2014 Formula One Discussion

[phil1993]

Ha, I thought that was an inverted 'N' and he was being all rad or something

[MJawad12]

Looks like Sergio Perez had a knee surgery during the winter break

[kals]

Ha, I thought that was an inverted 'N' and he was being all rad or something

I did too. Oliver Gavin has always done this, with a G on one side and an inverted G on the other.

[mikhailv]

Well Nico needs to change that, because I cant see any number lol! I thought they had to have the number ontop so the T-Cam would catch it.

[phil1993]

Result of Wednesday's strategy group meeting
http://www.f1zone.net/news/fia-confirms ... aks/21778/

Curfews increased from two to six - mechanics will love that!

[mikhailv]

So, the FIA want to stop cars from crossing the line then stopping, so they have fuel in the car for post-race checks.

They want to do this now, with engines which nobody knows if they are even going to make a race distance, nobody knows if they have enough fuel to last half a race let alone a full one. How can they implement it this year?

These engines are FAR too experimental to be forcing them to use 5 in a year, similarly with the gearboxes having to do 4000km. If these engines were relevantly tested, allowed to have been on track last year then I would agree. But the fact is, these engines are in such a prototype stage so to speak, that there shouldn't be restrictions and penalties this year. We need the cars to finish, if it turns out this bulls** 'less fuel' malarky has meant that cars genuinely cant finish a race even when they are coasting, then it is a serious problem.

You effectively need a car that can do 56 laps of Monza; to the grid, parade lap, 53 lap race and a final lap back to the pits. Its going to be one hell of a challenge.

I fear that this WDC will be decided mostly on who has an engine which can not drink petrol, and isn't reliable. Dont get me wrong, reliability is always key within F1; but if, and what I think will happen, we have multiple teams and engine manufacturers truly struggling, then to me the championship will be a sham. Even if Alonso wins say, and its through all that before; it wouldn't be deserved, it would be a numb win.

I hope Im wrong however, but its a fear I have.

[phil1993]

It wouldn't be a problem if the best engine wins. It's only recently that reliability has been so impressive and the focus has been so heavily on aerodynamics. We had seasons in the past when one engine was so much better than the other. Eg 1988 when Williams had no hope. Senna/Honda partnership an example of how engines can be the key to success.

Only if we're getting two or three finishers every race should there be questions raised. I do agree that I dislike the penalty system but there needs to be a deterrent in order to keep the cost cutting ongoing. The teams aren't that fussed about fuel consumption as they have very clever computers, it's more the reliability aspect that's concerning them - for example, KERS was in its third full year in 2013 yet teams still had problems. The ERS unit is new for 2014 but if ERS fails, that's it. It won't be a slight time loss per lap, it'll probably be a retirement.

[mikhailv]

There does need to be a better penalty system. I know there is better engines, there has always been IE Renault with off throttle, Renaults reliability, Ferrari power, Mercedes traction and balance, Honda and Toyota had.... ok you got me on that one.

I feel that a fuel limit shouldn't have been reduced this year, I think they way it shouldve been played was to let them experiment with upto 120kg of fuel, and then they lower it 5kg or 10kg in 2015. Similarly with the amount of engines and gearboxes, let them have the same as last season.

They need to let the teams not be penalised outside of a retirement IMO. The only way to truly test these components is thrashing them in a race distance, under race stress and heat.

[phil1993]

Joe on the situation at McLaren
http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2014/01/ ... t-mclaren/

[phil1993]

Huge blow for Lotus
http://www.f1zone.net/news/boullier-lea ... pal/21783/

[iceman1]

So the Twitter guy was right after all.

[tderias]

Wasn't really a big fan to begin with.

It's only a loss because they might have lost leverage with Bernie in the politics game, and the three-way french connection with Renault and Grosjean is now gone.

[mikhailv]

I hope he doesn't go to Mclaren. I cant stand the man.

[iceman1]

I hope he doesn't go to Mclaren. I cant stand the man.

+1

I never liked the guy. He's too weak.

[mikhailv]

I hope he doesn't go to Mclaren. I cant stand the man.

+1

I never liked the guy. He's too weak.

I dont like him because;

He slated Briatore and Pat symonds who have done more than he ever will
He slated Alonso saying he was poor in 2009, when im pretty sure anyone with sanity would disagree
He blamed Heidfeld for mechanical failures which is absurd
He was happy to enforce team orders from the 4th race in 2010, when there was no need
He handled Kimi and Grosjean terribly towards the end of last season regarding team orders

I dont see him as a capable team leader. People say he did well with the budget they had, but the thing is they didnt have that budget to begin with, which is why they are in the worst debt on the grid I think I read. I dont see what skills he actually has. He isn't like Briatore, Dennis, Brawn or Todt. I dont see any direction or iron-fist ruling from Boullier. All I saw was hilariously blaming Nick for a car exploding and calling his predecessors who have done a damn sight more than he ever will.

Then again, that suits Mclaren. Average.