1381 replies to this topic

[_R_]

Former team boss Eddie Jordan believes Bernie Ecclestone's plan to replace the Formula One points system with medals for the top three finishers is misguided - and a distraction from the bigger issues facing the sport.

Jordan also feels that removing the incentive for drivers in smaller teams to fight for points finishes will harm teams who do not have the resources to challenge the front-runners.

"I think it's a nonsense," he told BBC Radio Five Live. "The focus of everyone in Formula One at the moment must be on the current situation with costs and cost cutting, and nothing else. The rest is just dressing it up.

"The points are necessary. I was one of the team principals in the team principals' meetings who advocated that the points should go down to eighth place, because one point to a team down there is as important as a win is to the likes of McLaren and Ferrari, and we must never forget that.

"I can promise you, having been in that position, two points against no points is a huge difference."

He said that battling to get into the top eight for a midfield team was an important part of a driver's development.

"Drivers like (Felipe) Massa, who started at the very bottom and worked his way up, know how important those points are at the back of the field," said Jordan.

"Everybody that's involved in the financial side knows how important it is, and the extraordinary excitement that there is for getting a point at the back.

"McLaren and Ferrari are working on a budget of perhaps 250 million, and then you have other teams like Force India and Toro Rosso, who to everyone's surprise won a race this year, who would have maybe ten or eight times less budget to play with, and inferior drivers because they're learning their trade and they will come and be world champions in years to come.

"But they have to find their feet somewhere, and that place has to be in the smaller teams because they're the people who take the risks."

Ecclestone said this morning that he expects the medal system to be ratified by the FIA World Motor Sport Council in December so it can be introduced for the 2009 season, but Jordan said there should be more consultation about the scheme.

"He's tinkering with something that in my opinion he has lost the understanding of," said Jordan.

"He thinks people are only interested in winning the races. I'm sorry, but there's just not enough thought put into this. It should be put to one side and discussed by him and Max Mosley, and for Bernie Ecclestone to say it's coming with the full approval of all the teams, I simply don't believe it."

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

when i first heard of this medal system i had the exact sentiments as EJ but then i remembered the guys will still be fighting for WCC points.. just because the points go towards the team and not the driver it doesn't mean people won't remember which driver put up the points for their team (i guarantee all the pundits would keep track of that anyways). the monetary incentive for getting points during the season has always been tied to the constructors anyways.

the only guys this decision affects is the top 4-5 drivers that are fighting for the WDC, and will force those guys to go for it 100%.

[cafcwest]

This didnt take long




http://en.f1-live.co...126084333.shtml


Original source is AS, but I dont think they would attribute a false quote to somebody.

What this tells me is that if Kimi doesn't step it up next year, he gets the boot.

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

What this tells me is that if Kimi doesn't step it up next year, he gets the boot.

50 million dollar 2nd driver.


anyway i'm out for the next two days. happy thanksgiving f1 crew

[DrDickAction]

What this tells me is that if Kimi doesn't step it up next year, he gets the boot.

and rightfully so.

[Nacho]

gridcrasher reporting that Sato got the seat

Link?

[More&Faster]

Link?

http://www.gridcrash...ll-it#more-2933

In other STR news, it now seems likely that Takuma Sato will partner Seb Buemi in 2009, leaving no seat for the unfortunate Sebastien Bourdais. Sato has major backing from his native Japan, whereas the Frenchman has no such sponsorship.

[MrHahn]

Why not just change it back to the old points system, or like someone here mentioned - change the winning amount of points to 12 instead of 10. I can understand what Bernie is getting at but he went about it the wrong way

[Nacho]

http://www.gridcrash...ll-it#more-2933

Eh, not enough solid info for me to celebrate yet.

Seems more like a conclusion based on the emo interview they had with Bourdais the other day.

[yonson]

is it time for the new season yet...

[vietlol]

yes

[_R_]

Three Italian Formula 3 drivers tested for the Ferrari Formula One team on Wednesday, as a prize for their achievements in the Italian championship.

Mirko Bortolotti, Edoardo Piscopo and Salvatore Cicatelli were in action at the Fiorano circuit, driving this year's F2008 car.

Eighteen-year-old Bortolotti was the quickest of the three, posting a fastest time of 59.111 after 40 laps. The laptime was the fastest at Fiorano this year.

Piscopo finished with a 1:00.336 after 29 laps, while 18-year-old Cicatelli set a best lap of 1:01.243 over 33 laps.

"I think I made a small mistake during my best lap at the hairpin, and lost a few tenths," Bortolotti told Gazzetta dello Sport. "But it's fine anyway, it was a unique experience and an immense joy.

"I had some difficulty in the morning in the wet, but in the dry I immediately found confidence with the car.

"Did I feel emotional? When you put down your visor everything goes through. Whether this is a starting point, the future will tell, but I hope so."

Ferrari's sporting director Luca Baldiserri admitted he was impressed by the trio.

"These boys have astonished and surprised me. The extraordinary thing is that they didn't make even one mistake, they were immediately very quick and showed they have enormous potential. It's nice to hear comments and impressions from boys without prejudice yet."

[_R_]

Rubens Barrichello has confirmed that Toro Rosso is one of his options to remain in the sport next season.

The Brazilian veteran is hoping to be retained by Honda, who at the recent Barcelona test did not call up Barrichello but instead evaluated the young GP2 drivers Bruno Senna and Lucas Di Grassi.

With his seat in clear jeopardy, it emerged that Toro Rosso, the Ferrari powered sister Red Bull team, might be an option for the 36-year-old former Ferrari driver.

According to the German website sport1.de, he confirmed his links with the Faenza-based squad.

Along with his hopes of staying at Honda, Barrichello is quoted as saying: "That is what is motivating me at the moment."

"I love what I do and I still have a lot of energy," he added.

I love RB, but it's time to let go...

[Nacho]

I love RB, but it's time to let go...

STR's relationship with Ferrari may actually hinder RB's moves now that he's been pretty anti-Ferrari lately.

[MrHahn]

Not only STR - but if you were an employer and saw how he has treated Ferrari, would you want to hire him with the off chance that he starts spouting shit about your company later on. I say bring in more Piquets to make it interesting.


Rubens can DIAF.

[More&Faster]

[vietlol]

[More&Faster]

Teams have the option of using the new Kinetic Energy Recovery System (or KERS), which recovers kinetic energy generated by the car’s braking process. This energy is stored using a mechanical flywheel or an electrical battery and then made available to the driver, in set amounts per lap, via a “boost button” on the steering wheel. Under the current regulations the power gain equates to around 80 horsepower, available for just under seven seconds per lap.


WTF. what's the point of using new technology if you restrict it so much?

teams should be able to use the stored energy however and whenever they want. that's how you make exciting racing.

[More&Faster]

quick overview of 2009 rules changes

http://www.formula1....08/11/8741.html

The FIA have made a number of changes to the Sporting and Technical Regulations for the 2009 Formula One season, and the results of some have already been seen in testing.

In the case of the Sporting Regulations, the primary aims are increased reliability and further cost reductions. In the case of the technical changes, there are three main objectives - reducing the role of aerodynamics in the cars’ performance; making overtaking easier; and keeping lap times in check...

Tyres
After 10 seasons on grooved tyres, Formula One racing returns to slicks in 2009, as part of moves to increase the emphasis on mechanical rather than aerodynamic grip. With no grooves, grip will increase by around 20 percent, bringing a significant performance gain. However, that gain will be offset by the vastly reduced downforce levels of the revised aerodynamic regulations (see below). The overall effect should be reduced performance through high-speed corners. Drivers will still have the choice of two dry tyre compounds and will still have to use both compounds during a race.

KERS
From 2009 teams have the option of employing a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) to boost their car’s performance. As its name implies, a KERS recovers the (normally wasted) kinetic energy generated by the car’s braking process. This energy is stored using a mechanical flywheel or an electrical battery and then made available to the driver, in set amounts per lap, via a ‘boost button’ on the steering wheel. Under the current regulations the power gain equates to around 80 horsepower, available for just under seven seconds per lap. This could be worth several tenths of a second in terms of lap time, but the weight and packaging of the system - and its impact on the car’s weight distribution - also have to be taken into account.

Engines
In a move designed to boost reliability still further, drivers must now use the same engine for three, rather than two, consecutive events. There are also plans for measures to equalise engine performance between teams. How this will be achieved has not yet been finalised.

Aerodynamics
Along with slick tyres, this is the biggest area of change for 2009. Downforce will be dramatically reduced and the cars’ bodywork will appear much cleaner, thanks to new dimensional regulations that effectively outlaw extraneous items such as barge boards, winglets, turning vanes and chimneys.

As well as reducing overall aero performance, the revisions are also designed to increase overtaking by making the car less susceptible to turbulence when closely following another driver. The most obvious changes are to the front and rear wings.

The front wing becomes lower (75mm from 150mm) and wider (up from 1400 to 1800mm - the same width as the car) with driver-adjustable flaps. Drivers will be allowed to make two wing adjustments per lap, altering the wing angle over a six-degree range.

The rear wing becomes taller (up 150mm to bring it level with the top of the engine cover) and narrower (750mm from 1000mm).

Also at the back of the car, the diffuser has been moved rearwards, its leading edge now level with (rather than ahead of) the rear-wheel axle line. In addition, the diffuser has been made longer and higher, all changes that will reduce its ability to generate downforce.

Testing
2008’s testing allowance of 30,000 kilometres is expected to be slashed by a third to 20,000 in a bid to further reduce development costs.

[Redliner]

Teams have the option of using the new Kinetic Energy Recovery System (or KERS), which recovers kinetic energy generated by the car’s braking process. This energy is stored using a mechanical flywheel or an electrical battery and then made available to the driver, in set amounts per lap, via a “boost button” on the steering wheel. Under the current regulations the power gain equates to around 80 horsepower, available for just under seven seconds per lap.


WTF. what's the point of using new technology if you restrict it so much?

teams should be able to use the stored energy however and whenever they want. that's how you make exciting racing.

Dawt. And why are they trying to equalize engine performance? This is F1. Not a spec series...WTF are they doing?!

[vietlol]

Dawt. And why are they trying to equalize engine performance? This is F1. Not a spec series...WTF are they doing?!

because engines are frozen if development through the season was allowed then equalising them would be stupid, but because you're stuck with the engine for potentially years it makes sense

[Nacho]

because engines are frozen if development through the season was allowed then equalising them would be stupid, but because you're stuck with the engine for potentially years it makes sense

But they're not really equal, and even then the teams are still varying their power gains on their 'reliability' modding.

[_R_]

so Buemi is going to take the place of Webber during testing...

[vietlol]

But they're not really equal, and even then the teams are still varying their power gains on their 'reliability' modding.

so in conclusion the engine freeze is bullshit

[Nacho]

so Buemi is going to take the place of Webber during testing...

What a crock of shit.