BBC possibly to drop F1 coverage...

[Skeeter]

I totally agree with that - I just dont want to see no more invention being allowed because the rules have left so few opportunities to develop anything different

Its a very difficult balance the FIA have to strike. They have to keep the sport technically interesting as that is part of the core of what makes F1, but they also have to keep costs under control and racing interesting. With the recent loss of a number of big names you can understand why they have gone for quick/cheap approaches to things (like DRS) rather than more risky relaxing of the rules.

Personally, I think they are doing a fairly decent job given the big picture. Sure, some things are not so good (the whole tyres from Quali regulation still makes no sense to me) but things like KERS and the energy recovery systems coming in in 2014 are very interesting, and have the potential for lots of technical innovation.

 

[Glaucus]

Yeah I like Kees rules. But that needs to be derestricted. So they can invent.

DRS needs to be binned.
using both tyre compounds needs to be binned, that destroys tyre strategies. If you are going to make hard tyres work, you need to use hards all race.

They've successfully closed following difference by over half the original gap. They need to work on continuing that.

So mixed bag for me, some good stuff, some absolutly mind boggling rubbish.

 

[Skeeter]

The KERS rules in 2014 are far more open. Its difficult for them to open them up much more at the moment given the engine freeze. I'm really looking foward to seeing what people come up with (KERS energy used to pre-spin turbos for anti-lag sounds genius).

The tyre regulations need some work, definitely. I don't think its as simple as dropping the 2 compound rule though. They have to look at the compounds and also how many of what tyres they bring to races. But having some serious discussions around them is something I would like to see.

 

[Duke]

to be fair - surely the unlimitied budgets / testing highlighted invention and unique designs?

That is true, however it means you have a couple of teams with massive budgets at the front and the rest will never catch up... so we end up with less overtaking.

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Just came across the sky f1 channel when flicking through my virgin media channels, sad panda

 

[Glaucus]

The KERS rules in 2014 are far more open.

I thought they did a U-turn on that and went back to silly restrictions.

 

[Skeeter]

Don't think so? There are limits on how much power can be delivered from the stored energy, but the methods of collecting are fairly open, as are how much of the stored energy is used and where on the track.

 

[Glaucus]

Original it was meant to be far more open than it curtly is with less restrictions on energy capture and re-use. Now I think it's prretty similar to now. Energy capture has always been fairly relaxed hence battery or fly wheel.

 

[JeditOjanen]

JRS...in that season, Button won most of the races in the first half of the season. In general, BrawnGP were head and shoulders above everybody else. Followed by RBR.

Mid way through the season, BrawnGP, suddenly went backwards and RBR took up the front running.

Brawn didn't "suddenly" go backwards. They were using the car Ross Brawn had designed for Honda, but couldn't develop much further due to lack of further funds. If Honda had stayed in F1 and continued to develop that car then they would have had a good chance of totally dominating the season.

 

[FrankJH]

Its a very difficult balance the FIA have to strike. They have to keep the sport technically interesting as that is part of the core of what makes F1, but they also have to keep costs under control and racing interesting. With the recent loss of a number of big names you can understand why they have gone for quick/cheap approaches to things (like DRS) rather than more risky relaxing of the rules.

Personally, I think they are doing a fairly decent job given the big picture. Sure, some things are not so good (the whole tyres from Quali regulation still makes no sense to me) but things like KERS and the energy recovery systems coming in in 2014 are very interesting, and have the potential for lots of technical innovation.

I didnt mean to sound like I was knocking KERS / energy recover or even DRS (both of which are good additions imo), I just wish some things werent quite restricted so cars could be much more unique

(and dont get me started on Red Bull and Torro Rosso with practically identical liveries )

That is true, however it means you have a couple of teams with massive budgets at the front and the rest will never catch up... so we end up with less overtaking.

Well to be fair it would be four - Merc , Ferrari , McLaren and RBR would all spend as much as they could to win for different (marketing ) reasons, so Im not sure how different it would be than now .......Im not suggesting Merc would be immediately up there, but they may not be either way lol

 

[Skeeter]

I think KERS is brilliant, but i think the way its been implimented elsewhere (endurance racing) is far more interesting and relevant to road cars. It doesn't offer much 'visible' difference to the viewer.

 

[Tweaker]

Why was it so few cars had KERS in 2009?

 

[Skeeter]

New technology that not everyone had the funds or ability to develop. Manufacturers also weren't selling the tech to customer teams.

Did HRT or Virgin or Caterham have KERS last year?

 

[Duke]

New technology that not everyone had the funds or ability to develop. Manufacturers also weren't selling the tech to customer teams.

Plus the benefit was still quite small to begin with. The batteries have become smaller and lighter since so it has helped.

Did HRT or Virgin or Caterham have KERS last year?

Nope and think its only Caterham who are using it this year (the Renault unit at a guess).

 

[Tweaker]

Plus the benefit was still quite small to begin with. The batteries have become smaller and lighter since so it has helped.



Nope and think its only Caterham who are using it this year (the Renault unit at a guess).

I think Brundle said they were using the Red Bull system given the deal they already have. So annoying that maRussia and HRT aren't moving with the rest of the pack.

 

[Duke]

That would make sense if they are using their gearbox as I think that RB split the batteries and put them around it or something.

Didn't Virgin/MR have a tie in with Mclaren? Surprised if they don't have their KERS unit unless there is a problem fitting it to the Cosworth system.

 

[Skeeter]

Yeah I would assume the KERS limitation of Marussia and HRT are to do with the engine. Did Williams run KERS when they were cosworth powered?

 

[Goates]

Yeah I would assume the KERS limitation of Marussia and HRT are to do with the engine. Did Williams run KERS when they were cosworth powered?

I think cost is the main reason for not running KERS. Apparently Marussia and HRT can't afford the £8 million that would be needed to get KERS in.

 

[Glaucus]

Why was it so few cars had KERS in 2009?

Weight, combined with minimum weight limit and driver weight. New tech.

Basically they wanted the cars as light as possible and reliable. Many thought keys wasn't worth the increased weight, weight distribution or reliability issues.
Since then minimum weight has increased, weight distribution has been fixed and of course it's far more reliable.

 

[~Mike~]

Is this a general topic thread now?