Technical Regulations for 2009-2015

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WhiteBlue
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Re: Technical Regulations for 2009-2015

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turbof1 wrote:Why wouldn't there be an engine freeze? Smaller teams are already complaining about "through the roof" costs. Imagine what will happen if engine manufacturers are allowed to freely develop their engines. They will do the same as with the V8: one year of free development (but that is already restricted by the maximum amount of engines). You also mentioned several parts which will be fully developed by the time the 2014 season kicks off.
We cannot ultimately know how the political balance in the F1 commission will play out. But as of today there is no indication of a freeze and sufficient indication that efficiency developments will be allowed over time. Which means some of the technical restrictions will be lifted to provide scope in the following years. This was reportedly the position of the FiA and of Cosworth in the engine working group.
Like hell that'll happen. FIA isn't exactly known for loosing up the regulations.
The FiA does not play a decisive role in the rule making as I have pointed out time and again. They simply screen the rules proposals of the F1 commission for compatibility with the standing FiA policies and police the rules. The FiA has a policy of reducing the fuel utilization of the cars. Following that concept they would allow efficiency developments if the teams agree to other methods of engine cost control.
Formula One's fundamental ethos is about success coming to those with the most ingenious engineering and best .............................. organization, not to those with the biggest budget. (Dave Richards)

Tommy Cookers
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Re: Technical Regulations for 2009-2015

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WhiteBlue wrote: The technical engine rules don't discourage new engine manufacturers, it is the missing cost control that does. Cosworth had specific requests regarding cost control that were not met. VW would have participated in F1 if it were a sensible business proposition. But it isn't with all the rule making power in the hands of the established teams and huge profits going to CVC. It is not the engine rules that are putting off more motor manufacturers.
Tommy Cookers wrote:speaking technically, the 2014 rules are quite clever, electric compounding largely avoids a need for VVT and even VGT(this also applies to road vehicles)
That is debatable as well. Those features are initially suppressed in order to contain cost and to give room for future development. If you have followed the rule debate around the engines you would be aware of it. I'm pretty sure you could increase efficiency by implementing them and that is the one competitive advantage that counts from 2014. VVT and VGT will be among the first things that will be freed for future development if the objective of the new engines is pursued. It always was the plan not to stop with the introduction but to reduce the fuel allowance successively in the following years. Unless some misguided souls pervert the whole scheme we will not see a freeze but a gradual lifting of restrictions.
are you saying that the 3 manufacturers that whose positions are reflected in the 2014 rules (that clearly disallow any VVT, VGT and advanced ignition systems) have declared in favour of such in the future ??
if not it seems unreasonable to contend that they will be 'written-in' to the rules, and/or that other manufacturers would act in expectation of such an event

I have attempted in other threads to highlight the particular value of the right electric compounding strategy under the 2014 constant fuel rate rules, ie maintaining high and constant charge pressure (therby best maintaining efficiency) as rpm rises, and desired charge volume falls (that is varying the electrical load/recovered power to reduce delta P with rpm increase)

this makes VVT and VGturbines relatively pointless (I assume the rules were written for that reason ie to that extent 'road relevant')

sincerely, aren't VVT and VGt seen as liabilities (for general service) compared with modern control strategies applied to the recovery turbine capability that will become universal ?

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WhiteBlue
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Re: Technical Regulations for 2009-2015

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TC, I don't think we will get together on the issue. The narrow spec was primarily written on behalve of Cosworth and the customer teams who wanted to limit the development cost by a narrow spec. Ferrari, Merc and Renault as well as VW (who were at the table) would have preferred a much wider scope. The FiA was primarily interested in fuel efficiency and the use of modern concepts that would attract manufacturers. They also look for cost curbing but they have an open mind about the methodology if the F1 commission approves it. Sooner or later the whole concept will only work if they switch over to control the R&D cost. Even on the narrowest spec manufacturers will still spend almost unlimited if they have the money and see improvements of competitiveness. I'm aware that you don't see it that way. So we better agree to disagree.
Formula One's fundamental ethos is about success coming to those with the most ingenious engineering and best .............................. organization, not to those with the biggest budget. (Dave Richards)

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Powershift
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Re: Technical Regulations for 2009-2015

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To help the customer teams the FIA should just mandate a maximum cost for an engine/powertrain (including ERS & gearbox) lease. That way the manufacturers can spend as much as they like on R&D but can only charge the customer teams a fixed amount. Are the engine lease prices not fixed at the moment? MAke the best powertrain and get more customer teams thus increasing your ROI.
Winning is the most important. Everything is consequence of that. Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose.-Ayrton Senna

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MIKEY_!
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Re: Technical Regulations for 2009-2015

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If they don't get some sort of ground effect of at least larger diffusers we risk having cars that are slower than GP2, I've heard people say F1 cars are already slower than GP2 (or nearly as slow) at the start of the race of full tanks of fuel, is this true?

Lycoming
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Re: Technical Regulations for 2009-2015

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HRT probably is. I doubt that's true for the frontrunners, but give them a break, they're carrying like a fifth their minimum weight in fuel.

Tommy Cookers
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Re: Technical Regulations for 2009-2015

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...... and they run about a fifth richer than stoichiometric ?
(the rules don't prevent this, but they force the carriage of KERS weight even if KERS is not fitted)

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MIKEY_!
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Re: Technical Regulations for 2009-2015

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there is no reason to slow f1 cars down further

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godlameroso
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Re: Technical Regulations for 2009-2015

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I agree, this year teams have not even gotten close to what was possible last year, and they want to make the cars even slower.

1:39.605 - Fastest race lap in Korea 2011

1:42.037 - Fastest race lap in Korea 2012

This year in Hungary, Narain Karthikayian's HRT (1:26.178) qualified nearly three seconds faster than Max Chilton's GP2 car 1:28.980, his fastest race lap was actually slower than the qualifying time however 1:29.506, De La Rosa's fastest lap was 1:28.765, so in race trim the HRT is marginally faster than a top GP2 car in qualifying trim.
Saishū kōnā

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MIKEY_!
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Re: Technical Regulations for 2009-2015

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thanks for the numbers, not a great look for the 'pinnacle of motorsport'

ScottB
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Re: Technical Regulations for 2009-2015

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MIKEY_! wrote:thanks for the numbers, not a great look for the 'pinnacle of motorsport'
Only if you take the one team that are running a glorified GP2 car. Vettel set the fastest lap with a 1.24.136

Of course F1 should be fast, the tires fragility this year is probably more responsible for a lot of the slow down than the loss of the EBDs. Pirelli need to make a tyre that can allow the cars to run at their maximum for more of the stint.

astracrazy
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Re: Technical Regulations for 2009-2015

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quick question. if a teams ERS fails (like kers sometimes do during a race now) wouldn't it be a massive disadvantage in 2014 onwards? reducing the engine power by about 200bhp (i can't remember exactly the bhp ERS is worth)

or am i miss understanding something

beelsebob
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Re: Technical Regulations for 2009-2015

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astracrazy wrote:quick question. if a teams ERS fails (like kers sometimes do during a race now) wouldn't it be a massive disadvantage in 2014 onwards? reducing the engine power by about 200bhp (i can't remember exactly the bhp ERS is worth)

or am i miss understanding something
Correct. In fact, if they have any pit stops left, they'll be out... Of course, asking this question is a bit like asking "if a team's engine fails, wouldn't it be a massive disadvantage?"

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N12ck
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Re: Technical Regulations for 2009-2015

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beelsebob wrote:
astracrazy wrote:quick question. if a teams ERS fails (like kers sometimes do during a race now) wouldn't it be a massive disadvantage in 2014 onwards? reducing the engine power by about 200bhp (i can't remember exactly the bhp ERS is worth)

or am i miss understanding something
Correct. In fact, if they have any pit stops left, they'll be out... Of course, asking this question is a bit like asking "if a team's engine fails, wouldn't it be a massive disadvantage?"
KERS fail more often than engines IIRC
Budding F1 Engineer

astracrazy
astracrazy
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Re: Technical Regulations for 2009-2015

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but being 200bhp (or whateva) down, you would surely have to retire anyway? you couldn't compete