F1 engine question...

The driver need to switch ON all the electrical system (computers, injectors, gas pump etc...) then the crew just plug in an outside starter crank in the back of the engine near the gearbox and crank it on the engine @ 8000 RPM.

 

Ever wondered why when they spin out on the track and stall, they don't get going again?

If they left the engine on in the garage the engine would either overheat and seize or the heat would set fire to something.

How exactly are they supposed to work on the car between sessions with the engine cooking everything and making the mechanics deaf?

 

"WHAT??!!?!?! I CAN'T F***ING HEAR YOU, MY ARM IS ON FIRE AGAIN AND I HAVEN'T FINISHED TUNING THE VALVES!!! I ONCE WEIGHTED 180 POUNDS NOW I'M DOWN TO A MILD 78 POUNDS DUE TO FLUID AND FLESH LOSS!!!

"NO I DIDN'T KNOW MY EYE MELTED AND IS RUNNING DOWN MY FACE, DO YOU HAVE A TISSUE?!?!?!

 

The most recent F1 cars all require a computer to start, I read somewhere or maybe saw it in some video that Ferrari is stockpiling older laptops from whent he cars were made because when they don't have the computer to start the car they won't ever be able to start them again.

 

i read somewhere Bernie said that they were considering to have a start switch on the steering of the driver's. easier for the driver to re-start his car and continue the race in case of a spin and stall.

 

And totally unworkable under the current engine regs.

Another reason why Bernie should stick to making money and leave rule making to some one else.

 

??? I personally think it would be a fine rule.

I don't think there would be any problem requiring a starter. They would need to redesign to allow it since there simply is no place for either the starter or the batery it would require. It might be a good 2009 or 2010 rule....I don't like to see cars out of the race becasue they stalled after a spin.

 

Back in the 1980s, if I recall correctly, weren't the cars equipped with a small starter that ran on compressed air or something like that?

 

Knowing Ferrari and their software I am not surprised. I think everything at the factory is on a software package that cannot be supported by anything more modern that a 286.

It is one of the problems with the diagnostic equipment. Much of it just will not run on current operating systems. We have to keep resurrecting old equipment. The SD1 will only support dot matrix printers. I guess we should be happy this stuff doesn't require vacuum tubes.

 

yes. compressed air weighed very little (obviously) and it was good for a few starts....

 

That would be so much easier for thew people that buy F1 cars. Instead of calling Ferrari having them send a team to hook up the computer at a track, you can just flip it and your good.

 

if i'm not wrong, we could see this stuff by 2008. i remember reading about it, but i just can't recall where.

Bernie's explanation is that so workforce can be cut. they won't need another 1-2 pit crew members running with that starter in case the car stalls in the pitlane.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if they still had a starter in the pit lane so that they don't have to use the on board battery in such a case.

edit-
I had a look around and found this document proposing changes to the 2008 technical regs from June of 2005:

But in the 2008 technical regulations at the FIA website, there is no mention of it, only this:

Nothing in the 2009 regulations either.

 

The Italian are so backwards when it comes to computing. Remember the early 90's when broadband was going to be wired in across the country which would have got them a good jump on the rest of Europe. And the govt stopped the Telecom company because they thought it would be a threat to democracy or it was the work of the devil or something. And now they are finally upgrading the network, luckily Romania and Albania are getting in the EU so Italy won't be at the very bottom tech wise. LOL

I love the place dearly but sometimes ya gotta wonder.

 

Hey even the factory finally put in toilets.