2022 Winter Testing Part 1: Barcelona 23 - 25th February

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Cool video of the cars on track

[media]https://i.imgur.com/ZiKMv8Q.mp4[/media]

[JordanMugen]

I find it really silly and frankly frustrating that they would ban the hydraulic suspension systems with the introduction of ground effect. Have we learnt nothing from the past? The frustration comes from the fact that this problem is solvable and indeed has been solved already.

Indycar use only four dampers, don't they? Why does F1 need a more fancy suspension system?

I don't agree with the notion that F1 teams need elaborate suspensions when most other open-wheel racing cars -- likely Swift venturi Formula Nippon cars or indeed F2 included -- make do with four shocks, four springs, and two anti-roll bars (I guess as specified by the rules).

An extra $5 mill on the budget cap, or cars bouncing around so violently they’re literally shaking themselves to bits?

Far enough, but if the engineers in other series can tune the car with just four dampers (as likely demanded by the regulations in those series), why should F1 chassis engineers be allowed to introduce extra complexity however they wish?

[Zynerji]

I find it really silly and frankly frustrating that they would ban the hydraulic suspension systems with the introduction of ground effect. Have we learnt nothing from the past? The frustration comes from the fact that this problem is solvable and indeed has been solved already.

Indycar use only four dampers, don't they? Why does F1 need a more fancy suspension system?

I don't agree with the notion that F1 teams need elaborate suspensions when most other open-wheel racing cars -- likely Swift venturi Formula Nippon cars or indeed F2 included -- make do with four shocks, four springs, and two anti-roll bars (I guess as specified by the rules).

An extra $5 mill on the budget cap, or cars bouncing around so violently they’re literally shaking themselves to bits?

Far enough, but if the engineers in other series can tune the car with just four dampers (as likely demanded by the regulations in those series), why should F1 chassis engineers be allowed to introduce extra complexity however they wish?

Give them a monoshock at each end, and let em rip!

[Ryar]

I find it really silly and frankly frustrating that they would ban the hydraulic suspension systems with the introduction of ground effect. Have we learnt nothing from the past? The frustration comes from the fact that this problem is solvable and indeed has been solved already.

Indycar use only four dampers, don't they? Why does F1 need a more fancy suspension system?

I don't agree with the notion that F1 teams need elaborate suspensions when most other open-wheel racing cars -- likely Swift venturi Formula Nippon cars or indeed F2 included -- make do with four shocks, four springs, and two anti-roll bars (I guess as specified by the rules).

An extra $5 mill on the budget cap, or cars bouncing around so violently they’re literally shaking themselves to bits?

Far enough, but if the engineers in other series can tune the car with just four dampers (as likely demanded by the regulations in those series), why should F1 chassis engineers be allowed to introduce extra complexity however they wish?

I agree! I don't think FIA should make any provisions to let top teams dominate that sphere. FIA should simply provide standard suspension systems if there is a need as such.

[marvin78]

Now it is only getting rid of the branding not getting rid of the sponsor. Like FC Schalke 04 in Germany does with Gazprom.

And what sponsor will pay the money to not advertise their branding?

My assumption is that there is an agreement in place that says something like: "For the sake of preventing to much discussions, we will get rid of the stickers for a while. It's good for both sides!". Schalke 04 and Gazrom seem to have such an agreement and it's my understandig that it's similar with Haas and it's not even unusual. Of course no one knows how that ends. It could always be that Haas get's no money because there is no point in the development where they can go back to the original agreement.

[dans79]

nah, f1 doesn't need to be any closer to a spec series than it already is, personally I would prefer it to be more open!

[e30ernest]

nah, f1 doesn't need to be any closer to a spec series than it already is, personally I would prefer it to be more open!

Yeah I prefer F1 to be more open too. IMO, moving to more complex suspension setups would have been good. Feels strange to have "pinnacle of motorsport" have cars that are mechanically less advanced than road cars.

[f1316]

But they don’t need fancy suspensions to fix the issue - Binotto already mentioned that it’s straightforward to solve by raising the ride height. The issue persists because they’re pushing the boundaries in search of more performance.

[marvin78]

Sounds like a workaround and not like a solution to me.

[e30ernest]

But they don’t need fancy suspensions to fix the issue - Binotto already mentioned that it’s straightforward to solve by raising the ride height. The issue persists because they’re pushing the boundaries in search of more performance.

That's why I would have preferred opening up the regs more rather than restricting it or bringing in more spec parts. An integral part of F1 has always been bringing new technologies and pushing the boundaries of performance.

[JordanMugen]

Feels strange to have "pinnacle of motorsport" have cars that are mechanically less advanced than road cars.

Less advanced than a McLaren 720S or similar with hydraulic/active suspension perhaps, but very much the same as the conventionally sprung and damped Alpine A110 AFAIK.

[e30ernest]

Feels strange to have "pinnacle of motorsport" have cars that are mechanically less advanced than road cars.

Less advanced than a McLaren 720S or similar with hydraulic/active suspension perhaps, but very much the same as the conventionally sprung and damped Alpine A110 AFAIK.

Hahaha, well a lot of other cars also have active suspensions. Self leveling cars were there in the 1950's. Cars from Mercedes and Land Rover also carry active suspensions (mostly for comfort).

[Ryar]

nah, f1 doesn't need to be any closer to a spec series than it already is, personally I would prefer it to be more open!

Yeah I prefer F1 to be more open too. IMO, moving to more complex suspension setups would have been good. Feels strange to have "pinnacle of motorsport" have cars that are mechanically less advanced than road cars.

That's a cliche. Most importantly, it's racing series and ensuring cars are closely matched for that fundamental objective is important than trying to live upto some imaginery standard.

[e30ernest]

nah, f1 doesn't need to be any closer to a spec series than it already is, personally I would prefer it to be more open!

Yeah I prefer F1 to be more open too. IMO, moving to more complex suspension setups would have been good. Feels strange to have "pinnacle of motorsport" have cars that are mechanically less advanced than road cars.

That's a cliche. Most importantly, it's racing series and ensuring cars are closely matched for that fundamental objective is important than trying to live upto some imaginery standard.

True, there needs to be a balance. However, F1 has always had to have that edge. You've had other more spec series that failed (remember A1GP for instance?).

[Ryar]

Yeah I prefer F1 to be more open too. IMO, moving to more complex suspension setups would have been good. Feels strange to have "pinnacle of motorsport" have cars that are mechanically less advanced than road cars.

That's a cliche. Most importantly, it's racing series and ensuring cars are closely matched for that fundamental objective is important than trying to live upto some imaginery standard.

True, there needs to be a balance. However, F1 has always had to have that edge. You've had other more spec series that failed (remember A1GP for instance?).

It failed for badly orchestrated execution of it's appeal, commercial reasons and for being a replica series. Audience don't move over to replicas when it doesn't offer significantly different experience. F1 has monopoly in the space for its long lasting glorification, despite utter lack of competition due long spells of domination.

A small portion of F1 geeks are occupied with technology stuff, but majority fans are agnostic of it and simply want good, thrilling racing. Imagine, despite lack of success for over a decade, Ferrari is still the face of F1. So there is no logic in how the appeal of F1 works. If it becomes a spec series, so be it, if it can offer 2021 kind of racing with two or more teams engaged at the front.