F1 2023 Melbourne(Albert Park) Pre-Race Thread

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/aston-ready-to-evaluate-wing-choices-to-counter-red-bull-f1-top-speed/10449754/

Aston Martin to evaluate wing choices to counter Red Bull F1 top speed
Aston Martin will evaluate after the Australian Grand Prix whether it needs a rethink about its wing choices to help counter Red Bull’s immense top speed advantage in Formula 1.

By: Jonathan Noble
Mar 29, 2023, 12:41 PM

While the Silverstone-based squad has proved to be a close challenger to Red Bull in the opening two grands prix of the season, it has also been clear that there are big differences in how the two cars perform.

While Aston Martin’s AMR23 has clear strengths in braking, acceleration and low-speed corners, it is also noticeable how much it is giving away to Red Bull on the straights.

In Saudi Arabia’s speed trap in qualifying, Fernando Alonso was around 6.2mph (10km/h) slower than pole position man Sergio Perez – and was one of the slowest overall on the start-finish straight.

Aston Martin believes the stark difference between the two cars is down to their choice of wing levels, with Red Bull having been aggressive early in the campaign in rolling out a lower downforce and drag specification than the opposition for Saudi, and this has especially proved beneficial when DRS is open.

On the other hand, Aston Martin has committed to a higher downforce specification wing because the cost cap meant it could not afford to introduce a lower drag version at this stage of the campaign.

However, having taken notice of the car characteristics over the first two races, Aston Martin says it will re-evaluate its plans after this weekend’s race in Melbourne to work out if it needs to change approach.

Aston Martin performance director Tom McCullough explained: “We have sort of said, let's get through the first three races and then have a think going forward, whether we need to change what's in our plan already at the moment.

“I can't stress the cost cap thing enough. It's very easy to sit and say: “I'll make seven or eight different rear wings to be globally optimised for qualifying with DRS and racing.

“But to do that is quite difficult when you are in a cost cap environment.”

 

FIA clamps down on F1 team pitwall fence celebrations (motorsport.com)

No more celebrating from teams by climbing the pitwall.

Because these metal fences are capable of stopping an F1 car clattering into it at 200mph, but somehow can't hold a few team members. Makes sense.

 

He's had his 'mullet' for quite a few months now. Wears it well lol

 

An option noted below??

--Even with Appendix H, Article 2.3.2 now being policed in a different way, it is understood that team members will still be allowed to lean out of the larger gaps in all pitwall protection systems – required to show pitboards to drivers – at the end of races so long as this doesn't go to an extreme length and remains safe.

The FIA is understood to have acted to remind the teams that climbing debris fences is forbidden – although it has in effect been allowed for many years given Appendix H, Article 2.3.2 has not previously been used to threaten penalties so overtly – as it considered the potentially grave consequences of a person falling onto a track where cars are passing by at high speed and often close to the pitwall in celebration moves at the end of races.

The governing body has also acted to remove the dangers of any person climbing high on pitwall debris fencing and potentially dropping an item onto the track and therefore endangering the drivers flying by.--

 

I think Wittich was a prison guard in his previous career, he wants to control everything as if he were dealing with unruly children....

 

I think the ayatollahs are slowly taking over F1.

 

Not a good look.

Valtteri getting weird. Me thinks his days in F1 are numbered.

 

Is that a kevlar vest?

 

LOL! If Toto saw him he must have had a major hot flash;-)