After last weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix, there has been a lot of complaints from fans, teams, and drivers about the lack of action and overtaking produced by the new rules. The main argument, especially from followers of the sport, is that the modern day F1 fails to produce the number of overtaking maneouvers that had occured previously, but do the facts back this up?
Continue reading "The Facts on Overtaking - By Paul_Murtagh" »
Bahrain GP Stats
This week sees the first race of the season at the Bahrain International Circuit in Manama. Although the circuit has only been on the F1 calendar since 2004, there is quite a long list of stats for the race:
Circuit Stats:
· This will be the 7th race at the Bahrain International Circuit. But it will only be the second time that the race has started the season, with the only previous time being in 2006.
· When it made its debut in 2004, it was the first Formula 1 race to be held in the Middle East, being joined by Abu Dhabi in 2009
Continue reading "Bahrain Facts and Stats - By Paul_Murtagh" »
This year’s Formula 1 World Championships starts at the Bahrain International Circuit for the second time in 5 years. This circuit was chosen by Bernie Ecclestone to start the season due to it’s favourable time for European fans compared to Australia, and the last time it started the season in 2006 we witnessed a titanic battle between Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher, with the Spaniard coming out on top. Once again these two men dominate the headlines going into the season-opener, with Alonso switching to Ferrari, while Schumacher makes his F1 return with Mercedes. However, the debut of 3 new teams and new regulations make this a season waited with anticipation.
Where is the circuit?
It is based in the Manama area of Bahrain, in the centre of the country near the south. However there is little to no life around the circuit, with it being surrounded by desert, meaning that everyone has to travel a bit from the local areas to get here.
Here is a link to the ken Anderson interview on Autosport
Generally speaking, we all agree that testing times do not mean very much. We have no idea of the fuel loads, tire conditions, and many other variables that influence the results. We tend to offer many opinions on what it all means, but we never really know the true pace of the teams until raceday, and sometimes not until later in the year.
Include in those variables the probability that all teams will show up for the first race with new aero parts and their latest hydraulic improvements (Virgin, Lotus), and you just never know what may happen. Brawn showed up for one test last year, kicked everyone's butts, and started the season the same way, only to be outpaced by Red Bull and several others in the last half of the year. Of course we all remember the internet opinion at the time that insisted that Brawn must be "running light, exceeding the rev limits, or some other trickery to get that pace (invariably linked to a enticing a sponsor).
So, what can testing indicate? The total miles run during testing is a true indicator of reliability. It also indicates the team's ability to solve problems. One cars causes a red light due to stoppage on-track, but then it returns 30 minutes later running full pace: problem solved. Another car causes a red light, but it doesn't return until tomorrow afternoon: difficulty solving problem. ferrari reliability? Yes. Their ability to deal with breakdowns? Yes. Both are critical, and total testing miles is a direct indicator of these facts.
The chart indicates approximate total testing miles for all sessions. It does not factor in how many test sessions were attended per team to arrive at an average. RBR missed the first test, so their average is more in line with the mainstream numbers when based on average miles per session. But, as a data gathering exercise, more miles = more data.
If I were dropping a bet today, I would pick Ferrari as the 2010 team champion. They went far more miles, collected far more data, and learned far more about their car than any other team. Their pace in the long runs was just fine, and they managed a pretty quick lap or two here or there. In contrast, the leading contenders (McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes) only did on average 73% of the miles Ferrari. Red Bull only did 58% of Ferrari's mileage.
This indicates Ferrari's relaibility, their ability to solve and repair mechanical problems quickly and methodically, and indicates that the basic outlook for the team in 2010 is good.
I am not a Tifossi, but I am a student of effective design and perfected race/design team management. I think Ferrari have shown themselves in pre-season testing to be in perfect shape for 2010.
Hello Everyone,
I just wanted to share the blog stats for the last 30 days with all of you. The USF1 saga and the start of testing has been at the top of the news. I personally am glad that the USF1 story has finally come close to conclusion. Now I can concentrate of the season at hand and enjoy the possibilities that the new season offers.
My interest has shifted to the other new teams in F1 this season, Virgin Racing and Lotus F1. With Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes at the top, and the two new teams at the bottom, it promises to be a very interesting season, and especially tough for the teams in the middle. As they claw their way to the top they will need to keep one eye over their shoulder as the new teams try to move into the midfield.
I want to say thanks to all of you who read this blog and contribute your comments. Please feel free to contact me via email if you have any suggestions or complaints.
Thanks Guys!
Flood1
Here are the stats:
Ferrari's new wheelnut is meant to speed up pit stops. With only tires to change and no fuel to put in, the stops will be very fast. Any mistakes made will be very costly. This cone-shaped nut suppossedly fits the wheel gun much better. It also automatically fits the locking mechanism, saving time and eliminating the manual task from the tire changer's responsibilities.
I suspect everyone will have copied it by Bahrain and, in effect, obviating any advantage.
The wet weather at Jerez forced teams to change their testing regimes and Ferrari's new nut was seen during pit stop practice.
Ferrari's New Wheelnut with Integrated Safety Device
Typical Wheelnut Safety Pin (silver pull out)
Number 2 is the Safety Pin
Is this the proper wheel gun attachment for that new nut?
http://adamcooperf1.com/2010/02/18/ecclestone-still-trying-to-help-lopez-find-2010-f1-seat/
Jose Maria Lopez and his advisor Felipe McGough have spent a second day with Bernie Ecclestone in London, as the F1 boss tries to sort out a 2010 seat for the Argentine driver.
Lopez was told by Peter Windsor earlier this week in Charlotte that US F1 would not make the first race in Bahrain. Having made commitments to his sponsors the former GP2 driver immediately began looking for an alternative, and travelled to Europe with McGough, his father, and his touring car team boss, former F3 driver Victor Rosso.
Meetings have taken place today and yesterday as Bernie tries to broker a deal that will presumably see Lopez join Bruno Senna at a reorganised Campos Meta team.
A close associate of Lopez told me today: “US F1 hadn’t finished the car and we had promised everyone that we would be in the first race in Bahrain. That’s why Felipe decided to reorganise everything, because we can’t miss Bahrain. The only thing we want is that ‘Pechito’ drives in F1. Everything else is not important for us.”
Chad Hurley’s advisor Parris Mullins is also still in the loop, and it remains to be seen whether the YouTube founder brings some much need financial support to the Campos project. There has been no response from US F1 to yesterday’s revelations that both Lopez and Hurley have left the team.
And from here http://www.pechitolopez.com.ar/nota_en.php?idn=92
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Taking into account the numerous information about Jose Maria´s participation in Formula 1 2010 championship, we would like to inform that yesterday, Jose Maria Lopez Sr, toghether with Felipe McGough and Victor Rosso, visited USF1 headquarters in Charlotte, US, to be in contact with the Team´s Directors.  |
| In such meeting, several subjects were covered, in order to have a deep knowledge of the situation of the new team, which is under the responsibility of Peter Windsor and Ken Anderson. Last night, after the meeting, with a clear understanding of the team´s current situation, the group flew to London, England. Once in London, arrangements were made to have different meetings; one of them with the managers of the FOM (Formula One Management) whose president is Bernie Ecclestone. The result of the meeting has been positive. They expect to have a similar schedule as today for tomorrow (Thursday). López Sr., Mc Gough y Rosso are planning to return to our country next weekend. |
"Large Eddie" gave us a heads-up on this headline from Corsa. Thanks Eddie.
It basically says that the team have no money, have not passed any crash tests, have not recieved their Cosworths, and will not be racing in 2010. It also said that Lopez and his manager have been informed. Perhaps a native Spanish speaker can help with the translation. Is so, thanks in advance.
http://www.corsaonline.com.ar/2010/02/17/N-2663-el-usf1-no-correria-en-2010.php
El USF1, el equipo con el cordobés iba a debutar en la Fórmula 1, no sólo no estaría en condiciones de llegar a Bahrein, sino que tampoco correría durante la temporada 2010. Esta versión explotó hoy y ya se expandió como reguero de pólvora. La falta de presupuesto sería la causa por la cual el equipo yanqui está contra las cuerdas.
Según el diario La Voz del Interior, Peter Windsor, el director deportivo de la escudería, reunido en la sede de Charlotte con Felipe McGough y con José López (padre), admitió que no llegará a construir los autos del USF1 en los plazos convenidos y que, con lágrimas en los ojos, dijo que no sabe qué hará con su proyecto. Tan poco era el dinero que llegaba al US F1 que Cosworth no le habría enviado los motores y se trabajaba con una imitación del impulsor…
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| Hurley emigraría al Campos Meta. |
'Motorsport Total.com' has its tentacles stretched out intensively in recent weeks, according to sources in all directions - including in Belgrade, Charlotte, Cologne, Parma and Madrid -. It initially offered a confusing jigsaw puzzle of different fragments of information that can be because of the secrecy of some people involved continue to be composed only gradually. The final image, however, that our research could yield a big surprise.
In Charlotte, meanwhile, the uncertainty, so that sporting director Windsor on Friday threw in the towel, as claimed by three independent sources. Windsor itself denies das Already earlier had become completely clear that U.S. F1 with its own chassis, at least the first three races of the season would have to miss. Conclusion: Campos has a contract with Dallara chassis, which may still be saved, and Hurley, the wherewithal, but not ready to race car.
Accordingly, there is nothing more natural than to bring the two parties - two teams make one! As the exact boundary of this deal, which is certainly not signed for a long time, but is currently being negotiated behind the scenes that might look like, is currently unclear. Could have initiated the merger of the intercontinental forces, however Formula 1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone, who has an interest to fill all 13 places to start.
http://www.motorsport-total.com/f1/news/2010/02/Campos_und_US_F1_Aus_zwei_mach_eins_10021611.html
The Virgin team had to make hasty repairs last week to get their car back on track and to put in a few laps to gain some data to go with their CFD only design. The front wing pillars apparently failed causing the wing loss. The rpairs shown in the pics below are probably outside of the dimensional regulations, but the cars are not scrutineered in testing except for safety equipment.
One would expect a factory redesign to go with the "field repairs" performed in Jerez. Whether they will get that factory wing out for this weeks tests is questionable, but surely they will have the factory redesign out by Barcelona.
Take a look at two things: 1. There appears to be an access panel on the original wing that is absent on the modified wing. 2. There is a strange seam on the nose of the repaired piece just ahead of the support pillars.
The end of the Jerez test on Saturday marks the mid-way point of the 2010 pre-season testing schedule. So far 10 of the 13 teams have taken part, and although the times at this point do not reflect the true pace of the cars, just what can we take from testing so far?
The leading bunch so far appears to be the usual suspects in Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull. Three of these four teams have won the championship 10 times in the last 12 seasons, and look like they will be fighting for the title once again this season. Ferrari especially look to have a good package at this stage of testing. They have been both fast and reliable, clocking up over 800 laps in the 6 days of testing so far (353 in Valencia and 449 in Jerez). On top of this, Alonso appears to have settled well into the team, and along with Massa seems to be getting on top of the 2010 Ferrari. McLaren looked to be initially struggling in Valencia, but towards the end of that test, and throughout the full week in Jerez, they now appear to have got on top of their car problems. This belief was further embedded when Lewis Hamilton went fastest of all over the 4-day Jerez test.
Continue reading "Halfway Through Testing – By Paul_Murtagh" »
If USF1 is to make the grid at Bahrain, things must go very well this week. According to Felipe McGough, Pechito Lopez's manager, the team is to fly the car to the UK for crash testing February 15th to the 18th. He made these comments to Corsa Online on Feb. 10th. It is assumed that they will go to Cranfield as that was where the initial testing was done on the nose.
Also, Dr. Eric Warren, the team's chief aerodynamicist said on Twitter today, "Big week ahead this week, things should become a lot clearer. Looking forward to it."
The combination of these two remarks gives me hope that the team is on schedule, even though a very late schedule at that. McGough remarked on that subject as well. He said that the test schedule was set long ago, and that no revisions had been made. Further, he said that Lopez would be at Alabama the week of the 20th for initial shakedown.
I certainly hope this comes to pass. Even though I would prefer to hear directly from the team, as others have said, maybe "no news is good news."
http://www.corsaonline.com.ar/2010/02/10/N-2620-el-equipo-sigue-con-su-plan-de-trabajo.php
FIA Statement
“From a sporting and regulatory point of view, each team that has registered for the championship is obliged to take part in every event of the season. Any failure to take part, even for just one championship event, would constitute an infringement both of the Concorde Agreement and the FIA Regulations”
Jean Todt to Italy's 'La Gazzetta dello Sport'
"In the last draft, the World (Motor Sport) Council (WMSC) granted the opportunity for a team not to participate in three rounds of the championship, although they don't have to be consecutive. If one pulls out, the insertion of a new team is not automatic - it is always up to the FIA to decide whether a team is eligible or not."
Bernie Eccelstne in the Sunday Express
Ecclestone has revealed that any team entered in the world championship is eligible to skip three of the season's races without penalty.
Opinion:
The head of FOM, Eccelstone, who is the commericial manager of F1, and the head of the FIA, Jean Todt, who is the sporting and technical manager of F1, have both said that F1 teams can miss three races without penalty.
However, the FIA has released a statement that says all teams are expected to attend all races and that appropriate penalties will be metted out to those who fail to do so.
This makes it seem as if those who govern the sport, both commercially and technically, do not know the regulations of their respective contracts. My, my!
But, I have an explanation. There are two provisions in the Concorde agreement that deal with this. Provision 4.xx? says that the teams must appear, undergo scrutineering, and attempt to compete in every race for the duration of their agreement. Some factors may be allowed to obviate this requirement, such as force majure (a fire in your shop, a hurricane, other natural disasters, etc).
Elsewhere, the Concorde agreement says in provision 13.xx?, "if a team has failed to participate in more than three events in the same FIA F1 Championship it is considered to have withdrawn from the championship."
So, there is the truth. The agreement is that you will participate in every event. This is expected. However, you will not be excluded until you miss three events. The FIA says that penalties will be leived if you miss a race, but they do not promulgate the penalties.
However, if you miss three races you will be considered "withdrawn." So, Todt, Eccelstone, and the FIA are correct. But, all three tend to obfuscate the true meaning of their own agreements.
Am I surprised?
http://www.capetesting.com/index.html
One of the keys hurdles for USF1 in the coming weeks is the FIA mandated crash testing. Earlier tests of the nose were conducted at Cranfield Laboratories in Bedford, UK, and it has been assumed that Cranfield would be the site for the official tests. The logistics involved in flying the car to the test lab are difficult. There is little time left and every day counts.
If the car could be tested in the US, the pressure on the schedule would be relaxed, somewhat. I was not aware of any approved crash testing facilities in the US, so I thought I would look into the possibilities. The FIA has a set of lists that includes all facilities with approval to crash test cars, as well as lists of facilities to test damn near anything. This ranges from head to toe (shoes to helments) and from stem to stern (tail lights, seat harnesses, and wheel tethers).
On the list is CAPE, the Center for Advanced Product Evaluation. Cape is located on the campus of IMMI in central Illinois, very close to Indianapolis. They have full FIA approval and have been involved in the testing of open wheeled cars including the last CART chassis, the DP-01.
Their facility is about 550 miles from Charlotte, or about 10 hours by transport. The car could be shipped at 6:00 PM on a Sunday afternoon and be at the facility 3 hours before they opened their doors on Monday morning. I am told that the test procedures could be complete in 24 hours, and the transport could be on their way back to Charlotte by 7:00 AM Tuesday morning.
This seems like the best solution for USF1. A spokespersonn at CAPE decline to comment as many of their test sessions are confidential per client request.
FIA Technical Lists - http://www.fia.com/en-GB/sport/regulations/Pages/TechnicalLists.aspx
Crash Test Centers - http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/C8E81EACB24E82ADC12572FB00559236/$FILE/L04_Crash_test_centres.pdf
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