(from autosport.com) The absence of engine braking, rather than traction control, will be the biggest factor in spicing up races in Formula One this year. That is the view of David Coulthard who, after testing, has no doubts about how different things will be on the back of the introduction of the standard ECU in Formula One following the first tests in December. Although much of the focus has been on the impact that a ban on traction control will make, Coulthard actually thinks that being without engine braking will be much harder to deal with. And that means drivers are far more likely to make mistakes on the entry to corners, which could increase the chances of overtaking and closer racing. "The biggest difference will not be traction control, it will be on the other electronic aids that we lose," said Coulthard on stage at the Autosport International Show about what he was expecting from 2008. "That will affect the car on the entry to the corner, so I expect to see more locking up and more running wide on the entry to corners. That will affect the lap time more than the traction control." Coulthard believes that the design of modern tyres and the aerodynamic sensitivity of cars are the factors in limiting the impact of a traction control ban. "I think the traction control, a lot is made of it, but in actual fact with or without it, that is what you do as a driver," he said. "You instinctively make a decision as to how much road you have available on the exit of a corner, whether you have TC or not. "You want to put as much power as you can through the tyres and onto the race track. So the way the modern F1 car is with radial tyres and aero being so sensitive, you are never going to see huge power slides. It is not a rally car which can go quick sideways. F1 sideways is slow, so I think that won't make a big difference. "Of course without TC we will see higher tyre wear and the temperature of the rear tyres will be much harder to manage. "It is easier for an electronic system to maintain the rear wheel slip than it is for a driver, because there will always be a little bit of wheelspin, but with the new single make tyre formula that we have with Bridgestone tyres I don't expect that we will ever be tyre limited to finish a Grand Prix. "Bridgestone have already won the world championship for 2008 so they don't have to make a tyre that is marginal. They just need to make a tyre that is safe and can supply easily to each of the teams
I do not understand what he is saying. It sounds like the new ECU will not allow down shifting to get engine braking? Maybe he means that down shifting without traction control will cause the rear wheels to break loose so the brakes will have to be used more.
What's up with Coulthard, people are always quoting him. Does he go to the newspapers and start talking? Why can't he just run around in Scotland chasing after Nessie and eating haggis.
Same guy who in 2007 predicted Hamilton wasn't ready for F1, and Alonso would demoralize him... DC's crystal ball needs polishing. (and I like the guy!)
He needs to find some way to get his name into the public domain, it sure won't be his on-track performance.
Perhaps, and this is speculation on my part, the new ECU won't allow downshifts to be as aggressive as they were before. Mark PS: Even though I do like DC, I would like to see him out of the press with a little more talking on the track.
F1 cars for the last few seasons have run systems that stabilise the rear of the car under heavy braking. For some reason it circumvents the no ABS rule, presumably because it was part of the traction control program. Think of it kinda like ESP/VDC/PSM whatever you like to call it. This is now gone, purely driver ability. Will Hamilton still be able to pull those banzai braking moves?? Maybe, but its going to be far harder now.
the only thing i like about DC is the way he talks. i think it was JV who said if DC weren't a racer, he should be a President or something.
