Icemark

I don't know... I'd like to see open engine selection all together again like back in the 80's

There were teams running big inline 4 cyl (Hart BMW), flat 6's, V6's, V8s... It was open.

SHOWOFF

The cars will be running on a higher percentage of bio-fuel as the seasons progress. 2.2 L Turbo V-6 engines are in the near future, you'll also see some type of Hybrid Powertrain and possibly all wheel drive. I think it's silly that the FIA has speed limited the current engine to 19,000 RPM when the current 2.4L is capable of an easy 22,000. I understand that they are "doing this in the name of safety" but in actuality if a team can't be competitive then they will drop out of the championship and therefore they won't be generating revenue for the FIA. These teams that would drop out because they don't have the budget aren't really capable of keeping up at the current pace of technology. How do you fix it? Introduce a freeze on powertrains and they'll eventually catch up to the rest of the pack.

I understand the banning of launch control, it was really stupid to see people sitting dead on the grid because their launch control failed. Traction control however is a safety item for poor conditions. It won't save a bad move, but it'll keep someone from completely losing control and taking out the rest of the field. It was really strange to see how differently the cars sound in person when the TC was active in the corners at Indy.

Slicks will definitely change the game. There was a short segment on Speed Report the other day that showed someone - I think it was Timo Glock - running on the new slick tire.

As for the Ferrari Moving floor, it was tested and passed. It was within the regulations. The FIA also said that they got sick of Ron Dennis and his bitching so they changed the rules. It's kind of like how Mazda dropped the 787B from Le Mans because they changed the regulations and the Rotary engine couldn't be used. It was also because they couldn't be beaten. It's an easy way to stop Ferrari too. Change the rules so the things only they were creative enough to dream up can't be used because no one else is innovative enough to think of things on their own. Ferrari set the bar in this case, but the FIA gave the competition a stepstool so they could get to it as well.

This is from the May 2007 FIA meeting for proposed changes to the formula for 2011. It may seem really far off, but 3 years isn't that long.
http://www.paddocktalk.com/news/html..._Framework.pdf

I'm just sad that I never got to see/hear the V-10's in action in person.

SHOWOFF

Dammit Ron, quit being sucky a bloody ******! You're making me look bad.


Ron, it's so nice not being able to hear you cry like a baby.

SHOWOFF

Yessss! I Can Has Mooving Florz!

mike1324a

The best way to limit things on the grid would be a simple budget cut imo. That way more teams can get in if they would like to. At the same time it would hinder engineering so they will have to be smarter with the money they have. Development wont quit it will just be forced to be cheaper which i think will be a better then cuting it off.

morkusyambo

Whether its by budget cut, technology freezing, or making rules as they go along, anything that limits innovation in F1 is upsetting to me.

RX26b

I didn't realize there was so many different configurations of 4s and 6s being utilized back in the turbo years. Also didn't know that Brian Hart collaborated with BMW - I thought he was independent. Even remember in the mid 90s when he was putting out a pretty impressive V10 for Eddie Jordan given his measly $10 million/yr budget.

Seems like two and a half decades ago not many engine suppliers opted to go the normally aspirated route for their powerplants; and if they did they fell quite short of the output of some of the "monsters". IIRC, the last year of the turbos boost was cut drastically and the year after 3.5 liters were putting out roughly the same power, so that kind of puts into perspective a few years prior when the wicks were turned up somewhere in the 60+ psi range and at those levels the drivers couldn't use full throttle -without getting big time wheelspin - until after 150mph. One and a half liters, turbo'd...staggering; for the time, making double the power as engines over twice the size. I, too, would like to see history repeat, or at least make a partial return. And we haven't even brung up the fact about how ugly the present day cars are .

SHOWOFF

I second that. There are just too many little winglets and crap all over the car. I love this era of F1 cars. No Frills.

BlueRenesis82

Can you tell me where exactly they FIA said they changed the rules because of Ron Dennis's "bitching"? That would be a great read!
Oh and if you think that Ferrari does everything totally on their own with no help from the FIA you are a fool.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Wow, I never knew you had an absolute hatred for Ferrari.

BlueRenesis82

I don't, but I dislike when people hold then up on a pedestal, and talk about all their marvelous achievements, and how nobody else could possibly do better and blah blah blah. Good team yes, but I don't think they deserve all the nutswingers that they have.

IB Tim

Hum.....me thinks your words do not support you views

SHOWOFF

They are the winningest team EVER IN THE HISTORY OF F1.

EVER.

There is no one better right now nor has there ever been someone that has taken this marvelous achievement from them.

When you are number one for so long everyone wants to take you out. Everyone hates you.

I also don't just like Ferrari to be a part of the in crowd like some others. I have family from Maranello and Fiorano. I grew up watching races with my grandfather.

BlueRenesis82

Well, when you are in the sport longer than anyone else I guess I could see how they could be the best team stat wise, but I still don't see why they rate having their own rep in the FIA council, when NO OTHER team has one. Well, that and Max having a Ferrari for every day.

A coincidence I am sure.

morkusyambo

I love the way the cars look these days. Its also cool to know that if one little piece of bodywork gets even slightly tweaked, the whole aero package can be thrown off.

T.T.

I completely agree. I used to be against it, but now I firmly believe that budget cuts are the way to go. I would rather have a good show with 22 cars racing each other than 7 second gaps in what could be called a parade race. I still like the sport, I just want more competition.

IB Tim

Budget cut...will it really work?

BlueRenesis82

Well, the FIA tried the V8 route, they tried the control tire route, I don't know what else is left to them.

jdoo

Toyota shareholders will be pleased. Its not like budget cuts over there could hurt performance.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Flat bottoms and narrower harder compound tires. With this type of tire, there will be less garbage off line on the track and may make passing easier.

IB Tim

.....OUCH....but funny

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.a...41696&PO=41696

The schedule for Formula 1’s first night race in Singapore has been confirmed – with both second practice and qualifying to also take place after dark.

The sport’s first floodlit event at the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix on September 28 is already one of the most eagerly anticipated aspects of the forthcoming 2008 season.

F1’s governing body, the FIA, has now confirmed that in addition to the race itself, Friday’s second practice session and Saturday qualifying will also take place at 8pm local time.

Singapore’s maiden race is taking place on a new street circuit, so to give the drivers time to learn the track in the light, first practice will start at 4pm in the afternoon with Saturday’s final practice from 5pm.

nu2rx8

I think the FIA should standarize all aero effects ifo the footbox and behind the rear axle. Then allow much more design creativity to the underside of the car and the rear diffuser. I'd even let them experiment with the fan car design.

Generating downforce ala venturi tunnels instead of all the rediculous little flexiwings, wing-lets & flip-ups, should cut down on dirty air which in turn would allow more side by side racing. Also, this should keep the recent trend of heavily sculpted side pods intact as they are esthetically pleasing. Besides this is auto racing if I wanted to watch a sport where wing efficiancy is the key to performance I'd tune into the Red Bull Air Race.

BTW... alnielsen love the idea for even harder, narrower tires. The current control tier is still way too soft.

morkusyambo

I think we should wait and see how driving w/out T/C affects competition this year before discussing drastic changes to the aero packages.

I'll need to caveat that with the fact that not much seems to have changed with Mclaren and Ferrari lapping a full second quicker than the rest of the field at the latest testing session.

BlueRenesis82

Well, it is testing, you can't take those times as gospel.