motor

blue8 · 11-26-2008, 09:25 AM

Disturbing news:

Bernie Ecclestone has declared that his controversial medal system to decide the Formula One world drivers' champion will be introduced next year.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72254

He says it's not official yet but it's expected to be ratified and implemented next year!

Mattk · 11-26-2008, 10:30 AM

When everyone is banging on about levelling the playing field, having all 20 cars compete for the gold medal will be disastrous for those teams who will never come close to winning and are separated by the number of points via consistent finishes.

silentm · 11-26-2008, 12:07 PM

yeah i don't get it at all. now only the top 3 will get a reward and the rest will just be told to fuck off? then drivers like heidfeld and kubica who were really consistent during the season would have absolutely nothing out of this, it's just ridiculous

Mattk · 11-26-2008, 09:05 PM

^Exactly. BMW will be the biggest loser in all this. Over the past two years, they've been in a great position to challenge the top two teams. Now, it will be much more difficult. The other teams may as well just not waste their money and go away. If you want to value a victory more, then simply award more points relative to minor placings.

styla21 · 11-26-2008, 09:38 PM

I'll play devils advocate.. This part actually has some logic to it:

"This year, we saw on a number of occasions Lewis not overtaking Massa for that reason," said Ecclestone. "If he'd driven for me, tried it and made a mistake, I would have complained. It's just not on that someone can win the world championship without winning a race."

Mattk · 11-26-2008, 09:43 PM

Yes, it would be logical if it were more true. Hamilton won five races, only one fewer than Massa. Hell, they were only separated by a single championship point. Over all those races, that's nothing. Towards the end, Hamilton eased off a bit, but he still did his fair share of winning across the season. But I think that's a localised issue. At the end of the day, this goes completely against the notion of levelling the playing field - something almost all policies have been geared towards.

turpija · 11-27-2008, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by Mattk

^Exactly. BMW will be the biggest loser in all this. Over the past two years, they've been in a great position to challenge the top two teams. Now, it will be much more difficult. The other teams may as well just not waste their money and go away. If you want to value a victory more, then simply award more points relative to minor placings.

bmw's drivers(Kubica) would have been the biggest loser if this medal thing was introduced in this 2008 season, the medal idea is only applyed to driver championship not the constuctors championship.
but I think that this will only help bmw to rule the next season becouse they are belived to developed the Kers and new f1 car the most becouse of their early switch on 2009 season developments

styla21 · 11-27-2008, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by turpija

bmw's drivers(Kubica) would have been the biggest loser if this medal thing was introduced in this 2008 season, the medal idea is only applyed to driver championship not the constuctors championship.
but I think that this will only help bmw to rule the next season becouse they are belived to developed the Kers and new f1 car the most becouse of their early switch on 2009 season developments

Agreed

bluedemon · 11-27-2008, 10:10 PM

A medal system is a good idea..... wait no it isn't, because only the top three will play any part in the actual championship. It wouldn't work at all, so lets hope that the teams will not agree to this, or we will see the end of F1. Funny thing is when you first hear of it, it almost sounds like a good idea but then you think about it for more then a second and you realize that the poor guys who come in 4-8 all the time will no longer be racing for anything. So what would be the point.

styla21 · 11-28-2008, 12:57 AM

Bluedemon, I understand what you are saying.
I also understand the logic behind Bernie's proposal. It forces racers to RACE - not just adopt a conservative fuel strategy to come 5th to win a championship.

The idea is that there is also a tremendous rebalancing of power coming up, and the playing field is leveled. Overtaking is encouraged via use of aero-kits that facilitate proper slipstreaming, slick tyres, KERS all the other updates that you are aware of.

It's sort of backwards that at present, someone could actually win a championship, without having ever won a race.

bluedemon · 11-28-2008, 02:47 AM

Originally Posted by styla21

Bluedemon, I understand what you are saying.
I also understand the logic behind Bernie's proposal. It forces racers to RACE - not just adopt a conservative fuel strategy to come 5th to win a championship.

The idea is that there is also a tremendous rebalancing of power coming up, and the playing field is leveled. Overtaking is encouraged via use of aero-kits that facilitate proper slipstreaming, slick tyres, KERS all the other updates that you are aware of.

It's sort of backwards that at present, someone could actually win a championship, without having ever won a race.

That's very true it might just make the racers take more chances when they might normally wouldn't which of course would make the race more exciting and upredicatable, the problem only comes for those cars who are not quite as fast as the rest of the field. But I defianlty see the logic behind Bernie's idea. Maybe if they put in those standard engines then this medal system will go in as well. Should be interesting to see what happens in the next year or so.

blue8 · 12-13-2008, 01:30 AM

From Autosport:
The World Motor Sport Council met in Monaco on 12 December 2008. The following decisions were taken:

FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

The following measures to reduce costs in Formula One have been agreed by the World Motor Sport Council. These proposed changes have the unanimous agreement of the Formula One teams, who have played a major role in their development. The FIA is grateful to the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) and its Chairman Luca di Montezemolo for their incisive contribution.

2009

Engine

Engine life to be doubled. Each driver will use a maximum of eight engines for the season plus four for testing (thus 20 per team).

Limit of 18,000 rpm.

No internal re-tuning. Adjustment to trumpets and injectors only.

The three-race rule voted on 5 November remains in force.

Cost of engines to independent teams will be approximately 50% of 2008 prices.

Unanimous agreement was reached on a list of proposed changes to the Renault engine for 2009; all other engines will remain unchanged. Comparative testing will not be necessary.

Testing

No in-season testing except during race weekend during scheduled practice.

Aerodynamic research

No wind tunnel exceeding 60% scale and 50 metres/sec to be used after 1 January 2009.

A formula to balance wind tunnel-based research against CFD research, if agreed between the teams, will be proposed to the FIA.

Factory activity

Factory closures for six weeks per year, to accord with local laws.

Race weekend

Manpower to be reduced by means of a number of measures, including sharing information on tyres and fuel to eliminate the need for "spotters".

Sporting spectacle

Market research is being conducted to gauge the public reaction to a number of new ideas, including possible changes to qualifying and a proposal for the substitution of medals for points for the drivers. Proposals will be submitted to the FIA when the results of the market research are known.

Note: It is estimated that these changes for 2009 will save the manufacturer teams approximately 30% of their budgets compared to 2008, while the savings for independent teams will be even greater.

2010

Power train

Engines will be available to the independent teams for less than €5 million per team per season. These will either come from an independent supplier or be supplied by the manufacturer teams backed by guarantees of continuity. If an independent supplier, the deal will be signed no later than 20 December 2008.

This same engine will continue to be used in 2011 and 2012 (thus no new engine for 2011).

Subject to confirmation of practicability, the same transmission will be used by all teams.

Chassis

A list of all elements of the chassis will be prepared and a decision taken in respect of each element as to whether or not it will remain a performance differentiator (competitive element).

Some elements which remain performance differentiators will be homologated for the season.

Some elements will remain performance differentiators, but use inexpensive materials.

Elements which are not performance differentiators will be prescriptive and be obtained or manufactured in the most economical possible way.

Race weekend

Standardised radio and telemetry systems.

Ban on tyre warmers.

Ban on mechanical purging of tyres.

Ban on refueling.

Possible reduction in race distance or duration (proposal to follow market research).

Factory activity

Further restrictions on aerodynamic research.

Ban on tyre force rigs (other than vertical force rigs).

Full analysis of factory facilities with a view to proposing further restrictions on facilities.

Longer term

The FIA and FOTA will study the possibility of an entirely new power train for 2013 based on energy efficiency (obtaining more work from less energy consumed). Rules to be framed so as to ensure that research and development of such a power train would make a real contribution to energy-efficient road transport.

An enhanced Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) system is likely to be a very significant element of an energy-efficient power train in the future. In the short term, KERS is part of the 2009 regulations, but is not compulsory. For 2010 FOTA is considering proposals for a standard KERS system. The FIA awaits proposals.

A number of further amendments were adopted for the 2009 and 2010 Sporting and Technical Regulations.

styla21 · 12-13-2008, 03:25 AM

The futures of 2008 teammates Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil are in serious doubt.
Despite both drivers recently claiming they have solid contracts for 2009, Force India boss Vijay Mallya has admitted that the composition of the team’s next race lineup has not yet been decided.
The Indian billionaire said towards the end of last season that both Sutil, the 25-year-old German, and Italian veteran Fisichella will remain with the team in 2009.
But Mallya subsequently struck a technical deal with McLaren-Mercedes, raising speculation that the McLaren-linked drivers Pedro de la Rosa, Gary Paffett or Paul di Resta might be drafted in.
“One McLaren test driver has already tested our car,” he told the BBC. “They bring the McLaren experience with them.
“We haven’t finalised anything on the race seat. I will discuss this issue with McLaren and take this decision at an appropriate time,” Mallya added. - F1fanatic.co.uk

styla21 · 12-13-2008, 03:27 AM

Organisers of the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim have imposed a deadline of March 31, 2009 to decide whether Formula 1 will ever return to the circuit in the country’s south-west.
“The financial package has to be in place by then or else there won’t be any more Formula 1 at the Hockenheimring,” Karl- Josef Schmidt, CEO of the company that runs the venue, told the German news agency DPA.
Schmidt has already said the track can no longer afford to sustain losses incurred by the Grand Prix, even within the current arrangement to alternate the race with the Nürburgring.
Hockenheim hosted the German Grand Prix in July, and is not scheduled to return to the calendar until mid 2010.
Schmidt said federal government support is required.
Stakeholders met in Stuttgart to discuss the situation on Thursday.

Alelanza · 12-27-2008, 09:19 PM

Honda's F1 outfit seems to have found a buyer

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...708425,00.html

Honda will be present on the starting grid in 2009 after the Formula One team was rescued by the world's second richest man.
Italian newspaper La Stampa has reported that Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim has ploughed his cash into the ailing firm after they announced earlier this month that they would withdraw from F1 due to the global financial crisis.
The newspaper did not name its source but claimed that Jenson Button and rookie Bruno Senna would represent the team next year, with veteran Rubens Barrichello as expected dropping out.
"The news is not official as all the details have yet to be formalised," said the paper. "But two things are certain - the team has been saved and the drivers will be Jenson Button and rookie Bruno Senna."
Honda had a disappointing year, finishing ninth in the constructors championship with just 14 points, but the announcement of their withdrawal still came as a shock.
The Japanese company first competed in F1 in 1964 with the latest of its three Grand Prix wins coming via Button's success in Hungary in 2006.
Motorsport in Japan has already been hit by the financial slowdown with Subaru and Suzuki pulling out of the world rally championship.