1381 replies to this topic

[MrHahn]

25 days til I'm at the GP. Which means 25 days before seeing high-visibility families dressed in Mclaren shirts

[_R_]

With just a few weeks to go until the season opening Australian Grand Prix, the penultimate group test at Jerez today was hit by heavy rain ensuring that the lap times around the 4.428km Spanish test venue remained over ten seconds adrift of those recorded in the dry yesterday.

With the conditions proving tricky, the times today do not particularly reflect the pace expected come Melbourne and one notable name missing from the timing screen today was Felipe Massa who was scheduled to run for Ferrari for the second day of the test.

Timo Glock suffered an off into the gravel trap in the morning session, but still topped the timesheets in his Toyota TF109. Glock completed 89 laps, his fastest of 1:30.979s coming on his 83rd lap of the day.

Robert Kubica was second fastest in his BMW Sauber, just four-tenths shy of pace-setter Glock while Nico Rosberg posted the third best time just a fraction slower in his Williams Toyota.

Giancarlo Fisichella was again back behind the wheel of the brand new Mercedes-powered Force India as the Italian veteran was able to put another 54 laps on the VJM02 package.

For the second straight day Sebastien Vettel was left stranded on circuit as his Renault-powered RB4 let him down. Vettel, who set the pace yesterday in the dry with a best lap of 1:19.055s, had to be content today with the fifth best time.


Heikki Kovalainen took over testing duties at McLaren Mercedes from Pedro de la Rosa and set the sixth fastest time ahead of Nelson Piquet in the Renault.

Testing continues on Tuesday.

Jerez - 02/03/2009
1 . T. Glock - Toyota TF109 - 1:30.979 (+ 0.000 ) - 89 laps
2 . R. Kubica - BMW Sauber F1.09 - 1:31.327 (+ 0.348 ) - 70 laps
3 . N. Rosberg - Williams Toyota FW31 - 1:31.451 (+ 0.472 ) - 114 laps
4 . G. Fisichella - Force India Mercedes VJM02 - 1:31.547 (+ 0.568 ) - 54 laps
5 . S. Vettel - Red Bull Renault RB5 - 1:32.220 (+ 1.241 ) - 102 laps
6 . H. Kovalainen - McLaren Mercedes MP4-24 - 1:33.371 (+ 2.392 ) - 91 laps
7 . N. Piquet - Renault R29 - 1:33.476 (+ 2.497 ) - 66 laps
8 . F. Massa - Ferrari F60 - No Time (+ N/A ) - 0 laps.

look who didn't go out in the rain

[_R_]

Despite the banning for 2009 of winglets and other bodywork appendages, Williams' new FW31 hit the Jerez test track on Sunday featuring the prominent 'skate fins' on the cockpit sides.

The large vertical fins are reminiscent of last year's engine cover 'horns', which because of the aerodynamic rules changes for 2009 are no longer seen on the cars.

But despite suggestions the surfboard-style Williams fins may be illegal, Technical Director Sam Michael explained: "In the area of the head restraint, the 75 millimetre radius (bodywork) rule does not apply."

The Australian clarified to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport that the fins are not downforce-producing, but rather ‘flow aids’.


Michael said BMW Sauber has already dabbled with a similar concept and that it is likely "others will follow suit."

Also evident from recent test appearances is that Toyota is staying with the so-nicknamed 'shark fin' engine cover concept for the new TF109.

[DrDickAction]

look who didn't go out in the rain

[_R_]

http://www.formula1....2009/0/626.html

oh that makes perfect sense... totally cleared it up for me...
instead of it going like this: <---, it's now going like this: --->

so can someone explain to me in 3rd grade english how this works and why it's supposed to help?

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

oh that makes perfect sense... totally cleared it up for me...
instead of it going like this: <---, it's now going like this: --->

so can someone explain to me in 3rd grade english how this works and why it's supposed to help?

ok... here's a PUSHrod suspension layout (yes i know its a front suspension, but the principles are the same):



so what happens is when lets say the left wheel goes up (due to curb or load transfer from turning) the diagonal arm on the left PUSHES up on the rocker.

now lets consider the pull rod:

(sorry its a pretty weak chop but u'll get the idea...)

when the left wheel goes up this time, it PULLS the rocker.. notice that with this pull rod assembly the height of the entire assembly is significantly reduced... that's what RBR are trying to go for in the rear suspension..

my guess is teams usually go with push rod rear suspension, mounting the rockers on top of the gearbox to lower the gearbox as low as possible to the ground, bringing down the CG.. perhaps RBR found that the aero benefit was more than the CG height benefit of a lower gearbox, who knows...

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

RL example of pushrod:



notice how everything sits on top of the gearbox

[Redliner]

ok... here's a PUSHrod suspension layout (yes i know its a front suspension, but the principles are the same):



so what happens is when lets say the left wheel goes up (due to curb or load transfer from turning) the diagonal arm on the left PUSHES up on the rocker.

now lets consider the pull rod:

(sorry its a pretty weak chop but u'll get the idea...)

when the left wheel goes up this time, it PULLS the rocker.. notice that with this pull rod assembly the height of the entire assembly is significantly reduced... that's what RBR are trying to go for in the rear suspension..

my guess is teams usually go with push rod rear suspension, mounting the rockers on top of the gearbox to lower the gearbox as low as possible to the ground, bringing down the CG.. perhaps RBR found that the aero benefit was more than the CG height benefit of a lower gearbox, who knows...

explaination! Seems to be working for RBR so far in terms of laptimes...Now if they can get Newey to design a reliable car too, all would be well, lol.

[_R_]

that makes more sense to me now...

[kngrsll]

RL example of pushrod:



notice how everything sits on top of the gearbox

man, every time i see that pic, i start to drool like a stroke patient

[yonson]

This appears to be a directory listing of a bunch of photos from F1-live.

Edit: That's just the 2009 directory. It seems to to go back to 2004. Am I the only one that didn't know about this?

Nice find!

[_R_]

This appears to be a directory listing of a bunch of photos from F1-live.

nice...

if you edit the link some, you can get to the motogp images too which seem to go back to 2002
Here

[Redliner]

So what would you guys use to rip this? Or is that a bad idea?

[kngrsll]

So what would you guys use to rip this? Or is that a bad idea?

hi, im ur jail, for stealin ya fotos

[Skyliner]

So what would you guys use to rip this? Or is that a bad idea?

I'm using wget. I've only gotten up to 2008 so far (stupid reboots grrr), and it's 24GB.

Edit: For all the F1 photos is about 25 gigs.

[Redliner]

I'm using wget. I've only gotten up to 2008 so far (stupid reboots grrr), and it's 24GB.

Edit: For all the F1 photos is about 25 gigs.

25 gigs?! I guess I'll get to it this evening

[_R_]

Rubens Barrichello will extend his record as the most experienced Formula One driver in history this year, autosport.com has learned, after agreeing a deal to race for the soon-to-be-renamed Honda Racing outfit.

Although it is understood that a final contract has not yet been signed, high level sources close to the Brackley-based team have confirmed that the veteran Brazilian has been given the nod to line up alongside Jenson Button in 2009.

The team are awaiting the final green light from the Honda Motor Company for the imminent management buyout led by Ross Brawn and Nick Fry, and only when that happens will the 2009 deals be finalised.

It is suggested that the situation could be fully resolved by the end of this week, with the team expected to conduct a shakedown of their 2009 challenger in Britain on Friday before joining next week's final group test session at Barcelona in Spain.

"We expect to be able to make an announcement from the company and the team in the near future," the Yomiuri daily quoted a source at the company's Japan headquarters as saying.

"Honda has been making all possible efforts to avoid the worst option of having to disband the team."

Barrichello has started 267 Grands Prix in a career that stretches back to the start of the 1993 season.

Speaking to autosport.com at the end of last year, Barrichello said he was fired up to remain at the Honda Racing despite the uncertainty that had surrounded the team since December.

"I have unfinished business in F1," he said during a visit to England before Christmas to let the team know how keen he was to remain with them. "I am sure I can finish higher up, if not winning the championship. I really believe that is what I deserve.

"It would be a shame not to use the services of someone so eager to do it, plus with all the experience and the speed. It is the right time - and it comes with the willingness to do well.

"If you sign someone with the speed but whose time is over, they will set up the car differently and badly. You are 80 percent of the time going through corners, and you set up the car different compared to someone who comes and wants to go flat out.

"For me, I am still taking it flat - and sometimes this year in qualifying you have that little pimple on your skin saying 'just remember you are not a boy any more' after the corner. So it is still there very much."

Rubens, i like you, i really do. you're my country man, you seem like a nice guy, but listen... fucking leave and let some new talent in... like my other country man, Senna...

[yonson]

25 gigs?! I guess I'll get to it this evening

FUUUU I don't have that much space left

[Redliner]

Rubens, i like you, i really do. you're my country man, you seem like a nice guy, but listen... fucking leave and let some new talent in... like my other country man, Senna...

He is way past his prime. Maybe he'll prove me wrong and really kick it up a notch, but FWIW - I don't think Senna is ready yet. Sure he has progressed far in a real short time, but I think he needs another year in GP2 to mature.

[_R_]

He is way past his prime. Maybe he'll prove me wrong and really kick it up a notch, but FWIW - I don't think Senna is ready yet. Sure he has progressed far in a real short time, but I think he needs another year in GP2 to mature.

Rubens last won a race what 2006? and he's "yeah man, I'm going to win the championship this time, those other 15 seasons, those were just warmups.... now i'm ready..."

Senna might not be ready, possibly, but at least he'll have some seat time in the car... hell, he'll probably bring in as many points as Ruben does in the car... I mean look at Vettel, dude was 18 when he first got behind the wheel? who thought that kid was ready...

[Redliner]

Rubens last won a race what 2006? and he's "yeah man, I'm going to win the championship this time, those other 15 seasons, those were just warmups.... now i'm ready..."

Senna might not be ready, possibly, but at least he'll have some seat time in the car... hell, he'll probably bring in as many points as Ruben does in the car...

A testing role perhaps? I'd rather Senna come in strong, rather than placid tho - I like the guy and would not like to see him pull a Sutil, Rosberg or Button I'd like to see him pull a Vettel

[_R_]

Takuma Sato looks set to land the role as Red Bull's reserve driver for the 2009 season.

The Japanese has tested for Toro Rosso this winter, but lost out in the battle for a race seat to French incumbent Sebastien Bourdais.

However, Dietrich Mateschitz is thought still keen to harness the 32-year-old veteran of 93 races' popularity in Japan, a growing market for the energy drink.

Sato would attend all of the races and be ready to replace either Red Bull Racing or Toro Rosso regulars if required.

It has emerged that he may be scheduled to test Toro Rosso's new STR4 car at next week's final test of the pre-season.

In other test news, it is believed Honda has cancelled its scheduled Silverstone shakedown of its 2009 car on Thursday, but the test may now take place on Friday.

The Brackley-based team's plan is to then join the group action at Barcelona next week.

[kngrsll]

yay sato!!

rubens thinks he "deserves" a championship??

[Nacho]

Boobens is, in all honesty, probably better suited to sorting the car in a short time than Senna. That's going to be pretty important, given that they're going to only have basically one test session to get it all set up.

PS: yay Sato

[Redliner]

Good point...

As much as I'd like to see Senna in F1 and Woobens out, it's refreshing to see a team pick a driver b/c of capabities rather than making it a monetary decision (cough cough Buemi).

Gooo Satoooo!