F1 Most liked posts in thread: F1 - 2013

Steve · Jan 11, 2013

One reporter says Merc claim the 2014 engines will have a "... wider power band, much more torque on corner exits, where will be more power than grip. Got to be a good thing."

Steve · Jan 11, 2013

Kimi 'learns nothing' using simulators (Crash.net)

11 Jan 13

Kimi Raikkonen has said that he learns almost nothing from using race simulators and as a result makes very little use of them while preparing for upcoming races.

Kimi Raikkonen has explained that he's not a fan of sophisticated modern day F1 car simulators, for the very simple reason that they offer him very little in terms of improved race weekend performance.

"I just think that I can learn nothing in the simulator," Raikkonen told Swiss publication Speed Week. "I learn a new track quickly, without a simulator."

Raikkonen brushed aside suggestions that he was avoiding using simulators because of problems with feelings of claustrophobia in the test unit, or because they induce motion sickness as was widely reported to be the case with Michael Schumacher.

Raikkonen raised eyebrows last season ahead of the Indian Grand Prix in October when he revealed that despite never having raced at the Buddh International Circuit he still wasn't interested in getting in any practice in the simulator.

"I'm not like other drivers, so I haven't driven the simulator to learn it," he said at the time. "I like to go to different places and the challenge of driving a new circuit is always interesting," he added, pointing out that his approach had worked perfectly well for his first visit to South Korea's Yeongam circuit.

Raikkonen's confidence was also backed up by his performance in F1's first visit to the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, which saw him immediately faster on the track than his team mate Romain Grosjean, who had been putting in extensive time in the brand new Lotus simulator at Enstone to learn the new track.

Teams have been increasingly reliant in using state-of-the art simulation technology ever since tough new restrictions on track test sessions were introduced into the sport, but it looks as though Raikkonen will leave most of the simulator use in the hands of Grosjean again in 2013.

That said, the 33-year-old stressed that he was aware that the team needed him to play his part in testing and development if Lotus are to succeed taking another step forward in the upcoming season.

"It's the whole game together; there are a lot of people involved and you cannot make it happen by yourself," Raikkonen said.

â€œIt's just the team work and everybody trying to do the same thing and deliver the best that we can," he added. "I think it's been a good atmosphere in the team."
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Steve · Jan 12, 2013

A lot of posts on Raikkonen here, he seems to be the flavor of the week...year. Makes sense though, he shows a different sort of personality than you see from other F1 drivers and he backs it up with great driving.

Kimi Raikkonen right to be his own man - Jackie Stewart (AutoSport.com)

By Jonathan Noble | Saturday, January 12th 2013, 10:47 GMT

Lotus is doing the right thing in allowing Kimi Raikkonen to be his own man in Formula 1, believes triple world champion Jackie Stewart.

The Scottish legend, who is also a strategic advisor to Lotus owner Genii, reckons that the team should have no worries about Raikkonen's quirks off the track because he is so quick on it.

"You don't change Kimi Raikkonen, you don't change him," said Stewart, speaking on the AUTOSPORT Stage with KX at AUTOSPORT International on Saturday.

"I speak to him very seldom on a weekend, because if he wants to speak to me, he will come and speak to me.

"If I and go tart him up, he thinks 'what are you talking about? Why bother me?' That is how the reaction would be.

"He is a very special person, the most special of any grand prix driver past and present, but his return was better than [Michael] Schumacher's return.

"He was up there every single race he was in last year, and he delivered."

Stewart's comments come a few weeks after Lotus owner Gerard Lopez suggested that Raikkonen had flourished on his F1 return because of the atmosphere at the Enstone-based team.

Although Stewart's approach to the job of being an F1 driver meant he embraced public relations and media work, he does not think it an issue that Raikkonen dislikes some of the off-track tasks.

"With the knowledge and experience he has, and the mind management he has, he doesn't care about PR, journalists or interviews. He doesn't want to do them.

"If you ask him a silly question, you get a straightforward answer. I like Kimi a lot. I can't count him as a friend, and the friends he brings along are pretty unusual. But Kimi is doing fine the way he is."

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minimark · Jan 12, 2013

Actually Kimi has evolved over time and now his no bull, dry comments are almost refreshing and comical...

He is at his best in an F1 car after all!

Steve · Jan 15, 2013

Ecclestone: NÃ¼rburgring race unlikely (GPUpdate.net)

15 January 2013

Bernie Ecclestone says a race at the NÃ¼rburgring is extremely unlikely in 2013, with talks between the Formula 1 supremo and the German venue appearing to fall through. The 82-year-old is certain that a Grand Prix will take place in the country this season, but a host circuit is still yet to be officially announced.

"No," Ecclestone is quoted as saying by ESPN when asked if the NÃ¼rburgring is likely to host the 2013 German Grand Prix. "The trouble is that the people that used to be there have gone. They haven't got enough money. So we will see."

Despite the situation, Ecclestone is adamant that the Formula 1 fraternity will make a visit to Germany in 2013, with a venue now due to be chosen in-season.

"We have got a German Grand Prix but we don't know where it is going to be," Ecclestone explained. "We have got the race pencilled in. It's on the calendar. We can decide it once the season has started."

Ecclestone previously stated that he would be willing to front the cost of hosting a race at the NÃ¼rburgring, but this no longer appears to be the case. The most likely replacement is the Hockenheim circuit, with a venue spokesperson confirming to GPUpdate.net last month that it would be open to organising the event in 2013.
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Steve · Jan 16, 2013

Ferrari rules out Alonso/Vettel line-up in the future (AutoSport.com)

By Jonathan Noble | Wednesday, January 16th 2013, 11:09 GMT

Ferrari has ruled out the prospect of a 'dream team' line-up of Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel.

The Italian outfit has made no secret of the fact that Vettel is a driver that it is interested in for the future when Alonso retires, but there has been speculation that the Formula 1 world champion could do a deal even sooner and race alongside the Spaniard.

Speaking at Ferrari's Wrooom media event at Madonna di Campiglio in Italy on Wednesday, team principal Stefano Domenicali reckoned having two top talents like Alonso and Vettel would not necessarily be a good thing.

"We have always said, and I think that the president [Luca di Montezemolo] also declared, that a dream team is something extraordinary if it is well managed and if things work well," he said about the prospects of Vettel being signed as a future team-mate of Alonso.

"For now, I think that this is not our goal. We have to maximise the balance of our performance of the team. We must be very careful.

"It is not just in F1 because it is true also in the world of sport. If you put all the number ones together around the table it can be more damaging than positive. So for the time being, this is not our goal."

Domenicali also said that Alonso will respond to criticisms from Red Bull's Helmut Marko that he is 'too political' only on the track.

Marko caused a stir earlier this month when he suggested that Sebastian Vettel had gained a decisive edge in the world championship because he had not dabbled in the political games that he reckoned Alonso wasted time with.

Domenicali said he was completely happy with Alonso's approach to his job with Ferrari.

"Honestly, I think Fernando is extremely focused on performance and, as always, there are some persons who think they can stimulate reactions in others - to try to tickle them, to attack what they think, and that they may be weaker," said Domenicali.

"But from my viewpoint I can assure you that my focus is to give an answer, a response, on the race track rather than with words - because words don't count for much.

"We are simply going to try and answer to all this by being strong and being in front."
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Steve · Jan 16, 2013

Pedro is back in the F1 biz.

De la Rosa gets Ferrari development role (GPUpdate.net)

16 January 2013

Pedro de la Rosa has signed a deal with Ferrari to act as one of its development drivers throughout the 2013 Formula 1 season. The outfit, which is currently holding its annual Wrooom event in the Dolomites, announced the news on Wednesday.

De la Rosa was left on the sidelines at the end of last year when HRT was forced to close its doors. The 41-year-old recently explained that he was in no rush to finalise a test and reserve deal, but eyed an agreement with a 'top team'. The Spaniard's duties at Ferrari, alongside compatriot Marc GenÃ©, will include simulator work.

After more than a decade of Formula 1 involvement, de la Rosa has represented the Jordan, Arrows, Prost, Jaguar, McLaren, Sauber and HRT outfits. His personal best result in the sport came at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix, where he finished third.
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Alan · Jan 17, 2013

View of CotA from inside a R53:

[ame="http://youtu.be/X8L15cYM4XI"]CotA Jan 12 2013 Afternoon Session[/ame]

[ame="http://youtu.be/MkSUz1rCcAM"]CotA Jan 13 2013 Morning Session[/ame]

[ame="http://youtu.be/u7AnW_7gLCM"]CotA Jan 13 2013 Afternoon Session[/ame]

Alan · Jan 18, 2013

Then I'll see you in June:

Texas Trifecta

Minidave · Jan 18, 2013

Actually, I'm going to be there mid May, for the Aussie supercar series, so I can't quite make it back again so soon, since I'm about 11-12 hour drive away.

This looks like a fantastic event!

Steve · Jan 19, 2013

New Williams to miss first test (Crash.net)

Williams has announced that its 2013 F1 car won't appear in the opening test of the year after confirming the launch date for the FW35.

The Grove-based team will reveal the car on 19 February at Catalunya ahead of the second group test of the season â€“ making it the first team to confirm that its new machine won't be on track for the Jerez test, that runs from 5-8 February.

Instead, the team will run the FW34 for the first on-track session of the year with a number of key development parts fitted ahead of the launch of the FW35.

The car will however run in its 2013 livery for the Jerez test.

Williams will field a new line-up this season, with test driver Valtteri Bottas moving into a race seat alongside Pastor Maldonado.

F1 2013 Launch Dates:

McLaren 31 January TBC
Ferrari 1 February Maranello
Force India 1 February Silverstone, UK
Sauber 2 February Hinwil, Switzerland
Red Bull Racing 3 February Milton Keynes, UK
Mercedes 4 February Jerez
Toro Rosso 4 February Jerez
Williams 19 February Catalunya

F1 2013 Winter tests:

Jerez test 5-8 February
Barcelona test 1 19-22 February
Barcelona test 2 28 February-3 March
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Zapski · Jan 22, 2013

Interesting, if true.

Mercedes want to replace team principal Ross Brawn as part of a restructure aimed at improving the team's performance.

The proposal is to replace Brawn, who masterminded Michael Schumacher's seven world titles at Benetton and Ferrari, with two new appointments.

New executive director Toto Wolff is the first of these and he has agreed a deal to bring in McLaren technical director Paddy Lowe.
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Full article below. Worth a read.

BBC Sport - Formula 1: Ross Brawn role at Mercedes under threat

minimark · Jan 22, 2013

Every dog has his day....

Tis hard to find and possess that elusive chemistry that Brawn, Micheal and Ferrari had....it is like smoke in a bottle.

Steve · Jan 22, 2013

There's interrelated (and, to me, somewhat confusing) speculation swirling around in that article. Similar articles are just as speculative IMHO. Given all the attention being paid to Wolff, I'd like to better understand his actual new role. That's a bit confusing to me since he's being called both the F1 Team's Executive Director and Motorsport Director for all of Mercedes. The former seems more likely since his move comes along with a 30% stake in the F1 team but some of his comments as quoted make it sound more like his role goes much further than F1. Maybe he gets both titles?

Steve · Jan 22, 2013

Kubica set for DTM test with Mercedes (GPUpdate.net)

22 January 2013

Robert Kubica will test a DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupe later this week. The outing, confirmed by newly-signed Executive Director Toto Wolff on Tuesday, comes after the Polish driver's encouraging string of rally results at the end of 2012.

Wolff, who is looking after the entire racing division at Mercedes-Benz, says the main purpose of the test will be to assess Kubica's condition in a car with a significant level of downforce, admitting that the 28-year-old still has progress to make.

"We all like Robert, he's very special," said Wolff. "I think what we want to do at Mercedes-Benz is give him a chance of doing a proper test in a proper racing car, seeing how he goes and how he feels. He's not 100 percent fit yet. It's the first time he's in a car with downforce. I think we have to take it from there."

Although the test will be a major step in Kubica's rehabilitation, Wolff says 'it is definitely too early' to think about organising a Formula 1 outing with the team.

"I think there are still some physical constraints to driving a monocoque chassis, with his elbow and his arm," Wolff added. "I think we would all love to see Robert doing well in a Formula 1 car in the future, but it is definitely too early at this stage."

Kubica competed in Formula 1 from 2006 to 2010, becoming the first ever Polish driver to claim a race victory with BMW Sauber at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix.
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Steve · Jan 22, 2013

Speaking of DTM tests, since Glock lost his Marussia seat he's available as well, so why not? Now that BMW has returned to DTM and it's more than just a 2-make series, interest seems to be growing.

Glock secures DTM test outing with BMW (GPUpdate.net)

22 January 2013

Timo Glock will get behind the wheel of a BMW M3 DTM car in Valencia this week, ahead of a possible switch to the series. The German, who announced his exit from the Marussia F1 Team on Monday, will take part in the marque's first test of the year.

Following Glock's departure from Marussia, where he has spent the past three seasons, speculation began to rise over a future move to the DTM championship. Having been a member of the BMW family while climbing the motorsport ladder, this week's DTM outing marks somewhat of a return for the 30-year-old driver.

"We are pleased to be able to offer Timo Glock the opportunity to get to know our BMW M3 DTM in Valencia," said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt, who reunites with Glock after their Toyota F1 days. "Timo has demonstrated his driving ability over many years, particularly in F1. It is made all the nicer by the fact that he is, to a certain degree, returning to his roots in testing for BMW Motorsport."

Glock, who has raced single seaters for his entire career, added to Marquardt's words, explaining that he is 'very excited' about the opportunity to test DTM machinery.

"I have fond memories of my time with BMW Motorsport and am very excited about testing the BMW M3 DTM," said Glock. "Furthermore, I am bound to see a few familiar faces in Valencia from my previous time with BMW. I am really looking forward to it."

BMW, which won both DTM titles with Team Schnitzer and Bruno Spengler during its comeback year of 2012, has announced seven of its eight drivers for the new season.
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Steve · Jan 22, 2013

Mexico targets return to calendar in 2014 (GPUpdate.net)

Mexico's preparations to host a Grand Prix again are gathering pace, with extensive renovation work expected to begin at the AutÃ³dromo Hermanos RodrÃguez circuit in the near future. According to JosÃ© Abed, a Vice President of governing body the FIA, the changes will be completed in time for a return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2014.

"We have plans ready to improve the AutÃ³dromo Hermanos RodrÃguez circuit and, after these changes are finished, Formula 1 can return in 2014," Abed, who was the self-promoter of the former race from 1986 to 1992, explained to Mexican media.

Abed went on to outline the costs involved in the country’s bid for a Formula 1 race, with a total of 50 million dollars expected for circuit tweaks and initial hosting fees.

"The investment required at the track is around 20 million dollars and the financial settlement, which goes to Bernie Eccclestone, is about 30 million dollars," he added.

Mexico will be represented by newly-signed McLaren driver Sergio PÃ©rez and Sauber’s Esteban GutiÃ©rrez this season. The country, which has created one Grand Prix winner in Pedro RodrÃguez, hosted a race between 1963-1970 and 1986-1992.
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Steve · Jan 23, 2013

Still optimistic, good for him.

Robert Kubica expects Formula 1 return despite his rally crash (BBC.co.uk)

By Andrew Benson, Chief F1 writer | 23 January 2013

Robert Kubica insists he will return to Formula 1 despite being seriously injured in a February 2011 rally crash.

The Pole, who is testing a DTM German touring car on Thursday, is fighting to recover sufficient mobility in the right arm that was partially severed.

"I still believe I can come back," Kubica told F1 Racing magazine.

"It's not just a dream. Right now I have limitations driving single-seaters but they are less than they look from the outside."

The 28-year-old has limited movement in his right arm, which prevents him from rotating his wrist and forearm in the way he would have to in an F1 cockpit.

The problem can be surmounted in a rally car, in which he has been racing recently, and a touring car because there is more space to have his arm out to the side and use his shoulder.

"Things are improving," Kubica told the magazine, which is out on Thursday, in his first major interview in two years. "It wasn't like this six months ago and it wasn't like this three months ago.

"And thanks to rallies and tests on the race track, slowly my condition is improving - but there is still a long way to go.

"When I have two arms on the steering wheel and I can operate everything on it, I don't notice a difference.

"The strength in the arm is not what it was but if that was the only problem then two months in the gym could solve it.

"The bigger problem is the limitation in the supination and pronation [rotational turning movement] of the arm and the limited functionality in my fingers.

"But I'm convinced this will come back slowly; nerves need a lot of time and I see progress even if it's slow. I am quite sure this will beâ€¦ not fixed, but not a big problem."

Kubica said his DTM test, which will take place at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia in Spain, was "important" because it will be his first outing in a racing car with significant downforce since his accident.

He adds in the magazine: "Day by day, rally by rally and test by test I see fewer limitations and my goal is one day to drive properly. I don't think pace will be a problem.

"When I drive it takes concentration and I forget my body's limitations. With the damage I have, I cannot (ever) achieve 100% of what I had before - but I hope to improve.

"If the limited pronation and supination were fixed 80%, I would say 'yes' to coming back to F1."
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minimark · Jan 24, 2013

Sounds like he has come a long way!!

Steve · Jan 24, 2013

I was wondering whether they would keep the new rule designed to hide the stepped noses that came along last year. I honestly can't believe they decided they need this thing. At least it's not compulsory. The idea is that if a team wants a way to keep the stepped nose design because it's the best solution given other rule constraints, they can fit this panel to hide the broken nose. It's a rule that details, for the vain teams who care, the amount of non-performance adding (in theory) nose job plastic surgery allowed in an area beyond where any part of the car is supposed to extend.

The part they did scrap -- presumably because they noticed how much some of us were pointing and laughing -- is calling it a "modesty panel." :lol: It's now a "non-structural fairing."

Technical F1: Goodbye to stepped noses (GPUpdate.net)

24 January 2013

Formula 1 is entering a transitionary year in terms of the regulations, with significant rule changes set for introduction at the end of 2013. To kick-start a new series of technical features, GPUpdate.net takes a look at the removal of 'stepped noses', with teams now permitted to place a panel over the unpopular design trait.

The history of Formula 1 noses

The nose height reached the level of the front wing before 1991, but in that season the Benetton team (now Lotus) launched the first modern Formula 1 car with a raised nose, allowing the front wing to hang under the nose cone via two pylons. Since then, nose heights have become higher and lower and vice versa, with the design variations depending on technical rule changes from season to season.

In 2001, new regulations forced an increase of the front wing height from ground level by a total of 10cm, hypothetically suiting a higher nose. However, this was only in theory, because the spoon curved front wings surpassed the need for a high nose, instead favouring the shorter â€˜bananaâ€™ designs.

Ferrari and Sauber were the two teams who pioneered the spoon feature, while Minardi presented the so-called â€˜dolphinâ€™ or â€˜crocodileâ€™ nose which started as a thick design but later became very thin at its tip. The â€˜dolphinâ€™ nose was a promising feature, one which McLaren chose to adopt some years later.

2012: Birth year of the stepped noses

In 2009, new technical rules stripped the car body of aerodynamic add-ons and restricted the diffuser volume; this forced the teams to develop a more aggressive design philosophy, building a higher chassis to the upper limit of the regulations.

Such an approach raised safety concerns, because the higher noses could potentially penetrate the cockpit and cause harm to the driver in an accident. Governing body the FIA soon reacted to the situation and made technical changes which forced the teams to adopt lower noses in 2012. This gave birth to the so called â€˜stepped nosesâ€™.

The nose starts at 450 mm wide (Point A) and gets narrower where the nose box meets the chassis (Point B, also called the bulkhead), which is only 300 mm wide. The nose then drops down steeply to meet the maximum height of 550 mm over a distance of 150 mm from Point B. After Point C, the nose becomes wider until its tip in order to allow the maximum amount of airflow under the front of the car.

Almost all of the teams adopted the â€˜steppedâ€™ design ahead of the 2012 season, with only McLaren and Marussia choosing to follow the path of the lower â€˜bananaâ€™ nose. However, McLaren took it one step further by introducing a higher hybrid nose later in the year. The advantages and disadvantages of each design are summarised below:

Stepped nose
Advantages: Greater flow of air under the chassis and thus better aero efficiency.
Disadvantages: Increase in centre of gravity (COG), uncomfortable driver position.

Banana nose
Advantages: Better front suspension geometry and thus enhanced mechanical grip.
Disadvantages: Poorer airflow under chassis, negative interaction with the front wing.

Hybrid nose
Utilises the strong points of each design.

2013: A goodbye to 'ugly' noses

To improve the aesthetic appeal of the cars in 2013, the FIA reached a compromise with all of the teams and it was ultimately decided that a non-structural fairing of prescribed laminate could be fixed on the nose surface to cover the stepped element. The new article, coded 3.7.9. in the sport's rulebook, dictates that the fairing should consist of a single part and outlines the allowed dimensions and characteristics.

Article 3.7.9:

'With the exception of an optional, single piece, non-structural fairing of prescribed laminate (whose precise lay-up may be found in the Appendix to the regulations) which may not be more than 625mm above the reference plane at any point, no bodywork situated more than 1950mm forward of rear face of the cockpit entry template may be more than 550mm above the reference plane.

'The external surface of any longitudinal or lateral cross section taken through the above fairing may contain no concave radius of curvature less than 50mm.'

The fairing is simply aimed at improve the "beauty" of the cars, and any attempt to create aerodynamic advantage is discouraged. Additionally, the fairing is optional and not obligatory for the teams. However, important details about how the fairing is placed on the nose cone and its internal structure are still grey areas. Designs such as Sauberâ€™s, which feature a nose hole, may be enhanced by these fairings.
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Full article and a couple more pics here.

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