1302 replies to this topic

[Redliner]

[_R_]

Formula 1 teams are closing in on a move to ban double diffusers in a bid to cut downforce and slow the cars down from the start of the 2011 season, AUTOSPORT can reveal.

The introduction of double diffusers into F1 caused huge controversy at the start of last season, when rivals protested the concept that was used to great effect by Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota in the opening races of the campaign.

The matter eventually went to the FIA International Court of Appeal, where the double diffuser was deemed fully legal and other teams had to revise the rear end of their cars to make the most of the extra downforce the design produced.

However, with downforce and car speeds having increased since then - and the diffuser designs getting increasingly more complicated - sources have revealed that moves are now afoot to change the F1 regulations to outlaw them completely.

On the back of predictions that the downforce levels of cars will this season potentially go beyond what they were at the end of 2008, teams have decided to take action.

AUTOSPORT understands that technical chiefs discussed reducing downforce levels in a meeting of FOTA's Technical Regulations Working Group (TRWG) late last year, and agreed that the rules should be changed to effectively outlaw double diffusers.

The teams want to create regulations that require the floor to be a continuous section if taken through a longitudinal or lateral plane - which if achieved will get rid of the 'slots' in the floor that have made the double diffuser concept work.

It is understood that efforts are now being made to sort out the wording of the regulations to ensure that there are no loopholes that will allow anyone to continue using a double diffuser.

Once the wording of the rules has been sorted, it will then be put to the FIA's official Technical Working Group for ratification prior to going through the channels required for it to get put into the 2011 regulations.

It is estimated that the reduction in downforce caused by the double diffuser ban would result in the cars being slowed by around one second per lap.

Lotus' chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne confirmed to AUTOSPORT that the move was being made, and it was one he supported.

"I think it is exactly right," he said. "It is what we should do, and it is what both FOTA and the FIA are looking at for 2011. I think it is very sensible and very easy to do – just tighten up the regulations and it is done."

Gascoyne did not believe that the double diffuser ban would have that big an impact in terms of helping overtaking, though.

When asked if he felt the widespread use of double diffusers in F1 had hindered overtaking, Gascoyne said: "I don't think there was a reduction in overtaking, but the changes to improve overtaking didn't help. And in fact, if you look at the numbers, it was never going to.

"But if you look at it carefully, what the [F1 teams'] aero group set out to achieve it actually did, and if you take the diffuser away it will do exactly what it said on the tin. Unfortunately that will never help you overtake anyone."

Although the majority of teams support the move, some outfits are unhappy about the double diffuser ban because it will mean an expensive redesign of the entire rear end of the car, including the gearbox and rear suspension, for 2011.

this just gives them a season head start to figure something else...

[Redliner]

this just gives them a season head start to figure something else...

Fuck. Why don't they just hire us...we've been saying this for how long? F1 buercacy is worse than the States!!!!

[_R_]

Fuck. Why don't they just hire us...we've been saying this for how long? F1 buercacy is worse than the States!!!!

honestly, I think cutting in car communication to the pit would have the cheapest and most dramatic change to the F1 parade...
if you can't put it on a pit board, then you can't talk about it...

no figuring out who's where and their lap times... just pushing 100% all the way to the end...
no more "well XXXX just pulled in and put in 4 seconds of fuel, we think he's good for 15 laps, change to map 4"

[DrDickAction]

honestly, I think cutting in car communication to the pit would have the cheapest and most dramatic change to the F1 parade...
if you can't put it on a pit board, then you can't talk about it...

no figuring out who's where and their lap times... just pushing 100% all the way to the end...
no more "well XXXX just pulled in and put in 4 seconds of fuel, we think he's good for 15 laps, change to map 4"

Agreed, but warning about yellows/oil/debris ahead should be allowed...even if it's FIA controlled.

[_R_]

Agreed, but warning about yellows/oil/debris ahead should be allowed...even if it's FIA controlled.

of course... have a warning system pop up on the stearing wheel from race control with warnings and flags...
and of course let the driver have car telemetry...

[Redliner]

honestly, I think cutting in car communication to the pit would have the cheapest and most dramatic change to the F1 parade...
if you can't put it on a pit board, then you can't talk about it...

no figuring out who's where and their lap times... just pushing 100% all the way to the end...
no more "well XXXX just pulled in and put in 4 seconds of fuel, we think he's good for 15 laps, change to map 4"

But than we'll lose funny classic comments such as:

Toyota
"Push trulli Push"
"I canna push any harder!"

Ferrari
"Clear Visor please, I need my clear Visor!"
"felipe baby, stay cool!"

Brawn
"Rubens, you're on fire...like properly on fire"

[kngrsll]

honestly, I think cutting in car communication to the pit would have the cheapest and most dramatic change to the F1 parade...
if you can't put it on a pit board, then you can't talk about it...

no figuring out who's where and their lap times... just pushing 100% all the way to the end...
no more "well XXXX just pulled in and put in 4 seconds of fuel, we think he's good for 15 laps, change to map 4"

i think this makes alot of sense...

[kngrsll]

But than we'll lose funny classic comments such as:

Toyota
"Push trulli Push"
"I canna push any harder!"

Ferrari
"Clear Visor please, I need my clear Visor!"
"felipe baby, stay cool!"

Brawn
"Rubens, you're on fire...like properly on fire"

Remember Lewis in Turkey??

"i cant keep up with the friggen renault in front, my tires have gone off, and im heavy as a boat"
"not much to say, really"

[chiuey]

http://news.bbc.co.u...ess/8447365.stm

Bernie Ecclestone joins bid to buy Saab

GM has threatened to close Saab down
Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone is part of a bid to buy struggling Swedish carmaker Saab.
Mr Ecclestone has joined forces with Luxembourg-based private investment company Genii Capital, which recently invested in Renault's Formula 1 team.
Loss-making Saab has been put up for sale by its current owner, US giant General Motors (GM).
A second offer for Saab has also emerged from the Dutch sports carmaker Spyker.
'Tremendous' value
Mr Ecclestone told the Bloomberg news agency: "It's a good brand that has probably been neglected by the current owners."

Will Bernie Ecclestone be the man to save Saab?
"We don't own it yet, so let's see what happens," he added.
Genii said that it would "aggressively work towards a successful closing of the transaction with all the relevant stakeholders of the company".
It added that Saab has "tremendous brand value in a number of key automotive markets, as well as an innovative image".
Spyker's bid for Saab is its second, having previously made an unsuccessful approach on 20 December, two days after GM said it would close down the Swedish company if no suitable sale could be agreed.
Victor Muller, the chief executive of Spyker, said: "We believe the Saab brand has lots of potential and would be keen to close a deal as quickly as possible."
Mr Muller, whose's company has a workforce of only 133 people, added that he was continuing to have a "constructive dialogue" with GM bosses.
No details have been revealed about how much either Spyker or Genii and Mr Ecclestone are offering for Saab.
Protracted sale
GM has been trying to sell Saab since January last year.

Spyker makes distinctive sports cars
In June, GM announced that it had agreed to sell Saab to sports carmaker Koenigsegg, only for the Swedish company to pull out of the deal in November.
Saab, which employs 3,400 people in Sweden, lost 3bn kronor (£255m; $412m) in 2008, and it has not made a profit since 2001.
A meeting of Saab board members will take place on Friday.
The company is due to resume production on 11 January following a four-week shut down for the Christmas and new year period.

So if they win Genii could run the factory Saab F1 team

[DrDickAction]

http://news.bbc.co.u...ess/8447365.stm



So if they win Genii could run the factory Saab F1 team

FWD F1 car

[_R_]

FWD F1 car

yes, but saab has a background with aviation...
a car with wings


errrr.... wait..... nevermind...

[Redliner]

yes, but saab has a background with aviation...
a car with wings


errrr.... wait..... nevermind...

IbAnotherSpyker

[kngrsll]

Kimi interview: http://issuu.com/red...etin_uk0110_aio

page 44, i didnt know Red Bulletin was online, ill have to keep reading that!

[kngrsll]

this format may be easier: http://en.redbulleti.../articles/kimi/

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

So Yonson, you planning on heading to Barber Motorsports Park, AL to watch the unveiling of the USF1 car and taking pics for us?

[yonson]

So Yonson, you planning on heading to Barber Motorsports Park, AL to watch the unveiling of the USF1 car and taking pics for us?

wat?

details?

Haven't seen anything about it, but I will if it doesn't interfere with work etc...

[_R_]

wat?

details?

Haven't seen anything about it, but I will if it doesn't interfere with work etc...

http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/80776

[Nacho]

So Yonson, you planning on heading to Barber Motorsports Park, AL to watch the unveiling of the USF1 car and taking pics for us?

I'll go id its open to public.

[yonson]

Hell yeah I'll go to that!

[DrDickAction]

I'll go id its open to public.

Or we can have HTP whip you up a F1-C press pass

[_R_]

A report on the motorsport-total.com website claims that Campos Meta is in talks with potential investors as it looks to meet its budget for the coming season.

The report said owner Adrian Campos is looking at either partly or completely selling the team before the Bahrain season opener, with the deal being completed possibly as soon as next week.

"It is not a secret that we do not have the budget. And time is scarce," a source told the website. "If we can find a good investor, we could sell part of the team to them. If necessary we could sell the whole team, but the basic conditions would have to be right."

They said talks with several potential investors were taking place, including South African entrepreneur and A1GP boss Tony Teixeira, who in the past has been linked with buying Super Aguri, Spyker, Toro Rosso and Honda.

the fuck man...
Senna better be on that grid

[MrHahn]

If you do not have the budget for F1, please fuck off

[vietlol]

Max runs a pretty tight ship, approving teams that cant afford it

[1357]

I too will be going to see the USF1 at Barber if it's open to the public. Only a 4 hour drive for me

Does anybody know what date in Feb it will be?