Interesting write-up about the laps completed at Jerez, with a roll-over chart showing which teams accomplished what. Interestingly Caterham completed more than three times the laps than Red Bull. My heart goes out to the Red Bull fans though, it seems they'll know the sorrow that McLaren fans like myself felt last year. Mercedes' reliability gives it the initiative at Jerez - F1 Fanatic
Bull, it would have had no effect on who won the Championship last year... Double points is pro wrestling, and it seems that now NASCAR doesn't want Bernie to out wrestle them with all their new gimmicks this year... Folks fans watch to see good racing not funky rules that might allow an under performer to win a championship... This is all going to help the new Tudor series. PS: Here is a novel idea for all racing series's; Cut the amount of money a series Championship is worth greatly, and at least double the amount of money a race win is worth... Then sit back and watch the racing improve and attendance go up!!
"Exclusive close up scroll through the demonstrator displays of the new McLaren Electronics PCU-8D F1 screen" [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsOQWbJZ9mY]EXCLUSIVE: F1 2014 Steering Wheel Display - YouTube[/ame]
Imagine you're Nico Rosberg and you learn that none other than the all knowing Mr. Bernie Muppet Head says you're going to win the title this year. You know that at some point, probably soon, you'll be surrounded by a scrum of reporters, all pointing microphones at your face, and one of them will ask you how you feel about this. Time to think of a diplomatic answer... Ecclestone tips Rosberg for 2014 title (GPUpdate.net)
My brain hurts already today so I'm not in the mood to try to figure this out. Does anyone know why the rules makers don't want to raise the weight limit...care to explain? No more burgers for F1 rookie Ericsson (grandprix.com)
I can offer an explanation of why the weight goes up over time... it boils down to safety. As to why they won't up the limit, well to quote Douglas Adams they're probably just "a bunch of mindless jerks who'll be the first against the wall when the revolution comes." Nigel Mansel agrees.
I ran a go kart enduro with some friends of mine - we finished third behind two Asian guys who together didn't weigh as much as me! I thought they were going to raise the limit, actually.
They did raise the limit but it was because the power train was expected to be heavier. If I remember correctly, the new engines, etc, turned out to be even heavier than predicted, thus making the raised weight limit more difficult to meet than the previous, lower number.
Oh yay, someone thought of another unintended consequence in need an over-complicated solution. I say take the solution Pirelli has been offering for a year or so... Formula 1 in push to shake up qualifying for 2014 (autosport.com)
This is complicated yes, but not race affecting I think. Besides, remember the 80s when they had a qualifying engine, a qualifying gearbox, and a special qualifying only compound for the tyres?
^^^ I agree Sauber wins the beauty contest. A number of the teams asked for the weight to be raised some more. But a few (Mercedes & Ferrari) with out issues said no. It did go up 1 more kg because the tires weigh more this year.
Hey remember right up until a few year sago when the Moto GP bikes had qualifying tyres - they left black lines on the whole circuit, except for the bits where that wheel wasn't on the ground......