Formula 1 Tyres and the boring attitude of the teams

[Chrisbassett]

Just read something on Autosport by James Allison of Ferarri about 18" wheels

"Allison says, that the introduction of the bigger wheels must be planned carefully and with plenty of time, as he warned that teams would need the new tyres at least a year before they are raced in order to develop their cars properly"

FFS, would they really need it that far in advance to be able to do something safely then tune things as they go over the seasons? What on earth is "properly"? Where is the spirit of adventure in these guys, the thrill of rising to a new engineering challenge? I say keep 'em hanging on until 3 months before the start of the season then tell them what they will be using. We'll then see who can develop what wonderful solutions and new ideas to be tried out in public instead of behind closed doors.

It's the namby-pamby attitude of the engineers and team bosses and the bleating of the FIA that got F1 into the position it's in.

</rant>.

 

[highlander]

3 months chris? nah, far too much notice.........the night before and give them all different size wheels just to mix it up a bit.........maybe they could raffle off the sizes the night before

 

[hodroyd]

I'll raise you an 18" for a 19" fella..!!

 

[zagatoes30]

The problem is here that the manufacturers have too much clout with the FIA and the FIA are too cosy with them as they want the big names to pull in the fans.

Teams plan their cars a year in advance based on the rules that have been agreed with the FIA, they use the argument they could make changes faster but it would cost more which is one of the things that the FIA are trying to reduce.

 

[Chrisbassett]

I know, but "wouldn't it be great if" seems to be something said far too often about F1, and wouldn't it be great if all of the engineering breakthroughs in braking, energy recovery, suspension and the rest that can be done with a bigger empty volume in the wheels was done in public view?

 

[allandwf]

Bring back the anything goes , but fitted within a certain wheelbase thinking.

 

[BennyD]

If they put 19" with slicks on one side of the car and 14" with wets on the other I might start watching again as there is too much bollox going on in F1 for my liking. Wheelbase and engine capacity should be the only two non-variables with no ABS, no traction control, no launch control, manual gearbox with a manual clutch and mandatory engine oil leaks. Snipers in the crowd to give it a bit of an edge and Bernie Ecclestone running blindfold around the track with his pockets full of raw sausages being chased by hungry Rottweilers. Now watching that would be a good way to waste a sleepy Sunday afternoon.

 

[Team GCR]

Hi Chris,

I share your frustration in many ways but to be fair to the teams my understanding is the issue with the increasing the wheel size so dramatically is the effect it will have on the aero. Cars fully developed to run on much bigger rims would probably look quite different to todays cars, and because aero is such a big thing it would be a much bigger redesign than was necessary this year with the new power units. Having said that I personally would much prefer a far more open formula.

Kind regards,

Robin

 

[Chrisbassett]

I get it, and I understand that it would take a massive redesign for them to have cars as close to perfection as they would like, and they would like to do days of wind tunnel and fluid dynamics modelling and...etc...all I'm saying is they would do all of that in the off-season behind closed doors, then come out with a set of completed products aimed at each race and we would all be back to where we are now. Well, let's start them all on a development spree at the beginning of the season. Limit wind tunnels and computer modelling and see what they can all come up with as the season of racing takes place. They wouldn't have cars stuck to the ground by air, instead they would need to come up with new solutions and ideas to make the most of what they have...and I bet the racing gets better because of it.

 

[hodroyd]

Wacky Racers Benny..??

 

[BennyD]

Anything to make it more interesting and get the drivers driving. All this KERS and electronic cr4p does my box. It should be more about driving, not electronics management. I appreciate that they are fantastic drivers but the emphasis has changed over the years; just look at the steering wheel, there are more buttons on them than the flight deck of the space shuttle.

 

[highlander]

have to say I agree with benny's sentiments. as the years have passed I have become less and less interested in F1 because it seems to be becoming less about driving and more about tech every year. I realise for some this may peak their interest more.........I'm just not one of the tech enthusiasts

 

[Chrisbassett]

Ideally, it would be back to a simple formula but with rules to limit the aero downforce and make them work on maximising mechanical grip, remove all the electronic toys and maybe limits on exotic and expensive materials...otherwise, it's build a better car and hire a better driver and lets go racing. If a team wants to do energy recovery, let them...maybe it would be popular anyway, but any sport with a rule book thicker than crickets is just f*cked up.

 

[safrane]

Would love to see a formula with standard road cars, race tyres and a roll cage.
No non standard spoilers, materials, power and gearbox units.

 

[hodroyd]

I suppose we have to view F1 as a test bed for the motor industry..!! Cars coming out over say the last 20 years have benefited in some ways due to Formula 1, Technology is something we have to put up with, but invariably the technology is capable of being switched off to some degree, so "drivers" can actually enjoy some of the thrills of yesteryear..!! Think back to what we used to drive as younger people and the technology available then. If I had tried to drive an MGB for example around Brunty, I might have got round, nowhere near as fast and I may well have come off, or at least spun on track, as it was I did not and enjoyed every minute..!! F1 is there to race with what they have been given as a technical guide, they then develop within those parameters the best they can..!! Who would have thought 20+years ago, that someone could get such massive power from a 1.6 engine, that's technology and development..!!

 

[BennyD]

IIRC, the Renault 1.5litre turbos were pushing out well in excess of 1000 bhp back in the late 80s. In qualifying trim they were making closer to 1300 bhp so it looks like they have gone backwards! Plus, again IIRC, they had manual steering, no anti-lock, manual steering and a clutch. Those guys were real drivers.

 

[hodroyd]

I totally agree Benny, but the authorities have enforced a reduction of power output and smaller engine on F1 for a reason..!! We have all gone through the "real drivers" era and know exactly what you mean..!! I once had an old clutch cable go, but got home by matching revs and road speed to change gear without a clutch, all part of the learning curve people don't quite get nowadays..!! Who remembers double de-clutch, you mention that to most and they have no idea what you are talking about..?? We have to progress in a lot of ways we maybe don't appreciate, but that's progress they say..!!

 

[BennyD]

I'm showing my age now but I always double de-clutch when I drive the naggers manual. I do, every now and again, drive clutch less but it can give the gearbox a bit of a jolt on the way down the box which isn't a good thing on a car that's done 216k!

 

[hodroyd]

Hahahaha, but at least you know how to do it..!!

 

[zagatoes30]

BMW 80s F1 cars were producing 1380 BHP in quail trim from 1.5litre so nothing new with the current engines although the later ones don't let go in the same way.

This year has been a bit more interesting as the instant power delivery of turbo and Kers seems to catch even the better drivers out. The drive to cut costs making engines last multiple races has had the impact of the cars being more reliable hence why now most cars finish unless the nut behind the wheel does something silly.

Fixed budgets would be the answer, teams could choose to spend money on engines, suspension, aero, drivers etc. but not all areas. This would drive more innovation than the current efficiency driven rules we have today. Le Mans cars have a more open rule set, different engines, diesel, petrol, 4WD & 2WD etc all allow the cars to differ. Audi have a great race pace but not as fast as the Porsche & Toyotas so you get a hare and tortoise type race.

As I said before the manufacturers have too much sway with the governing body and this is the result. I would like to see to open engine configurations, different tyre manufacturers etc but mostly they need to massively reduce the aero packages. Manufacturers can't argue that big aero packages support their mainstream products when did you last see an everyday road car with blown diffusers, big wings, ground effects etc. More power less grip will sort the men from the boys