Let's kick off the 2010 F1 Season!!

[yeehau86]

2010 season changes
Though not as dramatic as the rule changes introduced for the 2009 season, the revisions for 2010 could still have a significant impact on the teams’ relative performance…

Refuelling
The biggest change for the 2010 season is the banning of refuelling during races for the first time since 1993. Pit stops will not become a thing of the past, however, as drivers still have to use both dry-weather tyre compounds during a Grand Prix. Of course, those stops will now be much quicker, quite possibly under four seconds.

The change requires cars to possess a much larger fuel tank - up from around 80 litres to something nearer 250 - and has a major effect on race strategy, with drivers having to pay more attention to tyre and brake conservation. To accommodate the bigger tank, the cars are likely to feature wider rear bodywork and a longer wheelbase. As a result, the weight distribution will be quite different to that of a 2009 car.

Points system
In place of the previous structure, which saw the top eight drivers scoring 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point respectively, from 2010 the top ten finishers in a Grand Prix score points. The change has been introduced as a result of the expanded grid of 13 teams. Under the new system, the race winner takes 25 points, with 18 and 15 being awarded for second and third places respectively. The next seven finishers will score 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 point respectively.

Weight
The minimum weight of the car has been raised from 605kg to 620kg. The initial thinking behind this was to offset the disadvantage faced by taller, heavier drivers in KERS-equipped cars (the additional weight of the KERS system meant they were left with less flexibility in terms of weight distribution than their lighter rivals). By mutual agreement, however, teams are now not expected to run KERS in 2010.

Narrower front tyres
When slick tyres returned to Formula One racing in 2009, the tyre size remained unchanged. In terms of contact area, this meant that the fronts gained proportionally more grip than the rears. This has been addressed for 2010, with front tyre width reduced from 270mm to 245mm, thus helping to bring back a better grip balance. Also, the ban on refuelling means cars will be around 100kg heavier at the start of a race than in 2009, so Bridgestone will use slightly harder tyre compounds to compensate.

The number of dry tyres available to each driver has been decreased from 14 to 11 sets per weekend and any driver who participates in Q3 must start the race on the same tyres he used to set his grid time.

No wheel fairings
Teams are no longer allowed to use the wheel rim covers that became so commonplace in 2009. Their removal means one less thing to go wrong when pit crews are trying to change of set of tyres in less than four seconds, and could also aid overtaking by making the airflow immediately behind cars less turbulent.

More teams
Twelve teams - 24 cars - will feature on the grid in 2010. This means a slight alteration to the knockout qualifying session, which will now see seven drivers (as opposed to five) eliminated in Q1 and Q2, leaving ten to fight it out for pole in Q3. The ban on refuelling means that cars will qualify on low fuel in all three phases of the session.

Testing
If a team declares that one of their current race drivers is to be substituted by a driver who has not participated in an F1 race in the two previous calendar years, one day of track testing will now be permitted, on an approved circuit not being used for a Grand Prix in the current season. This is to avoid scenarios such as that seen in 2009 when Jaime Alguersuari made his Formula One debut with Toro Rosso having only previously driven an F1 car in straight-line testing.

In another minor change, teams will be allowed six rather than eight days of straight-line aero testing per season. They will also have the option of substituting any of these days for four hours of wind tunnel testing with a full-scale (rather than the normal 60 percent-scale) model.

 

[khoo198]

yeahyyy.....Ferrari 1 2......good job Alonso and Massa

 

[jj.v6]

f1 2010 starts with a bang..wat a race.........

 

[yeehau86]

but it is kinda boring race, not much overtaking due to heavy fuel load and concern to look after the tyres. I guess it will be the same for Malaysia too, overtaking is hard here except turn 1 and the final turn after the main straights.

 

[khoo198]

yup,agree.....the race is kind of boring actually......

 

[yeehau86]

With the difference between the soft and option tyre not much, we can expect teams to do one mandatory pitstop for the whole race. Expect to be lap 20+ since in Sepang the race will be 56 laps if I remembered correctly.

Basically it is impossible to overtake with the current rules, so one driver will be staring at the gearbox of the car infront for most of the race. Overtaking is only possible during pitstops but chances will be very slim since teams have been practicing to do tyre changes for less than 3 seconds in my opinion. Unless someone try to outbrake himself, overtaking will be rare in Sepang this year.

 

[yeehau86]

the race is this weekend

who you think will win this weekend?

 

[khoo198]

Lotus F1Malaysia team gua...:hmmmm::hmmmm:

 

[yeehau86]

Hope won't rain like last year

 

[loose_end]

 

[yeehau86]

that was qualifying? race day there's no rain during the rain, which maybe I think make the race a bit less action. But nevertheless, Vettel won.

 

[TitanRev]

I had some pictures, will post them up....it was a nice race on Sunday...a lot of unexpected things happens....a few cars broke down...might be the heat....

Sat, was more unpredictable. Rain started out small..so some using intermediate tires...then half way to qualifying, rain becomes heavy when some of them still on the track...a few spin out and some change to wet tires. 3rd session was stop temporary as rain was too heavy and strong wind...it was really nice...

 

[yeehau86]

Webber did a good gamble, on the intermediates in Q3, that gives him P1 on the grid. Pity Pedro de la Rosa, didn't manage to make it to the grid due to engine problem.

 

[loose_end]

 

[TitanRev]

On Race Day....1 picture 1st...others lazy to PS today..very tired....

 

[yeehau86]

updates:
FIA is proposing F1 engines to be 1.5 litre turbocharged with KERS for a greener environment

FIA wants early green engine push

By Jonathan Noble Friday, April 30th 2010, 12:40 GMT


The FIA is hoping to push through greener new engine rules before a much-awaited new powerplant is introduced in 2013.

Formula 1 teams are currently trying to reach agreement on a new set of engine regulations to come into force from 2013 - with current thinking edging towards a 1.5 litre turbocharged engine that will feature KERS.

But although such a move to smaller capacity and more fuel-efficient engines will be welcome as the sport tries to become more environmentally friendly, the FIA is hoping that changes can be made before then – perhaps by forcing teams to improve their fuel economy.

Gilles Simon, the FIA's director of powertrain and electronics, said: "We have to try and push forward with fuel efficiency. If, as an engine engineer, I am given a maximum fuel load, I will try to give the driver the maximum horsepower possible, building the most efficient engine I can.

"It is a technical competition and as efficiency is obviously good for road cars, that could be good for them as well. So we want to try to adapt the rules we have in the run-up to the new engine formula."

Simon, who was speaking in the in-house FIA In Motion magazine, thinks it vital that any move to change F1's regulations fits in with where the road car industry is heading.

"Ideally, we would like to understand where road cars will be in five to ten years. We would then create regulations for three years from now to anticipate this. This is the most difficult route because we don't want to impose our own views. We need to have a proper view of where the manufacturers will be.

"After that, we will do what is logical for the different championships. I think that could actually add to the show because with reduced displacement engines and lower torque, you could use additional electrical torque to differentiate between the cars, while at the same time developing and showcasing hybrid technology and performance that will be used in passenger cars."

Simon also thinks the public need better educating about how little carbon is produced from F1 cars when they are actually on track.

"Less than one per cent of an F1 team's carbon footprint comes from running its cars. All the rest is from running the team, and above all, more than 60 per cent of the carbon footprint comes from the electricity they use in their factories and wind tunnels."

 

[yeehau86]

Nine drivers given five-second penalties

By Pablo Elizalde Sunday, June 27th 2010, 16:33 GMT


The FIA has handed five-second penalties to nine Formula 1 drivers for a safety car rules breach during the European Grand Prix.

Jenson Button, Rubens Barrichello, Nico Hulkenberg, Robert Kubica, Vitaly Petrov, Adrian Sutil, Sebastien Buemi, Pedro de la Rosa and Vitantonio Liuzzi have been penalised for "failing to stay above the minimum time set by the FIA ECU when the Safety Car was deployed."

The penalties mean Fernando Alonso is elevated from ninth to eighth, as he overtakes Buemi, and Nico Rosberg gets the final point from de la Rosa, 10th in the race.

The rest of the point-scoring positions remain unchanged.

The stewards also announced a 20-second penalty for Virgin's Timo Glock for ignoring blue flags.

Updated results and standings:

Classified:

Pos Driver Team
1. Vettel Red Bull-Renault
2. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
3. Button McLaren-Mercedes
4. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth
5. Kubica Renault
6. Sutil Force India-Mercedes
7. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari
8. Alonso Ferrari
9. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari
10. Rosberg Mercedes
11. Massa Ferrari
12. De la Rosa Sauber-Ferrari
13. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari
14. Petrov Renault
15. Schumacher Mercedes
16. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes
17. Di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth
18. Chandhok HRT-Cosworth
19. Glock Virgin-Cosworth
20. Senna HRT-Cosworth
21. Trulli Lotus-Cosworth

World Championship standings, round 9:

Drivers:
1. Hamilton 127
2. Button 121
3. Vettel 115
4. Webber 103
5. Alonso 98
6. Kubica 83
7. Rosberg 75
8. Massa 67
9. Schumacher 34
10. Sutil 31
11. Barrichello 19
12. Liuzzi 12
13. Buemi 9
14. Kobayashi 7
15. Petrov 6
16. Alguersuari 3
17. Hulkenberg 1

Constructors:

1. McLaren-Mercedes 248
2. Red Bull-Renault 218.
3. Ferrari 165
4. Mercedes 109
5. Renault 89
6. Force India-Mercedes 43
7. Williams-Cosworth 20
8. Toro Rosso-Ferrari 10
9. Sauber-Ferrari 7

 

[yeehau86]

Ground effect, turbos set for F1 return

By Jonathan Noble Friday, September 3rd 2010, 13:33 GMT


Formula 1 teams are closing in on finalising all-new regulations for 2013 that will likely see a return of ground effect cars and turbo engines - as the sport witnessed in the early 1980's.

Several think-tank Working Groups have been set up to get consensus on moves to improve the spectacle of F1 and ensure it becomes more environmentally friendly.

On the engine side, draft regulations were circulated among teams a few weeks ago and the latest plan is for 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo engines to become standard.

The power units will be bolstered by numerous energy recovery systems, and should produce around 650bhp. Plans are also being considered to limit engines to just five per driver per season.

In a bid to further increase F1's green credentials, teams are also keen for there to be a fuel flow rate limit - which will ensure the engines are economical.

Williams technical director Sam Michael said: "Rather than dump as much fuel in as we can at the moment, there will be a fuel flow metre - so you won't be able to blow more than a certain amount of fuel. It is a good chunk less than we had at the moment."

On the chassis front, Williams co-owner Patrick Head and former Ferrari designer Rory Byrne are working with the FIA to head up concepts for new car rules.

Teams are keen for the cars to be better for overtaking than the current generation of machines - with ground effect being actively considered.

"They are talking about putting a greater proportion of down force to the diffuser, a ground effect car - like the early 1980's," added Michael. "They have been looking at that, as well as increasing crash protection at the front of the car by moving the sidepods further forwards."

Source: Ground effect, turbos set for F1 return

 

[^pomen_GTR^]

sounds interesting turbo-ed F1...

how would the sounds like??high-revving turbo...a lot of hissing or more to muted-bassy N/A scream :hmmmm:

 

[yeehau86]

Pomen GTR, I think F1 is moving to the greener side and also cutting cost. Therefore this new rules came in. Could sound like Vtec maybe

By the way, today will be the judgement day for Ferrari after the team order issue at Hockenheim Grand Prix.

Ferrari waits on team orders hearing

By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, September 7th 2010, 15:55 GMT


Ferrari will find out in Paris on Wednesday afternoon whether it is to face further sanctions over the German Grand Prix team orders controversy.

Stefano Domenicali, the Ferrari team principal, is the only senior figure from the Maranello outfit set to travel to the FIA World Sport Council hearing - where he and his lawyer's will defend themselves against claims that they used illegal team orders at Hockenheim - and subsequently brought the sport into disrepute.

Although race drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa will not be present in Paris, they are expected to be made available via telephone or video steam to the members of the WMSC should their evidence be needed.

The case hinges on the events in the German Grand Prix when Massa sacrificed his lead to Alonso - shortly after being told over the radio by race engineer Rob Smedley that his team-mate was 'faster' than him.

It was Smedley's apology to Massa immediately after he moved aside for Alonso, plus the clear unhappiness from the Brazilian driver after the race, which pointed to the fact that Massa had been ordered to move aside – rather than had chosen to do so with his own free will.

Sources suggest that part of Ferrari's defence will hinge on the fact that no clear order was given for Massa to give up his lead – so therefore no actual breach of the regulations could have taken place.

It was the same stance that Ferrari adopted immediately after the German GP when Domenicali met the press to explain his team's actions that day.

"We gave an information to Felipe about what was the situation," Domenicali said in his regular Sunday night media briefing. "Because we have already seen in the past that certain situations could not give the best result to the team.

"That was the information we wanted to give and we leave the drivers to understand and take notice of it in order to make sure the team, in terms of the global results, gets the best."

The message from Ferrari is likely to be clear: that there is a big difference between information being given to a driver and a straight order being handed down.

Domenicali also suggested that Sunday night in Hockenheim that Smedley's apology to Massa that day was not for having to move aside for Alonso, but because his car was not quick enough.

"It was not an apology this way...You have to consider the fact, and you can check with his communication on the radio several times in the past, that Rob Smedley is correctly in a very good conjunction with Felipe," added Domenicali.

"This is the key of their success. He gave the information to Felipe and he saw what happened and he was not happy about the situation of the car that was not so fast – and sorry – it was slower than the other one."

Despite remarks from former FIA president Max Mosley in recent weeks suggesting that Ferrari should be punished further for what happened, there has been no clear indication coming out of FIA channels about what the WMSC will do.

Some suggestions have pointed towards a harsh punishment for Ferrari – which will include both drivers and team losing their points from the German Grand Prix. Should that happen, then it is likely the matter will head for the law courts.

Other sources suggest that the FIA will let Ferrari off completely – claiming that what they did in Germany was merely team 'strategy' rather than team 'orders'. The governing body could then issue a clarification on what the difference between the two is - and could even repeal the team orders ban on the grounds it is unenforceable.

As well as finding out what the FIA will do to Ferrari, the hearing will also provide some insight into the workings of the governing body on such controversial matters under new president Jean Todt.

Unlike his predecessor, Todt has been keen to keep himself out of the spotlight since he took over in the top position at the end of the last year.

And in contrast to recent years, when Mosley actively led WMSC disciplinary actions, current FIA president Jean Todt will not take a formal role in the disciplinary hearing and sources suggest may not even attend the hearing.

Instead, the hearing will be chaired by Graham Stoker, the FIA Deputy President for Sport – who is renowned as an expert in sport law.

Should the FIA deem that Ferrari be punished beyond the $100,000 (USD) fine handed down at Hockenheim, then a range of options are open to it.

This could be a suspended ban, an increased fine, a loss of points, exclusion from the race – or even expulsion from the world championship.

The FIA hearing is scheduled to start at 3pm local time in Paris, with a verdict due later in the afternoon.

The WMSC is meeting beforehand in the morning for a rescheduled meeting to discuss more regular matters – which could include the prospects for a new team in F1 in 2011, next year's calendars and future regulations.