The Future of F1 will be electric

[autogyro]

Andrew wrote

"I know what goes into batteries (various acids and alkalais, I'll won't waste space writting what we already know). All things that are extremely harmful and poisonous to both humans and nature and not particularly environtmentally friendly"

I agree Andrew, some of the things that go into batteries are very toxic.
However there is one huge difference when comparing batteries in EVs and toxic liquid fossil fuels in ic engined vehicles.
When you burn fossil vehicle fuel it creates pollution and adds CO2 to the environment.
When batteries complete their operating cycle, nearly all of the toxic substances are STILL in the battery and available to re-cycle.
True the re-cycle battery industries are not yet mature enough but they will be as soon as the fossil fuel delaying tactics are fully dealt with.

[autogyro]

Dragonfly wrote

"Forget it, autogyro.
One thing I am dead certain is that I prefer to be like I am in your eyes for the rest of my life, rather than have my sense of humour operated"

I am glad you still have a sense of humour.
Having driven a 'Trabant' around a Chernobyl type disused reactor in East Germany, I know how difficult keeping one must be.

[Shrieker]

Electric, and while at it, the aim of aero development should be energy conservation. Hundreds of millions of dollars go into aero research every year to have more df (and more efficient also) which has no relevance to your typical road going car AFAIK. The point of focus should be less air resistance (less drag). Yes, F1 will lose some (and for some, most) of it's appeal, but those who are open minded enough will still have fun and maybe even more - who knows ?

[autogyro]

Electric, and while at it, the aim of aero development should be energy conservation. Hundreds of millions of dollars go into aero research every year to have more df (and more efficient also) which has no relevance to your typical road going car AFAIK. The point of focus should be less air resistance (less drag). Yes, F1 will lose some (and for some, most) of it's appeal, but those who are open minded enough will still have fun and maybe even more - who knows ?

The new regulations that will limit the amount of fuel allowed for a GP can easily be extended into an electric formula.
Done sensibly the development of regulations through 2013, with ever increasing use of energy harvesting and restrictions on the energy carried will result in a major change in aero. Ideas will be found to reduce downforce by hopefuly at least 50 percent and the main aero work will be in drag reduction.

I only hope that Patrick Head is not correct and the development of the first stage (KERS) is not recognised as the F1 saviour it is and it is again not used by the teams in 2012. Neither F1 or the road vehicle development it creates, can be delayed yet again by this narrow dated focus. It is crucial to our future.