Sorry Andreas but if you really want F1 to be relevant in a modern world and to actually be the pinnacle of motoring technology we absolutely have to be talking about hybrids and recovering exhaust energy. The future will look a lot like this (too bad Ferrari seems to be stuck in the past): http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/future/volta.html http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.motortrend.com/auto_shows/coverage/detroit/112_06naias_03z_italdesig_gGiugiaro_toyota_volta_rear_wheel.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.motortrend.com/auto_shows/coverage/detroit/112_2006_detroit_auto_show_coverage/italdesign-giugiaro_toyota_volta.html&h=300&w=480&sz=35&hl=en&start=5&um=1&tbnid=o1XFX1XSkb6jZM:&tbnh=81&tbnw=129&prev=
I want F1 cars to be the fastest fuel burning cars on the planet around a road track. Nothing more and nothing less. Don't care if they run on Kryptonite that will never find its way into road cars. Don't care whether their technology becomes a dinosaur. F1 to me is the last resort of the good ol' days. It should be wild, fast, dangerous and fun. The last jousting place on Earth for real men. It doesn't have to be politically correct. There are plenty of other venues for that. And if Ferrari is "stuck in the past" of fuel burning vehicles, that is perfectly fine with me.
Thanks dude! I know I would do a better job. Just by using common sense and listening to the fans. What noble concepts.
Nice looking car..IMO I agree, but I feel there must be some effort made. I like the fact F1 cars are forced to invent ways of going faster in a restricted way. But I will lose interest if the scream of a F1 engine goes..
+1 I'm not sure if the hydrogen burning engines scream but I'd tend to think they do have an exhaust note. Andreas would drivers sitting on top of a highly explosive hydrogen fuel cell be dangerous enough for you? You could have the cars fuel up just before the start of the race and then the only stops would be for tires, just like the mid 80s. Keep the hybrid and exhaust tech and just switch to hydrogen powered engines. It doesn't get more cutting edge than that.
I think its storing of hydrogen thats the tricky bit, very dangerous stuff whoever solves this will be rich beyond there wildest dreams.
+1 You watched TG, Steve But that's true - petrol isn't especially safe, but storing hydrogen is really really difficult. I had a conversation about this topic with a communications guy from EON (large electricity supplier) when we were invited to visit one of their nuclear power plants couple of years ago. I talked to him a while and what he told me was that the singlemost important invention to make is a efficient way to store hydrogen. Look at the Rockefellers, they're still living on the fortune made in the years of Standard Oil. They and Bill Gates and all the Sheiks will look like a bunch of shabby parvenus compared to the guy to invent that thing. Exciting times we're living in!
It is no coincidence that my other passion is manned space flight. Storing Hydrogen is an issue. Hindenburg anybody?
Sounds like Mosley's dream formula for F1. Blimps. Standardized aero, slow speeds, one engine per season and tons of ad space...
What if the Hindenburg had been full of petrol? Hydrogen IS extremly dangerous, but we aren't driving around on crystal clear spring water either.
There are tens of hydrogen cars here in California driving around. All of course are test vehicles, Jeremy Piven has a BMW 12cyl model: http://mavrixonline.com/mavrixonline/2007/12/ecofriendly_jeremy_piven.html The real trick isn't the storage, that can be done (tanks are just unfortunately VERY heavy) it's the conversion process to get the hydrogen. You can get it out of coal but that in itself takes a lot of energy and creates pollution. We just need more brain power on the problem. But, F1 adopting these technologies certainly would be the right direction for not only F1 but for the manufacturers who then can use it to show off their technological prowess.
The conversion process can be done with electricity, and there are enough brains thinking about future ways to gain electric energy. For wider use the tanks are indeed the problem. To heavy, consuming too much space, even filling them up gets ridiculously complicated. +1 They will, I suppose.
You guys just sold me on the whole hydrogen idea: Refueling pitstops would become the ultimate thrill ride. Will it go as planned or end like the Hindenburg?
Lol I do happen to know the CEO of a robot company which created some prototype automated fueling stations - ever seen such a thing in action? 1950s pit stops where fast as lightning in comparison, the funnels and jerrycans are already securely stowed away when the robot decides that it has found the filler
I am a little lost. Is Schumacher also the name of some mad scientist or something, 'cause I could swear that was the name of the thread?
News Hamilton: I'd love Schu to return Tuesday, 04, December, 2007, 11:08 Lewis Hamilton has responded to speculation linking Michael Schumacher with a racing comeback by declaring he would love to take the legend on in Formula 1. Seven-time world champion Schumacher brought the curtain down on his unparalleled F1 career just five months before the sports new superstar made his race debut back in March. Although Schumacher recently stated his decision to retire was irrevocable, his timesheet-topping performance on his return to testing last month still fuelled speculation that he may be contemplating a sensational return The pair will share the same track for at least a day this week when Schumacher returns for a second Ferrari test at Jerez and Hamilton admits he would relish the opportunity to take on the 38-year-old on a competitive basis in F1. There you go back on track
naa.. what i meant by economy drive was, now days drivers, they turn the engine down, just to fin the race at the closing stages. what i said i wanted to see was every scrap till the chequered flag.
That's what they used to have to do in the 80s if they used too much boost. Reduce the boost and the revs or don't finish the race. It created quite a few surprises and showed who the real drivers were. Why? Well, they needed not only speed but a good tactical mind. I'd started a thread the other day about being bored and if so watch the recap of the 85 season. If you haven't watched it, please do. One of the things you'll notice is as soon as they cross the finish line the top finishing cars will immediately pull over and shut off. This was because they often didn't even have enough fuel to finish another lap.
