2011 Formula 1 Season - Official Discussion Thread

[phil1993]

Any team that misses the 107% mark should be allowed a day of testing with the driver (or drivers) that missed out.

Anyway, Autosport reckon ART will be the 13th team with assistance from Toyota.

[R.?]

I think the return of the 107% mark is good, but some testing must be allowed in that case. The moveble rearwing is less good, in my opinion. The leading car will use a flag angle of the wing too, so the advantage of the following car is gone. But i'm not sure what the rules say about this. If the leading car is not allowed to move the wing to defend, dangerous situations can occur. Like we've seen in Valencia. Big difference in closing speed.

[JoostLamers]

Formula One unveils ground-breaking carbon emissions reduction programme

Spoiler:

Date:
30 June, 2010

Formula One unveils ground-breaking carbon emissions reduction programme

The Formula One Teams Association [FOTA, whose membership comprises all current Formula One teams] is pleased to announce today that Formula One has inaugurated a comprehensive and externally audited carbon emissions reduction programme.

In order to conduct the analysis that has informed the programme, FOTA commissioned the world-respected environmental research analysis organisation, Trucost, which has for several months been (a) researching and analysing the full range of activities performed by and within Formula One teams and their suppliers, and (b) advising FOTA re measures that will reduce carbon emissions now and in the future.

Trucost’s research and analysis shows that the carbon emissions caused by the testing and racing of Formula One cars is a small proportion of the total carbon emissions generated by Formula One as a whole, but it is important to emphasise that this research and analysis has encompassed Formula One’s entire supply chain.

Formula One is, and must always be, the pinnacle of world motor sport. Equally, Formula One cars have traditionally provided an exciting and productive development platform for new automotive technologies, and must continue to do so. Many of those new technologies have ultimately been introduced into consumer production cars.

Turbocharging, fuel injection, variable valve timing and kinetic energy recovery systems [KERS] have all been developed within Formula One, and it is the intention of FOTA, in collaboration with the FIA, that Formula One should continue to pioneer technologies that are appropriate to the challenges faced by society today and in the future, and that are applicable to products that will benefit mankind in the longer term.

Modern Formula One is and must continue to be all about efficiency – and, whilst Formula One cars are and must continue to be very fast and very exciting, it is also necessary and desirable that their engines and powertrains are and must continue to be as efficient as possible.

With that in mind, working closely with the FIA, FOTA has committed to working to develop new Formula One engine and powertrain regulations that will require all entrants from 2013 onwards to fit their Formula One cars with engines and powertrains that incorporate technologies designed to enhance fuel efficiency. At the same time, revisions to Formula One’s sporting regulations will enhance and incentivise the competitive benefit of further reducing fuel consumption.

Martin Whitmarsh (Chairman of FOTA and Team Principal of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes) said:

“The good news is that, in conjunction with the FIA’s and FOTA’s recent successful efforts to improve efficiencies and restrict resources applied to Formula One, it has already been possible to reduce Formula One’s total carbon emissions.

“Moreover, building on what we have already achieved, and extrapolating what is now being planned, we anticipate that by 2012 Formula One will have reduced its total carbon emissions by 12.4% compared with 2009.

“With the support of all its member teams, FOTA has committed to the continuation of this programme, and has undertaken to maintain continuous and independent analysis and assessment in order to ensure that these carbon emissions reduction targets are met or bettered, and to investigate where further carbon emissions reduction opportunities may exist. Measurement and management, in other words.

“In addition, the FIA and FOTA are already working together to tailor the 2013 technical regulations to ensuring that all engines and powertrains used in Formula One by that date will showcase, and provide a platform for the ongoing development of, technologies designed to enhance fuel efficiency.

“This is a very exciting time for Formula One, and I am delighted that our sport has been able to take a global environmental lead in this way.”

Dr Richard Mattison (Chief Operating Officer of Trucost) said:

“FOTA has used advanced techniques to measure greenhouse gas emissions across the sport – from the sourcing of raw materials to production, logistics and racing itself. It has identified ambitious reduction targets and will be working to further improve its efficiency over time.

“Via this work, Formula One as a sport has demonstrated its commitment to becoming more environmentally efficient, and will continue to lead the way in developing innovations that will improve efficiency across the automotive industry globally.”

Simon Thomas, Chief Executive of Trucost, said, “Formula One is fundamentally about efficiency – how to squeeze performance within the restrictions of physics and the rules. There is a growing need to transition from fossil fuel dependency to an economy that is more carbon efficient. In keeping with this trend, the Formula One teams have collectively made a firm commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a significant way. This is consistent with Formula One’s position as a leader in technological innovation and illustrates what can be achieved by organisations not traditionally associated with the environmental agenda. We also believe that the engineering excellence that exists within Formula One will have a part to play in the inevitable shift to more carbon efficient transportation”

Note to editors: Details of the carbon emissions study conducted by Trucost are attached for background information.

Code: Select all

http://www.teamsassociation.org/press-release/2010-06-30/formula-one-unveils-ground-breaking-carbon-emissions-reduction-programme

[phil1993]

ART withdraw 2011 entry bid

ART Grand Prix has announced that it has called off its bid to enter Formula 1 in 2011.

The multiple GP2 and Formula 3 champion team had been tipped as one of the leading contenders for the '13th slot' in the field for next year's world championship, but has concluded that in the present economic circumstances it cannot go ahead with the project.

It emphasised that it still intended to reach F1 eventually, and that the team would continue in the junior categories. It currently races in GP2, GP3 and F3.

"ART Grand Prix has decided to withdraw their application to the International Federation of Automobiles (FIA) to take part in the 2011 Formula One World Championship," said a statement from ART.

"The team has been working for several months on this ambitious project that they had undertaken with determination and lucidity.

"ART Grand Prix had forged strong bonds with several technical and financial partners but with unfavourable economic conditions they could not gather the necessary guarantees to ensure the stability of the project in the long term.

"Therefore, the company will have to postpone its project until a later date, however it remains completely focused and dedicated to the other single-seater championships in which they are successfully involved in."

ART co-owner Nicolas Todt had previously said that while the team was working on an F1 bid, it would only commit to the top level if it was absolutely certain that the project was viable.

"Realistically, I think it won't be easy to take part in the 2011 F1 championship, because it's not easy to set up a programme with very high costs," Todt told Italian magazine Autosprint in May.

"In light of this, I didn't want to make bold statements over something that still needs to be defined. If we don't make it, then it won't be a drama.

"We'll carry on working over this project, and if it doesn't happen next year, then we'll try again in the future."

[R.?]

Good that they announce it now. And not three weeks before the season starts, like USGP. They obviously want to be prepeared as good as possible. Hopefully the new team for 2011 will add something. And if the new teams from this year take the step up, we have a very interesting midfield next year.

[The Blur]

ART withdrawing their bid just go's to show how professional F1 has become in recent times. Years ago it was just rich investors wanting a shot at motorsports biggest stage, putting in cars that were just about passed by the FIA.
Maybe ART will return in a few years.

[Gravity]

Ferrari revealed the new 2011 logo!


http://adamcooperf1.files.wordpress.com ... cooper.jpg

Article

[coup]

Until now, I didn't realise that the racing team had a different logo to the car company, that being the prancing horse.
personally, I think the current one and this new one are both a bit c**p

[escalador]

They should build a winning car for next year, and then care about the logo

[phil1993]

Lotus are rumoured to be dumping Cosworth in favour of Renault engines in 2011.

[R.?]

But why? The Cosworth doesn't seem to be a bad engine. So why change? The Renault engine is good as well, but slightly down in power, compared to the rest. But that's no problem. I just find it strange that they will be dumping Cosworth, because changing engine usually comes with a little drop off in performance of the car.

[swca92]

There may be more than just an engine supply, Renault may give some "Technical support" to them or they may be a relationship in road cars between Renault and Lotus/Proton we're unaware of.

[andrebires]

Ferrari revealed the new 2011 logo!


http://adamcooperf1.files.wordpress.com ... cooper.jpg

Article

I just can see: Marlboro

[phil1993]

In unexpected news, A Dutch site claims, with their sources being Auto, Motor und Sport that Jacques Villeneuve wants to enter his own team in to F1 in 2011, with him as the driver.

[JoostLamers]

In unexpected news, A Dutch site claims, with their sources being Auto, Motor und Sport that Jacques Villeneuve wants to enter his own team in to F1 in 2011, with him as the driver.

Don't believe GPUpdate