F1 2011

[Ivo]

So after the "farce" that was (or wasn't ) Bahrain, the 2011 season is underway. Who have we got our eyes on this year? Who are going to shine; who are going to dive?

I had a dream last night (well, this morning allowing for me oversleeping) about me wanting to go to Sunderland, which is true, and deciding to go via Manchester and not Derby/London because of the TPE Advance prices...

Wait a sec; wrong dream! I also had one about a Grand Prix, not Albert Park but one somewhere (I seem to recall it being Argentina, which is odd given the F1 circus hasn't been there since 1998 I believe!), which promoted the escapades of one Nico Rosberg. Thus, I shall be expecting a fine performance from Nico this weekend; not necessarily a win but something of the highest quality nonetheless.

My Top 10 for Melbourne (not allowing for the high attrition rate in this race, which was the cause for Rosberg's success in my dream)...

1. Webber
2. Vettel
3. Button
4. Rosberg
5. Hamilton
6. Alonso
7. Schumacher
8. Barrichello
9. Massa
10. Petrov

Anyone got any thoughts? And any early tips for the title, ideally without the perennial McLaren bias I would expect from my brother?

 

[Zoe]

Thus, I shall be expecting a fine performance from Nico this weekend; not necessarily a win but something of the highest quality nonetheless.

Don't forget who his team mate is. Nico can quite easily be told that Michael is faster than him.

 

[Ivo]

I know, and this is coming from someone who spent his childhood as a Schumi fan, but my dreams have a nasty habit of coming true. (Albeit normally for bad reasons.) So I am going to stick to my guns, and see what happens. It is worth remembering that Schumacher's best last year was a few 4ths (helped by two idiots called Mark and Seb in the instance where 4th was closest to 3rd), whereas Rosberg could easily have managed at least a podium in Korea. On the other hand, Rosberg has never won (he should have at Singapore '08, of course)...

 

[LE Greys]

Will someone please explain the moveable rear wing I've heard about? Will it be something like the devices used by Graham Hill where the rear wing went up and down using a fourth pedal (which must have been confusing)? I thought that movable aerodynamic devices were (a) banned and (b) dangerous. The f-duct apparently doesn't count, because it doesn't actually move.

 

[Ivo]

Basically the upper half of the rear wing, which is now effectively two separate components, moves upwards to a near-horizontal position, which has the same drag reduction effect as the f-duct (thereby making the car faster). However, it doesn't flex, and is entirely under the driver's control. And, during race conditions (and at all times when at least one car is on intermediate or wet tyres), its use is limited to areas one long straights in which the user is within one second of the car in front.

Essentially, it is a cheap means for Bernie Ecclestone to answer the critics who are saying that F1 does not see enough overtaking. And when used along with KERS, which is back, you get both reduced drag and extra horsepower, which should make overtaking much easier.

This should help: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RB7_adjustable_rear_wing.jpg

 

[Zoe]

Last season was one of the most boring I eve remember. Unless there was a mistake or a failure or team orders then whoever was in the lead at the first corner went on to win the race.

 

[Ivo]

First time I've heard anyone call 2010 "boring" (apart from Bahrain anyway)...

 

[Zoe]

First time I've heard anyone call 2010 "boring" (apart from Bahrain anyway)...

Abu Dhabi was also one of the most boring races I've ever seen.

 

[Ivo]

Oh, um courtesy of my hapless Internet, I didn't see quite a bit of the second half of the season, including all of Abu Dhabi. Says a lot, doesn't it?

I had gone more than three years without missing one race (Canada 2007, when Lewis Hamilton won for the first time, when I was on holiday) before the second half of last year.

 

[Zoe]

Oh, um courtesy of my hapless Internet, I didn't see quite a bit of the second half of the season, including all of Abu Dhabi. Says a lot, doesn't it?

Why not watch it on a TV?

 

[Ivo]

Because we can't get a very good digital signal either, and even so I'm not paying for a TV licence when it would only get used for F1, Top Gear and football...

So I'm having to rely on the Internet, which is fine for Ozland but awkward for others, and then either iPlayer or illegal activity...

 

[Zoe]

Because we can't get a very good digital signal either, and even so I'm not paying for a TV licence when it would only get used for F1, Top Gear and football...

So I'm having to rely on the Internet, which is fine for Ozland but awkward for others, and then either iPlayer or illegal activity...

You need a TV licence to watch broadcast television regardless of which country it originates from. Even with the iPlayer you'd need a licence to watch the F1 live.

 

[Ivo]

I know It means having to not only risk a lousy Internet connection, but also watching the race after it has happened. Which is all very well when the race is in the morning, but for 1pm starts, our Internet is at its worst on Sunday evenings...

Anyway, enough about my hopeless Internet; it won't get resolved any time soon. Not when my housemate (who would be the one to contact Virgin Media) has had to go home because of a relative's ill health... Any thoughts about this season?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Actually, funnily enough, without Holly and one of the others around, it does seem a lot better...!

 

[HST Power]

Well he isn't looking to good for this weekend, but I've been patiently waiting for a long time for Fernando Alonso to take his third title. I know he isn't very popular with a lot of British supporters, but at the end of the day, he's a damn good driver. Fun to watch, passionate, aggresive and a prodigy behind the wheel. He was very unlucky in 2010.

But to be honest, I think Vettel will take it. He was awesome last year, and now he'll be even more confident and determined with one championship under his belt. Red Bull are the ones to beat. As for Mclaren, it's impossible to tell. One day Hamilton will win by ten miles, the next he'll be spinning off track in 20th position.

One things for sure-I'll be forcing myself out of bed to watch it!

 

[rail-britain]

Well, you wouldn't want to follow Sutil...

Interesting that Red Bull have revealed and confirmed they have not used KERS during qualifying
The look on Hamiltons face kind of said it all
Can see the Red Bulls disappearing into the distance

 

[HST Power]

Well, you wouldn't want to follow Sutil...

Interesting that Red Bull have revealed and confirmed they have not used KERS during qualifying
The look on Hamiltons face kind of said it all
Can see the Red Bulls disappearing into the distance

I don't want to, but I agree with you! (about the Red Bulls)

 

[LE Greys]

Basically the upper half of the rear wing, which is now effectively two separate components, moves upwards to a near-horizontal position, which has the same drag reduction effect as the f-duct (thereby making the car faster). However, it doesn't flex, and is entirely under the driver's control. And, during race conditions (and at all times when at least one car is on intermediate or wet tyres), its use is limited to areas one long straights in which the user is within one second of the car in front.

Essentially, it is a cheap means for Bernie Ecclestone to answer the critics who are saying that F1 does not see enough overtaking. And when used along with KERS, which is back, you get both reduced drag and extra horsepower, which should make overtaking much easier.

This should help: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RB7_adjustable_rear_wing.jpg

I've now seen it in action - it's unrestricted in qualifying. Judging by what happened to Sutil (triggering the thing too early and doing a complete 360) it might be awkward if something goes wrong. Imagine the thing failing to close under braking. The car would arrive at the corner backwards at about 120 mph. Still, I can imagine the effect when heading out of the Parabolica at Monza. That's going to make for some dramatic moves into the chicane.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Abd Dhabi was also one of the most boring races I've ever seen.

That has more to do with the circuit than anything else. Anyone remember a dramatic Hungarian Grand Prix?

 

[Zoe]

That has more to do with the circuit than anything else. Anyone remember a dramatic Hungarian Grand Prix?

So it really shouldn't be the final race of the season.

 

[LE Greys]

So it really shouldn't be the final race of the season.

Certainly not when you have a circuit like Interlagos available, but then I suppose that the last race follows the money.

 

[rail-britain]

Then there are the tyres, and the yellow and silver are quite easy to tell apart
However, I am not looking forward to any race where the tyres will be silver and white, it will be quite difficult to tell those apart

 

[HST Power]

Then there are the tyres, and the yellow and silver are quite easy to tell apart
However, I am not looking forward to any race where the tyres will be silver and white, it will be quite difficult to tell those apart

They used to have green ones, to try and show that F1 was eco friendly!

 

[Ivo]

Courtesy of my forgetful and careless housemate, who forgot that she was supposed to be sleeping in a different room last night and therefore sleeping downstairs (her friend is in her room on holiday), I have only just watched Qualifying. What is most annoying is that she decided to come downstairs at 02:55 - just as Third Practice was about to start, thereby causing me to miss it completely (Third Practice is not available on iPlayer for some stupid reason). So I was up until 3am for nothing. Tried in my room later, and of course my Internet can't cope with trying to stream a video at that range. Even though it can cope quite easily in the garden.

Anyway, I had a feeling that Vettel would do well, but as I noted earlier I didn't expect him to take the Pole. What a showing that was...!

Then there are the tyres, and the yellow and silver are quite easy to tell apart
However, I am not looking forward to any race where the tyres will be silver and white, it will be quite difficult to tell those apart

Some chap called Martin seems to think otherwise. Unfortunately for him though, it's "Martin Brundle's Army of One" who agree with him There should be any instances of silver and white, but that's what they said before as well (soft and medium have been seen before). Also, has anyone else heard something about an "extra hard" for Istanbul?

 

[rail-britain]

They used to have green ones, to try and show that F1 was eco friendly!

The green was only for one race, was a complete disaster as the Japanese TV pictures did not show the colour correctly
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

it might be awkward if something goes wrong. Imagine the thing failing to close under braking

Shouldn't be an issue as the default position is closed, the driver presses the button to open, and on hitting the brakes it returns to the default closed position
However during the race the rule about it's use changes, and can only be used when following another vehicle

 

[Dennis]

However, I am not looking forward to any race where the tyres will be silver and white, it will be quite difficult to tell those apart

The silver and white marked tyres will not be used together in the same race. What was Brundles nmenomic for remembering the tyre markings - I've forgotten? :roll:

 

[Ivo]

Something about cutlery?

I'll try to find it...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The answer:

Knife (Silver, Hard); Toast (White, Medium); Butter (Yellow, Soft); Jam (Red, Super-Soft). Does kind of make sense actually; allowing for "softness".

 

[rail-britain]

The silver and white marked tyres will not be used together in the same race

I had looked for a list of the planned tyres, but the list only goes up to the Turkish GP as Pirelli are only supplying tyres in the first three races
However I have managed to find the specification
red or white
and
yellow or silver

 

[Ivo]

I had looked for a list of the planned tyres, but the list only goes up to the Turkish GP as Pirelli are only supplying tyres in the first three races

Come again? I thought they were in for the long haul?

 

[rail-britain]

Come again? I thought they were in for the long haul?

I thought too, but both the FIA and Pirelli websites advise they are providing tyres for the first three years and confirm the compounds for the first three races (was originally the first four) only up to the Turkish GP

The reason being is that during the season there will be a "wildcard" tyre and the FIA has to give them two weeks notice for this
This will result in an "unbranded" tyre in use and at least 40% of the teams have to use it
If they cannot decide then the FIA will allot them, and even if a team had chosen to it could end up not being selected
Rumours are this will be one of the European GPs, where it is more likely to have mixed weather and that the main teams will decline resulting in the lottery

 

[Ivo]

You mean Silverstone?

(More likely Spa, if weather is the key factor.)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Could you provide a link please, or if not how you found it?

 

[rail-britain]

Could you provide a link please, or if not how you found it?

Go to the main FIA website and look up the tyre specification contract for 2011
This confirms Pirelli as the main supplier plus the rules for supply
Then go to the tyres page and there is a paragraph about the branding and that one race will use unbranded tyres

Go to the Pirelli F1 website and they have an article about what tyres they are supplying for the first four races
They then go into more detail why they are only supplying information up to the Turkish GP and on the unbranded tyres they are to supply for one race

Perhaps you have misunderstood what is going to happen
Pirelli will still supply this tyre
However the current ones have Pirelli and P Zero branding on them
For one race this will be removed

This is due to be discussed in more detail during tomorrows BBC 1 coverage