Most liked posts in thread: F1 - 2012

Steve · Jan 20, 2012

Nathan said: ↑

They should use an HRT for the testing.
Click to expand...

I actually like that idea. HRT needs more help than others and a contract to provide a car would help their bottom line. I'm sure Pirelli want one of the better chassis though, and for obvious reasons.

Pirelli are doing the right thing and looking for a middle ground somewhere. The problem is exactly the sort of thing you get (not just in motorsport) when no one will agree to a compromise of any sort fearing it will help one team more than others. Fits the definition of "short-sighted" IMHO because if they don't come to an agreement Pirelli will just sign an exclusive contract with one team and be done with it and so much for any hope of semi-equitable benefit from the testing.

minimark · Jan 20, 2012

Use last years Lotus, doubt anyone is out to copy it.....

Mean no disrespect to Lotus but.....that one didn't work.:frown2:

ScottinBend · Jan 20, 2012

Here is a great article on the new ride height adjusting brake system Lotus have developed.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/f1-austin/lotus-renaults-revolutionary-system-is-ingenious-and-legal-why-every-team-will-w/282992368428024

Steve · Jan 21, 2012

Strike that ^, the FIA is meddling again...

Formula 1 teams have been told by the FIA that reactive ride height systems will be banned for the 2012 season (autosport.com)

By Jonathan Noble | Saturday, January 21st 2012, 08:40 GMT
Formula 1 teams have been told that the reactive suspension system pioneered by Lotus has been banned for the 2012 season.

Sources have confirmed that a note was sent from the FIA to all teams on Friday evening indicating that the governing body was no longer satisfied the concept - which regulates ride height under braking - was still legal.

It is not clear why the FIA has decided now that the reactive systems should be outlawed, after AUTOSPORT revealed last week that it had given the green light to the Lotus idea as long ago as last January.

Rival teams are likely, however, to have made an effort to prove to the FIA that the Lotus system was in contravention of the regulations.

News of the FIA ban was first broken on The Flying Lap webcast, when Williams chief operations engineer Mark Gillan said on Friday night he had received a note from the governing body shortly before going on air notifying him of the move.

"The FIA has just banned that particular type of system," he said.

Speaking about Williams' efforts on the device, Gillan said: "We have been investigating that type of system for a while. It obviously has an impact on the aero platform of the car, [and] anything that gets the front ride height lower is beneficial from an aerodynamic perspective."

The reactive suspension system on the Lotus was first spotted at last year's Abu Dhabi Young Driver Test, and helped maintain the front ride height under braking for corners â€“ to benefit both aerodynamic performance and stability.

Rivals teams were quick to look into the system, with Ferrari understood to be the first to propose its own version of reactive ride to the FIA.

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali had said at his team's Wrooom media event in Italy last week that he was awaiting a response from the governing body on its legality.

He said: "What you are talking about, is more related to having stability under braking. It is a system that I know there have been some documents in writing between the FIA and the teams.

"We are waiting for the final confirmation if this kind of devices will be acceptable or not. But for sure we are looking around these sorts of devices to see if they contribute to a performance. But we need to wait and see what will be the reaction to the FIA on that."

Only this week, Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner had said he was unsure about the ultimate benefits of the system.

"It's like all of these things, it's about how they work and how they are integrated in the car," Horner told AUTOSPORT. "Things have to work as a package rather than as individual components. It appears to be an interesting concept but I'm the wrong person to be commenting on it."

When asked if he thought it was legal, he said: "I haven't had that close a look at it. That's more a question for [F1 race director] Charlie Whiting."

The Lotus system was mechanical and activated by brake torque. And, because it was part of the suspension system, was deemed legal at the time because it could not be classified as a moveable aerodynamic device.
Click to expand...

ScottinBend · Jan 21, 2012

lol .....was just going to post that

Nathan · Jan 21, 2012

^^^ Just read the same thing on JamesAllenonF1.com

Steve · Jan 23, 2012

A slightly better explanation of the reason for the reactive ride height system ban.

Reactive ride banned because FIA believed it gave an aerodynamic benefit (AUTOSPORT.com)

By Jonathan Noble | Monday, January 23rd 2012, 17:15 GMT
Reactive suspension systems were banned from Formula 1 once it became clear to the FIA that their principle benefit was aerodynamic, AUTOSPORT has learned.

The governing body wrote to teams on Friday informing them that, in its view, the mechanical concepts pioneered by Lotus and Ferrari and being looked at by other teams would be in contravention of the rules if they were used to help the aerodynamics of the cars.

This came despite the initial idea for the hydraulic devices, activated by brake torque, being given the green light as long ago as January last year.

At the time of that initial approval to the then Renault team, it was understood that the devices were purely suspension related and aimed at maintaining ride-height - so effectively nothing more than a sophisticated version of rising-rate springs.

However, with rival teams having expressed an interest in the design, and querying its legality after it was spotted at last year's young driver test in Abu Dhabi, the FIA decided to look much closer at the reactive ride concept.

It is understood that as more details emerged about the Renault and Ferrari systems, both in terms of how they worked and what their benefit was, it became clear that the main advantage of the suspension systems was in helping aerodynamic performance.

The FIA believed that because the systems relied on changes being made to the length of the suspension member as well as unusual movement of the brake calipers - and these alterations helped the aerodynamics of the car â€“ that they were in breach of Article 3.15 of F1's Technical Regulations, which effectively bans moveable aerodynamic devices.

The article states that any part that influences aerodynamic performance "must be rigidly secured to the entirely sprung part of the car (rigidly secured means not having any degree of freedom)" and "must remain immobile in relation to the sprung part of the car."

As well as the potential breach of the aerodynamic rules, it is understood that there was a risk of the reactive ride systems getting challenged under the articles relating to suspension in the F1 regulations too.

Article 10.2.1 states: "With the steering wheel fixed, the position of each wheel centre and the orientation of its rotation axis must be completely and uniquely defined by a function of its principally vertical suspension travel, save only for the effects of reasonable compliance which does not intentionally provide further degrees of freedom."

Article 10.2.3 says: "No adjustment may be made to the suspension system while the car is in motion."

The decision to make a ruling on the reactive suspension systems now removes the threat of the matter building up into a major technical controversy before the start of the season, which could have overshadowed the first race like the double diffuser row did in 2009.

Although the FIA directive states that the governing body views the devices to be illegal, there is nothing stopping teams from continuing to test them and fitting them to the cars for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix â€“ because the final decision on whether they comply with the regulations always rests with the race stewards. But such a scenario is thought to be highly unlikely.
Click to expand...

goaljnky · Jan 23, 2012

That's too bad. I was looking forward to having it properly explained on the Matchett's corner.

Steve · Jan 23, 2012

I'd like to know if it's something that could be transferred to road cars. Sounds like it could be helpful, not so much because of aero effects but in terms of the original claims about improving stability for braking.

Minidave · Jan 23, 2012

Article 10.2.3 says: "No adjustment may be made to the suspension system while the car is in motion."

I thought they had adjustable anti-sway bars?

Steve · Jan 25, 2012

Barrichello Sets IndyCar Test In Florida (formula-one.speedtv.com)

Robin Miller | Posted January 25, 2012 | Indianapolis, IN

The most experienced driver in Formula One history is going to test an IndyCar next week in Sebring, Fla. but itâ€™s not known whether or not Rubens Barrichello is serious about a full-time ride in the 2012 IZOD INDYCAR series.

SPEED has learned that the 40-year-old Brazilian is driving one of KV Racing Technologyâ€™s cars alongside countryman and good friend Tony Kanaan next Tuesday and Wednesday in Florida.

Co-owner Jimmy Vasser, team manager Mark Johnson and Kanaan could not be reached for comment but Barrichelloâ€™s debut in an IndyCar was confirmed by a source close to the Indy-based team.

A 19-year veteran of Formula One with 322 starts, 11 wins and a pair of runner-up finishes in the World Championship, Barrichello was not retained by Frank Williams following the 2011 season.

The chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers Association, Rubens became the first driver to ever reach 300 F1 starts in 2010. His last victory came at the Italian Grand Prix in 2009 for Brawn Racing.
Nigel Mansell was also 40 years old when he left F1 for CART in 1993, where he captured the championship.

Kanaan finished fifth in the 2011 point standings for KV Racing, which is planning to run three cars with Chevrolet power this year.
Click to expand...

goaljnky · Jan 25, 2012

That might not be a bad move for Rubens.

minimark · Jan 25, 2012

..not bad at all and could be very good for Indycar as well!

Nathan · Jan 25, 2012

Interesting as I recently read an article where Barrichello promised the Mrs. he would not race on ovals.

minimark · Jan 25, 2012

Now now he would not be the first driver to comfort his wife until.........

Minidave · Jan 25, 2012

Indycar is moving away from ovals - sure there will still be some (like indy! :biggrin5, but they're trying to become more of a road racing organization.

Steve · Jan 26, 2012

Caterham is the first team to reveal its 2012 car. Limited pics have been available but they're pretty lousy and I've been waiting for better stuff...never mind that...

The official shots from Caterham are useless as they seem designed to hide the ugliness as much as possible and the revealing pics are lousy because they're leaked photos taken of pages from an as yet unreleased magazine.

As one site put it, "Caterham's F1 challenger for the 2012 season is starting off with a broken nose."

Apparently the new regs limit the height of the nose and dictate inclusion of something up top to cover the upper mounts for the front suspension.

I'm starting to get a mental image from that report the new Ferrari has a "dolphin" nose.

And everyone complained about the big front wings...

Steve · Jan 26, 2012

Quick Nick found himself a new gig.

Heidfeld Set To Join Rebellion: F1 refugee to drive Lola-Toyota at Sebring, Spa and 24 Hours of Le Mans... (auto-racing.speedtv.com)

John Dagys | Posted January 26, 2012 | Daytona Beach, FL

While his Formula One hopes may have faded, Nick Heidfeld is poised to make a switch to sports car racing for 2012. Team sources have indicated to SPEED.com that the 34-year-old has signed with Rebellion Racing for a partial season in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Heidfeld will pilot one of the Anglo-Swiss squadâ€™s Lola B12/60 Toyotas at the Twelve Hours of Sebring, Six Hours of Spa and 24 Hours of Le Mans. Last week, the team confirmed its WEC participation with drivers Neel Jani, Nicolas Prost, Andrea Belicchi and Harold Primat for the eight-round global championship.

Having spent the last 12 years in F1 with a variety of teams, including Prost, Sauber and Williams, Heidfeld was replaced by Bruno Senna mid-season at Renault, putting the German on the sidelines and questions looming over his 2012 plans.

While rumors had him taking up DTM, potentially with BMW, the Bavarian manufacturer completed its six-driver lineup earlier this month.

An official announcement of Heidfeldâ€™s signing is expected to come on Feb. 2, when the teamâ€™s WEC entries will be likely be confirmed by the ACO.
Click to expand...

Steve · Jan 27, 2012

Nathan said: ↑

Interesting as I recently read an article where Barrichello promised the Mrs. he would not race on ovals.
Click to expand...

Rubens to break promise with Indy test (planetf1.com)

Thursday 26th January 2012

Rubens Barrichello is reportedly set to test an IndyCar next week, which could yet lead to him breaking a promise he made to his wife.

Last year, when it was still not known whether his F1 career was over or not, Barrichello was adamant that IndyCars would not be in his future.

"I think at first I won't look for anything," he said at the time.

"Perhaps I'll just enjoy my family for a year. After that I believe my passion for speed will not allow me to stand still.

"For sure I will not race on the American ovals - I have promised that to my wife and I will honour that."

However, the Brazilian is now reportedly set to perhaps take the first step towards breaking that promise after agreeing an IndyCar test with KV Racing Technology.

According to The Associated Press, anonymous sources have revealed that the 39-year-old will be behind the wheel of the new Dallara DW12 chassis at the Sebring International Raceway for two days next week.

The report, though, did add that the test does not mean Barrichello will be making the move into IndyCars.
Click to expand...

minimark · Jan 27, 2012

PISST Ruebens......... Rolex?!

Forums

Most liked posts in thread: F1 - 2012

Steve Administrator
Staff Member Articles Moderator

minimark Well-Known Member

ScottinBend Space Cowboy
Supporting Member

Steve Administrator
Staff Member Articles Moderator

ScottinBend Space Cowboy
Supporting Member

Nathan Founder

Steve Administrator
Staff Member Articles Moderator

goaljnky New Member

Steve Administrator
Staff Member Articles Moderator

Minidave Well-Known Member
Lifetime Supporter

Steve Administrator
Staff Member Articles Moderator

goaljnky New Member

minimark Well-Known Member

Nathan Founder

minimark Well-Known Member

Minidave Well-Known Member
Lifetime Supporter

Steve Administrator
Staff Member Articles Moderator

Steve Administrator
Staff Member Articles Moderator

Steve Administrator
Staff Member Articles Moderator

minimark Well-Known Member

Useful Searches

Most liked posts in thread: F1 - 2012

Steve Administrator Staff Member Articles Moderator

minimark Well-Known Member

ScottinBend Space Cowboy Supporting Member

Steve Administrator Staff Member Articles Moderator

ScottinBend Space Cowboy Supporting Member

Nathan Founder

Steve Administrator Staff Member Articles Moderator

goaljnky New Member

Steve Administrator Staff Member Articles Moderator

Minidave Well-Known Member Lifetime Supporter

Steve Administrator Staff Member Articles Moderator

goaljnky New Member

minimark Well-Known Member

Nathan Founder

minimark Well-Known Member

Minidave Well-Known Member Lifetime Supporter

Steve Administrator Staff Member Articles Moderator

Steve Administrator Staff Member Articles Moderator

Steve Administrator Staff Member Articles Moderator

minimark Well-Known Member

Steve Administrator
Staff Member Articles Moderator

ScottinBend Space Cowboy
Supporting Member

Steve Administrator
Staff Member Articles Moderator

ScottinBend Space Cowboy
Supporting Member

Steve Administrator
Staff Member Articles Moderator

Steve Administrator
Staff Member Articles Moderator

Minidave Well-Known Member
Lifetime Supporter

Steve Administrator
Staff Member Articles Moderator

Minidave Well-Known Member
Lifetime Supporter

Steve Administrator
Staff Member Articles Moderator

Steve Administrator
Staff Member Articles Moderator

Steve Administrator
Staff Member Articles Moderator