Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/02/29/the-old-masters-at-work/
Alex Blignaut Trevor Blokdyk Mark Blundell Raul Boesel Menato Boffa
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The Old Masters at work
Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is a virtuoso performer on an instrument known as “The Media”. He knows how to use the press perfectly to get what he wants. And when it comes to most of his comments, what he is really after is to have the chattering classes chattering. Talk sells tickets. When he [...]
Double BAFTA success for Senna movie
Senna has won the BAFTA awards for Best Documentary and Best Editing in tonight’s event at the Royal Opera House in London, giving F1 a boost in front of a star-studded audience that included the likes of Brad Pitt, George … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/02/12/double-bafta-success-for-senna-movie/
George Amick Red Amick Chris Amon Bob Anderson Conny Andersson
Dominant car? Great driver? Or a bit of both?
Sebastian Vettel's second world championship title was as remarkable for its control as much as the blinding speed of the German and his Red Bull.
Vettel based his season on a strategy of taking pole position, blitzing the first two laps and from then on going only as fast as he needed to.
The plan generally worked to perfection - Vettel took 11 wins and 15 poles from 19 grands prix - but it left you wondering just how fast he and the Red Bull could have gone.
In Brazil, I asked him if, with the title already in the bag, he had ever been tempted to just go for it, to really push the car and himself to the absolute limits. He replied that he had done just that in Korea and India, the scenes of two of his most dominant wins. "We were able to explore and sometimes take a little bit more risk," Vettel told me.
Despite Vettel's domination in 2011, there were very few of the runaway wins normally seen when one car is superior to the rest. Quite often, the races looked competitive, with Vettel tantalisingly close to - but frustratingly just out of reach of - his leading rivals.
Vettel and team boss Christian Horner often insisted the Red Bull had less of an advantage over McLaren and Ferrari in 2011 than in 2010. Yet Vettel won only five races and recorded 10 poles in 2010 on his way to winning the championship for the first time.
Let's examine the two seasons in a little more detail.
In 2010, Vettel's advantage in qualifying over team-mate Mark Webber was only 0.053 seconds when averaged out over the season. In 2011, it was 0.414. Likewise, Vettel's average advantage over the fastest driver not in a Red Bull was 0.077secs in 2010. In 2011, it was 0.317. That is a massive percentage gain from year to year.
There are reasons why Webber was so far adrift of his team-mate. Unlike Vettel, he struggled with the new Pirelli tyres, which affected both his pace in qualifying and his tyre wear in races.
The Australian is also physically bigger than Vettel so was occasionally at a disadvantage with the car's weight distribution, which again impacted on both his pace and tyre wear.
Turn One, race one; Vettel already has a big lead as the rest squabble. The story of 2011. Photo: Getty
The DRS overtaking aid, which gave drivers within one second of a car in front a boost in straight-line speed, also influenced matters.
But it is the tyres which were key. Asked to produce ones that spiced up racing, Pirelli came up with rubber that wore out rapidly, forcing a greater number of pit stops and resulting in more unpredictable races.
It is also worth looking at Red Bull's race strategy in 2011. The team may have had a car whose aerodynamic superiority made it the fastest by far, but it lacked a little straight-line speed compared to the McLarens and Ferraris. On top of that, I understand Vettel thought some of his rivals were perhaps better at wheel-to-wheel racing.
As a result, Red Bull's strategy was based on Vettel taking pole position, then opening up enough of a gap by lap three to prevent anyone from being close enough to make use of the DRS system, which couldn't be used for the first two laps. After that, he would measure his pace to those behind, producing a super-fast lap or two if he needed to.
Such a strategy did have its risks. If Vettel found himself in the pack during a race, he would have problems overtaking as the car was set up for lap time not straight-line speed. In other words, an error in qualifying or at the start could mess up an entire race.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
Red Bull were caught out a couple of times, notably when Ferrari's Fernando Alonso rocketed to the front on the run down to the first corner in Spain and Italy.
In both cases, Vettel managed to get past again. In Spain, he did it by pit-stop strategy, although it took two attempts, while in Monza he achieved it a brave overtaking move around the outside of the flat-out Curva Grande.
Had it been a McLaren that passed Vettel - a car that was faster than the Ferrari over the lap and down the straights - he might have been sat behind for the entire race.
But team boss Horner was adamant the strategy that Red Bull employed was the right one. "As a team, you have to attack the events," he said. "If you are conservative, sometimes you can pay a penalty. If Vettel was in a situation where he needed a big overtake, yes, a gamble was taken. But it was a calculated risk."
So how dominant was the Red Bull, really?
It had a clear performance advantage in at least nine of the races, of which Vettel won eight - Australia, Turkey, Valencia, Belgium, Italy, Singapore, Korea and India. The other one was Brazil, where he hit trouble.
That leaves five races at which it was not possible to ascertain whether Vettel's was the fastest race car, although it almost certainly was in most of them. They were Malaysia and Monaco, which he won, and China, Canada and Abu Dhabi, which he did not. And the remaining five races where it definitely was not, out of which he won only in Spain.
The first obvious conclusion is that the Red Bull's pace advantage was restricted by the tyres. On many occasions, Vettel could have gone faster but chose not to because he was concerned about over-using the tyres.
At the same time, Red Bull insiders insist Vettel was not always in the fastest car. There were weekends, they say, when they did not think the car was quick enough yet Vettel still managed to put it on pole. Equally, there were times when Vettel was having to drive on the edge to break the DRS and to hold his advantage at the head of the field.
The Pirellis required something new of the driver - an exquisite feel for the limits of the tyres, the intelligence to drive measured races at exactly the pace the tyres and car could cope with and the consistency to do it at every race.
How many drivers could do that?
Jenson Button had a great season for McLaren, finishing second behind Vettel in the standings. The 2009 world champion treats his tyres delicately and, at his best, is as good as anyone. However, his form tends to fluctuate depending on outside circumstances, while he is not the best qualifier.
As for Hamilton, his speed and feel are at least equal to Vettel's but the 2008 world champion struggled in 2011, making too many errors and perhaps not fully grasping the demands of the new F1.
Then there is Alonso. The double world champion boasts speed, consistency, adaptability and mental strength. However, the Ferrari was nowhere near fast enough this year and it's rare that the Spaniard transcends the car's abilities in qualifying, although he nearly always does in races.
That is why, in 2011, Vettel was generally in a league of his own, even on the occasions when his car was not.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/12/sebastian_vettels_second_world.html
Ivor Bueb Sebastien Buemi Luiz Bueno Ian Burgess Luciano Burti
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
INDYCAR: Drivers Keen On Competing Against Barrichello
Adding Rubens Barrichello to the IndyCar Series would be a promotional coup, but its top drivers are more interested in going head-to-head with the F1 veteran.
Source: http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-drivers-keen-on-competing-against-barrichello/
Piers Courage Chris Craft Jim Crawford Ray Crawford Alberto Crespo
'The point of no confidence is quite near'
 The wreckage of Jochen Rindt's car at Barcelona |
?Colin. I have been racing F1 for 5 years and I have made one mistake (I rammed Chris Amon in Clermont Ferrand) and I had one accident in Zandvoort due to gear selection failure otherwise I managed to stay out of trouble. This situation changed rapidly since I joined your team. ?Honestly your cars are so quick that we would still be competitive with a few extra pounds used to make the weakest parts stronger, on top of that I think you ought to spend some time checking what your different employes are doing, I sure the wishbones on the F2 car would have looked different. Please give my suggestions some thought, I can only drive a car in which I have some confidence, and I feel the point of no confidence is quite near.?A little more than a year later Rindt's Lotus suffered mechanical breakdown just before braking into one of the corners. He swerved violently to the left and crashed into a poorly-installed barrier, killing him instantly.
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/09/the_point_of_no_confidence_is.php
Antonio Creus Larry Crockett Tony Crook Art Cross Geoff Crossley
Range Rover Evoque Cabriolet Concept caught with top up
The fact that it has been caught a second time in a different location defies belief and leads one to consider it as a cheap marketing ploy by the Tata-owned British brand.
Colin Davis Jimmy Daywalt JeanDenis Deletraz Patrick Depailler Pedro Diniz
Delphi F1for3 Concept
 |
Delphi has just announced their presence at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show with the first teaser image of a concept car they call the "F1for3." This concept was developed in cooperation with Franco Sbarro and comes "to demonstrate technologies designed to keep drivers connected while on the road."
Delphi has yet to offer any significant details on the concept - we are sure they are waiting for the debut to do that - but they describe it as "a show car that showcases a range of innovative products including smart user interface, world-standard mobile TV tuner and a slim line roof module with integrated reception system." Aside from the technological goodies, the F1for3 was more than likely also designed for high speed because Delphi says it was created to "redefine the in-vehicle experience and make seamless connectivity possible, even when traveling at high speed."
More details about the new Delphi F1for3 concept will be unveiled on March 6th during its official debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, so stay tuned!
Delphi F1for3 Concept originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 28 February 2012 09:00 EST.
Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/others/2012-delphi-f1for3-concept-ar125273.html
Juan Manuel Bordeu Slim Borgudd Luki Botha JeanChristophe Boullion Sebastien Bourdais
2011 Season Review: Renault v Force India v Sauber v Toro Rosso
Some of the most intriguing and captivating battles in 2011 came in the midfield as four teams battled it out for mid-table supremacy. Renault: Renault?s season suffered an early set back as a rally crash in February put Kubica on the shelf for the rest of the season. Petrov and Heidfeld stepped up and they [...]
Patrick Depailler Pedro Diniz Duke Dinsmore Frank Dochnal Jose Dolhem
The FOTA Fans Forum needs to ask the questions that matter | Comment
This is an original article from F1 Fanatic - The Formula 1 Blog If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic - The Formula 1 Blog it is an infringement of copyright.
The point of Wednesday's FOTA Fans Forum is for fans to demonstrate what they want from the sport to those who can influence it.
This is an original article from F1 Fanatic If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/37GCOjuKxd8/
George Amick Red Amick Chris Amon Bob Anderson Conny Andersson
Monday, February 27, 2012
Bentley target 25,000 SUV sales, gets plug-in hybrid
It is rumored that Bentley are intending to unveil an SUV concept at the Geneva Motor Show next week. They will reportedly gauge media and client reaction before deciding whether to confirm it for production or not. 
Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison Fernando Alonso
Range Rover Evoque Cabriolet Concept caught with top up
The fact that it has been caught a second time in a different location defies belief and leads one to consider it as a cheap marketing ploy by the Tata-owned British brand. Bobby Ball Marcel Balsa Lorenzo Bandini Henry Banks Fabrizio Barbazza
2013 Jaguar XF Sportbrake image leaks online
The 2013 Jaguar XF Sportbrake has become the latest model scheduled to appear in Geneva to leak online. The images look a little grainy suggesting it could be pictures taken from a brochure, but they reveal the rear end in its full glory. 
Walt Ader Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers
Five ways to improve F1
 Emerson Fittipaldi in his heyday |
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/11/five_ways_to_improve_f1.php
Eugenio Castellotti Johnny Cecotto Andrea de Cesaris Francois Cevert Eugene Chaboud
Under Pressure: The driver?s who need to deliver in 2012
Whilst Sebastian Vettel had the year of his life, for some of the other frontrunners, 2011 proved to be an unhappy hunting ground. Matthew Roulstone assesses the drivers who need to find form fast in 2012. Three wins and three podiums would be considered by some drivers as an incredible feat but for Lewis Hamilton [...]
Jo Bonnier Roberto Bonomi Juan Manuel Bordeu Slim Borgudd Luki Botha
Williams and Mercedes lead testing mileage as Lotus hit trouble | 2012 F1 testing
This is an original article from F1 Fanatic - The Formula 1 Blog If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic - The Formula 1 Blog it is an infringement of copyright.
Williams have been the busiest team in testing so far, racking up over 3,750km with their FW34.
This is an original article from F1 Fanatic If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/QLfmtSP-qyo/
Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore Bill Aston Richard Attwood Manny Ayulo
Jerobee McLaren M8B
First step on this is to sort out the body and chassis. The instructions are adamant about following them carefully, but I want to make sure the body fits before step 30. I just don’t trust them 100%.
It is in the first coat of primer; once the body work is done I’ll shoot the white for the sides…
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/1002478.aspx
Chuck Daigh Yannick Dalmas Derek Daly Christian Danner Jorge Daponte
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)