It's there subconsciously. If there was no danger (which is the same as saying if no one could get hurt) it not be as exciting to watch. Imagine if they were to race in a large parking lot with no walls and only cones.
When Jules Bianchi wrecked last year, my heart stopped. He wasn't even a driver I followed but I really felt concerned for him, his family, and his team. I never want to feel that way watching a sport again. When Max Verstappen wrecked at Monaco this year, he plowed into giant rubber pillows and was fine. I'd rather see that kind of wreck than the one that robbed Jules of a normal life. So yeah, I understand that risk is a part of it, but a wreck that ruins a race is far far better than a wreck that ruins lives.
I agree, plus I'd rather not even see the vehicular carnage. I love the big asphalt runoff areas, etc. I like a technically excellent track (no, that doesn't mean I'm happy with all the Tilke designs) but I also want it to be relatively safe. If they have to continue to race at Monaco, thank you for installing the type of barrier Verstappen ran into. I know it runs contrary to the history of motor sport but I like racing without so much risk. After all, even if no one is uninjured during a wreck, there's still at least one less car on the track which means I get to watch less cars racing. I know, I'm an oddball, I freely admit it. I love racing but don't like wrecks, and if someone is injured it bothers me.
Alonso Buys a Mercedes McLaren morale dropped again today with news that frustrated Fernando Alonso has bought himself a Mercedes engine. ‘Mercedes sell customer engines, so Fernando has become a customer,’ explained a source close to the Spanish driver. ‘It’s being delivered tomorrow and then he’ll insist the team fits it to his Mp4-30, even if it makes the engine cover a bit lumpy.’ The installation of a Mercedes engine to Alonso’s McLaren is certain to change the tone of radio messages the former champion relays to his pit wall during the race, moving from ‘there’s a funny noise and everything’s stopped working’ and ‘What do you mean save fuel? If I go any slower I’ll be stopped’ to more upbeat communications such as ‘It’s saying mode 2, could you look in the manual in my bag in the motorhome to see what I do next?’ and ‘There’s a blue light come on with, like, a picture of a desk fan or something, can you run down to the Merc pit and ask them what it might mean’. Meanwhile, beleaguered Jenson Button has yet to follow his team mate in buying a Mercedes engine but is said to be more optimistic about his pace in the next Grand Prix having just picked up some Toyo R888s off eBay. Sniff Petrol
It's not entirely opposition as the title implies. Some of the reasoning is a bit surprising to me, like I would think they would like the potential grip-wise once the rest of the necessitated suspension mods are taken into account. I'm not an expert but assumed that as long as there's a reasonable tire profile to work with (i.e., that is NOT a ridiculously low profile) the characteristics of that lower profile would likely include better tire dynamics which would lead to improved handling, etc. Meh, no one asked me...and that, apparently, is a good thing..... Teams signal opposition to 18-inch wheels (crash.net)
13" to 18" is a big jump. But 13" is ridiculous. At least go to 15" or 16". Bigger wheels would allow bigger brakes made from less expensive stuff. Yes a bit more weight but cheaper. It would be a good cost saving rule.
......and the much simpler suspension settings. Because remember that the less air you have in a tire the less change in pressure due to temp change. I would think the engineers would love the idea that they could have a lot less guesswork involved with getting pressures right.
Wouldn't a move up in wheel size also result in potential changes needed for the ERS? With larger wheels and brakes, I would think that the amount of kinetic energy that the MGU-K captures would increase. I could understand why teams would not be keen on making the switch for 2016. Make it a mandate for 2017 and let teams spend more time on designing the cars.
such tyres will have a lower grip and the weight will go up considerably so it's not an attractive direction performance-wise, so I think generally we would intend to stick with the 13 inch wheels.†This is why I find it hard to understand why road cars have such huge wheels anymore - sure it's a fashion thing, (I think most cars look ridiculous with 18-22" wheels) but the weight! Have you guys tried to lift any of these 22"s? They're heavy as hell! I'm not suggesting all cars should have 13" wheels, just that I think the trend has gone way overboard. The handling dynamics would have to be completely rethought, as the tire currently provides a lot of the springing action in the suspension - if they go to a shorter stiffer sidewall suspension parts will break. It will require a total redesign of the suspension and braking systems - which in turn will require a total rethink on aero....... it will be hugely expensive
See, I think that's the real problem. Even if the running costs would be lower after such a change (debatable, I'm sure), the cost to redesign the suspension, etc, would be significant. As I said, I would think the designers would be happy with the opportunity to work with all the improved dynamics that come with a bit less sidewall. I agree with Dave that BIG wheels are not only heavier, a clear point against, more often than not they also look like crap. On the other hand, the profile in that pic isn't extreme at all and, as we know from all the nose discussions, F1 designers don't care much about whether something looks good as long as it makes the car faster.
The way I understand the MGUK it shouldn't be an issue. The recharge is in the Brake By Wire system, which somehow harvests the energy through the axel and back into the crankshaft. Yeah, I know, weird. I think I may have a video about it somewhere, but it might be a day or so before I can dig it up.
The MB video has an animated example. [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1nRA4rlAH0"]Mercedes Hybrid Power Unit PU106A for 2014 F1 season (3D animation) - YouTube[/ame]
Also this. [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ars458hcETE"]Robocop - Yamaha Heart Advert Commercial - YouTube[/ame]
The Hulk wins LeMans. "Hunk happy, show puny F1 drivers who is really good driver". "Maybe get seat with real team now"
SniffPetrol For those who didn't pay attention to Le Mans this year, it's a ref to Webber's result...
Michelin tendered their official interest in becoming the (or a?) F1 tire supplier. Do you suppose these are the corporate level version of fighting words?
Well, they've said loudly and often that they won't make tires "designed to degrade" so yes. Them's fightin' words.