2012 Formula One Discussion

[reppo]

F1 has became spec formula. Innovations are more like finding a loophole in regulations and then at some point FIA bans it. Now when aerodynamics are designed using computer simulations teams are more likely to end up to similar solutions. Engines are heavily regulated, so there is not much difference there either. Is it good or bad, I don't know

[reppo]

Turun Sanomat yesterday
http://www.ts.fi/moottoriurheilu/f1/301949.html

Ecclestone hopes Vettel to lose in WDC battle

Turun Sanomat 1/22/2012 5:18:42 p.m.

F1patriarch Bernie Ecclestone keeps his fingers crossed that Sebastian Vettel would not win third consecutive world championships. Ecclestone as an old league man hopes that championship battle would extend at least to season's finale race in Brazil.

- TV viewers follows races because of excitement instead of championship results. I do not wish Red Bull to dominate the same way any more, but I fear that it just what happens. That is why I put my hope on Mark Webber's shoulders, Ecclestone thought in Austrian Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper.

- I'm sure this year we will see a different Webber, who is be able to use his entire talent.

Ecclestone expects Ferrari to make clear improvment.

- Fernando Alonso is super-talented, but he needs a perfect car.

F1 tycoon bets there will be new winner teams too.

- It would be surprising if Mercedes did not win any races this year, Ecclestone predicted.

Turun Sanomat , Salzburg

[Omegablue]

Banning the system is so lame. Especially with Ferrari and Mercedes already in development with theirs.
Though it's odd how Red Bull didn't mention they were developing, and were very casual about it before the ban?

[phil1993]

Turun Sanomat yesterday
http://www.ts.fi/moottoriurheilu/f1/301949.html

Spoiler:

Ecclestone hopes Vettel to lose in WDC battle

Turun Sanomat 1/22/2012 5:18:42 p.m.

F1patriarch Bernie Ecclestone keeps his fingers crossed that Sebastian Vettel would not win third consecutive world championships. Ecclestone as an old league man hopes that championship battle would extend at least to season's finale race in Brazil.

- TV viewers follows races because of excitement instead of championship results. I do not wish Red Bull to dominate the same way any more, but I fear that it just what happens. That is why I put my hope on Mark Webber's shoulders, Ecclestone thought in Austrian Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper.

- I'm sure this year we will see a different Webber, who is be able to use his entire talent.

Ecclestone expects Ferrari to make clear improvment.

- Fernando Alonso is super-talented, but he needs a perfect car.

F1 tycoon bets there will be new winner teams too.

- It would be surprising if Mercedes did not win any races this year, Ecclestone predicted.

Turun Sanomat , Salzburg

Bernie doesn't want Seb to lose; they're like father and son.

What he means is he wants Seb to win, but not as easily.

[reppo]

Turun Sanomat yesterday
http://www.ts.fi/moottoriurheilu/f1/301949.html

Spoiler:

Ecclestone hopes Vettel to lose in WDC battle

Turun Sanomat 1/22/2012 5:18:42 p.m.

F1patriarch Bernie Ecclestone keeps his fingers crossed that Sebastian Vettel would not win third consecutive world championships. Ecclestone as an old league man hopes that championship battle would extend at least to season's finale race in Brazil.

- TV viewers follows races because of excitement instead of championship results. I do not wish Red Bull to dominate the same way any more, but I fear that it just what happens. That is why I put my hope on Mark Webber's shoulders, Ecclestone thought in Austrian Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper.

- I'm sure this year we will see a different Webber, who is be able to use his entire talent.

Ecclestone expects Ferrari to make clear improvment.

- Fernando Alonso is super-talented, but he needs a perfect car.

F1 tycoon bets there will be new winner teams too.

- It would be surprising if Mercedes did not win any races this year, Ecclestone predicted.

Turun Sanomat , Salzburg

Bernie doesn't want Seb to lose; they're like father and son.

What he means is he wants Seb to win, but not as easily.

So when he says he is sure Webber will be able to use his entire talent, he really means that Webber will show he is slower than Seb even at his best

[phil1993]

d'Ambrosio confirmed as Lotus's 3rd driver

[donald29]

No surprise. Wonder how many they'll have this season.

[KevC]

Looks like Hulkenberg only has a one year deal at Force India. Surprised at that a little bit. I thought they might have taken him for longer but maybe they want to see if he really has what it takes first.

[lebron15]

Have you seen the new Caterham? It looks really awful!

[François]

Looks like Hulkenberg only has a one year deal at Force India. Surprised at that a little bit. I thought they might have taken him for longer but maybe they want to see if he really has what it takes first.

They have a bit of an history of ousting contracted drivers (Liuzzi last year, and now Sutil, though I'm not sure about the latter's contract extending beyond 2011). Maybe they don't want to put themselves in that situation again. With the current lack of open seats at the other competitive teams, the Hülk probably wasn't in a position to bargain for a longer deal.

[tderias]

Pirelli tyres for next season:

[reppo]

Pirelli has no test car
http://www.ts.fi/moottoriurheilu/f1/303379.html (in Finnish)

Pirelli's test car hard to find

Turun Sanomat 1/25/2012 9:18:43 p.m.

Pirelli is still seeking the car for test runs of their tyres, and the next negotiation with F1 Commission is in the late February. Up to now used 2009 Toyota will no longer apply.

The tyre manufacturer would need a last year's car from one of teams, but teams have not reached a consensus, what would be a good solution, so that at least none of the top teams could take advantage of test data with their knowledge of the test car.

- There is not yet an agreement. Simulation is carried out, but the required development work needs also hard driving on the track, Pirelli Motorsport Director Paul Hembery explains.

When the team association FOTA was teared apart, Pirelli's opportunities for unanimity of the test car became more difficult. Probably the solution can be found in some middle group teams, because the top teams' cars are unlikely to be accepted due to opposition.

Turun Sanomat

HEIKKI KULTA

If they soon can't find a solution, Pirelli ends up doing this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashutosh16/3855277213/

[iceman1]

If they soon can't find a solution, Pirelli ends up doing this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashutosh16/3855277213/

I don't think Paul Hembrey can run they need Usain Bolt.

[reppo]

If they soon can't find a solution, Pirelli ends up doing this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashutosh16/3855277213/

I don't think Paul Hembrey can run they need Usain Bolt.

Yes. They can't use Michael Johnson because then Williams would get unfair advantage

[phil1993]

Jules Bianchi replaces Nico Hulkenberg as Force India's test and reserve driver
http://www.f1zone.net/news/bianchi-conf ... dia/11749/