F1 Most liked posts in thread: F1 - 2013

It's just testing so no one should be paying too much attention to details other than reliability or lack thereof. For reference I checked on the Jerez lap times from last year and the quickest was Rosberg (1m 17.613s) ... but that was driving the 2011 Merc so it doesn't count. Quickest lap in a then new 2012 chassis was Grosjean's 1m 18.419s.

Massa quickest on third day at Jerez (GPUpdate.net)

Massa: Button's lap time still incredible (GPUpdate.net)

 

It's an eventful testing season so far. Today (day 4, final day at Jerez) the Ferrari caught fire, no details yet on what caused it.

Ferrari catches fire as de la Rosa debuts (GPUpdate.net)

 

Kovalainen lost his seat for 2013. Here's a suggestion, follow in Räikkönen's footsteps...apparently he has a gift.

Kankkunen tells Kovalainen: try rally (iRallylive.com)

 

Bernie Ecclestone Tries To Dodge U.S. Bribery Lawsuit (MotorAuthority.com)

 

I'm sure he's referring to the Bernie-centric article in post 219.

 

Don't know whether there's a succession plan but I don't expect it to make much difference. The cynic in me says Bernie probably doesn't have complete control of naming his successor but those who do will want another money-grubber who, like Bernie, is only interested in F1 as a show that warrants the charging of exorbitant prices (to fans and race hosts) and rakes in huge profits to line the pockets of current rights holders.

I don't fault someone for wanting to make money, but the wishful thinker in me wishes those in charge would think of the administration of F1 more like a non-profit where sport, racing, great venues, etc, trump all else. I know, pure fantasy these days. I can't imagine they'll pick someone even worse than Bernie fingerscrossed but even if they pick someone with a greater interest in the sporting side he'll likely be hamstrung by big banker expectations.

[/cynical rant]

 

According to a story on Jalopnik, Nico Hulkenberg is having a problem with the new Sauber. The front of the car's monocoque is so narrow that his feet are too big to efficiently operate the pedals. Once it passes the required crash tests the monocoque can't be altered without starting the tests over from scratch...and Nico is probably a bit reluctant to have his relatively large feet altered...so, they're apparently shaving down his shoes. I suppose they'll save a few grams of weight in the process.

 

That was quick! Williams just unveiled their 2013 car this morning (pics to come).

'Caterham and Williams exhausts illegal' (GPUpdate.net)

Here's the Williams exhaust exit:

 

Since this exhaust biz is an ongoing issue and the typical assumption is that the FIA's associated rules are very detailed and complex, here's BBC News Chief F1 Writer Andrew Benson's relatively simple explanation of the basics as they apply to Williams and Caterham. The key is this simple line: "... the sides of the channel down which the exhausts can run may not converge - ie the sides of the U-shape have to be either vertical or slope outwards."