What will the FIA do about Renault?

Get rid of the two engine rule and reduce aeros. Yes.

Slowing the cars by 5% (or more) will happen automatically with one tire supplier.

MS fiddling with the electronics squeezing the last bit of performance out of the car for each corner I actually like. MS was once asked whether electronics have taken away from the driver skill and he said, not really: It just changed the way of how the game is played, but in order to be top, you still need to that extra bit that separates you from the loosers. He does that and although we see less of his other skills (e.g. car control in the wet, now made "easy" with traction control and the like), we see him adjusting the electronics. And being able to do that at high speeds, on the limit requires that extra brain power, which he has as he drives the car "with his spine". That's one of the things that sets him apart from other drivers: Controlling the car at the limit is something he does "in the sleep", which is why he has enough time and concentration to think about race strategy, communicate with the pits and fiddle with the manettinis. Whereas I can only fiddle with the Martinis.

 

No, it is actually "fly by wire": They press a button to switch a gear. That button electronically activates the clutch, blips the engine (on downshift) and switches the gears up or down as requested. You can't really screw that up. You command the action, but there is a computer in between. That's also the reason why the keep their gas foot planted on upshifts. The computer controls the action and takes away the gas as necessary during the upshift.

 

Interesting question. I bet Ide could answer that for you.

I'd think the rev limiter would start to kick in and you loose so much torque that you decelerate.

 

Well in FIA's goals triangle (cost-safety-entertainment) they have shot themselves into the foot again: The reason for the V8 was cost savings and now it looks as if they compromised safety: To not loose torque the drivers now go flat through turns and the cornering speeds are up.

 

Interesting idea:

Leave the rear wheels in place and have only one central wheel in the front for turning. Obviously you loose mechanical grip on the front, but you reduce aero drag big time and end up with a much smoother airflow. Would they really be that slower? I suppose front breaks would have to be doubled.