F1 2011 season news / pre-season updates

Shimmy · 17 Feb 2011 at 12:44

If it's just a case of medical staff, they can be flown in.

Ceryndrion · 17 Feb 2011 at 13:09

Mr Jack said:
There are going to be at least three new drivers sitting on the grid at Bahrain (Perez, di Resta and Maldonado).

Wonder why it is, that people keep missing off D'ambrosio (custard) from the list of rookies this year (albeit he's driving for virgin)

Mr Jack · 17 Feb 2011 at 13:33

Ceryndrion said:
Wonder why it is, that people keep missing off D'ambrosio (custard) from the list of rookies this year (albeit he's driving for virgin)

My bad.

Skeeter · 17 Feb 2011 at 13:54

"Oooh Arrr, its D'Ambrosio. Oooh Arrr, its D'Ambrosio!"

GravyMonster · 17 Feb 2011 at 14:15

Devon knows how they make him so creamy.

NightSt@lk3r · 17 Feb 2011 at 15:07

If things stay as they are in Bahrain the GP aint happening, a few freinds are there this weekend for the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East and the whole weekend has been cancelled, its a war zone around the circuit bullets flying through the air, tanks lining the streets.

sunama · 17 Feb 2011 at 15:16

When was the last time an entire GP weekend was cancelled?

I do not recall anything like this happening in the last 2 decades.

GravyMonster · 17 Feb 2011 at 16:08

Portugal 1997. Race was moved to Jerez, and we know what happened there

sunama · 17 Feb 2011 at 16:13

So they will have 4 choices:

1. completely cancel the GP (unlikely)
2. shift the GP to a later date
3. replace the Bahrain GP with another GP (not on yet on the calender).
4. or simply go ahead with the GP as planned and arrange armed escorts, etc.

GravyMonster · 17 Feb 2011 at 16:17

Hopefully they'll cancel the event and never go back to Bahrain as it's invariably a zzz-fest.

Albert park should always have the opener. The Aussies always give it a great atmosphere.

howler · 17 Feb 2011 at 16:20

sunama said:
So they will have 4 choices:

4. or simply go ahead with the GP as planned and arrange armed escorts, etc.

Would be great to see the drivers getting out of tanks

I think the armed escorts are probably a bit busy dealing with the protestors

It's a while until Bahrain, I would imagine they would get it under control by then

sunama · 17 Feb 2011 at 16:29

The problem is that with sponsorships and advertising, the Bahrain GP is very important to the people who stage the GP. They will do whatever it takes to make sure it goes ahead (either in 3 weeks or later in the year). I can't see how the Bahrain GP organisers will allow the GP to simply get wiped off the 2011 GP schedule.

howler · 17 Feb 2011 at 16:36

Not to mention all the fans that have bought tickets and made travel arrangements

Skeeter · 17 Feb 2011 at 16:39

Move to Qatar. And run it under the lights!

TBH, with the efforts involved in running a race, I can see it being cancelled if it doesn't happen, rather than moved or postponed.

BoostedDC2 · 17 Feb 2011 at 19:08

Spunkey said:
Interesting comparison of the wheelbases of the 2011 cars. The McLaren and Red Bull are about even, the F150 is a little shorter. However the surprise to me is the Mercedes which is really short, even allowing a little for the marginally different angles. Assuming they've got a fullsize fuel tank and a KERS system wedged in there, they've done an awesome job packaging that up so small. Should mean the car is much better in the slow and tight sections.[/img]

Love this picture. Been looking it over a lot.

McLaren nose is much lower, not just at the front, but look where the top of the front wheel is compared to the other cars. On the other cars the top of the nose is even or just above the top of the wheel. McLaren nose is below the top of the wheel.

Duke · 17 Feb 2011 at 20:58

Lots of tech updates to read on F1.com from testing - http://www.formula1.com/news/technical/2011/0/

Alibaba99 · 17 Feb 2011 at 21:17

BoostedDC2 said:
Love this picture. Been looking it over a lot.

McLaren nose is much lower, not just at the front, but look where the top of the front wheel is compared to the other cars. On the other cars the top of the nose is even or just above the top of the wheel. McLaren nose is below the top of the wheel.

The McLaren is trying to get as much air over the top of the car and into the sidepod grooves, hence the low nose. Others are trying to get as much air down and round the base of the sides so the nose is up and out of the way.

BoostedDC2 · 17 Feb 2011 at 21:36

Alibaba99 said:
The McLaren is trying to get as much air over the top of the car and into the sidepod grooves, hence the low nose. Others are trying to get as much air down and round the base of the sides so the nose is up and out of the way.

Yeah, it's interesting how well you can see the other drivers from the side while the new sidepods on the McLaren block most of the view of the driver. I would love to see the same sytle picture but done looking at the front of all the cars. I'm trying to see how much lower the inboard portion of the McLaren sidepods are compared to the others. Will be interesting to see what ends up being the best solution.

DBT85 · 17 Feb 2011 at 21:54

howler said:
Not to mention all the fans that have bought tickets and made travel arrangements

Who would all complain like drains if they got shot up in the head because of the protests.

dannyjo22 · 17 Feb 2011 at 21:58

Spunkey said:
Portugal 1997. Race was moved to Jerez, and we know what happened there

Good shout, I forgot it was dropped as the updates were not done in time. I loved the circuit and would love to see it back on the calendar. It was passed as F1 fit a couple of years ago.

A great circuit for Brits to go to.