fiddle this year. They need to hit the ground running. They have two world champions to keep happy and the team need to get back to winning ways.

They really do. I'd fear for Domenicalli's position if this year doesn't yield some real results for them.

Frank Bullitt · 10-01-2014 12:17am

Talk of Kamui back in F1 with Caterham this year, would be great to see him back at it!

Jordan 199 · 10-01-2014 2:26am

logik wrote: »

Sad to hear, RIP.

Indeed. I don't think we will ever see a small engine player like Brian Hart in F1 again.

Here's Rubens Barrichello on the right who finished 3rd at the 1994 Pacific GP driving for Jordan who used Hart engines in 1993 and 1994:

ZiabR · 10-01-2014 10:12am

Myrddin wrote: »

They really do. I'd fear for Domenicalli's position if this year doesn't yield some real results for them.

I actually like Domenicalli. He has time for interviews, comes across well and knows Ferrari have been poor in recent years. With the Wind tunnel sorted and the personnel changes I hope they get back to winning ways and start pushing Red Bull again and he keeps his job. But lets say he was to be fired, Brawn anyone???

In other news, Massa has come out to talk about crashgate again after leaving Ferrari... I really don't like when drivers leave a team and begin to slate their teammates and/or the team they drove for. It's in bad taste, just move on Massa...

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/01/09/massa-suspects-alonso-knew-crashgate-plan/

Myrddin · 10-01-2014 10:47am

logik wrote: »

I actually like Domenicalli. He has time for interviews, comes across well and knows Ferrari have been poor in recent years. With the Wind tunnel sorted and the personnel changes I hope they get back to winning ways and start pushing Red Bull again and he keeps his job. But lets say he was to be fired, Brawn anyone???

Same, he seems a decent chap & likeable too. He's had the look of someone with a monkey on his back though lately. Brawn as TP for Ferrari...hmm, interesting.

In other news, Massa has come out to talk about crashgate again after leaving Ferrari... I really don't like when drivers leave a team and begin to slate their teammates and/or the team they drove for. It's in bad taste, just move on Massa...

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/01/09/massa-suspects-alonso-knew-crashgate-plan/

I sympathize with Massa over this incident, ultimately an incident of cheating robbed him of a World Championship when you think of it. But to slander Alonso like this in public, no, Felipe, not good.

christy c · 10-01-2014 11:23am

logik wrote: »

In other news, Massa has come out to talk about crashgate again after leaving Ferrari... I really don't like when drivers leave a team and begin to slate their teammates and/or the team they drove for. It's in bad taste, just move on Massa...

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/01/09/massa-suspects-alonso-knew-crashgate-plan/

I'd like to see the unedited interview, I reckon he was probably asked about pat Symmonds seen as he will now be working with him and there was a follow up question about Alonso. Maybe Massa should have stayed clear of the question but there's very few of Massa's quotes in the article, easy to twist words.

On a different note do you think he is wrong about Alonso.

Myrddin · 10-01-2014 11:26am

christy c wrote: »

I'd like to see the unedited interview, I reckon he was probably asked about pat Symmonds seen as he will now be working with him and there was a follow up question about Alonso. Maybe Massa should have stayed clear of the question but there's very few of Massa's quotes in the article, easy to twist words.

Good point, & would seem more probable.

On a different note do you think he is wrong about Alonso.

That's always going to be speculation, I can only assume if the investigation found him innocent, there wasn't much to incriminate him.

ZiabR · 10-01-2014 11:26am

christy c wrote: »

On a different note do you think he is wrong about Alonso.

I really don't know. We will never know the full depth of crashgate. You can be sure all the facts were not disclosed. Alonso is an amazing driver, he has proved that in a sub par car over the past few seasons but there is a stubborn and devious side to him for sure. It is hard to know.

Zcott · 10-01-2014 12:05pm

Jenson chooses 22 as his number, the number of the Brawn he won the title in.

Formula 1 2014: General Discussion Thread

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