Motorsport Off Topic Thread

Ted Kravitz said:
Compromise on team radio restriction: a new directive will be issued allowing tech management msgs. All details in Friday practice on #skyf1
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Looks like the FIA have been made to see some sense.
 
*sigh*

On the one hand - yay, great, FIA actually listening when people tell them something isn't a great idea. On the other hand - allowing some messages and banning others is still asking for trouble if the line between 'okay' and 'not okay' isn't made very clear. And I expect there'll still be some wiggle room in the new directive.

Either ban the radio entirely, or let anything go. Don't leave room for ambiguity!
 
JRS said:
*sigh*

On the one hand - yay, great, FIA actually listening when people tell them something isn't a great idea. On the other hand - allowing some messages and banning others is still asking for trouble if the line between 'okay' and 'not okay' isn't made very clear. And I expect there'll still be some wiggle room in the new directive.

Either ban the radio entirely, or let anything go. Don't leave room for ambiguity!
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I think defining what isn't allowed will be much easier if they focus on driver coaching. After all, a lot of sports ban coaching of players/competitors during the event. It was the banning of things related to the car that the driver could have no way of knowing that was retarded.

I think a ban on messages regarding the performance of the driver will be quite easy to identify. Basically anything that advises a driver on his personal performance or his performance relative to other drivers. "Your tyres are too hot" = OK, "Brake later into turn 5, yours 2 tenths slower than X" = Not OK. It also sounds like all the teams are fine with banning driver coaching.
 
Skeeter said:
"Your tyres are too hot" = OK, "Brake later into turn 5, yours 2 tenths slower than X" = Not OK.
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But what about "Your brakes are too cold in turn five by 2" Sounds like a technical message about the car, but could be interpreted as you should brake later in turn five, as brakes will be OK temp wise, and by 2 could be the temp difference or 2 tenths.
You can't penalise a message like that because it can be taken for both meanings.

Oh and saying the big screen people have an advantage, surely they have a similar advantage even with full radio, so why don't all teams use them?
 
Swapping to a big screen means, at best redesigning the wheel and changing the ECU configuration, and at worst a whole new monocoque (for those teams with a dash mounted display). It's not something the teams can do in a week.
 
Is being idiotic and then back tracking when people point it out common sense? Or just a firmer cementing of the utter stupidity of the original ideas if everyone other than those who suggested it can see it was idiotic.
 
Bernie wanted the radio ban then.

Asked before Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix if he was in support of the radio ban, Ecclestone replied: “As I was the one who started it off – yes. I think none of the drivers want it [radio]. They are all happy that it has gone. They drive the cars, they should know what is wrong or right, they don’t need someone on the pit wall telling them what to do.”
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Also talk of dropping the double points :rolleyes: and 3 car teams.


http://www.sportinglife.com/formula...-suggested-f1-is-poised-for-a-dramatic-change
 
Twitter going off on one about Alonso rejoining Mclaren next year then... apparantly a driver line up announcement is imminent and should feature at Suzuka.
 
Silly season isn't it...

I can see the argument for Alonso going and staying put though.

Mclaren have a new Engine next year with a proven track record, millions of pounds to pump into the development of it and back everything up. Also Boullier and Prodromou etc. and a completely revitalised aero team, management structure and big Ron back in charge....

It could be worth a punt for Alonso, who, like a few other elder statesmen in F1, is getting on a bit now and desperately wants another WDC.

Ferrari have achieved nothing whatsover for several years.

But then again the Scuderia look like they are making progress and turning a corner with the car, it's getting better with each race and Alonso is generally sniffing around the podium. I think next year they should be even stronger now they've had a year to work out how their engine performs and where it's defecits lay.

Ultimately I feel that Alonso will stay and Jenson and K-Mag will be at driving for Mclaren next year though. Jenson has the Honda fan base and has worked with them before and I'm sure Ron is having talks with Honda CEOs as well as Boullier as to who to pair up next year.
 
smr - I'm a big JB fan too, but just because of that doesn't make wishful thinking become reality. Alonso has dragged Ferrari's sorry cars to near the top of the tables for the past few years, and this year's car is only improving relative to the horrible point at which it started the season. Yes, they've started to make changes to key staff but that doesn't bring success overnight nor even necessarily the next season. Of course they should be better next season - they could hardly be worse then this year.

If Fred could find a car that he had confidence would provide a better ride than the Ferrari then he'd be off like a shot. The question is, would McLaren provide it? The Honda powerplant must be a huge risk for next year, as it is completely unproven, and McLaren's lack of pace hasn't exactly been down to their engine this year.

Ron's calling the shots at McLaren now, and Boullier will have input but will ultimately take whoever Ron wants. I'd love to see JB in a McLaren powered by Honda once again, but I think that a potential move to McLaren by Fred is but one of the obstacles that could get in the way.
 
I'm not against Alonso going to Mclaren, I don't believe it's the right decision for Alonso to go after a title but you never know.

It's possible Honda put out the single best engine though even then I don't believe Mclaren will have the overall package as it will take some time before they have a top aero package to match a top engine. Even then I'd say Honda has the lowest chance of being the best engine next year out of all the manufacturers... possible but unlikely.

But rather like Hamilton, I think it would be a move born out of frustration with Ferrari than actual belief he can win elsewhere. Sometimes you just feel you know the current team is going no where fast and you at least want to try a different team that might move forwards. I do think Hamilton was sold on how strong Merc were building up to be for 2014 but I doubt he knew a huge amount about the 2014 car when he signed. It was more that he just didn't want to be treading water at Mclaren than knowing Merc would succeed. If merc did fantastically well that is a bonus, if they sucked that is bad luck. It was more about taking control and saying the current situation is frustrating/stressful and I need to make a change.

I seriously think with all the talk of Alonso possibly leaving that Williams should have spoken seriously with him before confirming Massa again. Though Massa has improved in the past couple of races most of his issues this year have been avoidable. Massa has always had a hitting everything possible style about him. Alonso even if the car didn't improve, being much more consistent would bring a lot of extra points to the team. He's just faster as well and would make Williams even more competitive.

Mclaren might be the better move over say a 5 year span(if he was around that long), for 2-3 years I think Williams will be the better choice. Oh well.
 
drunkenmaster said:
I'm not against Alonso going to Mclaren, I don't believe it's the right decision for Alonso to go after a title but you never know.

It's possible Honda put out the single best engine though even then I don't believe Mclaren will have the overall package as it will take some time before they have a top aero package to match a top engine. Even then I'd say Honda has the lowest chance of being the best engine next year out of all the manufacturers... possible but unlikely.

But rather like Hamilton, I think it would be a move born out of frustration with Ferrari than actual belief he can win elsewhere. Sometimes you just feel you know the current team is going no where fast and you at least want to try a different team that might move forwards. I do think Hamilton was sold on how strong Merc were building up to be for 2014 but I doubt he knew a huge amount about the 2014 car when he signed. It was more that he just didn't want to be treading water at Mclaren than knowing Merc would succeed. If merc did fantastically well that is a bonus, if they sucked that is bad luck. It was more about taking control and saying the current situation is frustrating/stressful and I need to make a change.

I seriously think with all the talk of Alonso possibly leaving that Williams should have spoken seriously with him before confirming Massa again. Though Massa has improved in the past couple of races most of his issues this year have been avoidable. Massa has always had a hitting everything possible style about him. Alonso even if the car didn't improve, being much more consistent would bring a lot of extra points to the team. He's just faster as well and would make Williams even more competitive.

Mclaren might be the better move over say a 5 year span(if he was around that long), for 2-3 years I think Williams will be the better choice. Oh well.
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Williams always saw Massa as more than a single season seat. I think they just wanted the stability with drivers so that they could develop the car properly for them to help bring the team back up the grid again.

As for Honda and McLaren not having the best aero package. Williams is a good example of this. Whilst I am a massive Williams fan, you have to accept that if it wasn't for the Merc engine, they wouldn't be where they are. With a Renault engine, they would have maybe only elevated themselves to be fighting with Sauber this season. This is more apparent at tracks such as the last one where it isn't about straight line speed. If Honda bring a good engine to the table, then McLaren would have a very good chance of turning things around, and would possibly see them having more fights at the top again.

Though, my opinion is possibly pap.
 
Williams are beating Mclaren and Force India comfortably, they have decent aero, it's not the best but it's improving and it's a step above the competition. The Sauber is a dog and with a Ferrari or Renault the Williams overall package would have them above those and likely only a little further back than they are now.

Yes the car is good on straight line speed, but you seem to be missing that Massa came 5th and both of them had crappy strategy where they went stupid long on tires which completely killed Bottas's race at the end. I forget what it was but they said Bottas's car has some small problem but it meant saving the tires was nearly impossible for him. Williams were by no means slow and they've been competitive in all but a few races. They are better on the purer speed tracks but it's not night and day difference. It's a good car with one meh experienced driver who keeps hitting everything and one pretty new driver who is doing well.

It's completely incorrect to suggest Williams would only be fighting with the Sauber were it not for the Merc engine... the fact that they SO comfortably beat Mclaren and Force India is absolute proof their(and Merc's) car is more than just engine, Merc have excellent aero to go with it, Williams have pretty decent aero, Mclaren/Force India, same engine, worse aero, further back.
 
MissChief said:
So Button out? Surprised as Honda and Japan love Jenson. Straight swap? Last weekend it was Vettel to Ferrari and Alonso to Red Bull!
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I followed JB and banged the drum for him on here pre championship when few others did, since the title I have been critical of his hunger and ability. That said why would you get rid of Button and keep KM.

Button is frankly **** at qualifying since the end part of 09, the cars since haven't improved his ability to do well in qualifying. Yet Button beats his team mate in all areas. It doesn't matter that he's a rookie but as everyone is quick to say is on his last legs. If KM can't put the old man to bed on a saturday and sunday farm him out of another team and buy him back IF he ever becomes the real deal.

Alonso Button makes far more sense, in the way Webber Vettel did when the 2nd driver is keen to prove his worth but is a happy to be there no2.
 
Unfortunately I think there's a preference for potential over demonstrable experience, and a real fear factor in letting the next wunderkind slip through your fingers. Look at RBR signing up Verstappen, and Mercedes appointing Wehrlein. Look at Kvyat taking the place of other drivers who many felt (at the time) had greater potential.

I agree that JB would be an excellent number two behind Alonso. I just doubt he'd get the chance.
 
If McLaren do sign Alonso for 2015, wouldn't it make sense to keep Jenson from a continuation of development? Jenson would be able to describe how the 2015 car compares to the 2014 car and where to improve it. Keeping Magnussen to partner Alonso might not work as well unless McLaren rate Kevin's ability to help develop a car.
 
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