The way I read it is that it would be more then just aerodynamics. Personally, I would like to see them go to bigger wheels. The pinnacle of automotive racing running around on wheel sizes no longer used by any decent car seems wrong somehow.
Agree that changing the wheel diameter by 5 inches would involve more than just aero... I imagine there'd be all sorts of structural changes to deal with the different characteristics, especially unsprung weight... Bigger wheels would allow different brake designs, and possibly affect the forces being applied to the suspension. Might inspire some cool new technology regarding brake ducting, in the process... See what I did there? Also, shorter, stiffer sidewalls on the tires could require additional compliance in the suspension to keep the drivers from losing their teeth over bumps. Anyway, I think changing the wheel diameter would be a huge burden for the designers to accommodate in a short time frame. Would love to see the larger wheels, but would hate to see this change rushed into place. _Dave_
According to reports back when Michelin started expressing interest, they were the ones who originally suggested the 18" wheel size. If Michelin and Pirelli differ on the subject it may be because Michelin agrees to leave the current size alone for a year to give engineers more time to redesign the cars, but they still want to go to 18" as soon as possible. Changing the tires/wheels will allow some changes but force others. I think Dave got it right (and a couple of you mentioned it in earlier posts); the greatest concern seems to be having enough time to adapt the suspension...and of course everything else that needs to adapt in concert. Like someone else said, those fat tires have a lot of compliance which is factored into the design of the suspension. Shrink the tires without changing the suspension and watch those cars beat themselves to death in less than race distance. If nothing else, we'd at least see all the drivers adapting to lines that do NOT use curbs and gators. The large (rich) teams need to know soon so they can rebuild before next season but the smaller (less rich) teams probably won't be able to react fast enough, thus the need to decide ASAP and suggestions to put the change off until the 2012 season.
From Autoweek Formula One's future in the United States is once again on the front burner, and the latest rumblings suggest that a most unlikely venue could become host to the first U.S. Grand Prix since F1 last raced at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2007. According to a letter written by Ari Strauss--president of Monticello Motor Club (MMC) in upstate New York--and leaked Thursday to AutoWeek, the country-club-style racing venue is talking to F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone about bringing the Grand Prix circus to the facility at the foot of the Catskill Mountains. Monticello Motor Club is the closest motorsports venue to New York City; it is 90 minutes by car from Manhattan, and there is an international airport 10 minutes away. According to the letter, Strauss and MMC chairman Bill McMichael met with Ecclestone a few months ago to talk about hosting a Grand Prix, with an eye toward a long-term, 10-year deal. Hermann Tilke, the architect of F1's modern venues, has already visited MMC and apparently determined that the facility is capable of hosting a Grand Prix, although some expansion and modifications would be necessary. Strauss also said that he and McMichael are working to garner support from local, state and federal politicians and organizations, presumably to secure the financing necessary to make their dream come true. However, the letter notes that “securing F1 is like winning the Olympics, competition is fierce, and this is not a done deal.” In its current guise, MMC's fast track is 4.1 miles long and includes 22 unique turns and 12 distinct configurations, with more than 1.5 miles of straights. It was designed by driver Brian Redman and Bruce Hawkins, a track architect and engineer. The Full Letter: Dear member, Within the next day, you may read that Formula One is planning a return to the United States and has their sights on a special location in New York: Monticello Motor Club. A few months ago, [MMC chairman] Bill McMichael and I met with Bernie Ecclestone, President/CEO of Formula One Management (FOM), and discussed the terms for an exclusive 10-year United States Grand Prix to be hosted at MMC. Shortly thereafter, Hermann Tilke, the chief engineer and circuit designer for F1, spent time at MMC and confirmed that our track and surrounding properties, with some expansion and minor track modifications, is an excellent location for a Grand Prix. Since receiving a letter of understanding from FOM confirming their hope to bring the U.S. Grand Prix to Monticello, Bill and I have continued to secure the backing and support of local, state, and federal politicians and organizations. If F1 comes to Monticello, our intent is to preserve MMC as, first and foremost, a private country club. Obviously, demand will accelerate as well as the initiation fee for new members. But securing F1 is like winning the Olympics, competition is fierce, and this is not a done deal. While the prospect of F1 at MMC is exciting, we remain focused on our core business: the club and its members. At this juncture, we are simply honored that F1 is considering our venue as the future, exclusive home for the U.S. Grand Prix. It would transform the region into one of the motorsports capitals of the world, bring thousands of jobs to Sullivan County, inject over $100M each year into the local economy, and place your private club in the company of famous racing circuits like Monza and Spa. Warmest regards, Ari
Monticello Motor Club track map ... and here's a pic - beautiful looking place, eh? ----------- edit: If the diagram is current then it looks like that pic was taken before the facilities were completed.
I would much rather see them run at a true road course like this than a street course thru Central Park! Hope it happens, that looks like a beautiful track and setting.
I'll second that, with slight qualification. I'd rather see them use a good road course than ANY street course I've seen so far. I read about an idea to set up a mixed street and road course that would run in and out of Las Vegas and I can imagine that being pretty good if it was done right. I like the look of that MMC track layout. I've not seen it but I also like the "thrilling elevation changes" claim on the MMC site track page. If nothing else, it definitely has at least one point in its favor...it wasn't designed by Tilke. The fact that Tilke says it will work worries me some since his designs have produced rather tame and dull racing, but any preexisting track has the built in benefit of having at least its basic layout designed by someone else. I know I'm getting ahead of things here given it's only a proposal so far, but here's hoping that if Tilke's involved in the "expansion and modifications" he says are necessary, the track isn't sterilized of whatever character it has now. Hopefully most lot of what he's talking about is logistical -- access, parking, pits, garages, stands, etc -- rather than actual track mods.
One word.........."no F1 level infrastructure" Beautiful track, but I don't see any pro series racing there until LOTS of more work is done.
Looks like a terrible place to race as there are no likely passing areas. I guess that makes it perfect for F1, though, right? Beyond that, the photo doesn't show any room for major grandstands and I can't imagine there is infrastructure in place to get tens of thousands of spectators in and out of the circuit. I think this is a pipe dream/PR stunt for Monticello more than anything.
bingo, bango...coincidently, Monticello had a full page ad (below) at the front of the magazine this biweek, no mention of F1 prospects. Far too many trees to 're-locate', but they could be really creative with grandstands and track infrastructure if the money was there...Bernie and his entourage could helo into NYC nightly, while everyone else is staying at the brand new 55,000 room Comfort Inn at the Motor Club entrance.
I just can't see that. Not disagreeing, just saying I'm unable to judge things like that, esp. from these graphics. All I see is a track that looks like it would be a blast to drive on, but then that's what attracts me to a track...I'm not interested in racing my (or any) car, just want a good track to drive it on and that one looks good to me. I figure it would be fun to watch a race there but I admit I have zero skills to evaluate passing zones, etc. Here's a question for anyone (not just back to bee1000) -- what existing US track (or tracks) would be on the top of your list for an F1 venue? Let's assume any track other than Indy would require adjustments so don't worry about that, just pick a suitable track. Any opinions or favorites?
Laguna Seca, of course. ALMS is there this weekend, and contemporary F1 cars have been setting lap records there over the last few years. I think most F1 drivers want to challenge the Corkscrew, and although there would be some logistical issues (both within the track property, and in the neighboring area) there are already some important necessities, such as beautiful scenery, a wealthy local community, and cultural elements. They'd need LOTS more hotel space, better transportation between the facility and Monterey, and an expanded local airport, but just imagine!... _Dave_
Laguna was going to be my suggestion. As far as logistics... let's face it, if they can get in and out of Monaco (not that Laguna is Monaco) then anything is possible. As far as I know, once you make it into Monaco for the F1 weekend it is nearly (if at all) impossible to leave town.
Road America would be a great venue, as would Road Atlanta or Mid Ohio. Road Atlanta has nearby infrastructure to handle the masses. Turn 12 would need a little help, that wall there is mighty imposing. The sentimental favorite would have to be Watkins Glen. F1 used to run there before.
Briatore "... sees himself as the Bernie" :frown2: Briatore set for FOM role alongside Ecclestone - report (Motorsport.com/GMM)
OMG, that's all they need, Flabio running F1........... Wonder if "the Bernie" does have a sucession plan in place? He's well past his "Sell by" date, IMHO.......
Based on the other F1 tracks, you need to have a long straight going into a slow corner. It seems to work really well if that corner is followed immediately by a corner in the opposite direction (straightaway > right > left), like most of Tilke's tracks. Monticello looks to be all turns - awesome to drive, but not if you're behind a slower car. A couple of potential passing areas look to be ruined by having a kink at the end of the straight, making a narrower line with no room to pass. Amen! I'll throw two total wildcards out there, though: Cleveland Airport - I'd love to see the F1 cars on a really wide open track like that. Milwaukee Mile - What the hell, let's put the F1 cars on a short oval! Neither of those would ever happen, for many reasons, but that's true of every track in the US (other than Indy). Cleveland and Milwaukee would put on great shows for the fans, and the drivers would probably love them, too.
Last week, AutoWeek broke the news that Monticello Motor Club in upstate New York wants to host a U.S. Grand Prix, possibly as soon as 2012. Now comes evidence that the claim by MMC executives is much more than wishful thinking, and confirms that--whether or not F1 makes a deal with MMC--New York remains the Grand Prix circuit's No. 1 U.S. destination. AutoWeek has obtained a copy of a letter written to MMC by F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, dated March 24, 2010. It reads in part: “The superior quality of your existing four-mile racetrack, combined with your proximity to New York City, makes MMC an excellent candidate to host the FIA Formula One World Championship. While we discussed the basic terms between F1 and MMC, we understand that the next critical stage is your local and state government's support to this endeavor. “New York is our preferred venue for a USA round of the FIA Formula One World Championship. We hope that you are able to quickly secure the commitments required so that we can have our inaugural MMC F1 event by 2012. “Before you start the necessary modifications to your circuit, we must agree [on] the outstanding issues and sign a formal agreement. Quite obviously you would want to do this for your own protection. “I look forward to visiting with you soon.” According to another letter written by MMC president Ari Straus, he and MMC chairman Bill McMichael met with Ecclestone a few months ago to talk about hosting a Grand Prix, with an eye toward a long-term, 10-year deal. Hermann Tilke, the architect of F1's modern venues, visited MMC and reported that the facility is capable of hosting F1, though expansion and modifications are necessary. In an interview with AutoWeek last Friday, McMichael said he understands skepticism about the plan, but pointed out that New York City is 90 minutes away from MMC--under normal traffic conditions, that is--and is a natural fit for F1, and that the track could draw from 50 million people living within a 200-mile radius. Asked whether the two-lane roads leading to the circuit are fit to accommodate a Grand Prix, he said, “If you look at some other major circuits around the world, a lot of them have two-lane roads going in and out. . . . But like any major event, we'd have a traffic plan in place. . . . When you have 125,000 or 150,000 people show up for anything, it's gonna be busy. Certainly our highways systems, we think, can handle it.” McMichael said that early estimates point to a required investment of $100 million to $150 million to prepare MMC to host F1, and that the money would come from a combination of public and private financing--which he said he believes is worth it, based on a potential $100-million-plus economic impact on the region each year of the deal. He declined to specify exactly what such a financing package might entail. McMichael said plans must fall into place within “the next several months” for there to be any chance of hosting a race in 2012. Formula One last raced in the United States in 2007, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which hosted the event for eight years. Read more: Exclusive: Formula One boss Ecclestone confirms interest in Monticello Motor Club