official F1 World Championship 2011 Thread

[san.W10]

is anyone here playing F1 2010 multiplayer?

played it first time today, was fun, finished 3rd two times :p

back in 2010 couldnt play coz my laptop ( m8600 gfx card) had long loading issue, by the time the race loaded, i'd be kicked out coz of time out :|

if anyone interested, post a time (GMT) at which we can game :D

[Zain Adeel]

for some reason my game wont start anymore.. i get some dll errors ive been unable to fix..

tried all the guides.. but none work :(

so uninstalled the game.

[san.W10]

FIA finalises British GP diffuser ban

Formula 1's ban on the off-throttle use of blown diffusers will definitely come into force at the British Grand Prix, AUTOSPORT can reveal, after the details were finalised by technical chiefs and the FIA on Thursday.

Just days after FIA technical delegate Charlie Whiting wrote to the teams to make it clear that he was determined to push through the ban, the matter was discussed in detail by F1 thinktank - the Technical Working Group

Although no official statement has been made about the outcome of the meeting, sources have revealed to AUTOSPORT that the FIA saw no reason to postpone its intended ban any further than Silverstone, having delayed its original start date of the Spanish Grand Prix because of what it feared would be 'unintended consequences' for teams.

This will effectively limit teams to using just 10% of engine over-run when the driver is off the accelerator - which will prevent the clever mapping systems that have pumped almost full throttle exhaust flow through engines when the driver was not on the power.

As well as the change for this year's regulations, the teams and the FIA agreed a bigger revision to the 2012 rules that will make it impossible for teams to run any form of blown diffuser.

Rather than limiting the location of exhausts to a box near the centreline of the cars, as originally suggested in Whiting's latter last weekend, the TWG agreed that the rules should instead force teams to run top-exit exhausts - which were common in F1 several years ago.

This change was made because some teams believed that even having exhausts exiting at the rear of the car above the diffuser meant there was still a chance of them being able to influence the car's aerodynamics.

The changes for the British GP are expected to affect almost every team on the grid - although how much it has an impact on the competitive order is unclear.

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali suggested in Canada last weekend that the revisions could lead to a completely different picture for the second half of the championship.

"We need to see in Silverstone, what is the real effect of this change in the regulations with regard to the effect of the exhaust," he explained.

"Then, we will see really where is the second championship in terms of the level of performance above all in higher downforce tracks."

It is understood that having listened to the views of the teams in the meeting, the FIA will communicate with them by Friday evening to let them know the specifics of the engine mapping restrictions for Silverstone and what changes - if any ? will be made from the details of the note that was sent to them in Montreal.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/92374

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

FIA in new engine mapping clampdown

Formula 1 teams are to face a further clampdown on engine mapping use from this weekend's European Grand Prix, AUTOSPORT has learned, with the FIA moving to eradicate special qualifying-only settings

Ahead of the effective ban on the off-throttle use of blown diffusers from next month's British Grand Prix, motor racing's governing body has shown it is determined to prevent teams from using any form of clever engine use to help aerodynamic performance.

In a note sent from F1 technical delegate Charlie Whiting to the teams, he made it clear that with immediate effect teams will no longer be allowed to change engine maps between qualifying and the race.

Such a move will effectively prevent teams from running an extreme engine map for qualifying - such as one that produces more exhaust blowing or burns more fuel ? and then reverting to a safer setting for the grand prix itself.

One theory surrounding Red Bull Racing's qualifying dominance this year, compared to the fact it has not been so fast in the race, is that the team has been using extreme engine maps in qualifying to boost performance for a single lap.

McLaren's principal race engineer Phil Prew said about his team's theory on Red Bull Racing's form earlier this year: "I think tyre optimisation may be one area, and the use of elaborate engine modes may be another - with the generation of downforce being quite highly influenced with the exhaust flows."

The new directive from the FIA means that any engine mapping setting used in qualifying has to now be used for the start of the race ? with the first opportunity to change it now only possible at the first pitstop when a computer could in theory be plugged into the car.

However, such a move would be hugely impractical because of the speed of modern pitstops.

The extreme engine maps that some teams may be using for qualifying would be unusable in the race ? because they risk reliability of engines over longer distances and could burn too much fuel.

Although the changes to the regulations coming into force over the next two races will affect all teams, the main focus will be in terms of what impact it has on pace-setters Red Bull Racing.

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said at the Canadian Grand Prix that he believed Silverstone could mark the start of a totally new picture in terms of the world title fight.

"We need to see in Silverstone, what is the real effect of this change in the regulations with regard to the effect of the exhaust," he said.

"Then, we will see really where is the second championship in terms of the level of performance above all in higher downforce tracks."

Source: Autosport

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Valencia race debut for medium tyres

Pirelli's new medium tyre compound will make its racing debut in this weekend's European GP following a successful test in Canada.

The rubber, which was tested during practice in Montreal, will be the 'prime' tyre in Valencia, with the soft to be used as 'option'.

The PZero White medium tyre is not quite as durable as the hards, but "it is quicker while still representing a significant step in range over the option tyre," according to Pirelli.

"We've seen some fantastic street races so far this season, with the last grand prix in Canada being one of the highlights of the year, so we hope that Valencia will continue this pattern although it's notoriously difficult to overtake there," said Pirelli's Paul Hembery.

"Tyre wear on this circuit is likely to be quite high because of the track layout, the nature of the surface, and also the weather conditions, which should be very warm.

"For all these reasons, we've selected the medium and soft tyres, which should provide the teams with a good level of resistance, plenty of different opportunities for strategy and about a second per lap difference between the compounds.

"The PZero White tyres have been adjusted slightly from our original specification to make them a bit more durable, along the lines of the tweak we made to the PZero Silver hard tyre in Spain, and this was the compound that the teams tested during Friday's free practice in Canada, giving us plenty of useful data."

Source: Autosport

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

[simonlang]

:rofl: mark webber - alonsos biggest supporter in this years championship. :rofl:

[Zoom7000]

Well... let's just hope it rains in Silverstone! Pretty dead GP after the wonders of Canada 2 weeks ago!

[TheLegendOfMart]

Yet another boring race Vettel screaming ahead into the lead, getting bored of this season i dont see why its getting much higher viewing figures than last year.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

[Eddo89]

Yet another boring race Vettel screaming ahead into the lead, getting bored of this season i dont see why its getting much higher viewing figures than last year.

Because the rest of the race is more interesting? Can't really blame him for streaking up and uncatchable. Really makes you think if Webber still got it or Vettel just went to another level sometimes.

But this race was pretty mundane compared to rest of this year.

[what]

Well... let's just hope it rains in Silverstone! Pretty dead GP after the wonders of Canada 2 weeks ago!

The dry track didn't make it boring, Valencia just doesn't owe itself to overtaking. Last years GP was only memorable because of Webber's accident. Apart from that, there was one overtake and that was it.

Every other race this year has been great and only one of them was wet. Even Monaco had a tonne of action.

[123456789A]

Hmm, Lewis Hamilton didn't crash into anybody this time?

[Zoom7000]

The dry track didn't make it boring, Valencia just doesn't owe itself to overtaking. Last years GP was only memorable because of Webber's accident. Apart from that, there was one overtake and that was it.

Every other race this year has been great and only one of them was wet. Even Monaco had a tonne of action.

I didn't insinuate that the rain makes for an interesting race, but that it increases the entertainment. As you mentioned, Valencia had merely 1 overtake last year. I think it's high time they took the European GP somewhere else in err... Europe! I also don't agree that there was any need for Pirelli to change tyres. It's been great all season, don't mess with the winning formula!

[simonlang]

after this race i just REFUSE to believe webber will be at redbull next year. has he ever shown any attempt to defend alonso or attack him afterwards? the pitcrew brought him back to p2 once but then he failed again.

vettel - nothing to say, he is perfect and walking to title number 2 - highly deserved.

alonso and hamilton ... hell i cant believe these ever won a wdc title, do you?! the first one was pale and uninspiring all race long and for a guy who got the place gifted from his team mate after the start thats just not ennough.

hamilton.. he has more to show than what he did today for sure. that was loozy :(

massa got his race screwed by his own team again ... nothing new here. i wonder why he even cares to start as he knows he is not allowed to show his true pace; he has to slow down as much to be not faster than alonso. sad.

button ... no comment. i would have nearly give to him that he was stuck behind rosberg, ,... and then he past and i thought wow now lets see he ll close the gap to hami in no time but,..... NOTHING....

all others ... go home!

for pirelli after the first races where they shown it can be a good show they seem to go now the bridgestone way with long lasting tires and less differences ... i dont like that...

[Malleus Maleficarum]

after this race i just REFUSE to believe webber will be at redbull next year. has he ever shown any attempt to defend alonso or attack him afterwards? the pitcrew brought him back to p2 once but then he failed again.

vettel - nothing to say, he is perfect and walking to title number 2 - highly deserved.

alonso and hamilton ... hell i cant believe these ever won a wdc title, do you?! the first one was pale and uninspiring all race long and for a guy who got the place gifted from his team mate after the start thats just not ennough.

hamilton.. he has more to show than what he did today for sure. that was loozy :(

massa got his race screwed by his own team again ... nothing new here. i wonder why he even cares to start as he knows he is not allowed to show his true pace; he has to slow down as much to be not faster than alonso. sad.

button ... no comment. i would have nearly give to him that he was stuck behind rosberg, ,... and then he past and i thought wow now lets see he ll close the gap to hami in no time but,..... NOTHING....

all others ... go home!

for pirelli after the first races where they shown it can be a good show they seem to go now the bridgestone way with long lasting tires and less differences ... i dont like that...

[TheLegendOfMart]

vettel - nothing to say, he is perfect and walking to title number 2 - highly deserved.

He is far from perfect, the only reason he is winning because of the superior car, he doesnt have any skill in overtaking, if the 2012 car is mediocre expect to see him mid pack.

button ... no comment. i would have nearly give to him that he was stuck behind rosberg, ,... and then he past and i thought wow now lets see he ll close the gap to hami no time but,..... NOTHING....

He was running a different setup to Hamilton and he had issues with KERS and tyres overheating, you cant just dismiss the guy because the car isnt competitive enough. The car was a disaster at the start of the season but they are starting to catch up now, still 275 points up for grabs.

[Zain Adeel]

I think Alonso can do great with a bit of better car. same for Massa.

And webber needs to move elsewhere.. The best car isnt enough for him even. Still messes up.

[Dan~]

Bit of a boring race IMO, not much seemed to happen.

I'm at Silverstone in two weeks I hope it's more exciting!

[DarkyDan]

I hope Webber gets to grip with those Pirelli Tyres soon, he is a better racer than Vettel and on a level playing field (Webber is 15kgs heavier than Vettel) is definitely the faster driver of the two

That being said Vettel is doing an awesome job this season, even with the best car you need to make it count. His tyre management is clearly the best this season.

Even though I dislike Ferrari, I feel that would be the best place for Webber to go, it would be madness for him to ditch such a fast car in the RB6 but I feel he needs a change of atmosphere.

Vettel would be better paired with a young up and coming driver like Ricciardo.

McLaren went missing in a big way in Valencia, it is quite odd following the progress of McLaren and Ferrari in their battle for 'best of the rest' they keep switching places depending on the track.

[simonlang]

I hope Webber gets to grip with those Pirelli Tyres soon, he is a better racer than Vettel and on a level playing field (Webber is 15kgs heavier than Vettel) is definitely the faster driver of the two

Even though I dislike Ferrari, I feel that would be the best place for Webber to go, it would be madness for him to ditch such a fast car in the RB6 but I feel he needs a change of atmosphere.

sorry, i disagree here.

i have yet to see any proof tha webber is a racer at all.

it took that guy AGES to win a race at all and then he only did so when the car was clearly the best of the field. he never shined in difficult situations, but prefered to bin it then, see south korea 2010 for example.

also its beyond my imagination that webber (older, slower and less wins than massa) would be a good replacement for him at ferrari.

maybe if both teams agree to swap drivers then it could work, but really? i rather see webber a final year at williams or renault and then retire.

[deuz]

Daniel Ricciardo set for Formula 1 debut at Silverstone

Toro Rosso reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo is to make his Formula 1 racing debut at the British Grand Prix next weekend for Hispania Racing.

Australian Ricciardo, 22, has taken part in Friday morning practice for Toro Rosso at each of the eight grands prix so far this year.

Ricciardo is to be loaned to Hispania Racing for the rest of the campaign as a replacement for Narain Karthikeyan."It's a dream come true to be on an F1 starting grid," said Ricciardo. "I had to pinch myself a couple of times to be sure that it's real."

Karthikeyan, the only Indian to score a point in F1, will step back into the car for his country's inaugural grand prix in New Delhi from 28-30 October.Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi is the third official driver on the Hispania team.Ricciardo, a product of Red Bull Racing's driver academy programme, will now be assessed in a race seat ahead of the prospect of being given a full-time drive with Toro Rosso next year.

"I had to pinch myself a couple of times to be sure that it's real. Now I'm excited and can hardly wait to drive at Silverstone," added Ricciardo."It's a new challenge, a new experience, a new team, but I'm ready and will give of my best in any event."

Hispania team chairman Jose Ramon Carabante is hopeful the loan is "just the start of a fruitful relationship" with Red Bull."This agreement is a reward for all the hard work Hispania Racing has shown since we started in F1 last year," said Carabante."We're proud the F1 world champion team has trusted us in their effort of developing their drivers."

Hispania Racing have yet to score a point since their debut at the start of 2010.

Source

Has been pretty dam good in Formula Renault 3.5, expect him to make splash next year.