2009 Testing - March (Jerez & Barcelona)

[ISLAMATRON]

Sure, but my wifes car weighs more than an F1 car, and only has 95hp with radials, and that thing takes off pretty quick in first gear.

I think he's more like responding to what you said earlier ISLAMATRON.

Max accell comes with just a little bit of wheel spin, 80 hp is not enuff to spin those big rear slicks.
Just think about how much throttle they give it to spin them up when they are warming up in formation lap.

So, with a car double the weight it's easy to spin those tyres when accelerating in first gear. But i'm sure you raced mobiles with a multiple on bhp's.

He says takes off, not spins the tires, I can make the assumption that any vehicle with only 95hp has pretty skinny tires, so they would be pretty easy to spin. 95 hp could not spin the tires on an f1 car slicks or grooves, but we all know it is torque that spins the tires at a standing start. 95 hp would be low power even for a FSAE car, and yes I have raced with cars in excess of 600hp(drag) and 400(autoX).

[myurr]

Further to my previous piece, this comment by Domenicali worries me:

Over the last days there were many commenting voices about interpretations of technical regulations by several teams: what's Ferrari's position?
"We think that we've applied the modified regulations - after the works done by the OWG (Overtaking Working Group) together with the FIA - to the letter. It might be that others took a different approach: the FIA has to dissipate any doubt; let's hope they'll do it fast and clear."

I think that's a very clear reference to the diffuser on the Brawn, Toyota and Williams. Could this be a sign of impending action from Max and Bernie, especially if Ferrari make a formal complaint?

[donskar]

Code: Select all

I think that's a very clear reference to the diffuser on the Brawn, Toyota and Williams. Could this be a sign of impending action from Max and Bernie, especially if Ferrari make a formal complaint?

myurr, I think you're right. And I do not think Ferrari is alone in their concern. What ever team you root for, having one team a second faster than ANYONE else makes a mockery of the goal of equalizing the field -- and I think that is the overarching goal of the FIA. There are a lot of factors involved, but I'm afraid the bottom line might be that technical leaders will be pulled back to the pack.

I personally would prefer to see the teams far LESS constrained, but I think the opposite will take place -- what I call the NASCAR-ization of F1: rules tweaked to level the field. That is NOT what I WANT to see, but I think it will happen.

[Carlos]

I know it's obvious, but there's something about The aero chassis balance of the BrawnGP. Intuition says they got the suspension right in some way that no one else has. Yes they could be running way underweight on low fuel load. I think it's something in the suspension geometry or the phase of the moon.

I can't remember Honda getting a chassis right since Ritchie Ginter won Mexico City in '65 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richie_Ginther If the 1.5 liter formula would have lasted a few more years Honda may have had a good chassis/car. Can't remember them ever having a good chassis again. If you can't win with Surtees or JV. You can't win.

donskar's got a point. I'd hate to see F1 vulcanize into the horror story of NASCAR
Here. Take a look. It's not a pretty picture. NASCAR An Empty Grandstand Coming Your Way
http://www.autoextremist.com/fumes1/

[donskar]

carlos, thanks for that link. Interesting, and scary.

Personally, I TRY to watch NASCAR, but just can not force myself to watch more than 10-15 minutes at a stretch. And there are seldom periods of racing that last that long between yellow flags.

On the Brawn's performance, I just can't see it being down to suspension geometry. This might bring the technorati (I mean that as a compliment) out for my blood, but I can't imagine there are geometries that haven't been tried and that are worth a SECOND a lap(!) That would be like the difference between IRS and live axles.

We know it's not HP and torque. If the times are not artificial (running on fumes) then it's got to be (IMHO) a serendipitous (wildly lucky if that does not translate) confluence of geometry, tires and especially aero. And many of us thought aero's influence would be reduced. Is the Brawn/Zander(?) team even more brilliant than Brawn/Bryne?

[ISLAMATRON]

Areo's influence was never gonna be reduced... everything else stayed the same(frozen(a bit detuned) engine/gearbox & weight)... so that leaves tires(now slicks) & aero... slicks are common to everyone so that lowers its influence, although some teams will use the black gold better than others and that mainly comes thru Aero & suspension geometry.

Aero's influence is bigger now because the teams have yet to converge towards the 1 best solution, and at these speeds aero will allways be a main consideration, unlike go karts.

Hopefully Areo's turbulent effects on a trailing car which is faster is reduced... which is what the rules makers were really aiming for.

[freedom_honda]

Let's not forget Honda had a major rear-suspension update late last year. And after that update, the RA108 was one of the fastest car off the line and often make up a few places after the lap 1.

[myurr]

Weren't McLaren supposed to be running today? According to live timing it's only Williams, Renault and Brawn.

According to McLaren's website they were supposed to be testing today. What happened? Waiting for new parts?

[rjsa]

Reposting from Atlas:

http://www.thef1.com/galerias/test/2009 ... c_start=12

[myurr]

hmmph... so waiting for parts then.

[meves]

I'd guess so as Hamiton arrived on circuit but they haven't been out on track yet..

[rjsa]

Someone rules a drastic regulations change and then ban in season testing. We are set up for an off track news season as intense as Stepney 2007 & Mosley 2008 summed up.

[Moanlower]

According to F1today Alonso had a quite severe frontal crash into the tyres this morning which caused a lot of damage.

So far only 2 cars have set times.

1. R. Barrichello Brawn GP BGP 001 1:19.808 69 pit
2. N. Hülkenberg Williams FW31 1:20.013 +0.205 46 pit

[ISLAMATRON]

WDC's crashing everywhere!

[vyselegend]

Bad news for Renault...
And it's worrying for Mac Laren, now every websites report they certainly won't run this afternoon too. My guess is that they have logistical problems, they're probably waiting for some pieces to come from Woking. Maybe the new rear wing / diffusor combo...

I don't see any other explaination, as the track is ideal today, with a very good weather too.

It seems Williams have planned to test up to thursday (included)! One day more than Mc Laren, and two more than Renault and Honda. They're the most daring ones in terms of logistics!