Formula 1 2012: General Discussion Thread

Scotty # · 17-12-2011 10:22pm

I won't be following F1 in 2012. I might catch some highlights but I won't be going out of my way to watch it.

I've been watching F1 for 20+ years now and have come close to giving up on it several times but after yet another season where the championship was more or less decided before halfway, where the number of drivers to reach the podium could be counted on one hand, and where team orders are still allowed determine results, I'm giving up.

I've been enjoying the bikes far more than the F1 for the last few years and have always prioritised the F1 - not any more. In MotoGP/SB you can have the lead change 5 times - on the last lap!!, races decided by .005 of a second!!, championships won by a single point... plus there's an Irish interest with the likes of Laverty and Rae.

mickdw · 18-12-2011 12:42am

amacachi wrote: »

(I have my own idea that I don't think is in any of the cars, I'm awaiting their calls :pac:

Go on tell us:D

Jordan 199 · 18-12-2011 2:11am

TheChrisD wrote: »

Only if the FIA are wimps and decide that they need to weed out some of the slower traffic. I'd say, the more cars the better. Just look at GP2 and GP3 for examples.

The most cars that would be on the grid for an F1 race would be 26. The last time there was a full grid was around 1995. If there was the same amount of cars in F1 these days as GP2/GP3, there would be pre-qualifying imo.

amacachi · 18-12-2011 2:51am

mickdw wrote: »

Go on tell us:D

No chance. :pac: It's something pretty simple I've never heard mentioned so I wonder if it's already around.

Jordan 191 wrote: »

The most cars that would be on the grid for an F1 race would be 26. The last time there was a full grid was around 1995. If there was the same amount of cars in F1 these days as GP2/GP3, there would be pre-qualifying imo.

Other than Monaco there's no problem in my eyes with 28 cars or so once there weren't 5 seconds a lap between 1st and last. It would need a different qualifying system which would never happen aside from all the rest.

amacachi · 18-12-2011 2:56am

Jordan 191 wrote: »

Found it!

Knew it was banned for safety reasons! :pac:

Scotty # wrote: »

I won't be following F1 in 2012. I might catch some highlights but I won't be going out of my way to watch it.

I've been watching F1 for 20+ years now and have come close to giving up on it several times but after yet another season where the championship was more or less decided before halfway, where the number of drivers to reach the podium could be counted on one hand, and where team orders are still allowed determine results, I'm giving up.

I've been enjoying the bikes far more than the F1 for the last few years and have always prioritised the F1 - not any more. In MotoGP/SB you can have the lead change 5 times - on the last lap!!, races decided by .005 of a second!!, championships won by a single point... plus there's an Irish interest with the likes of Laverty and Rae.

I find it odd how it's only the 2nd time in the last 5 years that the title wasn't hotly contested til the very last race, there's been far less competitive times in F1 than this. Still, whatever your buzz! :pac:

Jordan 199 · 18-12-2011 4:18am

amacachi wrote: »

Other than Monaco there's no problem in my eyes with 28 cars or so once there weren't 5 seconds a lap between 1st and last. It would need a different qualifying system which would never happen aside from all the rest.

I was looking at the fastest lap times from Brazil, the teams at the back were around 4-5 seconds off the pace from the fastest car. Lotus were about 3.

decisions · 20-12-2011 4:25pm

Jordan 199 · 20-12-2011 4:47pm

Now, that extra wing is just weird and ugly lol.

Top Dog · 20-12-2011 8:41pm

Jordan 191 wrote: »

Now, that extra wing is just weird and ugly lol.

Looks to be seriously off-center too.

Oval racer maybe?

Jordan 199 · 20-12-2011 8:52pm

Top Dog wrote: »

Looks to be seriously off-center too.

Oval racer maybe?

It does look off-centre, I'd say it's down to what angle the photo was taken at.

That extra wing showed up at Friday practice for the Monaco GP in 2001, and it was banned.

mickdw · 20-12-2011 10:46pm

That arrows wing is centrally mounted. If you look closely, it is mounted on the nose of the car. I have no recollection of ever seeing that wing before though.

Jordan 199 · 20-12-2011 11:35pm

Top Dog · 20-12-2011 11:43pm

Damn its ugly! :eek:

Jordan 199 · 20-12-2011 11:48pm

Top Dog wrote: »

Damn its ugly! :eek:

It sure is. Made a one off apperance before it was killed off.

Jordan 199 · 21-12-2011 2:45am

LIGHTNING wrote: »

I also wouldn't like to sitting in that cockpit if one of those wings decided to go walkabouts.

Indeed.

Glico Man · 21-12-2011 7:29pm

LIGHTNING wrote: »

I also wouldn't like to sitting in that cockpit if one of those wings decided to go walkabouts.

At those speeds it would turn into a guillotine :eek:

Jordan 199 · 21-12-2011 9:31pm

aaronh007 wrote: »

At those speeds it would turn into a guillotine :eek:

I think you are going a bit far fetched by using the word 'guillotine'.

I'd say the FIA were worried about the extra wing breaking off and penetrating the drivers visor like what happened with Senna when a piece of suspension penetrated his visor.

Jordan 199 · 21-12-2011 10:58pm

LIGHTNING wrote: »

I can completely understand why wings like this were banned, enough drivers were killed in the late 70`s when they started putting mad looking wings on F1 cars.

I agree with all that.

Now here is a mad looking wing on a Brabham BT23C:

And as for that wing on the Arrows, if it wasn't banned for safety, the would have banned if for aesthetics, like with those x-wings.

I'm trying to dig up more info on what lap times the Arrows achieved around the Monaco track with that hideous wing attached. I'm sure I have a copy of F1 Racing somewhere about it.

Mike Litoris · 22-12-2011 4:49am

Man I was going to wade in with the obligitory March 711 Tea tray front wing but that just beats everything....ever. Cant believe I've never seen that one before.

Either way I'll post a pic because its my favourite driver, Ronnie Peterson.

Jordan 199 · 22-12-2011 10:39pm

More wings here.

And on another note, do any of you think Renault/Lotus could win a race next year?

I think if they start next season like they did this season and continue to develop the car, I think they might have a shot at winning a race.

Jordan 199 · 23-12-2011 1:01am

I just love that boomerang style rear wing. Funky!

I also see the car was piloted by Michele Alboreto, last driver to win in a Tyrrell.

amacachi · 23-12-2011 10:28am

Front wing? Looks pretty straightforward to me.
When I see things like that I wonder if I know the reason something doesn't work well or if I'm giving myself way too much credit. :pac:

Jordan 199 · 23-12-2011 2:36pm

LIGHTNING wrote: »

I was talking to a work mate of mine who said one of his old Red Bull mentors used to drive that car. He said the front wing didnt last too long in test. I think its a really nice car to look at, very modern

It's a shame Tyrrell never raced with that wing. I see that there is some mesh type cover over the engine. Will let the air into the DFV and not allow anything to get into the trumpets.

odds_on · 23-12-2011 5:50pm

Scotty # wrote: »

I won't be following F1 in 2012. I might catch some highlights but I won't be going out of my way to watch it.

I've been watching F1 for 20+ years now and have come close to giving up on it several times but after yet another season where the championship was more or less decided before halfway, where the number of drivers to reach the podium could be counted on one hand, and where team orders are still allowed determine results, I'm giving up.

I've been enjoying the bikes far more than the F1 for the last few years and have always prioritised the F1 - not any more. In MotoGP/SB you can have the lead change 5 times - on the last lap!!, races decided by .005 of a second!!, championships won by a single point... plus there's an Irish interest with the likes of Laverty and Rae.

I used to watch ALL the F1 races over the years. Race day used to be something special and I would never miss a race - my life was worked around the F1 race week-ends. However, with so many races on the calender these days, a race week-end has become much less a special time and I don't mind if I miss a few.

Incidentally, I have never been to see a F1 Grand Prix and at the prices these days, I never will go - not on my pension. Thanks Mr. B. E.

However, I have been to a Motorcycle GP, in Germany - about 1986. I didn't find it anything really special. Definitely prefer to watch it on TV.

Jordan 199 · 23-12-2011 8:34pm

LIGHTNING wrote: »

Thats quite a common mod, although not as fancy as the duct tape mod I have used in the past :pac: Its got great lines the Tyrrell the rear wing looks like its off the new Lamborghini supercar.

I've seen that wire mesh was also used by some teams using the DFV/DFY/DFZ engines.

The late 70's early 80's was an interesting tme in the sport. Lotus coming up with ground effect, Williams taking it a step further with moveable side skirts. The Brabham fan car which won the Swedish GP on it's one and only outing. Tyrrells boomerang wing.

I do like reading about those times in the sport.

kksaints · 23-12-2011 10:09pm

Is there any pictures of the Brabham (I think) when the fan on the end of it?

Glico Man · 23-12-2011 10:31pm

kksaints wrote: »

Is there any pictures of the Brabham (I think) when the fan on the end of it?

Here you go

Jordan 199 · 23-12-2011 11:47pm

And here's another:

page__module__images__section__img_ctrl__img__66660__file__med

When the car wasn't racing, the fan was concealed with a dustbin lid. You can also see the exhausts for the Alfa Romeo flat 12 power plant.

The fan did the job by sucking the air out from underneath the car to give it enormous grip.

Jordan 199 · 24-12-2011 1:21am

LIGHTNING wrote: »

Apart from the shocking performance increase what really pissed off the drivers was apparently following it was a nightmare. Apparently it would suck up all the debris and fire it out the back of the car onto the following driver.

Yup, the BT46 attracted Mario Andretti's wrath. Was very difficult to drive aswell.

Not a nice situation to be in for 30/40 laps and having been hit in the head by an exhaust at over 100mph I can agree!

:eek:

Jordan 199 · 28-12-2011 12:14am

LIGHTNING wrote: »

Not a nice situation to be in for 30/40 laps and having been hit in the head by an exhaust at over 100mph I can agree!

Crikey! How did that happen?

Formula 1 2012: General Discussion Thread

Comments