I still think they ll at least have a major leg up again when the next regs put more of the emphasis on PU power again. Clearly Toto and the stakeholders though would prefer to not have to wait that long to be more competitive again as it's undoubtedly hurting their appeal for drivers they may be trying to woo, and - unlike a RB - it is a major blemish on them as a car manufacturer. Does make me wonder however if Ford really knows what they re getting themselves into.
F1 2024 Season
- Thread starter pauldyson1uk
- Start date
So what's the opinion of the wet weather "spray guards" that Ferrari have tested for the FIA?
They do look utterly awful. But they probably do the job.
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f1-extreme-second-spray-guard-option-revealed/
They do look utterly awful. But they probably do the job.
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f1-extreme-second-spray-guard-option-revealed/
Need a vomit guard after seeing this.
How will that work when it starts off sunny and becomes wet? Does it mean that cars will be forced in to get the guards put on, and will the tyre choice still be free? I can see it reducing tactics a bit if they're forced in.
It's for extreme wet weather. So if there is a torrential downpour, race would be red flagged and teams would be given 15 minutes to put these on before the race resumed (this was the draft plan last year, may have changed). Agree that it's daft as if the rain went away and track dried up, you'd have to come in and take them off again.
I don't think the PU will make much of a difference, the rest bar Renault understand the PU now and have gone past them, it's going to come down to aerodynamics and they seem to be as bad at that as Renault are at the PU.
I disagree. The PU removal of the MGU-H means we'll probably have turbo lag back in 26 engines, more focus on engine efficiency as we have less fuel per races, all of this with less dyno time to test engines.
We could have another 2014 season on our hands where one nails the engine regs and runs away with it. We'll also see a fuel and lubricant war again as teams try to find competitive advantage to maximise the efficiency.
It's going to 50/50 split between ICE running synthetic fuels and the electric motors. There shouldn't be any turbo lag right? Power is up to 1000bhp overall.
The movable aero is probably going to be 2014 PU / 2022 Venturi tunnels. One team will nail the movable aero and be uncatchable for a few seasons.
The only team that should really benefit from the change to the PUs is Renault, it'll give them another chance to get it right after not getting it right for the last decade, the rest of the engine manufacturers understand it now.
Kinda crazy when you consider the original bathtub pod model they started off with. The Ferrari has undergone some fairly drastic revisions over the past few years. Let's see how it does on track. Seems like they timed their video time on track this year perfectly to give it a run out before an actual race.
https://www.funoanalisitecnica.com/2024
TLDR of the upgrades for Imola - Mercedes identified problems with the W15's rear suspension before it was even driven. They noticed inconsistencies during testing on the dyno and during the first track test in Bahrain.
To resolve this, Mercedes plans to modify some internal components of the push-rod and introduce a new beam-wing specification and rear wing to improve stability and temperature control.
Based on the information gathered, the additional improvements should largely solve the tire heating headache.
TLDR of the upgrades for Imola - Mercedes identified problems with the W15's rear suspension before it was even driven. They noticed inconsistencies during testing on the dyno and during the first track test in Bahrain.
To resolve this, Mercedes plans to modify some internal components of the push-rod and introduce a new beam-wing specification and rear wing to improve stability and temperature control.
Based on the information gathered, the additional improvements should largely solve the tire heating headache.
Ferrari have poached Jerome D’Ambrosio and Loic Serra from Mercedes. The latter was expected but D'Ambrosio less so.
If that's correct and they can fix the issue that will be a big plus for the rest of the season.
Also it should be embarrassing for them as AM doesn't have those issues and it's a Mercedes rear suspension they are running.
Got to give it to RedBull and Newey, it was a masterstroke to get him to concentrate on the suspension and floor for this set of regulations.
Alex Albion signs a new a Williams deal till 2027.
BBC F1, quote Adrian Newey that he will be joining another F1 team and work for another 4/5 years.
Got Ferrari written all over it.
BBC F1, quote Adrian Newey that he will be joining another F1 team and work for another 4/5 years.
Got Ferrari written all over it.
RedBull Floor Edging looks next level compared to Merc and McLaren.
Also RedBull have bought a new floor to imola. Gulp.
Also RedBull have bought a new floor to imola. Gulp.
According to Motorsport Aston Martin is expected to unveil a whole host of new parts on Friday, including a new floor, sidepod and engine cover bodywork.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/...pear-as-new-front-wing-idea-spotted/10611647/
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/...pear-as-new-front-wing-idea-spotted/10611647/
Looking at all the changes, could be a good weekend, hoping the RB upgrades don’t push them miles ahead, hoping a few teams can fight it out.
Williams having a poor year.
Nice save from Max.
Watching so many cars going off track, qualifying will be fun.
Max again on gravel. He's struggling. He looks beatable on this track.
Even Hamilton doesn't look comfortable.
Even Hamilton doesn't look comfortable.
That was an entertaining session. Both Lewis and Max made three major errors ending up off road. When those two have it tough it really shows how challenging a track can be.
Can't read too much into FP1 as there will be a set programme for testing the upgrades to the car. I expect the cars to be more dialled in for FP2 when they do their low fuel and high fuel runs.
Gotta love these old school tracks and gravel.
Max said his car is a catastrophe 
Alonso moaning about Hamilton
In other news rain is wet
In other news rain is wet
Alonso moaning about Hamilton
In other news rain is wet
Hamilton has lived in his head rent free since 2007.
Rewatched the first training, obviously nowhere near the best times, but it was very interesting with all the struggles and out of track field trips for many drivers. Race could be really interesting, and there is a big rain possibility too.
This is a reoccuring comment recently in the media, that this years RedBull has lost its big top speed advantage it had last year. That RedBull changed too much that didnt need changing. Its still the class of the field this year, just not as good as last years monsterously good car.
Still think we need a few more races to see how it pans out.
Still think we need a few more races to see how it pans out.
This could be an interesting race if Red Bull can't sort the car out. It looked a bit off the pace generally and didn't look like a car that would run away with it to me.
They couldn't get it sorted out the previous race and they're struggling a lot again this weekend, they have a lot of work to do if even Max is unable to tame this car
Hopefully neweys influence was quelled for this season and we get Ferrari and the Mac's racing for wins as well
FP has done nothing to help my fantasy selection, in fact it’s made it harder
Won’t be around for the rest of the day.
Gone for a Ferrari win with Leclerc, I may live to regret it, RB did not look good in FP
Gone for a Ferrari win with Leclerc, I may live to regret it, RB did not look good in FP
Alonso in wall. Red flag.
No idea re predictions, the trouble with Max is you can never discount him
I like that they've added gravel traps, you go off track, you should be punished and not just carry straight on across normal tarmac
I like that they've added gravel traps, you go off track, you should be punished and not just carry straight on across normal tarmac