2005/2006 F1 News and Testing.

[Flibster]

Well it's over..we have a new world champion and a new constructors champion.

All the threads have been archived - been reading the Australian one again - makes interesting reading.

7600 posts of F1

Here they all are:

2005 Australian Grand Prix
2005 Malaysian Grand Prix
2005 Bahrain Grand Prix
2005 San Marino Grand Prix
2005 Spanish Grand Prix
2005 Monaco Grand Prix
2005 Eurpoean Grand Prix
2005 Canadian Grand Prix
2005 United States Grand Prix
2005 French Grand Prix
2005 British Grand Prix
2005 German Grand Prix
2005 Hungarian Grand Prix
2005 Turkish Grand Prix
2005 Italian Grand Prix
2005 Belgian Grand Prix
2005 Brazilian Grand Prix
2005 Japanese Grand Prix
2005 Chinese Grand Prix

So this thread is going to be all about the off season - Hopefully going to keep it going throughout the off season so it doesn't disapear.

Here's the currently known Team and driver linup for the 2006 season.

Current 2006 Team/Driver linup

[b]Entrant 			Constructor 		Driver 	[/b]
Mild Seven Renault F1 Team 	Renault 		Alonso 
Mild Seven Renault F1 Team 	Renault 		Fisichella 
McLaren Mercedes 		McLaren-Mercedes 	Raikkonen 
McLaren Mercedes 		McLaren-Mercedes 	Montoya 
Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 	Ferrari 		M Schumacher 
Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 	Ferrari 		Massa 
Panasonic Toyota Racing 	Toyota 			R Schumacher 
Panasonic Toyota Racing 	Toyota 			Trulli 
WilliamsF1 			WilliamsF1-Cosworth 	Webber 
WilliamsF1 			WilliamsF1-Cosworth 	Rosberg
Honda 				Honda 			Button
Honda 				Honda 			Barrichello 
Red Bull Racing 		Red Bull-Ferrari 	Coulthard 
Red Bull Racing 		Red Bull-Ferrari 	?????
BMW 				BMW 			Heidfeld 
BMW 				BMW 			?????
Midland F1 			Midland-Toyota 		Albers 
Midland F1 			Midland-Toyota 		?????
Squadra Toro Rosso 		Red Bull-Cosworth 	?????
Squadra Toro Rosso 		Red Bull-Cosworth 	?????

So to start with...the idiots...

 

[Flibster]

The Idiots...errr...FIA

THE CDG WING

The FIA consultation on the future of Formula One clearly demonstrated that the vast majority of the viewing public (94% according to the FIA/AMD survey) want more overtaking. This is at a time when overtaking in Formula One has become increasingly difficult.

Most aerodynamic research aims to improve a car’s performance when running in what is known as ‘clean’ air which has not been disturbed by the wake of a car running in front. However, in race conditions when cars follow each other closely, the wake of the car in front significantly reduces the aerodynamic performance of the following car, making overtaking extremely difficult and often impossible.

As a general rule, the better the aerodynamic performance of a car on its own, the worse its effect on the car behind and the greater the loss of performance for that car.

In order to encourage overtaking, the FIA initiated a programme of research into improving the aerodynamic performance of a car when trying to overtake. The objective was to produce regulations for a car shape which would create a wake in which a following car would generate more downforce with reduced drag.

With the help of the FIA’s technology partner AMD, the FIA’s research team have reached a preliminary conclusion which the FIA is now able to publish. The CDG Wing (Centreline Downwash Generating Wing) will be presented to the Formula One Commission meeting in London today (October 24).

It is intended that the CDG Wing, together with wider wheels and slick tyres, will form part of the 2008 FIA Formula One Technical Regulations. With the support and collaboration of the teams it may be possible to introduce these changes as early as 2007.


Max Mosley, FIA President said,

“This new research is important for the future of Formula One. By introducing the CDG wing we can give motor sport fans exactly what they have asked for, wheel-to-wheel racing with much more overtaking.

”It is our hope that the teams will collaborate with us in the optimisation of this radical new idea so that the aerodynamic benefits can be introduced into Formula One in 2007 rather than having to wait until 2008.”


Henri Richard, AMD Executive Vice President said,

"It’s clear the FIA has listened to the feedback of its key constituents - F1 fans around the world - and has taken a bold, innovative approach to improving overtaking and therefore creating a more exciting race experience. AMD is committed to encouraging innovation and creativity and to helping the world's leading organizations take advantage of the phenomenal impact of our technology."

Images: Click for huge.

 

[Flibster]

Oh dear - looks like tyre changes are back and refuelling is staying...

So - the no tyre changing in F1 ever - lasted 1 season...

How is that a cost reducing thing Max? Forcing them to redevelop the tyres from scratch each year? Nicely done...

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

Sadly not - it appears that it'd been voted in by the team bosses with the proviso of the the teams technical directors have to ok it as well.

So thats in for 2007 by the sounds of it.

The obvious problems:
only secured 1 side...
Reduced sponsorship area
Looks hideous

Why not go with a reduced profile rear wing and a high tolerance front wing - A1GP did. - Oh look - close racing...

Force through a maximum downforce level for the car and also also ban flipups and the like - that will force teams to reduce drag and as such reduce turbulent air.

SImon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

Third car rule remains

Despite claims that the third car rule will be dropped in 2006, the Formula One commission has chosen to retain it.

The idea, first introduced to assist small teams such as Minardi and Jordan in an effort to give them some extra testing and additional track time for sponsors, proved highly beneficial to successive 'big' teams that were able to take advantage of the rule.

In 2003, Renault used the Friday sessions to its advantage, eventually taking fourth in the World Championship. Responding to Ron Dennis, who had previously described the third cars as 'track cleaners', Flavio Briatore dedicated Fernando Alonso's Hungary win to the 'housewives of the world'.

In 2004, BAR used its third car to its advantage, taking the runner up spot behind Ferrari, while ironically, in 2005 it was McLaren that benefited, despite Dennis' attempts to wreck the rule in previous years, imposing all manner of limits on who could and couldn't drive the third car.

In 2006, WilliamsF1, BAR, Red Bull, BMW, Midlands and Squadra Toro Rosso will all make use of the third car rule - Midland having already announced that Nicky Pastorelli will drive its car.

 

[Flibster]

Pastorelli signs for Midland

Jordan Grand Prix and the Midland Group have announced that they have signed Nicky Pastorelli as the team's official test and Friday driver for the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship. The talented 22 year-old Dutchman was already the official Jordan Grand Prix test driver in 2005 and was part of the Young Driver Development Program initiated by Midland F1 to help promising junior drivers confirm their talent in preparation for their entry into Formula One.

Colin Kolles, Managing Director of Jordan Grand Prix: "I have been watching Nicky's career for a few years now and I was convinced he could do a good job for the team. Therefore we decided to give him an opportunity as our official test driver in 2005. He proved himself very competent in F1 and now we are happy that he will continue working with us in 2006 to help us get the most out of Friday free practice sessions and at the same time he has an opportunity to keep on learning Formula One."

Nicky Pastorelli commented: "I am very happy to be given this great opportunity to drive for Midland in 2006 as the official test and Friday driver. During 2005, I have come to know and appreciate the team and I am delighted to be able to continue working with them in 2006. This also means that they were happy with the job I have done; so for me, this is very encouraging. I am really looking forward to 2006 and to doing my best for the team."

 

[Flibster]

F1 Commission agrees major rule changes

Formula 1’s key stakeholders have agreed on a raft of changes to the technical and sporting regulations at a meeting in London today.

Bernie Ecclestone’s proposed shake-up of the qualifying format and FIA president Max Mosley’s plans to reintroduce tyre changing were both given the green light by the Formula 1 Commission.

The unpopular single-lap qualifying system will be scrapped next year in favour of a three-part session, with two 15-minute ‘knockout’ segments whittling the field down to a group of 10 drivers, who will then fight for pole in a 20-minute open session.

Although the new system is relatively complicated and could potentially confuse casual fans, it is hoped that it will recreate the excitement of pre-2003 qualifying sessions whilst ensuring continuous track action.

Mosley also won approval in principle for the radical new aerodynamic concept conceived by the FIA and its technology partner AMD, which involves the replacement of a conventional rear wing by a much smaller wing behind each rear tyre in an attempt to clean up the airflow and promote overtaking.

The ‘centreline downwash generating’ (CDG) wing was to have formed part of the 2008 technical regulations but Mosley secured the teams’ agreement to introduce it a year earlier, subject to input from the teams’ technical directors.

 

[Flibster]

I know this one isn't really F1 related - but...

FRENTZEN KNOCKED OUT IN DTM CRASH

Former Formula 1 star Heinz-Harald Frentzen is recovering from concussion in a German hospital after crashing out of Sunday’s DTM (German touring car) race at Hockenheim.

Frentzen, 38, was briefly knocked unconscious after an apparent mechanical failure caused his Opel Vectra to slam into the barriers at the Sud Kurve.

Brain scans revealed no injuries, but Frentzen complained of a severe headache and will stay in hospital under observation for the next couple of days before flying back to his home in Monte Carlo.

The German is one of a number of F1 refugees who race in the DTM championship, others including Mika Hakkinen, Jean Alesi and Allan McNish.

Meanwhile Britain’s Gary Paffett clinched the DTM title at the Hockenheim season finale.

Paffett grew up racing karts with Jenson Button, Anthony Davidson and Dan Wheldon and was briefly linked with a Sauber F1 drive last year before the team signed Jacques Villeneuve.

Hope there's no after effects. Frentzen's a nice guy.

 

[Flibster]

Cut the wings down to single elements with fixed dimensions.

No winglet's, flipups, bargeboards etc...lets back to clean cars *A-la McLaren Mp4/4*

Allow any 3.0 engine you want *V6, V8, V10, V12, V16, H16* - but with valve springs rather than pneumatically activated - will cut the power and RPM down dramatically

Bring back ground effect - this is minamally affected by the wash created by following cars closely.

Slick tyres - but keep the same width - the grip will reman roughly the same

Driver aids - none. No power steering, no traction control, no full auto or semi auto gearboxes, no radio's

Allow the minimum weight of the cars to go down to 550kg.

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

I am still surprised they do not use Methanol rather than petrol for fuel, as its safer for refuelings, how many times do you see a fire in the pits.. at least Methanol can be put out with water...


I like the idea of the split wings, but they need to put them back on slicks with one manufacturer,

get rid of ALL driver aids, no TCS, no ABS no power steering no auto flappable gearbox, use a sequential stick shift like Indy car and Cart.

limit the budget for each team to the same amount. this would keep all the teams in the same league.

get rid of the pompous white haired dwarf

Methanol? More dangerous...

Seen several methanol fires in indy cars - no visible flames in bright light, all you see is the heat haze. Also - water doesn't help - it just spreads the fire out. Foam is generally whats needed.

F1 doesn't allow ABS anyway at the moment.

The biggest problem is when they go to a single tyre manafacturer *which will be Bridgestone* they have said publically that they will support Ferrari first and all the other teams after that.

So Ferrari will get preferential treatment over all others - again.

They need to go to control tyres really - Get someone like Avon or Goodyear back.

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

No time was wasted when it was claimed that Lebanese A1 GP driver, Khalil Beschir, had signed to drive for the mystery 11th F1 team in 2006, referred to in the original press release as the Honda B Team.

Following a press release issued on Tuesday evening, in which it was claimed that Beschir would join the new team as test driver, a quick rebuttal was issued on Wednesday morning.

The original press release read: "Khalil Beschir, the 23 years old A1GP driver for Team Lebanon is on his way to sign a 3 years contract with the potential 11th Formula 1 team in 2006, Honda B-Team.

Beschir who made lot of impressions in the European F3000 championship this year and on the inaugural A1GP race in Brand Hatch last month after a spectacular rolling crash while he was running in a strong 7th position, will be one of the test drivers of the new Honda team to support Anthony Davidson and Takuma Sato who will be the official drivers said a dismayed (sic) Honda source.

Beschir's manager who has strong relationship with BAR and its team manager Del Ferran after managing him in his career, is trying to get a special testing program for his young driver alongside his two A1GP seasons to let him be ready to fight on the 2007 Formula 1 Grid, knowing that Beschir racing experience is only 11 races before his debut in the A1GP series this year.

So Khalil Beschir is now on his way to be the first ever Lebanese and Arabian driver in Formula 1."

The denial reads: "With regard to Khalil Beschir and Formula 1, please accept this memo as confirmation that there is absolutely no truth in this story whatsoever. Khalil Beschir has a multi-year contract to drive with the A1 Team Lebanon and this will be the future focus of his career.

Khalil Beschir does however aspire to be the first ever Lebanese and Arabian driver in Formula 1.

The management team of Team Lebanon have been informed of this email and wish it to be known that this reflects the true situation of driver Khalil Beschir."

Sato and Beschir in the same team... imagine it!

No car will be left intact...theirs or anyone elses..

 

[Flibster]

ARGENTINA SEEKING F1 RETURN

Argentina is seeking to regain its place on the Formula 1 calendar according to reports in the South American country's national press.

Government officials from San Luis have contacted F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone to inquire into the possibility of being on the 2007 calendar.

"The governor would like to have F1 in our province and he has asked for an audience with Mr Ecclestone," San Luis sport secretary Eduardo Arce told the Clarin newspaper.

"We haven't had any replies yet but we're optimistic."

The Autodromo Oscar Alfredo Galvez last hosted the Argentinian Grand Prix in 1998 which was won by Michael Schumacher.

But San Luis' proposal involves upgrading the 1.98-mile 'Rosendo Hernandez' circuit, which has been in use for local and domestic championships since 2003, to Formula 1 standard.

Mexico, Russia, India and South Africa have all been mooted as possible future grand prix destinations on an already crowded calendar – which could be extended to 20 races anyway with the addition of Toyota's Fuji circuit.

Always liked Argentina. No idea why - just liked the track.

 

[Flibster]

Bridgestone to "wait and see"

A Bridgestone spokeswoman said that the Japanese tyre company would wait and see before commenting on the proposals put forward by the Formula One Commission earlier this week.

Until the proposals have been fully ratified, there is no point in officially commenting on whet were essentially discussions behind closed doors," she said. However, she admitted that the re-introduction of tyre stops would reduce testing mileage and thereby reduce costs.

On the issue of control tyres, Bridgestone has made no secret of the fact that it would "prefer competition", however, having been the sole tyre supplier for two seasons (1999 and 2000) it is understood that the Japanese company would still consider remaining in F1. "We have made a lot of investment in Formula One," said the spokeswoman, "therefore we would need to evaluate."

As for the new qualifying format, the response was quite simple: "We are happy to work with whatever regulations are in place. If that's the format proposed, we will adapt to that format."

Although Ferrari is currently testing at Vallelunga, Bridgestone will not be carrying out any serious tyre testing until late November, when WilliamsF1 will have its first run on Japanese rubber since 2000. Toyota and Bridgestone have yet to officially agree a partnership for 2006.

 

[Flibster]

Bye Bye Paul Stoddart

Australia's Paul Stoddart will walk away from F1 next Monday.

The gritty entrepreneur has sold Minardi to Red Bull, and revealed that October 31 - the handover date - is his last in the sport after failing to get a single offer to take up a new job elsewhere.

"You can only do something if someone wants you to do it," Stoddart told Autosport.

In fact, Paul thinks his outspoken nature in F1 politics will rule him out of most jobs that might be on offer.

He vowed to focus on his new 'OzJet' airline, and travelled to Queensland (Australia) last weekend to oversee his new sponsor involvement in 'V8 Supercars'.

He said: "I'm going to miss it badly."

Stoddart also lamented to crash.net that, without Minardi, Jordan and Sauber on the grid, F1 might face a dearth of young rookies given a chance by a privateer squad.

"You do have to fear a little bit," he wondered, "where are these kids going to get their chance in the future?"

And he has a valid point there...who will take the risks now?

Even Red Bull have wound up their driver search program in America.

 

[Flibster]

Another Meeting Staged to Thwart F1 Split

Yet another meeting has been staged in a bid to stave-off the looming and increasing threat of 'breakaway' in 2008.

FIA president Max Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone, the F1 supremo, apparently met in Paris on Sunday, prior to Monday's F1 Commission in London.

Also present was Burkhard Goeschel, a BMW and 'GPMA' bigwig.

Then, on the morning of the F1 Commission in London, the trio met again, this time also joined by Renault F1 team principal Flavio Briatore.

"The meetings ... were ... useful steps towards a harmonious eventual conclusion," Sir Frank Williams, who describes the two-series split as potentially 'disastrous' for the sport, told the Autosport website.

Regulatory and commercial matters aside, the carmakers' 'GPMA' group is also concerned about the arguable independence of the FIA court.

 

[Flibster]

F1 starts 2006 season in Bahrain

Bahrain has been chosen to host the opening Grand Prix of the 19-race 2006 season on 12 March.

The decision was made at a meeting of the International Automobile Federation World Motorsport Council, held in Rome.

The Malaysian Grand Prix follows a week later on 19 March with the Australian event on 2 April.

The Australian Grand Prix has been the season-opener since 1996 but has been pushed back to avoid a clash with the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

The organisers of the Bahrain event, which arrived on the calendar two years ago, are delighted to be hosting the opening race.

Bahrain general manager Martin Whitaker said: "The first race always attracts considerable attention with new teams, drivers, engines and regulations."

F1 2006 schedule:

Mar 12:	Bahrain Grand Prix (Bahrain)
Mar 19:	Malaysian Grand Prix (Sepang) 
Apr 2:	Australian Grand Prix (Melbourne)
Apr 23:	San Marino Grand Prix (Imola)
May 7:	European Grand Prix (Nurburgring, Germany)
May 14:	Spanish Grand Prix (Barcelona)
May 28:	Monaco Grand Prix (Monte Carlo)
Jun 11:	British Grand Prix (Silverstone)
Jun 25:	Canadian Grand Prix (Montreal)
Jul 2:	United States Grand Prix (Indianapolis)
Jul 16:	French Grand Prix (Mangy-Cours)
Jul 30:	German Grand Prix (Hockenheim)
Aug 6:	Hungarian Grand Prix (Hungaroring)
Aug 27:	Turkish Grand Prix (Istanbul)
Sep 10:	Italian Grand Prix (Monza)
Sep 17:	Belgian Grand Prix (Spa-Francorchamps)
Oct 1:	Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka)
Oct 8:	Chinese Grand Prix (Shanghai)
Oct 22:	Brazilian Grand Prix (Interlagos)

 

[Flibster]

Button's sexism slammed

Jenson Button does not think women will ever trouble him in Spa's Eau Rouge or Suzuka's 130R. The 25-year-old (BAR-)Honda driver told a men's magazine - 'FHM' - that ladies' biology could make their success in grands prix impossible, even if girl-racers like Danica Patrick and Katherine Legge are proving pretty handy in lower formulae.


"But in F1 cars," JB explained, "I can't see it happening due to the g-force in fast corners. And one week of the month you wouldn't want to be on the circuit with them, would you? A girl with big boobs would never be comfortable in the car. And the mechanics wouldn't concentrate. Can you imagine strapping her in?"

Britain's 'Sun' newspaper, though, quoted its female 'motoring correspondent' as slamming the BAR driver's sexism.

"Oh grow up," said Emma Parker. "If he spent less time staring at grid girls' breasts he might win more races."

 

[Flibster]

WORLD MOTOR SPORT COUNCIL

The World Motor Sport Council met in Rome on October 26, 2005. The following decisions were taken:


FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Approved the following regulations for the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Tyres

Each driver will be permitted to use seven sets of dry-weather tyres for each event. All tyres used for qualifying and race must be of the same specification. Tyre changes will be permitted at any time during the race.

Qualifying format

All cars are permitted on the track. At the end of the first 15-minute period the slowest five cars can take no further part in qualifying. These cars will make up the last five grid positions in the order of their times, the fastest occupying 16th position.

The times for the fifteen remaining cars are reset for the next session. At the end of the second 15-minute period the slowest five cars can take no further part in qualifying. These cars will make up the grid in positions eleven to fifteen in the order of their times, the fastest occupying 11th position.

The times for the ten remaining cars will be reset for the next session. For the final period, lasting 20 minutes, the cars will be arranged on the grid in positions one to ten in the order of their times, the fastest occupying pole position

Cars will be under parc ferme conditions from the time they enter the track for the first time during qualifying until the start of the race. Changing tyres and adding fuel will no longer be part of the parc ferme regulations

Fuel may be added to cars at any time during the first 40 minutes of qualifying and any car eliminated during the first two periods may then be refuelled at any time until the pit lane opens for the race. Teams will be required to fill cars taking part in the final 20-minute period with the amount of fuel with which they intend to start the race. Any fuel used during the 20-minute period may be replaced before the start of the race.

If 22 cars are eligible to take part in the Event, six cars will drop out after each of the fifteen minute periods leaving ten for the final 20 minutes. If twenty four cars are eligible to take part in the Event, six cars will drop out after each of the fifteen minute periods leaving twelve for the final 20 minutes.

A package of measures were approved for the 2008 Championship. These include the introduction of a Centreline Downwash Generating wing, larger wheels with slick tyres and a single tyre supplier. The package will be brought forward to 2007 if an 80% majority of the Formula One Technical Working Group agree to do so before the end of December 2005.

 

[Flibster]

No more pit wall celebrations

As part of its package for 2006, the World Motor Sport council has revealed that pit wall celebrations will effectively be banned next season.

In a footnote to today's statement the WMSC announced that as an additional safety measure for 2006, "team personnel and spectators will be banned from climbing on the pit wall fencing during or after races."

So - not allowing them to show any obvious celebration when their drivers cross the line.

I've got video's of Chapman halfway across the track throwing his cap up into the air...

This sucks...

 

[Flibster]

Massa started testing for Ferrari

Felipe Massa, Michael Schumacher's new team mate at Ferrari, started testing for the Scuderia at Vallelunga today. The Brazilian left the Sauber team and intends to build a future at the Italian team and to help the team to do better than last F1 season.

Massa will conduct 2 days of testing with Ferrari's development V8 engine in a Ferrari F2004 chassis and will continue with another 3 days next week.

Ferrari has decided to continue testing through the team's self-regulated winter test ban which ends at the beginning of December. They do so while new and fellow
Bridgestone runners Toyota and Williams obey to the self imposed agreement and will do only factory work for one more month before testing starts again for those 9 teams.