F1

[TheKhakinator]

And surprisingly the exhaust on the McLaren has been declared legal so expect everyone else to copy the idea of directing exhaust gasses through channels in the bodywork.

Second testing in 2 weeks time.

Fully expecting this to be subsequently declared illegal at Valencia FP1, declared legal again for FP3, illegal at qualifying, then legal after the race.

[fog]

And surprisingly the exhaust on the McLaren has been declared legal so expect everyone else to copy the idea of directing exhaust gasses through channels in the bodywork.

Second testing in 2 weeks time.

Fully expecting this to be subsequently declared illegal at Valencia FP1, declared legal again for FP3, illegal at qualifying, then legal after the race.

  It's funny because it's true.

33 days now......

[TheKhakinator]

And surprisingly the exhaust on the McLaren has been declared legal so expect everyone else to copy the idea of directing exhaust gasses through channels in the bodywork.

Second testing in 2 weeks time.

Fully expecting this to be subsequently declared illegal at Valencia FP1, declared legal again for FP3, illegal at qualifying, then legal after the race.

  It's funny because it's true.

I would've placed a bet on it but the odds were only 2:1.

Really need to get my HD tuner sorted with a new antenna by the first race. Can't wait for Melbourne.

[fog]

Really need to get my HD tuner sorted with a new antenna by the first race. Can't wait for Melbourne.

Looks like I can't get HD coverage of the races on Sky.  They will only let Virgin (the cable company I use) broadcast the races in SD 

Still, Sky have already run a few good features looking behind the scenes of F1 so I'm looking forward to their coverage.  They have a new channel dedicated to F1 ( and F2 etc) so can dedicate a lot more programme time to it than the BBC could.

[TheKhakinator]

The reasoning for McLaren not having a stepped nose is well documented in the countless other threads. The stepped nose is no an innovation, it is a compromise for the teams which used to run high noses to best continue their design philosophy. McLaren never had a high nose, so they have been able to continue their design philosophy without compromise, meaning that if anything, they are the ones starting out with the advantage.

What do you reckon, any credence in that? I could see that being a thing...

[fog]

The reasoning for McLaren not having a stepped nose is well documented in the countless other threads. The stepped nose is no an innovation, it is a compromise for the teams which used to run high noses to best continue their design philosophy. McLaren never had a high nose, so they have been able to continue their design philosophy without compromise, meaning that if anything, they are the ones starting out with the advantage.

What do you reckon, any credence in that? I could see that being a thing...

Yeah I think I mentioned on the previous page why McLaren didn't have the broken nose so that part of what he is saying sounds true.  The real question is what difference it will make and I don't think anyone really knows yet.

Under the old regs getting as much air onto the floor and through the blown diffuser was really important as that generated a lot of the aero downforce so most teams went with a high nose to aid that.  Now that we don't have blown diffusers I don't know how critical that area is to overall downforce.

If it's still critical then expect the McLaren to be fastest in a straight line as last year and everyone else to be faster in the turns.


BTW just been looking at some really crappy spy shots of the new Merc and it also has the broken nose and possibly the ugliest yet. 

[fog]

4 weeks today and we'll be racing in Australia.   

The off season just seems to get shorter and shorter.

[fog]

Hmm. 

[TheKhakinator]

auuuuuuuugh if you just got rid of the high bit it'd look really amazing

did they just try that for like 3 seconds in cfd they should have it would've been amazing and would've won everything

well that's a lie but it wouldn't suck this bad

history check - any really ugly F1 cars ever perform well?

[fog]

history check - any really ugly F1 cars ever perform well?

Depends on what you call ugly really. Certainly the broken nose is the first innovation I can remember for years and years that everyone seems to hate.

I'd say the regulations of the past 10 years or so have meant there is less room for "out there" design ideas than there was previously.


Also:

Martin Brundle @MBrundleF1
Heard Channel 10 Oz are taking my commentary with @CroftyF1 Hopefully many other countries will too for year 16. Getting my one-liners ready

Can you get Channel 10 Oz ?

[TheKhakinator]

Yeah sure can. Moving back home this weekend so no more mucking around with my useless (no decent antenna for it) USB HDTV stick. Pumped.

[fog]

I see Marussia have failed the crash test again so are missing the final pre-season testing.  So the first time the new car will turn a wheel is at the first race.

I really don't see the point of some of these smaller teams or what's in it for them.  They've seemingly made no progress in the last few years at all.

[TheKhakinator]

*sigh*
I'd love it if one, just ONE, could make some step forward, a step up - a new, viable team. That'd be really inspiring. Turns out one of my lecturers I met today was involved in motorsport. Something I'd love to do.

[fog]

*sigh*
I'd love it if one, just ONE, could make some step forward, a step up - a new, viable team.

Either that or one of the established teams stuck in midfield start to challenge.  What's happened to the once great Williams team for example over the last few years is slightly depressing.


Testing today in Barca and look what Caterham have brought along. 

[fog]

So Red Bull introduce a whole load of new parts on the very final day of pre-season testing.  Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

Anyway 2 weeks until Australia 

And Sky's dedicated F1 channel starts later this week so I'm really looking forward to seeing what programming the offer.  I hope they stick to the message in their advert and we get a bit of history etc.

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