2014 Formula 1 Racing Thread

[MikeFleming]

http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/adam/bfea50f92db3a7dc06cc78ca5abb6d33/2014-f1-car-width-graphic-bbc.jpg





(http://www.evoxforums.com/2013/12/09/2014-f1-regulations-explained-video/#continued)Some racing series are easier to understand than others, but to put it mildly, Formula One (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/f1/) is not NASCAR (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/nascar/). With 500 members of each team spending millions upon millions each year to gain an advantage, F1 is about as technically complex as rocket science. But if you thought you had managed to wrap your head around the way things work, think again, because the series is undergoing a major overhaul of its technical regulations for the 2014 season.

Of course, the biggest change is a switch from naturally aspirated 2.4-liter V8 engines to turbocharged 1.6-liter V6 powerplants (http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/30/fia-confirms-1-6-liter-turbo-v6-f1-engines-for-2014/), but that's not the sum total of the shift. The cars' hybrid component are set to play a bigger role, the aerodynamic regulations are changing, as are the exhaust system limitations and a whole mess of other details.

It's enough to make your head spin at 20,000 rpm. Fortunately the BBC has put together this handy little video interviewing the experts and breaking down the changes into layman's terms that even we can understand. Watch the handy three-and-a-half-minute video primer below (http://www.evoxforums.com/2013/12/09/2014-f1-regulations-explained-video/#continued) to get yourself up to speed on next year's F1 regulations.Continue reading Breaking down F1's 2014 regulations into layman's terms (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/12/09/2014-f1-regulations-explained-video/)

[Bob Holmes]

You have to ask yourself, "what would Adrian Newey do."

[MikeFleming]

^
If he worked for Ferrari, none of the official rules would apply to him (them) - so he could do anything he wanted.

"No, really. That's just an antennae. There is no performance gain and no aero benefit."

[Patrick]

So now we have a points system change as well! Double points for the finale.

[MikeFleming]

Oh Joy!

[rodster]

wow, and to think sometimes I have a difficult time understanding how to open my hood! :p

[MikeFleming]

2014 FIA Formula One World Championship Race Calendar
01 AUSTRALIA (Melbourne) 14 - 16 Mar
02 MALAYSIA (Kuala Lumpur) 28 - 30 Mar
03 BAHRAIN (Sakhir) 04 - 06 Apr
04 CHINA (Shanghai) 18 - 20 Apr
05 SPAIN (Catalunya) 09 - 11 May
06 MONACO (Monte Carlo) 22 - 25 May
07 CANADA (Montréal) 06 - 08 Jun
08 AUSTRIA (Spielberg) 20 - 22 Jun
09 GREAT BRITAIN (Silverstone) 04 - 06 Jul
10 GERMANY (Hockenheim) 18 - 20 Jul
11 HUNGARY (Budapest) 25 - 27 Jul
12 BELGIUM (Spa-Francorchamps) 22 - 24 Aug
13 ITALY (Monza) 05 - 07 Sep
14 SINGAPORE (Singapore) 19 - 21 Sep
15 JAPAN (Suzuka) 03 - 05 Oct
16 RUSSIA (Sochi) 10 - 12 Oct
17 USA (Austin) 31 Oct - 02 Nov
18 BRAZIL (São Paulo) 07 - 09 Nov
19 ABU DHABI (Yas Marina) 21 - 23 Nov

No New Jersey!!!

[k98dave]

NJ, India and Mexico were dropped from 2014 at the WMSC meeting in Paris 1st week of Dec. Bernie doesn't want more than 20 races because then he has to pay the teams more. Plus NJ and Mexico weren't ready (financially anyway) and India needs the year off to switch from late in the 2013 season to early in the 2015 season





Up until early Dec, COTA was putting out a date that differed from either the Sept WMSC meeting, what COTA had put out earlier, and definitely different from the WMSC date.




2014 FIA Formula One World Championship Race Calendar
01 AUSTRALIA (Melbourne) 14 - 16 Mar
02 MALAYSIA (Kuala Lumpur) 28 - 30 Mar
03 BAHRAIN (Sakhir) 04 - 06 Apr
04 CHINA (Shanghai) 18 - 20 Apr
05 SPAIN (Catalunya) 09 - 11 May
06 MONACO (Monte Carlo) 22 - 25 May
07 CANADA (Montréal) 06 - 08 Jun
08 AUSTRIA (Spielberg) 20 - 22 Jun
09 GREAT BRITAIN (Silverstone) 04 - 06 Jul
10 GERMANY (Hockenheim) 18 - 20 Jul
11 HUNGARY (Budapest) 25 - 27 Jul
12 BELGIUM (Spa-Francorchamps) 22 - 24 Aug
13 ITALY (Monza) 05 - 07 Sep
14 SINGAPORE (Singapore) 19 - 21 Sep
15 JAPAN (Suzuka) 03 - 05 Oct
16 RUSSIA (Sochi) 10 - 12 Oct
17 USA (Austin) 31 Oct - 02 Nov
18 BRAZIL (São Paulo) 07 - 09 Nov
19 ABU DHABI (Yas Marina) 21 - 23 Nov

[MikeFleming]

Study material before the March 14 quix.

http://jalopnik.com/how-formula-ones-amazing-new-hybrid-turbo-engine-works-1506450399


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WgtU6VykSwA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RqaJKTRs-Kg

[Bob Holmes]

What a batch of ugly looking cars.

Its a shame that the rules lead to such aesthetic failures.

[MikeFleming]

The surprise to me is the very low nose for 2014 after the last couple years effort spent on bringing it up to a foot pr so from the ground" for "safety reasons".

[Bob Holmes]

I agree, they can't seem to make up their mind. But these cars are unbelievably ugly.

Jerez should have given everyone that is not a Red Bull fan boy hope. Looks like Newey's "cooling be damned" attitude v. aerodynamic equation is being sorely tested.

[MikeFleming]

Looks like Newey's "cooling be damned" attitude v. aerodynamic equation is being sorely tested. That may cause some issues down the road as alternators are considered a part of the engine - now being limited to five engines per season (eight last year).


Each driver may use no more than five power units during a championship season.
http://www.formula1.com/inside_f1/rules_and_regulations/sporting_regulations/8689/


Nose height - for safety reasons the height of noses has been reduced for 2014. The maximum height is 185mm (previously it was 550mm).
http://www.formula1.com/inside_f1/rules_and_regulations/sporting_regulations/12877/

Wasn't it raised previously for "safety reasons"??

Five weeks and counting.

[MikeFleming]

http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/crop/4704x3158+35+0/resize/628x417%21/format/jpg/quality/85/http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/adam/f0d298c6ae2cf18ac1d0d40cffb65a07/470950687.jpg (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112630)

When we think of Formula One (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/formula+one/), we think of the pinnacle technology - massive operations designed for the sole purpose of building very fast cars. We don't often think of security for all that technology, though. Neither, apparently, did the hapless Marussia F1 (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/marussia/) team, which lost an entire day of testing data this week due to a computer virus.

"It started off with the first disaster, which was a computer Trojan-type virus in the racks, which cost us the best part of the day," Marussia boss John Booth told Autosport (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112630). The winter testing session in Bahrain lasted four days, but for Marussia, it was a three-day affair, as an entire day was dedicated to annihilating the Trojan that had infiltrated the team's systems.

There's not a lot of detail on where the virus originated nor if any data was lost or compromised, but it's interesting that an organization as high-profile as a Formula 1 team (even a perennial backmarker like Marussia) would be targeted. Certainly, if we were the principal at any other team, we'd be looking at updating our security software.Marussia F1 team hobbled by trojan horse virus (http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/26/marussia-f1-trojan-horse-virus/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Wed, 26 Feb 2014 18:28:00 EST.

[stockman1]

these cars will require a combo of Mr. Chekov and Scotty to operate properly..........

[MikeFleming]

Reminder:
PRACTICE 1: 03 Days 05 H 30 M 30 S

[Bob Holmes]

Everyone needs to make their predictions. Top five in the Driver's Championship, top five in the Constructor's.

A little more thought will be necessary than usual.

[MikeFleming]

Tomorrow night, folks. Here's an appetite-wetting snippet:

6634

http://jalopnik.com/watch-red-bull-explain-what-makes-the-2014-f1-season-di-1542041099

And to address Bob's predictions question, I'm gonna say these numbers do not look good for Red Buil (14 seconds off the pace):

1/29/14 1:15pm (http://jalopnik.com/day-two-testing-lap-times-1-jenson-button-mclaren-1511674346)Day two testing/lap times:
1. Jenson Button (McLaren) 1:24.165, 43 laps
2. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) 1:24.812, 47 laps
3. Valtteri Bottas (Williams) 1:25.344, 4 laps
4. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 1:25.588, 97 laps
5. Sergio Perez (Force India) 1:28.376 , 37 laps
6. Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber) 1:33.270, 53 laps
7. Marcus Ericsson (Caterham) 1:37.975, 11 laps
8. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) 1:38.320, 8 laps

http://jalopnik.com/vettels-rb10-on-fire-finishes-red-bulls-second-test-d-1511550942

[Raven855]

I don't think that answered Bobs' question Mike and I am not ready to answer or make a prediction on the Constructors or Drivers championship, it's just too early. But I will make some predictions on the upcoming weekends race. Massa will podium and beat both Ferraris, Maladona will be involved in a crash and take someone with him, Kobiashi will finish the race but will hinder and frustrate a bunch of people, a Mercedes will be on the podium and probably Button (take that Bob!) and Vettel will beat one of the Ferraris. Of course all of this will change after I watch qualifying.......

[MikeFleming]

Indeed - too little data to make any serious bets. We will know more Friday.

[Bob Holmes]

Man, I bet half the field doesn't finish! And we haven't even see the fuel economy equation dealt with. How many run out of fuel instead of finishing. I think Oz will see surprising strategies.

[Bob Holmes]

Jenson BUTTON! Still flogging that tired nag, Tony?

He'll be performing the "Weber" role for McLaren this year.

[MikeFleming]

Great qualifying session!

I wonder if Mssr. Vettel has been driving an almost perfect car for so long that he has lost some actual driving skills? Since his younger, more inexperienced teammate seriously out-qualified him. Hmmm ...

And my good bud Lewis does great again. Of course it was just another case of the last man standing - so that's credit to team management.

[Bob Holmes]

Daniel Riccardo has been driving shitty cars for almost as long as Vettel has been driving great ones.

I'd say Riccardo is more prepared for the situation that the RB guys find themselves in.

Vettel looked about as good as...Button.

I have to say that Ferrari disappointed. Williams, however, may be back on their game.

[Raven855]

Vettel looked about as good as...Button.


I have always maintained the Vettel was a golden child with a golden spoon. Qualifying was good, but I don't think we have fully learned everything we need to know for the race. Hoping for a dry race tomorrow!

[Bob Holmes]

The results were interesting.

I'm probably most thrilled by the resurgence of Williams. They've got a live one in Bottas. Through the field twice!! For about the last half of the race he seemed to be the only one passing anyone.

I can't tell if some of the better guys are sucking with the new cars, or if the cars are experiencing problems. Kimi looked like a rookie.

Lotus looks worse than Caterham and Marussia, no wonder so many folks jumped ship.

[Raven855]

It is difficult to get your hands around all the things that happened in Australia. The track is known for high fuel usage, tough to pass, greasy but hard on tires. Of those that finished, fuel usage did not seem to be an issue and tire life did not seem to be an issue although driving on rain tires is still unknown for most. The Ferrari performance is suspect. Red Bull will be more competitive than people thought. Williams will be more competitive than people thought. Lotus may be competitive if they can fix some reliability issues. The bigger questions for me are how well will Vettel, Massa, and Kimi adapt to the new car. And who will wreck the next race, Kobioshi or Maladono?


Hey Bob! I see that with Red Bulls disqualification, Button is third! Guess I had a pretty good guess on the old horse(or Smurf as he is known) Isn't your car Smurf Blue?

6644

[Bob Holmes]

Button got beaten like the #2 that he is by a rookie in an identical car.

;P

[Raven855]

Button got beaten like the #2 that he is by a rookie in an identical car.

;P
So did Vettel. A lot of teams had their number 2 driver do better. Vettel got beat, Massa got beat, Button got beat, Hamilton got beat, everyone at Lotus got beat.........

[Bob Holmes]

Vettel broke, Massa got punted, Button got beat, Hamilton broke, but you got it right on Lotus.

[MikeFleming]

^
And the younger, "less-experienced with last years cars" drivers did much better than the older, more experienced [with the previous, easier-to-drive cars] drivers did.

The learning curve appearsto be in effect now - both driver and technical. While the pit stops don't appear to have changed much.

[Bob Holmes]

I think I saw a 2.8 second stop, with a couple 3.0s also thrown into the mix. Amazing.

[MikeFleming]

It almost seemed - while watching the race - that the pit stops were disproportionally faster then the cars were on track. An optical illiusion I'm sure.

[Bob Holmes]

I thought that Red Bull was going to leap to the top of the heap, again, once it had its IT issues dealt with on the power unit. However, if the fuel consumption issue isn't also dealt with, they may have a longer hill to climb.

[Raven855]

Malaysia practice will soon start. Time to refllect and conjecture on the upcoming race. Who will win? Probably Mercedes. Who will be on the podium is a tougher question? McLaren should marginally improve, Red Bull will probably improve a good bit as will Mercedes. Lotus will improve quite a bit. But lets face it their fastest lap was slower than a 5 cylinder Mercedes. Maybe they can beat Caterham? Williams will improve, not because of Maladona but for Massa. I like Maladona and Kobioshi like Bob likes Button. Is Ferrari in serious trouble? If Hamiliton, Massa and Vettel had not dropped out of the race would they have made it to the top 10? The track has some long sweepers that the Ferraris and Red Bulls like, but do we really know what the Mercedes can do? Fast lap was lap 29 by Nico and at the end of the race with him running on the lesser performing hard tires and the rest of the top 5 on the softs he was still pulling away comfortably. The Red Bulls brake later and carry more speed into and out of the tight corners better than everyone else, and with rain expected are we going to see them at the top of the podium spoiling the day for Mercedes, McLaren, and Williams? It should be fun and exciting! For a best guess before practice, Mercedes, Mclaren and Red Bull on the podium! Ferrari will not be in the top 5! Kobioshi or Maladona will crash!

[Bob Holmes]

Hard to argue your points.

[Bob Holmes]

"Bottas is faster than you..." !!!!!

[MikeFleming]

"Bottas is faster than you..." !!!!! It would appear that perhaps the only times Massa has driven "fast" is when his seat is on the line or after he's just been told by the team to yield to his teammate. With very few exceptions.

[Raven855]

Massa retires from F1!
http://thisisf1.com/2014/03/31/massa-officially-confirms-retirement-from-f1-after-malaysian-gp-team-orders-controversy/

[MikeFleming]

^
It could happen.

[MikeFleming]

Massa Retiring from Formula 1 over Team Orders incident:

http://thisisf1.com/2014/03/31/massa-officially-confirms-retirement-from-f1-after-malaysian-gp-team-orders-controversy/

[Meotchh]

Presale on USGP tickets:

http://quintevents.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/y/B9E433BB0B407269/C70F5706E359D3B6FCACEB58A033025D

[Bob Holmes]

Massa Retiring from Formula 1 over Team Orders incident:

http://thisisf1.com/2014/03/31/massa-officially-confirms-retirement-from-f1-after-malaysian-gp-team-orders-controversy/

Massa is still around.

Are you sure it wasn't about Vettel. :)

[brsvo]

I thought it was an April fools joke?

[MikeFleming]

Ecclestone estimates Formula One IPO at $10B, hires Goldman Sachs to investigate






http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/bernie-ecclestone-f1.jpg




(http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2012/03/20/bloomberg_articlesM15WCC6TTDS001-M16LK-1.DTL)Formula One (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/formula%20one) may be headed toward an initial public offering worth a staggering $10 billion, according to Bloomberg. CVC Capital Partners Ltd., the majority owner of the Formula One Group, has hired Godlman Sachs Group to look into the motorsports empire's value. The deal would involve selling a portion of CVC's 63.4 percent stake in F1, likely with an IPO in Singapore. The news comes courtesy of an unnamed source familiar with the discussions.

Meanwhile, F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/bernie%20ecclestone) has said that he will remain in his position regardless of CVC's course of action. He is not expected to sell his 5.3-percent stake in the Formula One Group. The CEO is reportedly in talks with current F1 teams over contracts that expire this year, offering big names like Ferrari (http://www.autoblog.com/ferrari) and Red Bull (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/red%20bull) up to $45 million to stay on. Currently, it's unclear whether any teams have agreed to the new terms, but Ecclestone says those talks won't need to be concluded for the IPO to progress.Ecclestone estimates Formula One IPO at $10B, hires Goldman Sachs to investigate (http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/20/ecclestone-estimates-formula-one-ipo-at-10b-hires-goldman-sach/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:50:00 EST.

[Patrick]

Black Jack has passed. :(

http://jalopnik.com/former-f1-world-champion-sir-jack-brabham-reportedly-de-1578251012

[MikeFleming]

Big Sigh.

There's been a LOT of sighs here lately.

[MikeFleming]

On an up note, play it LOUD (no narration):

Hungary On-Board clips:

http://wtf1.co.uk/hungarian-gp-2014-onboard/

[Bob Holmes]

In a season of outstanding racing, this race was at the top!

[MikeFleming]

Usually Hungary is mostly boring with the lack of good passing opportunities. If you didn't see Saturday's GP2 race in Hungary, you missed a LOT of passing. Those folks are crazy! Look for reruns of GP2 events.

[brsvo]

I agree the commentators were saying they drive over (or through) each other not around and the event would back that up!

[MikeFleming]

7398

Formula One (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/f1/) bigwig Bernie Ecclestone has opened his wallet to finally put an end to his trial for alleged bribery in Germany. According to Britain's The Telegraph citing the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the controversial racing magnate offered a 60 million pound- ($100 million-) settlement (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/11009278/Bernie-Ecclestone-heading-for-60million-settlement-in-Formula-One-bribery-trial.html) to put the case behind him. Deutsche Welle is reporting that state prosecutors have accepted the deal (http://www.dw.de/ecclestone-to-pay-100-million-to-settle-bribery-case/a-17831946). Ecclestone had initially proposed $25 million to take care of things and later increased the price further.

It already appeared quite likely that the settlement would be accepted. The German court hearing the case told scheduled witnesses that they didn't need to be there for Tuesday's proceedings. According to Deutsche Welle, Ecclestone's old age was a contributing factor the prosecutors' agreement to the offer.

Ecclestone was accused of paying German banker Gerhard Gribkowsky about $44 million in bribes (http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/25/ecclestone-may-face-10-year-sentence-over-f1-bribery-charges/) in 2006 for preferential treatment in buying F1 shares. However, the case was always somewhat complicated. Ecclestone claimed that he paid the banker the money, but it was because he was being blackmailed. If convicted, he could have faced up to 10 years in prison. Gribkowsky received eight-and-a-half years behind bars for his role in the affair. Ecclestone previously stepped down from his position (http://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/16/ecclestone-steps-down-f1-board-facing-bribery-trial/) on the F1 board because of the trial in Germany. Although, this settlement could clear him to resume that role.Ecclestone headed for $100M settlement in F1 bribery trial (http://www.autoblog.com/2014/08/05/ecclestone-headed-100m-settlement-f1-bribery-trial/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Tue, 05 Aug 2014 09:33:00 EST.

[MikeFleming]

At least that McLaren "fine" from a few years back finally went to good cause.

[Bob Holmes]

Interesting way the German court system works. If you bribe some one, you have to bribe the court to get out of the bribe conviction.

[MikeFleming]

Interesting way the German court system works. If you bribe some one, you have to bribe the court to get out of the bribe conviction. While still being required to pay back the bank.

Keep in mind it was a civil suit between the Bank and Bernie - no criminal charges or penalties.

[MikeFleming]

7407

There are a handful of corners whose notoriety arguably matches that of the track of which it is part. Like the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/laguna+seca/), the Karussel at the Nürburgring (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/nurburgring/) or Eau Rouge at Spa (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/spa-francorchamps/). But it seems that one of them is unfortunately being diluted.

The corner is known as Parabolica. It's the last turn at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/monza/), home of the Italian Grand Prix in both Formula One (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/f1/) and MotoGP (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/motogp/) and a number of other races throughout the year.

Situated at the end of the back straight, the Curva Parabolica is a sweeping 180-degree corner approached at upwards of 200 miles per hour, clipping the apex at over 100 mph and exiting onto the start/finish straight. Get it just right and you're set for the straight ahead. Scrub off too much speed and you'll never catch up. But if you try to carry too much speed, you'll end up running wide over the grass median and beached in the gravel. Game over.

Only that won't be the case anymore, because track officials are paving over the run-off area in time for the Italian Grand Prix in a few weeks. The modification removes any physical penalty for overshooting the Parabolica, diluting the challenge that makes it as great as it is. As far as racing fans, drivers and pundits are concerned, that's about as close as anyone could come to paving paradise and putting up a parking lot.

The decision was reportedly taken in order to lure the World Superbike Championship back to the circuit after officials expressed concern at the lack of paved runoff areas.Monza's Parabolica paved over (http://www.autoblog.com/2014/08/13/monza-parabolica-paved-over-report/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Wed, 13 Aug 2014 07:58:00 EST.

[MikeFleming]

A mere 6.5 days until the next "fix" for the F1 Junkies amongst us. Get those recorders set NOW.

[MikeFleming]

7425
There are few fields in the world where you'll find engineers working as feverishly as they do in Formula One (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/f1/). With races sometimes won and lost by fractions of a second, every little bit counts, so each team retains legions of engineers, all dedicated to finding the tiniest performance edge... without running afoul of the ever-constricting regulations.

This season, one of the most controversial advances has been known as FRIC, and while it's been effectively sidelined for the last few races, reports from the motorsport press indicate that is has now officially been banned by the FIA (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/fia/).

So just what is FRIC? It stands for Front and Rear Inter-Connected suspension. Now, if you're thinking that independent suspensions are the most advanced form available, you're right, but F1 teams have been toying for years with ways to interlink the suspensions at each wheel. Why, you ask? For a number of reasons. For one, it allows for redistribution of suspension dive at the front or rear, which means that under hard braking or acceleration - when the car would either pitch back or forward - the car can be kept more stable. That, in turn, means not only are all four tires loaded evenly and optimally, but the team can also run a more aggressive aero package. It also means that the car can be set up with a softer suspension, allowing the driver to attack the curbs more aggressively, without sacrificing underbody aerodynamics.

Several teams had been running FRIC systems that move hydraulic fluid between the front and rear suspensions, but voluntarily agreed to cease using them for the last two races at Hockenheim (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/german+grand+prix/) and Budapest (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/hungarian+grand+prix/). Now, the FIA, having apparently deemed FRIC an unfair advantage in contravention of the sporting regulations, has reportedly banned the system altogether. So while those cars may not be running on an even keel any more, at least they'll all be on an even playing field.

[MikeFleming]

Less than 12 hours to P1 at Spa!

[Bob Holmes]

And Rossi has a seat.

Admittedly in a back-marker that he paid for, but at least we have an American in a seat for one race.

[MikeFleming]

An America with an Italian name? I seem to recall theres being some historical success with that.

[MikeFleming]

7435
Americans are the Rodney Dangerfields of the modern Formula One (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/formula+one/) driving ranks; they don't get any respect. We recently reported on 22-year-old Alexander Rossi (http://www.autoblog.com/2014/08/21/american-rookie-alexander-rossi-to-make-first-f1-start-in-belgiu/) being tapped by Marussia (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/marussia/) as a replacement for Brit Max Chilton for this weekend's upcoming Belgian Grand Prix (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/belgian+grand+prix/). He would have been the first American driving in an F1 race since Scott Speed in 2007, but less than 24 hours after getting the nod, Rossi has apparently been re-replaced by Chilton.

The whole situation began as Chilton was reportedly suffering "contractual issues" with the team. Rossi signed on with Marussia in July (http://www.autoblog.com/2014/07/27/alexander-rossi-marussia-f1-team-official/) as a reserve driver for the rest of the season. With Chilton out, the American was the natural replacement. Apparently, the problem wasn't that serious, because Marussia put out a statement on Friday saying "following a change in circumstances," Chilton got his job back (http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/08/22/motor-racing-prix-chilton-idINL4N0QS3CW20140822), according to Reuters.

The switch happened so quickly that Rossi drove the car in the morning practice session for the grand prix, but Chilton replaced him later in the day. The team isn't talking specifics about what precipitated the move. "I don't think it would be appropriate for me to comment on the details of the contractual issues because that is confidential between parties involved," said Marussia team president Graeme Lowdon to Reuters about today's announcement.America won't get a driver's seat in F1 this weekend after all (http://www.autoblog.com/2014/08/22/america-wont-get-a-drivers-seat-in-f1-this-weekend-after-all/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Fri, 22 Aug 2014 13:31:00 EST.

[MikeFleming]

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2014/9/16334.html

[Bob Holmes]

Leave willingly, or flung out of the window?

[MikeFleming]

Leave willingly, or flung out of the window? Looks like a bit of both, he's been head of Ferrari for 23 years now and worked with the old man (Enzo) in the 70's. So he's an icon there for sure. But it appears that Ferrari's F1 peak has come and gone past, so it's time for him to move on.

[Bob Holmes]

The won't be competitive, again, until they put the Brits back in charge.

[MikeFleming]

The won't be competitive, again, until they put the Brits back in charge. True, but they won't accept that as a viable route. If you recall, they fired Prost when he said that very thing at the end of the 1991 season. They called it "criticism", which is a mortal sin in Maranello.

[MikeFleming]

Anyone wanna go halfzies on an Formula 1 team:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-29704117

[Bob Holmes]

More ugliness.

So what is the likelihood of 3 car teams next year?

[MikeFleming]

If it's allowed, I suspect it would be required. Wouldn't make sense for some teams to have 3 cars (Merc, McLaren, Ferrari, ...) while other only have two (Lotus, FI, Marussia., ..).

Currently entering two cars is a requirement - there are no single-car tams in F1.

Another way to keep "costs" down? Although it would be great for drivers and the feeder series.

[Bob Holmes]

Frankly the Caterham (nee' Lotus), Marussia and HRT guys got sold a wet dream. They originally entered under the proposed cost capped category...that got dropped.

[MikeFleming]

Another one falls:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-29784602

[Bob Holmes]

Nothing but ugliness.

[MikeFleming]

Supposed to be a full field at Abu Dhabi though.

We will see. Not hopeful though.

[Bob Holmes]

Yep, not a chance.

[Meotchh]

Hoping the race won't suck. This will be the first race I've paid to go to in about 15 years.
Freaking parking is over $200 for the weekend, unless you park off site, which is also spendy.

[svono50]

Make sure you post pics! Kicking back till then...urp...:p

[Bob Holmes]

Awesome, Mitch.

[Meotchh]

A pic from today..

Bob Holmes secret side job. He put a lot of work into getting into an F1 event.
7844

[MikeFleming]

Failed completely. I blame Bernie.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/29954250

[Bob Holmes]

There is some weird crap going on.

Ferrari currently has three top drivers signed...who is going to blink first?

Sauber has FOUR! Three pay drivers and Crashtil.

McLaren hasn't settled on any drivers...(refer to who is going to blink first above)

Marrusia has gone under, Caterham has turned to crowd funding to get to Abu Dhabi.

If Rosberg doesn't win this weekend, but wins the WDC, there will be hell to pay.

[MikeFleming]

As much as i *want* Lewis to win the DC, I'd still have to say it's a coin toss between Hamilton and Rosberg. One could easily lose money betting on either way.

Three car teams will be *very* interesting. The ONLY way I see it could work out is is every team is required to run three cars.

Speaking of failures, what ever happened to the Jew Jersey US race that was guaranteed to happen in 2014?

[Mike Croke]

Do those teams have any recourse against FIA/F1 for promises not kept?

[MikeFleming]

Do those teams have any recourse against FIA/F1 for promises not kept? As a general rule, no. besides it would take millions of dollars and many, many years to sue Bernie and Co.

Now someone help me with my math ckills. The announcers after todays race were saying that Lewis must win the next race to win the DC. Somehow that doens't add up.

At the conclusion of today's race, Lewis is 17 points ahead of Nico. So with next race paying 2x points according to the following table:
1st : 25 points
2nd : 18 points
3rd : 15 points
4th : 12 points
5th : 10 points
6th : 8 points

According to my math, Lewis only needs to finish second in Abu Dhabi - no matter where Nico finishes - and he's won the DC.

25 x 2 = 50; 18 x 2 = 36; diff of 14. That still leaves Lewis 3 points ahead for the DC win.

If Nico only takes second, Lewis could finish fifth and still win the DC.

[Bob Holmes]

David Hobbs was a racer, and still isn't a mathematician. He is wrong, you are correct.

[Mike Croke]

As a general rule, no. besides it would take millions of dollars and many, many years to sue Bernie and Co.


From my limited understanding of Bernie's popularity, could a legal team be assembled using crowd funding?

[MikeFleming]

As the cars are unloaded from the transporters a slight mist of the scent of racing fuel permeates the air for the last race of the season, with double points being heralded for the first and final time, the Formula 1 Soup thickens.

Mr. Vettel has announced joining Ferrari (for a three year contract) while Alonzo leaves for an undefined pasture.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/30128844

Practice starts tomorrow. BE THERE!

[MikeFleming]

A well-earned DC win for Lewis. Too bad there wasn't a good battle between him and Nico. Lewis would've still won the DC.

Meanwhile Ferrari continues (still) to not address their real problems:

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/30179916

[MikeFleming]

McLaren is almost ready to reveal driver lineup for 2015. Any day now - maybe tomorrow?

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/30417196

[MikeFleming]

Word is out and Button Lives another year:

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/30328327

I was particularily amused with the line (referring to Alonzo) at the end of the article:


Button, the 34-year-old 2009 world champion, will continue into a 16th season and has his wish granted to test himself against the man widely regarded as the best in F1.

Yep. Best only after Hamilton, Rosberg. Ricciardo, Bottas, & Vettel according to the 2014 DC points.

[Bob Holmes]

Time to start the 2015 thread.

I'm thinking it'll be Mercedes again with everyone else still trying to catch up.

[MikeFleming]

Time to start the 2015 thread. Go for it!!


I'm thinking it'll be Mercedes again with everyone else still trying to catch up. Who does Ferrari have left to fire (blame)??


Off Topic: Bob - you going to Knotts this year? We should start a pool.

[Bob Holmes]

Yes, Mike, going to Knott's.

I'm not sure Ferrari has anyone left to blame, I think they are now firing Mattacci's new hires.

[MikeFleming]

They'll have to hire someone new before each race just so they can fire him when Ferrari doesn't win. Again. 20 times for 2015.

Gonna be a great year!