I think they should just cut to the chase and force all cars to install Diest chutes' and have them deployed at all times. Does anyone know where we would be if we used 1980 rules - TODAY ?
And now for F1 Spec Racing Basics 101 . . . Formula One teams and the FIA have agreed to delay the introduction of new aerodynamic regulations to help overtaking, at a meeting in Paris today. The meeting, attended by team principals and technical directors, reached agreement on a number of fronts ahead of radical rule changes over the next few years. One of the major discussion points was the FIA's plans for a Centreline Downwash Generating (CDG) Wing, which had been penciled in for introduction from the start of 2008. A number of teams had doubts about the effectiveness of the design and offered an alternative proposal at the meeting today. However, with both parties agreeing that more work was needed to finalise a design both parties were happy with, it was agreed that it would be better to delay the introduction of a new concept until 2009. The teams also approved plans to introduce engine homologation next season, despite a push from some manufacturers in recent weeks to free up engine development. Although the matter still needs to be approved by the Formula One Commission and the World Motor Sport Council, a statement issued by the FIA said the teams had agreed that engine freeze regulations planned for 2008 would come into force next year. The statement said: "The homologated engine to be that used at the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix, subject to retuning for a maximum of 19,000 rpm. Full details of the retuning to be submitted to the FIA no later than December 15, 2006, and the definitive engine to be delivered by March 1, 2007." The teams have also agreed that testing restrictions based on distance covered rather than days will come into force next year. The plan is to adopt the 30,000kms limit laid down in the 2008 sporting regulations from 2007. Moves were also made to make progress on plans for re-usable energy devices that have been penciled in for 2009. The teams agreed for the FIA to prepare draft regulations for these systems, with the manufacturers to prepare draft regulations for the specific devices to use the waste heat and exhaust gases. The FIA statement said that the teams all agreed: "That the objective of all new Formula One regulations should be to maintain F1 as the pinnacle of motor sport and to satisfy at least one of the following criteria: to improve the show, to improve cost effectiveness, to improve safety, to promote technology relevant to society at large, to facilitate brand recognition." Further cost cuts were also discussed, with the establishment of a Working Group to discuss restricted use of wind tunnels, test rigs, simulator and maybe even personnel numbers. * * * * * One would think that if they wanted to maintain the "pinnacle of motor sport" they'd be satisfying ALL in lieu or one criteria. Carol
Thank god for once they actually thought a technical change through before implementing it. That wing was destined to be the next grooved tire.
What about making the cars physically smaller to ease overtaking? Would be a nice technical challenge for the teams as well. The only downside I can see to that is that there is a bigger chance for them to tip over and there is the security factor.
I, for one, just cannot believe this new engine freeze rule. This is the one concept in all of these rule changes that flies in the face of technological advancement. There are so many down - side implications in this that the mind reels. A 19,000 rpm redline in formula one. I am surprised that there is not more of an uproar by fans against this. I will seriously consider whether I continue to follow F1. George
Yes but I don't know how much they could become smaller without becoming too dangerous. I'm sure they could be made slightly smaller at least without any major safety issues. The FIA would know such things alot better than me. Only a suggestion.
I know exactly how you feel, but the problem is that there is nothing else to follow. I say drop ALL engine regs and give each team one restrictor, and thats it.
Mr 308 you are so wrong on your statement on nothing else to follow. There's a group of us on FChat that are sports car fans - ALMS, LMS, FIA GT, LeMans to name a few. Most often much better racing than found in F1 and less sour grapes and bickering. Carol
Yes there are sport car fans and it's 10 days to Petite LeMans! Back to F1 aero changes. 1st the new wider tracks have proven that they allow more overtaking. 2nd, I am not an aero expert by any means, but what is wrong with this idea. They made the cars and the tires narrower. The cars got longer. A longer, narrower car produces a slipstream that trails farther behind the car, thus the following car encounters disturbed air farther behind the lead car, making it harder to pass.
Wow, there is so much more exciting racing than just F1. F1 is by far my favorite, but I do not mind telling anyone that I also enjoy NASCAR in person, the ALMS, BTCC, IRL, even Champ Car on TV. They are all so different, I do not compare them to each other, I just enjoy what they each offer. If I could only put it all together in one super series.............
Definitely! I also find that sports car racing is BETTER value for spectators. More variety of cars and closer to every days, different categories, several championships, rules easier to understand, longer races, a more relax atmosphere generally too. The racing can be just as close as F1, and there is less BS attached to it too.
I don't like limits to things like RPM's, but F1 is going the same way as the NFL, NHL and MLB where if they don't do something to limit COSTS, it won't be around much longer. If it didn't cost so much, maybe Ligier, Lotus, Brabham, Arrows, EJR, Tyrrell et al would still be around. Most of those are great examples of top teams that could not afford to compete after a major sponsor left - or other teams leap-frogged them and got much larger sponsors. Does anyone see anything wrong with the current picture of F1 ? This is the main reason most of us say we cherished the 'old days' of F1. If FERRARI pulled out of F1, what would happen ?
There is not much else to follow in Australia thanks to our great tv coverage, and nothing seems as entertaining as f1. All the advancements over the past few decades from f1 have trickled down to modern car design and the aftermarket performance scene, now it seems by controlling aspects of performance and design in the pinnacle of motorsports they will be limiting this r&d into innovative engineering design. This will leave the real innovation to car manufacturers who dont really care about much except for saving money and passing whatever regs they need too to sell cars, and local people who have no money or resources when compared to f1. Regulations should be kept for A1 and similar.
Carol, as much as I like sports cars in my opinion it is a much more difficult SET of series to follow. This is just my opinion, but to me the rules are more confusing. The different (competing) series waters everything down for me. Also, GT1 (I think that is what I want to refer to) and GT2 are so far removed from street cars that it is difficult to identify with your favorite brand. In addition, it seems that every time I read a race report they are weight penalizing one team with respect to the others. While that may make the cars more evenly matched, it loses something for me. I would like to see a GT3 type series where the only thing the teams can change is tires and there are no penalties. It would force the manufacturers to make options available for purchase by the public like in the past. Which are the days that many long to return to by evidence of the price of the "drive it to the track and race it, then drive it home" era cars. JMHO
A split ear wing could mean that teams could possibly attract two sponsors one for the left and one for the right... In the future we could do away with the engine and have two donkeys pulling a cart WITH A SPLIT WING. Then each donkey culd have signage of TWO different sponsors!
