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F1 Crew 2008/2009 WINTER TESTING THREAD


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#1251 Nacho

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Posted 17 March 2009 - 05:01 PM

interesting developments...

the one rule change i don't like is the published weights of the car... i don't want to be able to figure out their fueling/pit strategy before the race starts...
also, that gives the other teams somewhat of an idea what the other teams can do during their first stint and then adjust accordingly...

Aren't they trying to ban refueling again?



And I don't like the wins thing. I think the most consistently fast driver should be WDC, not a loose cannon that either wins or stuffs it, vs a rival that wins one less time, but can put it on the podium EVERY race. NO other race series is determined solely by wins, racing in general leans towards consistancy in speed over random bursts.

#1252 kngrsll

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Posted 17 March 2009 - 05:07 PM

Aren't they trying to ban refueling again?



And I don't like the wins thing. I think the most consistently fast driver should be WDC, not a loose cannon that either wins or stuffs it, vs a rival that wins one less time, but can put it on the podium EVERY race. NO other race series is determined solely by wins, racing in general leans towards consistancy in speed over random bursts.


it would be interesting to see how many championships would be changed since the current points system has been in effect. im sure we all know last year would have been different, but its a little late now. I imagine that it would not change many since those were the schumi years...

i like the increased media coverage, its nice to hear from more of the drivers for sure.

overall, good job FIA :yum:

#1253 Alicante

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Posted 17 March 2009 - 05:13 PM

WTF rule change.
what is this shit?
wind blows a different direction and the whole fucking season is upended in one go.

#1254 Dr. Jimmmah!

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Posted 17 March 2009 - 05:21 PM

Aren't they trying to ban refueling again?



And I don't like the wins thing. I think the most consistently fast driver should be WDC, not a loose cannon that either wins or stuffs it, vs a rival that wins one less time, but can put it on the podium EVERY race. NO other race series is determined solely by wins, racing in general leans towards consistancy in speed over random bursts.

"Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose." - Ayrton Senna

so what if you can put it on the podium every race. if you have the pace to get on the podium then why can't you close the deal and just win the race. the fact is now drivers don't have the luxury to just say 'P2 is sufficient for the weekend and there will be more races', instead they will have to push every single lap and leave nothing on the table. i think if a competitor is not willing to give 100% then he doesn't deserve to be a champion.

in the end this doesn't change a damn thing for the guy who is running in P1, it just makes P2, P3 work that much harder. i would rather see a guy that had 4 wins win the WDC than a guy that had 17 2nd places because the guy with 4 wins was better than everyone else for 4 weekends whereas the guy who got all the 2nd places was never truly the best on any given weekend.

and the guy who pushes his car too far, well his penalty for the weekend is that he just threw away a race win, and at the end of the season that could cost him a championship, so win it or bin it is not going to necessarily be the winning equation.

#1255 Skyliner

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Posted 17 March 2009 - 05:39 PM

So, my hope is that Hamilton will win a bunch of races, and fail whilst entering the pits during the rest of them. Then, Toyota could place consistently while Ferrari and McLaren or whomever run for race wins.

This could potentially lead to Toyota placing highly. :yum:

#1256 _R_

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Posted 17 March 2009 - 06:02 PM

as james may would say... "and now... the news"

Jenson Button put the Brawn GP team back on top of the timesheets at Jerez, as the Brackley-based team completed its preparations for the start of the season in Australia.

Button's best lap of 1:17.844 was half a second quicker than the best time of the week set by Renault's Fernando Alonso yesterday.

The Briton, however, was closely followed by Williams driver Nico Rosberg, who finished less than two tenths behind in the Toyota-powered FW31.

Nelson Piquet was third quickest for Renault, the Brazilian matching the pace set by team-mate Fernando Alonso yesterday.

"My final day of testing went really well and I'm pleased that we were able to do so many laps," said Piquet. "We were looking at the car's aero performance today as well as doing some set-up work in preparation for the first race and overall we found a good balance with the car.

"It was pretty windy, but the track conditions were good so we were able to get a lot done. I'm now ready for the season to start next week and I think as a team we can be happy with the work we've done over the winter."

Lewis Hamilton continued with McLaren's low-key testing, posting the slowest time of the day.

The test continues tomorrow, but only with McLaren and Williams on track.

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Button Brawn-Mercedes (B) 1:17.844 114
2. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:18.071 66
3. Piquet Renault (B) 1:18.382 128
4. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:19.121 118


Renault is the first team to give its Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) the green light to run at the Australian Grand Prix.

While most teams are still undecided about whether or not to introduce the technology for the start of the new season, Renault has seen enough of its device to sign it off for use in Melbourne.

The move ends fears that no teams would choose to use the technology in Australia, although Renault will still be in the minority of outfits who will have KERS ready for the first race.

McLaren, BMW-Sauber and Ferrari have not declared publicly about whether or not they will press their devices into action, while six teams have already confirmed they will not race it in Australia.

Williams, Toyota, Scuderia Toro Rosso, Red Bull Racing, Force India and Brawn GP will all head into the Melbourne event without the technology, although most of them are expected to introduce the systems later in the year.

Renault admitted early in testing that it was surprised about how well its KERS system was running, having been sceptical about its state of development beforehand.

Speaking after the first running of the new R29 in February, technical director Bob Bell said: "The biggest surprise for [us] was perhaps the KERS system as we felt that initially we would have a lot of problems with it and getting the drivers used to it. In reality it has been quite a straightforward transition."


The Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) has expressed its 'concern' about the FIA's decision to impose a radical rules shake up on the sport.

The FIA announced on Tuesday that it was rejecting a FOTA proposal to revise the points structure in F1, and instead was to introduce a system whereby the world title would be handed to the driver with the most wins.

Furthermore, the FIA has announced plans for a voluntary budget cap to be introduced - offering teams that sign up to limit their budget to £30 million per season the chance to be as competitive as those with unlimited spending power.

The plans have not gone down well with FOTA, which felt in recent weeks that it had made much headway with plans to reduce budgets by 50% for 2010 through a series of cost-cutting measures.

A statement from FOTA chairman Luca di Montezemolo said: "With regard to the decisions taken today by the FIA World Council, FOTA would like to express its disappointment and concern at the fact that these have been taken in a unilateral manner.

"The framework of the regulations as defined by the FIA, to be applicable as from 2010, runs the risk of turning on its head the very essence of Formula 1 and the principles that make it one of the most popular and appealing sports.

"Given the timeframe and the way in which these modifications were decided upon, we feel it is necessary to study closely the new situation and to do everything, especially in these difficult times, to maintain a stable framework for the regulations without continuous upheaval, that can be perplexing and confusing for car manufacturers, teams, the public and sponsors."


Former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt has now officially left the Italian car manufacturer, after resigning from all the positions he held with the company.

Todt had stepped down as CEO of Ferrari last year but remained with the company in various roles. However, at a meeting of the board on Tuesday, chairman Luca di Montezemolo said that Todt was leaving Ferrari entirely.

Di Montezemolo paid tributes to the efforts of Todt, who helped make the team a multiple championship-winner after originally joining it in 1993.

"Jean Todt has been one of the leading protagonists of the Ferrari story of the last 15 years," declared Montezemolo. "Skill and passion have always characterised his work and have won him my persona respect and affection, the one of the Company as a whole and of the Prancing Horse enthusiasts everywhere.

"I would like to wish him the very best for the future which I hope will prove extremely satisfying both personally and professionally.

"All of these years we've spent together - victories and tough times included - have forged a link between Jean Todt and Ferrari that will never be broken."


:yum: I've always liked Todt :mamoru:

#1257 Nacho

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Posted 17 March 2009 - 06:06 PM

it would be interesting to see how many championships would be changed since the current points system has been in effect. im sure we all know last year would have been different, but its a little late now. I imagine that it would not change many since those were the schumi years...

i like the increased media coverage, its nice to hear from more of the drivers for sure.

overall, good job FIA :yum:

Last year's would have changed, but only because of Spa where a victory was handed to Massa from Lewis.

#1258 Nacho

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Posted 17 March 2009 - 06:08 PM

"Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose." - Ayrton Senna

so what if you can put it on the podium every race. if you have the pace to get on the podium then why can't you close the deal and just win the race. the fact is now drivers don't have the luxury to just say 'P2 is sufficient for the weekend and there will be more races', instead they will have to push every single lap and leave nothing on the table. i think if a competitor is not willing to give 100% then he doesn't deserve to be a champion.

in the end this doesn't change a damn thing for the guy who is running in P1, it just makes P2, P3 work that much harder. i would rather see a guy that had 4 wins win the WDC than a guy that had 17 2nd places because the guy with 4 wins was better than everyone else for 4 weekends whereas the guy who got all the 2nd places was never truly the best on any given weekend.

and the guy who pushes his car too far, well his penalty for the weekend is that he just threw away a race win, and at the end of the season that could cost him a championship, so win it or bin it is not going to necessarily be the winning equation.


NO other motorsport in the world is decided solely by wins. None.

I'm all for giving the winner more than they're getting now, but i'm NOT for making ONLY wins count. Seems more like a gimmick that would be used in something like ProWrestling or NASCAR than a serious motorsport like ALMS or even GP2. Where else can someone who wins 4 times and 2nd places every other race lose to a guy who wins 5 races but doesn't even finish the rest of the races?

As for 'cruising' the last two championships have been decided by a single point. I don't think any driver isn't pushing to their highest realistic finish.

#1259 Nacho

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Posted 17 March 2009 - 06:18 PM

as james may would say... "and now... the news"



Props to Button. I like how Button came in and did a time another half second clear of what Alonso could do with his unseating of Brawn's top time.

and I hope the FTOA can block the new 'wins' bullshit.

PS: IBtodtGoesToBrawnGP

#1260 Skyliner

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Posted 17 March 2009 - 06:21 PM

So, who will Ferrari designate as the top driver? They'll either have to decide quickly, or go with whomever wins first.

#1261 Skyliner

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Posted 17 March 2009 - 06:27 PM

Also, couldn't the championship potentially be over sooner than usual?

And Kimi will have to do an interview before going to the yacht. :yum:

#1262 Dr. Jimmmah!

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Posted 17 March 2009 - 06:31 PM

Also, couldn't the championship potentially be over sooner than usual?

And Kimi will have to do an interview before going to the yacht. :yum:

"I'm going to go take a shit." post race interview :mamoru:

#1263 _R_

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Posted 17 March 2009 - 06:35 PM

Also, couldn't the championship potentially be over sooner than usual?
And Kimi will have to do an interview before going to the yacht. :yum:


in theory, assuming a 15 race calendar, and assuming 3 separate people win during the season, the title could be decided in the first 6 or 7 races...

and if i read that correctly, he'll have to do an interview after leaving the pit... and since he never technically made it to the pit last time, he can still chill in the yacht for a bit, head to the pit, THEN give the interview :mamoru:

#1264 kngrsll

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Posted 17 March 2009 - 06:45 PM

is anyone still not used to the new look cars? i love them...

#1265 Nacho

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Posted 17 March 2009 - 07:39 PM

is anyone still not used to the new look cars? i love them...

I still think they look a little awkward, but i'm more used to them.

#1266 _R_

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Posted 17 March 2009 - 08:15 PM

is anyone still not used to the new look cars? i love them...


only thing that really caught me off guard at first was the size of the rear wing... rest of it looks fine to me...
i've grown accustomed to the rear wing now

#1267 DrDickAction

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Posted 17 March 2009 - 09:11 PM

I still think they look a little awkward, but i'm more used to them.

dawt

I almost don't notice until I see a pic of something like last years ferrari...the sheer height of the wing is really un-sleek.

#1268 Skyliner

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Posted 17 March 2009 - 09:29 PM

is anyone still not used to the new look cars? i love them...

Posted Image
Posted Image
Posted Image

#1269 DrDickAction

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Posted 17 March 2009 - 09:54 PM

sad to say, but the livery is the least of that car's problems.

#1270 mads

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Posted 18 March 2009 - 02:41 AM

A meeting of the World Motor Sport Council this morning has resulted in the surprise announcement that the 2009 World Champion will be the driver who wins the most races.

This reflects the desires of Bernie Ecclestone, head of FOM, to introduce a ‘medal’ system, and while he has not got his way entirely, his wish that the champion will be the driver who crosses the line first the most times will certainly be met with much controversy.

The announcement said:

The WMSC accepted the proposal from Formula One Management to award the drivers' championship to the driver who has won the most races during the season.”

"If two or more drivers finish the season with the same number of wins, the title will be awarded to the driver with the most points, the allocation of points being based on the current 10, 8, 6 etc. system.

"The rest of the standings, from second to last place, will be decided by the current points system. There is no provision to award medals for first, second or third place. The Constructors' Championship is unaffected.

"The WMSC rejected the alternative proposal from the Formula One Teams' Association to change the points awarded to drivers finishing in first, second and third place to 12, 9 and 7 points respectively."

The Constructors Championship will remain as it is. Supporters of the decision will point towards the recent trend for wins to be awarded only a small amount more than second position, and the end result could be one that is disputed in bar room arguments for years to come.




WHAT THE FUCK

#1271 mads

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Posted 18 March 2009 - 02:50 AM

FIA
Press Release
World Motor Sport Council - Decisions
17/03/2009

The World Motor Sport Council met in Paris on 17 March 2009. The following decisions were taken:



FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

A number of measures were agreed to help reduce costs and increase interest in the FIA Formula One World Championship.

2009 Formula One Regulations

Points

The WMSC accepted the proposal from Formula One Management to award the drivers’ championship to the driver who has won the most races during the season. If two or more drivers finish the season with the same number of wins, the title will be awarded to the driver with the most points, the allocation of points being based on the current 10, 8, 6 etc. system.

The rest of the standings, from second to last place, will be decided by the current points system. There is no provision to award medals for first, second or third place. The Constructors’ Championship is unaffected.

The WMSC rejected the alternative proposal from the Formula One Teams’ Association to change the points awarded to drivers finishing in first, second and third place to 12, 9 and 7 points respectively.

Testing

Teams will be allowed to carry out three one day young driver training tests between the end of the last event of the Championship and 31 December of the same year. Drivers are eligible only if they have not competed in more than two F1 World Championship Events in the preceding 24 months or tested a Formula One car on more than four days in the same 24 month period.

Teams can also conduct eight one day aerodynamic tests carried out on FIA approved straight line or constant radius sites between 1 January 2009 and the end of the last Event of the 2009 Championship.

Media

The FIA will publish the weights of all cars after qualifying at each Event.

For greater clarity for spectators and media, wet tyres have been renamed “intermediate” and extreme-weather tyres renamed “wet”.

On the first day of practice all drivers must be available for autograph signing in their designated team space in the pit lane.

All drivers eliminated in qualifying must make themselves available for media interviews immediately after the end of each session.

Any driver retiring before the end of the race must make himself available for media interviews after his return to the paddock.

All drivers who finish the race outside the top three must make themselves available immediately after the end of the race for media interviews.

During the race every team must make at least one senior spokesperson available for interviews by officially accredited TV crews.

A number of further amendments were adopted for the 2009 Technical Regulations. Full details will be available shortly on www.fia.com.

2010 Formula One Regulations

Budgets

As an alternative to running under the existing rules, which are to remain stable until 2012, all teams will have the option to compete with cars built and operated within a stringent cost cap.

The cost cap is £30m (currently approximately €33 or $42m). This figure will cover all expenditure of any kind. Anything subsidised or supplied free will be deemed to have cost its full commercial value and rigorous auditing procedures will apply.

To enable these cars to compete with those from teams which are not subject to cost constraints, the cost-capped cars will be allowed greater technical freedom.

The principal technical freedoms allowed are as follows:

1. A more aerodynamically efficient (but standard) under body.
2. Movable wings.
3. An engine which is not subject to a rev limit or a development freeze.

The FIA has the right to adjust elements of these freedoms to ensure that the cost-capped cars have neither an advantage nor a disadvantage when compared to cars running to the existing rules.

Click here for a Q&A document regarding the 2010 cost cap.

The Honda Racing F1 Team requested to change its name to the Brawn GP Formula One Team. The WMSC accepted this request on the basis that the team is, in effect, a new entry in the FIA Formula One World Championship. The contract the team had with the FIA was to run as ‘Honda’, which they are no longer in a position to do. However, the standard fee required for a new entry has been waived.


WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

In 2010, cars eligible to score points in the Manufacturers’ Championship include the present and future World Rally Cars, and Super 2000 cars.

To reflect a need to further reduce and control costs, the proposed technical regulations for the future World Rally Car have been amended.

For the 2011 and 2012 Championships, the World Rally Car will be based on Super 2000 with the addition of a specified kit restricted to modifications to the bodywork, being removable aerodynamic devices. The car will be subject to specific technical regulations intended to control costs through restrictions on the changing of engines, transmissions and similar components. The maximum 8,500rpm for the engine will be maintained for all World Rally Championship and S2000 cars.

Present World Rally Cars will not be eligible for the Championship from 2011.

From 2013, it is proposed that the World Rally Car will continue to be Super 2000 based with a cost-effective 1.6 litre turbo engine. This is subject to review, based on the specification of the car produced by manufacturers for the mass market.


Environment

The WMSC gave preliminary approval to a number of proposals from the FIA Environmentally Sustainable Motor Sport Commission (ESMSC). These proposals will now be discussed more widely with the Manufacturers, National Sporting Associations, Commissions, and other interested parties.

At its first meeting, the ESMSC agreed that the consumption and emissions of motor sport are so small that the sport itself is not directly threatened by sustainability issues. However, addressing sustainability in motor sport can create directly relevant technologies and solutions for the wider automotive industry, and by acting as a catalyst for change motor sport can help champion sustainability across the entire sector.

It was further agreed that making motor sport a sustainable activity may well also open up new business opportunities for the motor sport industry in the widest sense.

As such, the ESMSC will work with the FIA Alternative Energies Commission and be responsible for:

1. Developing regulatory principles and measurement technologies for energy efficient based motor sport.

2. Working with FIA Commissions to develop progressive fuel consumption reduction targets for each FIA Championship and Series.

3. Establishing criteria for acceptable fuels based on legislation/best practice.

4. Reviewing the Recommended Green Racing Protocols document, produced by the Society of Automotive Engineering, to determine potential for harmonisation of protocols.

5. Establishing guidelines and approved auditors and off-setters for carbon neutrality.

6. Developing the principles of a pure energy-efficiency championship, completely open to any power train and any energy source. It must be insensitive to the performance of the vehicle itself. It should encourage competition between Manufacturers, Laboratories, Universities, and individuals, without becoming a spending race.

7. Establishing best environmental practices for circuits and rallies; develop guidelines and training.



8. Coordinating safety regulations for the new technologies entering motor sport.


Calendar

2009 FIA GT Championship


3 May
16 May
21 June
26 July
9 Aug
20 Sept
4 Oct
25 Oct GB
I
D
B
RO
P
F
B Silverstone
Adria
Oschersleben
24 Hrs Spa
Bucharest (city)**
Algarve**
Paul Ricard
Zolder

**subject to the FIA homologation of the circuit.
Changes underlined from previously published calendar

The date for the Rally of Syria, part of the 2009 FIA Middle East Rally Championship, has been changed to 18-20 June.

The date for the Jordan Rally, part of the 2009 FIA Middle East Rally Championship, has been changed to 29-31 October.

The date for the Baja 500 Portalegre Rally, part of the 2009 FIA International Cup for Cross Country Bajas, has been changed to 29 October to 1 November.


For Media Information Purposes - No Regulatory Value.
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#1272 mads

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Posted 18 March 2009 - 03:16 AM

i should've probably read this thread

#1273 _R_

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Posted 18 March 2009 - 04:52 AM

i should've probably read this thread


sa'll good man :mamoru2:

#1274 MrHahn

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Posted 18 March 2009 - 05:37 AM

I'm with Nacho about the whole consistency to win the WDC. I do however think it is a better system than last year - but I'd rather be with 12, 8, 10 etc or back to the old 10, 6, 4

#1275 DrDickAction

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Posted 18 March 2009 - 06:31 AM

I'm with Nacho about the whole consistency to win the WDC. I do however think it is a better system than last year - but I'd rather be with 12, 8, 10 etc or back to the old 10, 6, 4

It seems like it'll be a good balance....hard to tell until you live with it for a couple seasons though.




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