Germany in less than a week. If they're going to change the tires before Fri practice they need to do something fast. I have a feeling Whitmarsh is right, there's not enough time unless Pirelli happen to have some 2012 spec tires in the warehouse. On the other hand, until Pirelli figure out what was going on no one really knows what needs to change. It could be the tire construction, it could related to teams running left side tires on the right (and visa versa) and/or under-inflating them, it could be a combination or something else...but it's probably the tires... Team bosses want urgent tire action (racer.com)
Certainly doesn't make one want to run out and buy a set of Pirelli's... They weren't just going flat, looked to be sudden and catastrophic de lamination....
As far as cutting the curbs causing the tire failures. Well yes I can buy that to a point. But can you tell me if the curbing was new this year? Most likely not, which begs the question why last year the same tire explosions were absent? Another classic Webber start, & race up through the field. If he could do a decent start I think he'd have a few more victories to his credit. RB sabotaging Webber's car? In F1 anything seems possible. :wink:
Moving on. Silly season started early. As remote of a possibility as it is, I'd love to see Kimi in an RB car. It would make for an interesting dynamic. Also, I am just curious to see how good Vettel would be in comparison to a driver of an equal stature in an identical (at least similar) car. What I'm saying is, Kimi > Webber. Also, Diffy, Hobbs and Matchet, while discussing 2014 specs... There seems to be a perception that RB with Newey's genius are front runners in the aero/over all car design. Discuss...
Well, based on the last 4 seasons you could easily come to that conclusion........ Vettel and Kimi are good friends, and Kimi doesn't care about who's #1 vs #2 status, he's going to drive his race regardless of who's who.....
Yeah, mere mortals (like me) can only infer from past results. Williams did well when he was designing for them, McLaren did well when he was designing for them and RB have done well since they poached him from McLaren. Either it's due largely to his design chops or it's coincidence...or maybe because he has an uncanny ability to predict which team is going to do well next and he jumps ship in time to take advantage. I suspect he's a big factor. Of course he also surrounds himself with other smart people. Neither of which mean RB's 2014 car will be a winner, but it seems like it would be a bit foolish to bet against him.
Tire Failures the result of a perfect storm? A perfect storm of kerb design, track layout, internal shockwaves and low pressures is likely to have caused the British Grand Prix tyre dramas, according to leading Formula 1 engineers. As Pirelli continues analysis of the remains of the tyre blow-outs at its Milan headquarters, preliminary investigations have pointed towards a combination of factors being to blame. Much of the focus during the race was on the kerb layout at Silverstone; with drivers being advised to stay clear of them during the race once it emerged that damage was being done to the tyres. Following feedback from drivers and a first look at the tyres, a closer inspection of the kerbs after the race indicated that there were two areas of the track that were of particular concern. Full article with pictures - Analysis: British Grand Prix Pirelli tyre failure causes - F1 news - AUTOSPORT.com
Kerbs are the same as before. So it's got be be that new glue. I noticed in practice Friday that the tires looked like they were leaning over more than before. Merc can't say they got nothing from the tire test now. As much fun as it would be to see Kimi and Seb on the same team I just don't see it working.
I wonder if the "handedness" of the tires also contributed. The tires are marked for left and right, but some teams, including Mercedes, intentionally run opposite of the markings for arcane wear reasons. Makes me wonder if the other teams that had failures were similarly running wheels the wrong way round? Also, I don't know if anyone else here saw the BBC broadcast, but DC revealed that the kerbs are called "Reverse Bowel Movements" by the drivers.
Actually makes sense, as only rear lefts were exploding, would seem that there had to be some outside assistance and not just a failure of tire design or there would have been other failures.... Still, the design seems a bit fragile to this armchair engineer..
Pirelli permitted to undertake extra tyre tests Sole Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli has been given the green light by governing body the FIA to carry out two unrestricted three-day tests in the wake of the dramatic tyre blow-outs suffered during Sunday's British Grand Prix at Silverstone. With teams and drivers promptly raising safety concerns after the race, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has revealed that he met with FIA President Jean Todt to discuss the string of failures, the pair later agreeing to let Pirelli complete further mileage. Read More - Pirelli permitted to undertake extra tyre tests - GPUpdate.net
The left rears were the only ones to explode, but it was reported that the teams were seeing cuts and damage on all corners.
Well, with more teams getting the same kinds of tests Mercedes got, maybe there'll be an end to the turmoil. Or not.
Pretty sure Lewis would disagree with that statement. Have to admit, was hoping for some more tire excitement during the last several laps. Was surprised that teams were willing to gamble on the mediums.
Webber has an opinion on who might replace him. Webber: Ricciardo 'in box seat' for drive (GPUpdate.net)
A bit of timely video given the Nurburgring is next on the list. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw-USwauS9s]Kimi Raikkonen's Suspension Failure - Nürburgring 2005 - YouTube[/ame]
I can understand this. Maybe the boycott is to get teams some testing which is needed. But isn't this race slower than the race at Silverstone?