Same here. Now it all hinges on passing the FIA crash tests. However again if you're not running for top spot, you can have a few extra pounds of cf in all the right places to make the tub super strong and pass with flying colors. Shouldn't be that difficult.
A typical engine leaase will include the necessary number of personnel who will be preasent anytime that the engine is run. the engines will be provided fully kitted for the chassis install. the car builder/manufacturer will provide those ancilliary pieces to Cosworth. timewise, it will take best part of a whole day to fit a driver into his chassis. these things are a PIA to do pedal adjustments to say the least. The first tub has to be fully fitted with fuelcell, seatbelts, pedals and the engine dummy to carry out the actual crash tests. So presuming that pic is of the first tub, that will be the crash test dummy!
This is a little bit simplified. There were more than 15 engineers from Toyota on staff full time at Williams this past year Indeed, the so called seat fittings that you read about take a good deal of time, the entail far more than just a seat. Pedals and belts have to be adjusted to appropriate lengths and other minor ergonomic issues are addressed as well.
Yes I'm simplifying things, but you're basing your perspective on a team with real aspirations to podium and points. Set your benchmark lower, much lower to "just" make it to the grid and imagine what all becomes unnecessary at that point. Who cares whether the engine blows up after one lap because it wasn't properly maintained or monitored? Who cares whether Mr. Hopeful gets a leg cramp because he sits uncomfortably and has to pack it up after 5 laps? With the 107% rule gone, your car just has to pass the crash test and be within specs of the regulations. If you ignore being competitive, you can do without a lot of stuff.
Anytime that an F1 car is driven there are many protocol have to be met, number and type of medical support, FIA rep etc. The cars will also be thoroughly inspected for quality and compliance prior to being allowed to be even presented, Mr E had egg on his face with the Life debacle, it won't/can't happen again. drivers are going to get one shot at this, not many, IF any, will compromise this IMO. The limit on personnel numbers will not include the reps of the engine/tire/brake/ etc. Subcontracting is a slower way to get things done/changed than in-house. Interesting that they call the Brawn car the most expensive F1 car ever inside the industry, they had as many as 6 wind tunnels running at a time!
You're kidding right? Toyota was down on power an estimated .2s compared to the MB powered cars, as was Renault. .2s meant several places in qualifying this season. So go tell Christian Horner and Frank Williams they bought engines from morons. Or let Massa and Vettel know they missed out on WDC titles even though it's so easy to build a reliable engine that performs well. There's a reason engines are one of the biggest portion of team budgets..
I didn't say that they would be the strongest. I said that the specs were so closely defined that just about anyone could build a motor that meets all the required specs. Couple that with off-the-shelf engine electronics, and you do indeed have a legal (and thus, by definition, 'state of the art') power package. It's not like the Cosworth will be providing something with 1995 metallurgy topping out at 10,000 RPM and controlled by a Megasquirt.
"I'm surprised Bernie said that. We will be there. We're in good shape," Windsor told BBC Sport. "Everything is going well and we are looking forward to the year. "We've just finished the chassis and are now in the hands of Cosworth." US F1 is the only of the new teams yet to sign a driver for its debut season, but Windsor said an announcement can be expected in the later part of January. "We are trying to find the best drivers we can; there's no rush," he said. "We have no date [for car completion]. It's difficult to predict when that date would be. "However, there will be a moment when we announce the drivers at the factory and that will be some time towards late January." http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80647
oh my ...it looks like they are making a car! how can this be? i thought the parking lot was empty? pcb
How about some explanation instead of your sarcasm? I really do wonder how they managed to pull this off. My guess is, they outsourced it to some folks in Charlotte who built it for them.
From a letter from Bob Varsha (SPEED TV commentator - USA): QUOTE I had dinner with Peter Windsor last weekend (Dec 12), and he said things are moving along on schedule. They are completing the jigs and molds, and finishing the first car, which gets written off in crash testing. Once the jigs are ready they can build cars at the rate of one every ten days or so, says Peter. The biggest problem they face right now is that things are apparently not going well at Cosworth in the UK. That is bad news for everyone, since Cosworth is building engines for at least four teams, including all three new ones plus Williams. I'm certainly not the man to speak for the team, but let's remember that they're trying to compete in F1 on a very small budget. They don't have money or time to invest in fancy facilities and cosmetic attractions. In fact, the current building is an interim, until they get on their feet, when they plan to break ground on a purpose-built facility that will better suit the needs of both the team and the fans. According to Peter, they're all working 80-hour weeks, and will be for the forseeable future, even if all goes well. That doesn't leave much time for shmoozing fans and writing press releases. I'm not saying it's the right way to do this, but there are no instructions for starting an F1 team, and this is they way they chose to do it. I know the team has been quiet, but that is deliberate. Like everything else they are doing, they have to prioritize. Instead of 100 engineers in the design office, they have 35. Rather than spend time on press releases, they are putting their heads down and getting on with the job, which is enormous when you consider that the first four races of next year are fly-away events, so they'll be working out of boxes rather than their transporters (which have been purchased). Here's what I can tell you: the drivers have basically been decided on, along with a group of young Americans who will be spread out across a development program starting in F2000 and working up to GP2. They also have additional sponsors, and all of this will be presented in a single announcement sometime after the first of the year. We'll all have to be patient, and in the meantime, have a great holiday season. BV
You are right, and my comment was not as artfully phrased as I could have made it. I am a skeptic too, remember I went to Charlotte and went inside the facility (I posted pics). I agree that does look like a legit 'tub,' and it represents progress. My comment was more tangential. My comment was that the team is so bad at PR that they can't just say . . . "Here is our new chassis with Limey Milligan, the designer, standing alongside." Why can't they give a more direct quote and write in declarative sentences. Everything with them is about being cute with words, and it is just, well, it is just slippery and unprofessional.
The point I was trying to make is that steps have been taken (by Mr E and others) to avoid a 'startline special' scenario. If and when they see this for what it seems to be, they will take action to make it disappear IMO. A team needs it's core of engineer/mechanic/hangers on but the other trackside bodies are pre paid in the leases, so there will always be a fair number of people. I thought this deal stunk from the get go and still do, I think Mr E has a similar feeling with things involving the PeeWee.
That and that other one from the shoe guy, Moda Andrea? I can't be bothered to research it, but that was the final straw for Mr E. Remember his comment about "making all these guys multi millionaires"?
Ok, I hear you. In "the old days" it was simpler: After the Lola (?) debacle in the nineties Bernie demanded the 50 million up front in a bank account to secure people not dropping out like flies. But that security went away and right now I don't know what processes/guarantees/checks and balances are in place to assure a team is legit or not. I thought the fact that they a) have a FIA grid spot, b) paid their dues, c) eventually pass their crash tests d) have a car that passes inspection and e) arrive at the first GP was good enough. You're saying there is more to the picture.
I really haven't lost hope or even doubted them. I think they'll be there in some way shape or form if they can. Does anyone know if there is a penalty for missing races in case disaster strikes and they don't make Melbourne?
Ah well the missus has finished with the oven I'd better get started on the crow there is a hell of lot it to serve up last time I looked....
According to their website, they have a lot of "sponsor partners"....ie other businesses who have donated parts/supplies to their operation. It looks like USGP is sub contracting out alot of their major components. From the looks of their machine shop, they have very little resources and machinery to produce major components, aside from small bits and pieces. Transmissions, wind tunnels, and alot of the Carbon fibre parts are purchased from outside sources. Their European testing will be done at "Motorland" in Spain, so they have a European base to house their operations when on the road. Congrats to them, it looks like they have come a far way in the last few months...they have setup a relatively large facility with people, and machinery. Hopefully they can put together a decent car in 3 months.
Anyone find it notable that there is a photo of NP sr in the middle of PW's blog? With a son desperate to get back into F1, from South America, with some, albeit weak, F1 experience and likely with the ability to bring substantial bank......hmmmm.
