Motorsport Off Topic Thread

The teams don't like it cos the cars run so close to the limits that doing donuts could rob you of a few grammes in weight (rubber and fuel) and a few mm in rear ride height that might cost you the points. Pity really.
 
It's more to do with putting unusual and unnecessary stresses through the engine and gearbox now that failure of those parts has serious penalties. Dumping the clutch and bouncing of the limiter in 1st gear is not good for the drivetrain.
 
Kevin Clark said:
The teams don't like it cos the cars run so close to the limits that doing donuts could rob you of a few grammes in weight (rubber and fuel) and a few mm in rear ride height that might cost you the points. Pity really.
Click to expand...


I think it's more to do with the fact that drivers have to save the tyres to get as much data as possible from them, and they never have much fuel left...
 
I remember Alesi doing it at Montreal in 2001 (albeit not actually donuts, just lighting up the tyres), and obviously there is Massa in 2011... but donuts aren't something synonymous with F1... it's never been an F1 tradition outside of street demos.

Zanardi made it in CART during his glory days in the late 90s prior to joining Williams, but apart from that I'm struggling to think of any F1-related donuts.

Heck, in F1 we even spell it in the American way - I can't ever recall it being spelt the European (UK) way.
 
Last edited:
Skeeter said:
It's more to do with putting unusual and unnecessary stresses through the engine and gearbox now that failure of those parts has serious penalties. Dumping the clutch and bouncing of the limiter in 1st gear is not good for the drivetrain.
Click to expand...
Indeed, pretty much every year at Goodwood someone has to pack up early for the day because the gearbox has been munched by latest bright young thing having too much fun...
 
rpstewart said:
Indeed, pretty much every year at Goodwood someone has to pack up early for the day because the gearbox has been munched by latest bright young thing having too much fun...
Click to expand...

The memorable one for me was Bruno Senna being told to be gentle in the Senna's MP4/4 - and promptly trashing the gearbox with burnouts.
 
MagicBoy said:
Not like it was a weekly occurrence in the 90s... :confused:
Click to expand...

Think you have misunderstood what I was saying. I wasn't being specific about about the picture, I was talking about in general and also gave an example of drivers not being allowed to do doughnuts, never even mentioned the 90's.

Yes drivers aren't allowed to do these things anymore be it the FIA rules or the teams not wanting them to damage the car.
 
If anyone's interested - FIA F1 Sporting Regulation 43.3 is what bans doughnuts and burnouts in celebration - and also collecting national flags.

43.3

After receiving the end-of-race signal all cars must proceed on the circuit directly to the post race parc fermé without any unnecessary delay, without receiving any object whatsoever and without any assistance (except that of the marshals if necessary).
Click to expand...
 
If you'd like to give a precise definition of the "good old days of F1" it would be a start. I was working off the quoted video of the '91 British GP so it seemed a reasonable inference.

I'm sure it all makes perfect sense if your head, unfortunately I'm not psychic! ;)

Any idea when 43.3 was last changed/updated Flibster?
 
Doughnuts were always more a CART\Indycar thing:


Screw engine penalties, I'd be pretty happy too winning in the equivalent of a Toro Rosso against the Ganassi juggernaut :p
 
Its a big thing in NASCAR too.

The FIA have regulated against doing anything after the race for decades. It comes from people interfering with the car like putting lead down the exhausts to ensure they passed the weight limit.
 
Last edited:
Sort of sounds like to me they're trying to make him unhappy so he won't renew the contract and they can get someone new in for 2014. Although if they really do think he'll never win a title why do they keep signing him up? :p Plenty of other drivers who'd kill for that seat.
 
RB in public do treat Webber in a weird way, it's hard to work out what is really going on. He should have joined Ferrari this season tbh.
 
Duke said:
RB in public do treat Webber in a weird way, it's hard to work out what is really going on. He should have joined Ferrari this season tbh.
Click to expand...

Has that ever actually been confirmed, or just speculation?

I like MW a great deal, he just comes across as more believable to me than a few others in that team I could mention.

Just not sure Ferrari would be any better for him, at least better the devil you know......:D
 
FrankJH said:
Has that ever actually been confirmed, or just speculation?

I like MW a great deal, he just comes across as more believable to me than a few others in that team I could mention.

Just not sure Ferrari would be any better for him, at least better the devil you know......:D
Click to expand...

I'm sure Webber himself said he at least talked to Ferrari about the possibility.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom