F1 World Championship 2010 Thread

[Buio]

Vettel: Failure cost us the win

"At the end it seemed to kind of recover but it wasn't it great but it cost us a lot. At least we scored 12 important points."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82128

I think it is funny how many drivers refers himself & the team as "us" and "we", but in this case "we" actually scored 16 points if you take into account Webbers 4 points. Or maybe Vettel refers to himself and his car (only). =)

Anyway, really boring race, but Bahrain has been boring before. I hope it gets better in Austraila.

[Kerm]

They need to try and make overtaking more prominent. After all, that's the only exciting bit!

[Shibby]

There was overtaking, but it was mainly because of mistakes or problems. ?We do need to change the rules after a couple of races because it's hard to tell on these glory tracks, more money than fun.?

[san.W10]

I think it is funny how many drivers refers himself & the team as "us" and "we", but in this case "we" actually scored 16 points if you take into account Webbers 4 points. Or maybe Vettel refers to himself and his car (only). =)

Anyway, really boring race, but Bahrain has been boring before. I hope it gets better in Austraila.

i think "we" for a driver means - his mechanics, race engg. ..., not the whole team. :D

[Biohead]

I thought it was one of the most boring races in a long time.

I'm willing to give the Australian gp a try, but if that's the same then I really can't see me being too bothered with this season. At least rallying is always pretty close between drivers and teams!

[Billus]

If they're planning to have a mandatory 2 pit stop rule then why not simply reintroduce refueling? Seems rather pointless to just drive through the pit. Just changing the tyres itself won't change much. Basically, everyone will come in at the same time and come out in the same order. As this non-refueling ban is facing lots of criticism, my guess is that many will turn away from the sport as one of the most interesting aspects of Formula 1, that it has actual pit stops, is taken away. Looks like a quick review is in order, chop chop.

Btw, does anyone know how many spectators turned up to the event? The magic box didn't focus on the stands at all. From the distance, they actually looked empty :s

[what]

If they're planning to have a mandatory 2 pit stop rule then why not simply reintroduce refueling? Seems rather pointless to just drive through the pit. Just changing the tyres itself won't change much. Basically, everyone will come in at the same time and come out in the same order. As this non-refueling ban is facing lots of criticism, my guess is that many will turn away from the sport as one of the most interesting aspects of Formula 1, that it has actual pit stops, is taken away. Looks like a quick review is in order, chop chop.

Btw, does anyone know how many spectators turned up to the event? The magic box didn't focus on the stands at all. From the distance, they actually looked empty :s

Well I guess with the amount of time and money the teams have spent developing cars with larger fuel tanks, that wouldn't be a very popular move with no testing allowed between race weekends.

[HSoft]

Well I guess with the amount of time and money the teams have spent developing cars with larger fuel tanks, that wouldn't be a very popular move with no testing allowed between race weekends.

Yes probably however with all the teams going out on the same fuel loads, there's basically going to be very little overtaking, very little strategy and the races are going to be fairly boring (Bahrain was a perfect example. The only exciting bits to the race were the start and when Vettel had a problem with his car).

Bring back refuelling. At least then you have cars on different strategies. Different weights in the cars means more overtaking (those loaded up with fuel go slower but gamble going further into the race without spending 25 secs during a pit stop etc).

I think the no refuelling rule is a terrible idea.

[simonlang]

I thought it was one of the most boring races in a long time.

I'm willing to give the Australian gp a try, but if that's the same then I really can't see me being too bothered with this season. At least rallying is always pretty close between drivers and teams!

and dont forget motoGP - amazing races, LOTS of overtakings!

[san.W10]

FIA closes rear diffuser loophole

McLaren, Mercedes GP and at least two other teams will have to make modifications to their diffuser designs in time for the Australian Grand Prix, AUTOSPORT has learned, after the FIA told them that it is clamping down on a loophole being used by the outfits.

Discussions took place between the FIA and representatives from four teams over the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix weekend about the size of starter motor holes in their diffusers.

The size of their starter motor holes was believed to be excessively wide, which, although not in breach of the regulations, was reckoned to be going against the spirit of the rules.

F1's technical regulations state that a hole can exist in the diffuser to allow access for an engine starter motor - although there are no strict dimensions laid down.

Article 3.12.7 states: "A single break in the surface is permitted solely to allow the minimum required access for the device referred to in Article 5.15. [supposed to refer to starter motor, although this is Article 5.16]."

There is no specific definition of what the 'minimum' size is though - so some teams have been using exotically shaped starter motors to allow themselves to feature wide-shaped holes in the diffusers. This concept was pioneered by Brawn GP in 2009.

Such a hole in the diffuser helps create another tunnel for air to flow through - which as well as helping to produce more downforce, also ensures such downforce is more consistent throughout a lap - especially under braking, when the rear of the car rises up and the airflow can stall.

The FIA inspected the diffuser designs in Bahrain and promised to issue a clarification about the matter after the weekend had finished.

AUTOSPORT understands that the FIA has duly sent a note to all teams, laying down strict dimensions for not only a maximum diameter for the holes but also for a maximum projected area.

It is believed that McLaren, Mercedes and two other teams - believed to be Renault and Force India - will now have to make modifications to their diffuser designs in this area prior to the next race in Melbourne.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said in Bahrain last weekend that his team was one of many that was under investigation over the matter.

"There are holes in the diffuser for the starter, the hole in ours is no bigger than the one on the championship winning car last year," he said. "And also no bigger than it is on about four other cars."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82234

hmmm

MGP were way behind the leaders with "this" DDD, now i think i should lower my expectation for Australian GP :D

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

FIA invites teams for 2011 selection

The FIA has invited possible entrants for the 2011 Formula 1 season, after announcing earlier this month that it will open a new selection process to find more teams to fill the grid.

The governing body said on Friday that it will also identify one or more possible 'reserve' entrants to fill the vacancies that may exist next year.

Formula 1's ruling body said the process will be open to all candidates capable of racing in the 2011 and 2012 championships.

"The overall long-term interests of the championship will determine which candidates are selected," said the FIA.

All the details of the selection process will be revealed to the candidates who have registered a formal expression of interest before Thursday 15th April. an administration fee of ?1,000 will need to be paid by each candidate.

The FIA said the timing of the process would depend on the candidates' responses, but made it clear a decision on the entrant would be announced by July.

The governing body said a successful entrant should have "the technical ability and resources of the team; the ability of the team to raise and maintain sufficient funding to allow participation; the team's experience and human resources and the FIA's assessment of the value that the candidate may bring to the Championship as a whole."

Source: Autosport

Let's hope the 13th grid spot will go to a worthier contender than USF1.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Gentlemen:

Today would have been the 50th birthday of Ayrton Senna. Spare a thought for one of the greatest racing driver of all times who died far too early.

Thank you.

[san.W10]

Happy birthday Ayrton Senna , The memories will live on.

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Tunnel collapse at Spa-Francorchamps

An access tunnel underneath a section of track near Spa-Francorchamps' famous Blanchimont corner has partially collapsed.

Local reports said no cars were circulating the Belgian GP venue at the time of the collapse, and that the only damage to the surface itself is some cracks.

It is not believed anyone in the vicinity of the tunnel, which despite recent renovations at the circuit dates back to the 70s, was hurt.

The collapsed tunnel, providing access to trucks and also pedestrians, was 6 metres in height. Damaged in the collapse was some run-off area, guard rails and a television camera.

Spa, scheduled to host Formula One in late August, will be closed this week due to the collapse.

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=361056&FS=F1

video: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xcntfw_effondrement-tunnel-circuit-spa-fra_news

[san.W10]

Sauber introduces its own F-duct system

BMW Sauber has become the first team to copy the radical F-duct system pioneered by McLaren, as the Swiss outfit fitted its own version of the device to its cars in Melbourne on Thursday

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82346

[Antaris Veteran]

Virgin to redesign car because fuel tank is too small

The new Virgin team are being forced to make major modifications to their car after discovering that its fuel tank is too small to get to the end of races.

Virgin, who entered Formula 1 this season, have asked governing body the FIA for permission to submit a new chassis for inspection.

The modified car will not be ready until the fifth race of the season, the Spanish Grand Prix on 9 May.

Technical boss Nick Wirth admitted the car's tank capacity was "marginal".

More @ BBC Sport

I lol'd!

[MightyJordan]

Yeah, I can't believe they've made a mistake like that! :rofl:

[what]

Yeah that's a pretty ****ty mistake to be making. Just makes them look like they don't have a clue.

[deuz]

LOL, lewis hamilton just got booked by the vic police for doing a burnout and speeding on public road....i guess we'll find out what happens tomorrow...:D

[Mike]

Who would have thought the Virgins couldn't go the distance...

[san.W10]

LOL, lewis hamilton just got booked by the vic police for doing a burnout and speeding on public road....i guess we'll find out what happens tomorrow...:D

Hamilton apologises for driving incident

Lewis Hamilton has apologised for driving in an "over-exuberant manner" after he was stopped by Australian police on Friday.

The McLaren driver did a burnout and a fishtail in a Mercedes car along Lakeside Drive in Melbourne and as a result he was pulled over by police.

According to local media, Hamilton, whose car was impounded, will be fined and charged on summons with improper use of a vehicle.

The Briton said in a statement on Friday evening that he was sorry for what he considered to be a 'silly' mistake.

"This evening, I was driving in an over-exuberant manner and, as a result, was stopped by the police," said Hamilton.

"What I did was silly, and I want to apologise for it."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82412

:D

[MightyJordan]

Who would have thought the Virgins couldn't go the distance...

[brentaal]

LOL, lewis hamilton just got booked by the vic police for doing a burnout and speeding on public road....i guess we'll find out what happens tomorrow...:D

Imho, he should be disqualified from F1 2010.

[ahmz]

Another great Pole position lap by Vettel.. beating Shumachers lap record!

Pos  Driver         Team                   Q1        Q2        Q3
 1.  Vettel         Red Bull-Renault      1:24.774   1:24.096  1:23.919
 2.  Webber         Red Bull-Renault      1:25.286   1:24.276  1:24.035
 3.  Alonso         Ferrari               1:25.082   1:24.335  1:24.111
 4.  Button         McLaren-Mercedes      1:24.897   1:24.531  1:24.675
 5.  Massa          Ferrari               1:25.548   1:25.010  1:24.837
 6.  Rosberg        Mercedes              1:24.788   1:24.788  1:24.884
 7.  Schumacher     Mercedes              1:25.351   1:24.871  1:24.927
 8.  Barrichello    Williams-Cosworth     1:25.702   1:25.085  1:25.217
 9.  Kubica         Renault               1:25.588   1:25.122  1:25.372
10.  Sutil          Force India-Mercedes  1:25.504   1:25.046  1:26.036
11.  Hamilton       McLaren-Mercedes      1:25.046   1:25.184
12.  Buemi          Toro Rosso-Ferrari    1:26.061   1:25.638
13.  Liuzzi         Force India-Mercedes  1:26.170   1:25.743
14.  de la Rosa     Sauber-Ferrari        1:26.089   1:25.747
15.  Hulkenberg     Williams-Cosworth     1:25.866   1:25.748
16.  Kobayashi      Sauber-Ferrari        1:26.251   1:25.777
17.  Alguersuari    Toro Rosso-Ferrari    1:26.095   1:26.089
18.  Petrov         Renault               1:26.471
19.  Kovalainen     Lotus-Cosworth        1:28.797
20.  Trulli         Lotus-Cosworth        1:29.111
21.  Glock          Virgin-Cosworth       1:29.592
22.  di Grassi      Virgin-Cosworth       1:30.185
23.  Senna          HRT-Cosworth          1:30.526
24.  Chandhok       HRT-Cosworth          1:30.613

All Timing Unofficial

According to the (non-existant) 107% rule, Di Grassi, Senna & Chandhok would all be out of the race.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Allow me to make a comment regarding Hamilton's qualifying result:

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Thank you.

[Billus]

Imho, he should be disqualified from F1 2010.

Lol. Hopefully this race will be interesting, me doubts it though. I find the practice and qualifying sessions to be much more entertaining then the race itself.