I have no idea how well the pull rod front system was working by the end of the year, I know it heated the front tires well but was very difficult to setup and Alonso stated the car felt like walking on a rightrope at times. Such a system would make far more sense when the noses are much lower per 2014 regs as the geometry would not have to be so awkward. I believe Ferrari need to shelve the upright radiator system for a more common canted forward radiator system and venting system which pretty much everyone else are using. Ferrari wanted a Mclaren-like U-sidepod hybrid with their sidepods but it just didn't quite work out as intended. IMO, they need slim, low, and good venting with a deep undercut at the radiator intake and barge boards area. This is indeed the arrangement most everyone has but that's what works best as Mclaren and Red Bull have demonstrated. Ferrari are the class of the field with that front wing though, 6 elements at the outboard area, brilliant.
BBC analyst kept bringing up the rear aero/diffuser. Have you heard or seen anything about this problem. Seems they may want to address that as well. Sounds like a few upgrades and changes and the car could be something that will bring a title to FA and the factory!
As reported by Gary Anderson of the BBC-http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/20210164 If true this area will need attention for the Red team.
WDC- Button, Vettel, Alonso, Kimi, Webber, Hamilton WCC- Red Bull, Mclaren, Ferrari, Lotus, Merc Disclaimer--- only valid if Mclaren figures out their reliability issues!!
I see this: Webber declining (frustration a good part of it), and Perez and Massa improving... significantly, compared to this season. Therefore, the WCC a toss-up among RB, Ferrari, and McLaren. On the WDC front, I'd eliminate Hamilton from the list, although I expect him to finish in the top 5, even in his first year. So my prediction is the usual #1 drivers from the top teams: Vettel, Alonso, Raikkonen, and Button. In that order.
I´ve read (yeah, it´s just Internet BS, so caveat) that McLaren and Lotus have plans to use a pull rod system at the front next year. I think that if Ferrari changes something it will be at the back. The pull rod suspension probably has not any big relevance. Probably they´ll try more conventional radiators, a single air exit in the middle and exhaust config more oriented to exploit the coanda effect, like the Red Bull. And now that everybody knows that the "hole" in difusser of the Red Bull is legal, everybody will try it. This year Ferrari probably got caught with that stuff of blowing the brake ducts and there was no way they could re-do the whole back to try another thing.
Unless the mercedes will be much better than previous seasons I doubt it. --- I don't understand WHY Ferrari have upright radiators? The aerodynamic advantages with angled radiators far outweigh whatever they're doing now with the uprights surely?
Swallow your pride, Vettel is an exceptional driver and he's beaten Alonso fair and square for 4 consecutive seasons now.
You score! First prediction just came through: HRT is missing from the FIA's official list of teams for next year
Why? It's not like this was a season of domination a la 2002, 2004 or 2011. I'd actually say he's getting sick of Ferrari and their manipulative, childish ways.
I dont think he cares as long as its a competitive season such as the last. If RBR wins again in the same fashion I have zero complaints. Id like to see another season like the one we just had with close racing and a championship not decided until late.
I think RBR wont win another for awhile. Thats been played out. And Bernie is not a fan of Mclaren. So who will be the new favorite son ?
Upright radiators can yield a slightly lower CoG, but at an aerodynamic cost which I believe clearly outweighs any CoG benefit. Ferrari saw something in doing so for whatever reason though, no idea what though
Really? Intuitively, I'd have thought the reverse; Canting them over surely reduces their overall height and thence the CofG, no? Cheers, Ian
It wasn't so much as asking for clarification than forcing it down peoples throat that Vettel was a cheat. LdM's pathetic response saying that Bernie is getting old and foolish (rules are rules, dingleberry!). Cutting the gearbox seal on Massa's car. Yes it was all legal etc but the way they went about it is something else. Exactly my thinking
One can question the moral aspects of that move, but I admire Domenicali for being completely open about it... and openly showing that he did not like to do it, either.