Very good read - Thanks So there may be a good human being in there, who gets to show himself from time to time. But I don't think he'll ever get out...
This months Motorsport Magazine has an interview with Ron Dennis. You'll have the buy the magazine to read. Teaser can be found at Ron Dennis: still
Check out Red Bull's final edit of the RB7 driving the 1.5 mile long Lincoln Tunnel from Weehawken to Manhattan and back again. No filler, no riff raff, just the sweet sounds of the RB7 engine. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P3xPlishXw&hd=1]F1 Car in Lincoln Tunnel - Full Edit - YouTube[/ame]
Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone has reignited the debate about turbo engines by suggesting that the changeover from V8s should be postponed or even abandoned. The new formula is due to start in 2014, having already been postponed once. Jean Todt has insisted that such a move won’t happen again, but Ecclestone has suggested that the FIA president might change his mind. Read more: Ecclestone wants to drop 2014 turbo switch - Autoweek
Yup. Remember, Bernie doesn't care about the racing itself anymore, or if he does it's as an amusing side-effect. He cares about how much $ venues / promoters are willing to pay to buy his show. In his mind the draw of F1 is the spectacle which will be greatly diminished if the noise changes and / or is less deafening. He thinks this means people will no longer like the show so he won't be able to continue to raise his fees.
I got to say......I hate the sound of these engines in person. I think the change to a 4cyl turbo is a good one, but would love to see other engines developed with some kind of balancing rules ala GrandAm.
I like the semi-balanced multi-engine idea but I stopped hoping for it when I realized how much whining there would be every time a team felt like it could make the case it was lagging behind another because the engine balance was unfair. Also, the change is to a 6cyl -- from 2.4L V8 to 1.6L turbo V6. The original plan was for 1.6L turbo I4 but Bernie and Ferrari shouted that down. Ferrari said it would drop out of F1 because it would be irrelevant to them since will never sell road cars with 4cyl engines.
NA V8s for the win! So many reasons but I like the reliability of the V8, and if F1 were to drop the amount of fuel a little, that could lead to advancements in fuel economy much more that going with smaller motors and slapping turbos on them... Sticking with one motor package over the long run, reduces cost for all teams but really helps smaller up and comers. And I totally agree with Ferrari, a four cylinder or even a six cylinder motor does not relate to their product line period. As a company, that would make the reasons to race in F1 even smaller, leaving them to look elsewhere to invest their efforts. The formula now, through intelligent design or dumb luck, has produced one of, if not the most competitive F1 season in years. Let it stand. 2cents
Though a shock and a surprise to everyone who knows anything about Ferrari, there's going to be a Ferrari-engineered V6 (supercharged) option for the next gen (2013) Maserati Quattroporte. "... from the same group in Maranello that is heading up development of Ferrari’s new Formula 1 engine ..." And they're even touting its fuel efficiency! That's right, Ferrari pushing an admittedly Ferrari-engineered 6cyl engine as a fuel efficient option to a standard V8! Apparently the same engine is likely to make its way into the Alfa brand.
True Steve and no doubt that six and four cylinders are great engines too, that said, notice that as of yet at least, Ferrari has not announced a Ferrari offering with the above mentioned six. Masserati and Alfa while cool cars, are not Ferraris.
I like the V8s, and the old V10s and V12s for that matter. I'm just trying to explain the logic used by particular individuals, plus I think Ferrari admitting they're marketing ANY product with just 6 cylinders is worth noting. The fact it's an engine, of all things, is remarkable! IMHO As to the new formula, I admit I really want to see what the F1 engineers can do with 1.6 liters and a turbo.
Ferrari has built 4 cyl engines, and did put them in their cars back in the early 50's, so that's not exactly a genuine excuse. As to the future, I would not be a bit surprised to see twin turbo 4 cyls in Ferraris - BMW and MBZ already run them, even in some of their bigger chassis. If fuel keeps getting more and more dear, it may be the only way that makes sense. I was all for the 4 cyl turbo F1 car - after all, BMW made 1100 hp with theirs! I could then see more of a case for other engine makers to join the fray - Hyundai, Toyota, lots of mfr's make 4's and the trickle down effect could be direct - as long as they didn't allow pneumatic valve actuation. I don't see 20K RPM engines ever making it to street cars.
Yea I know they did way back then but Enzo always had a boner for the 12s and 8s, and in a Ferrari I agree. ...also prefer a V8 or 12 in F1, it is supposed to be the zenith of motor racing.
Grand Prix Insights - Helmet Nico Rosberg, Formula One driver at Mercedes AMG Petronas, travels back in time. Not long ago, Formula One drivers only wore leather caps. The development over the past decades has been stunning. Today's helmets are state-of-the-art technology. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DQN5ote_II&hd=1]F1 2012 - Grand Prix Insights - Helmet - YouTube[/ame]
Put a Fork in Him...he's Done SUZUKA, Japan (AP) — Michael Schumacher is retiring from Formula One racing again — and this time, he says, "it might be forever." Unable to duplicate the success of his prime, the seven-time F1 champion announced Thursday he will retire at the end of the season, bringing an end to the most decorated career the sport has seen. Though Mercedes had announced last week that Schumacher would be replaced by Lewis Hamilton next season, there had been speculation the 43-year-old German could move to Sauber. He instead chose to end his career. Full article - The Associated Press: Schumacher confirms F1 retirement
Now that Hamilton is on his way out I wonder whether there'll be any more episodes of Tooned. Will we see a Sergio character?
Twas a bit sad to watch Micheal in the press announcement....still a legendary career, wish his return had gone better but he can still hold his head high..!