I agree all common sense changes and dropping the stupid double points was a no brainier really.
Not really sure what upping the car weight by 1kg will do.
Not really sure what upping the car weight by 1kg will do.
The F1 Thread 2015 Season
- Thread starter pauldyson1uk
- Start date
What happened to McLaren announcing the driver lineup by 1st December?
It features 20 rounds, including the return of Mexico in November. The Mexican race will take place at the same venue which staged the country’s last Grand Prix in 1992 - Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
The expanded calendar means the 2015 season will finish one week later than in 2014, with the Abu Dhabi finale taking place on the final weekend in November.
The race scheduled is in the opening post.
The expanded calendar means the 2015 season will finish one week later than in 2014, with the Abu Dhabi finale taking place on the final weekend in November.
The race scheduled is in the opening post.
I think they said "not before" that date, although they'd also previously said it'd be decided before Abu Dhabi.
Formula 1 could be set for a record 21-race season in 2015 after the Korean GP was unexpectedly provisionally reinstated on the schedule for next year.
The World Motor Sport Council, which met for the final time this year in Doha on Wednesday to rubber stamp a number of changes for next season and beyond, had in September ratified a 20-race calendar for 2015 with Mexico the sole addition to this year’s 19-round schedule.
However, next year’s calendar has now provisionally expanded to 21 races with South Korea back on the list after a season’s absence. Korea had previously staged their races, from 2010 to 2013, in October but they have been given a provisional berth for next season of May 3 – just a week before the traditional start of the European season in Spain.
At first glance, the one-week gap between the event in Asia and the race at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya is likely to create logistical concerns for the teams. Should the Korean GP go ahead it would also scupper Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg's recently-announced plans to compete in the Spa round of the World Endurance Championship, which takes place on the same weekend.
The World Motor Sport Council, which met for the final time this year in Doha on Wednesday to rubber stamp a number of changes for next season and beyond, had in September ratified a 20-race calendar for 2015 with Mexico the sole addition to this year’s 19-round schedule.
However, next year’s calendar has now provisionally expanded to 21 races with South Korea back on the list after a season’s absence. Korea had previously staged their races, from 2010 to 2013, in October but they have been given a provisional berth for next season of May 3 – just a week before the traditional start of the European season in Spain.
At first glance, the one-week gap between the event in Asia and the race at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya is likely to create logistical concerns for the teams. Should the Korean GP go ahead it would also scupper Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg's recently-announced plans to compete in the Spa round of the World Endurance Championship, which takes place on the same weekend.
I think its something to do with driver weights, 1kg ain't much but it helps I guess.
Korea's circuit is in the middle of nowhere and they aren't particularly bothered about F1 anyway so they had no fans at every race they staged. It's also not a particularly interesting or engaging circuit so the races have been dire as well.
21 races is far too many and sticking an Asian race just a week before a European race is likely to be a logistical nightmare. Not to mention the added costs of so many races when we've had two teams die this year plus others struggling (Lotus, Force India, Sauber).
Ridiculous.
21 races is far too many and sticking an Asian race just a week before a European race is likely to be a logistical nightmare. Not to mention the added costs of so many races when we've had two teams die this year plus others struggling (Lotus, Force India, Sauber).
Ridiculous.
The inclusion of the Korean GP is crazy.
Hoping to get to Brazil, and combine with a family visit
Lucky you! Nice to have family in the right places
Could this amazing explanation be true? From the BBC:
Next year, the rules say that the number of engines drivers can use in a season is to be cut from five to four. But that presupposes there are no more than 20 races.
The rules say each driver will be allowed five engines "if the number of events in the championship, as originally scheduled, exceeds 20".
The key phrase being "as originally scheduled".
The calendar announced on Wednesday is the "confirmed" schedule. Yet one of the 21 races on it - Korea - is "to be confirmed".
So, now the Korean Grand Prix is on the calendar, teams can use five engines again in 2015. And that does not change even if the race drops off at a later date.
Meanwhile, at least one engine manufacturer has been pushing to keep the limit on engines at five for next season, because of the complexity of the engines, reliability problems suffered in 2014 and the need of Mercedes' rivals to push development to try to close the gap to the new world champions.
Putting a fantasy race on the calendar, that no-one believes will happen, only to withdraw it at a later date is a painless way of ensuring this happens without the usual arguments over rules, a cynic would say.
Knowing all that, do you think there will be a Korean Grand Prix next year?
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/
That would make sense and at the same time make no sense at all.
Just keep the limit at 5 engines and stop fecking about. Everything in F1 is a massive feck about at the minute and it's getting beyond a joke.
Just keep the limit at 5 engines and stop fecking about. Everything in F1 is a massive feck about at the minute and it's getting beyond a joke.
board meeting today apparently they will be discussing / deciding the driver line up
I think Mclaren have a few Scandinavian sponsors and I wouldnt be surprised to see Jenson given the boot - though hopefully he could po up in Le Mans next year as a win there (or a bloody good effort) would be a nice way to show what a driver he is
As much as I'd like to see him do Le Mans/WEC (like Webber) I don't think he's actually interested. Rumour has it he's turned down Porsche's offer of a drive next year. Whether that means he'll go and race for Audi, Toyota or Nissan I don't know but I think it's F1 or nothing for Jenson and that's a huge shame, I'm a massive fan.
A McLaren board meeting on Thursday broke up without the team making a final decision on their driver line-up.
McLaren have not yet announced any drivers for the 2015 season, although two-time champion Fernando Alonso has finalised a deal to race for the team.
McLaren have so far been unable to choose between Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen as his team-mate.
"The board meeting has concluded and no decision has been taken with regard our 2015 driver line-up," a spokesman said.
Sources say the decision is solely down to chairman Ron Dennis and there is no specific timeframe within which it will be made.
The longer the situation goes on without a resolution, the more likely Button, the 2009 world champion, is to take the decision out of McLaren's hands.
Button has admitted that in the early autumn he was having difficultly dealing with the uncertainty over his future.
But at the end of the season he made it clear to McLaren that he had decided to wait on Dennis's decision because he wanted to race on in F1 and test himself against Alonso, who is regarded by many observers as the best overall driver in the world.
However, he does have other options on the table, including a potential move to the world endurance championship, and these may dry up if he does not decide soon.
McLaren have not yet announced any drivers for the 2015 season, although two-time champion Fernando Alonso has finalised a deal to race for the team.
McLaren have so far been unable to choose between Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen as his team-mate.
"The board meeting has concluded and no decision has been taken with regard our 2015 driver line-up," a spokesman said.
Sources say the decision is solely down to chairman Ron Dennis and there is no specific timeframe within which it will be made.
The longer the situation goes on without a resolution, the more likely Button, the 2009 world champion, is to take the decision out of McLaren's hands.
Button has admitted that in the early autumn he was having difficultly dealing with the uncertainty over his future.
But at the end of the season he made it clear to McLaren that he had decided to wait on Dennis's decision because he wanted to race on in F1 and test himself against Alonso, who is regarded by many observers as the best overall driver in the world.
However, he does have other options on the table, including a potential move to the world endurance championship, and these may dry up if he does not decide soon.
Bit of a farce, really.
Wtf are McLaren waiting for. They've had atleast 3 months. They knew Alonso is coming, so surely they have a preference on who they'd like to partner with him.
Button deserves a lot better than this. He's got nothing to prove anymore.
Button deserves a lot better than this. He's got nothing to prove anymore.
It's a power battle at McLaren, rumour is Honda want Button and Ron wants Magnussen.
This just reflects McLaren for the last few years, unable to make a decision (let alone a right one).
Ron has been trying to wrestle control of the whole group and he's got some Danish backers helping him so that would point to him wanting Magnussen at least.
It would make more sense in my eyes, and probably in Honda's eyes to have someone with Button's experience and charisma to help develop the engine and car alongside Alonso and farm Magnussen out to another team for him to gain another year in F1 but salaries, investments and other things will probably dictate the ultimate outcome.
I'd go for Magnussen. He has a lot of potential going forward and is more likely to accept being the unofficial number 2 in the team. Button would want equal billing, which could upset Alonso since the latter tends to like being the main man (understandably so, to be fair).
If there was a seat at another mid-team I'm sure all would be happy to place him there for a season or two. There are no seats left though, so it's McLaren or nothing.
But Button is the better driver , more chance of getting in the points, for me Button is a no brainer.
Force India will use Toyota Motorsport's wind tunnel facilities in Cologne, Germany for all their aerodynamic testing for the 2015 FIA Formula One world championship and beyond.
The team said the switch to Toyota's facility, previously used by the Japanese manufacturer's F1 operation and widely regarded to be one of the best in the world, would strengthen their future aerodynamic and development capabilities.
"The decision to use Toyota's facility in Cologne is indicative of our ambitions to continue as a competitive force in Formula One," team principal and managing director Vijay Mallya explained.
"It's one of the most significant decisions in our history and gives us access to what is regarded as one of the finest wind tunnels in the world.
"We have used the facility previously on an ad hoc basis and we are aware of the advantages of basing all our aerodynamic research in Cologne. It will strengthen our approach and give us a solid base to build upon for the years to come."
Force India, who follow in Ferrari's and Caterham's wheel tracks in using the German facility, said their own wind tunnel will remain operational and "available for external customers".
While the Silverstone-based team finished sixth in this year's constructors' championship, just 26 points behind McLaren, they had been ahead of their rivals at the halfway stage of the season, and sat as high as second overall early on following Sergio Perez's podium finish in Bahrain.
The team said the switch to Toyota's facility, previously used by the Japanese manufacturer's F1 operation and widely regarded to be one of the best in the world, would strengthen their future aerodynamic and development capabilities.
"The decision to use Toyota's facility in Cologne is indicative of our ambitions to continue as a competitive force in Formula One," team principal and managing director Vijay Mallya explained.
"It's one of the most significant decisions in our history and gives us access to what is regarded as one of the finest wind tunnels in the world.
"We have used the facility previously on an ad hoc basis and we are aware of the advantages of basing all our aerodynamic research in Cologne. It will strengthen our approach and give us a solid base to build upon for the years to come."
Force India, who follow in Ferrari's and Caterham's wheel tracks in using the German facility, said their own wind tunnel will remain operational and "available for external customers".
While the Silverstone-based team finished sixth in this year's constructors' championship, just 26 points behind McLaren, they had been ahead of their rivals at the halfway stage of the season, and sat as high as second overall early on following Sergio Perez's podium finish in Bahrain.
Red Bull Formula 1 trophies stolen in Milton Keynes factory raid
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-30359781
Terrible.
Came to this thread expecting Vettel / Alonso photoshops.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-30359781
Terrible.
Came to this thread expecting Vettel / Alonso photoshops.
Question is you're looking short term or long term. Or even, if a team like McLaren can look into building a driver and prepare to take some hits on the way. They've already invested in Magnussen. Do they let him go after one year and lose whatever experience he has gained in 2014?
Rather odd thing to sell. You can't really sell them to make any money, and eventually someone is going to notice them if you have them displayed somewhere. Just seems pointless
Yep and some were replicas though I think the guys on reddit were looking into their value if melted down...
Unless you keep it secret for a hundred years and they suddenly appear on the market as a memorable part of history...
Considering it's F1, there's probably a lot more to it than meets the eye.
I doubt that, unless they stole documents or actual car pieces/chassis too (which they clearly didn't) then those trophies are of little value to anyone other than the team.
They're not even of that much value to the team, apparently most of them were replicas which can be easily replaced. Which rules out holding them to ransom. Maybe the actual metal is valuable? Admittedly I can't think of a good conspiracy theory yet, but some loon out there must have thought of something by now.
Could have been stolen to order by a private collector. The same sort of person who knicks famous works of art.
You could never display them, but knowing you have them is enough.
You could never display them, but knowing you have them is enough.
some of the new regs in more detail.
2015 F1 SPORTING REGULATIONS
The following decisions were taken:
Points
Points for both titles will no longer be doubled for the final Event of the Championship.
Standing Restarts
After consultation with the Teams who raised a number of safety concerns, Articles 42.7 and 42.8 on standing restarts have been rescinded.
Virtual Safety Car (VSC)
Following tests of the VSC system at the final Events of 2014, the introduction of the system has been approved for 2015. The VSC procedure may be initiated to neutralise a race upon the order of the clerk of the course. It will normally be used when double waved yellow flags are needed on any section of track and competitors or officials may be in danger, but the circumstances are not such as to warrant use of the safety car itself. The full text of the article is available in Annex I.
Suspending a race
When a race is suspended, the pit exit will be closed and all cars must now proceed slowly into the pit lane, not the starting grid. The first car to arrive in the pit lane should proceed directly to the pit exit staying in the fast lane, all the other cars should form up in a line behind the first car.
Team personnel or equipment on grid
If any team personnel or team equipment remain on the grid after the 15 second signal has been shown the driver of the car concerned must start the race from the pit lane. A ten second stop-and-go penalty will be imposed on any driver who fails to do this.
Power Unit Penalties
The replacement of a complete power unit will no longer result in a penalty, instead as specified in the current regulations, penalties will be applied cumulatively for individual components of the power unit.
If a grid place penalty is imposed, and the driver’s grid position is such that the full penalty cannot be applied, the remainder of the penalty will be applied in the form of a time penalty during the race (not at the next race as was previously the case) according to the following scale :
• 1 to 5 grid places untaken: A penalty under Article 16.3(a) will be applied.
• 6 to 10 grid places untaken: A penalty under Article 16.3(b) will be applied.
• 11 to 20 grid places untaken: A penalty under Article 16.3(c) will be applied.
• More than 20 grid places untaken: A penalty under Article 16.3(d) will be applied.
Time Penalties
In addition to the existing five-second penalty (Article 16.3a), a new ten-second penalty (Article 16.3b) will also be introduced, to be applied in the same manner.
Unsafe Release
If a car is deemed to have been released in an unsafe condition during a race a ten second stop-and-go penalty will be imposed on the driver concerned. An additional penalty will be imposed on any driver who, in the opinion of the stewards, continues to drive a car knowing it to have been released in an unsafe condition.
Qualifying Procedure
The qualifying procedure was clarified: for cases when 24 cars are eligible seven will be excluded after Q1 and Q2, if 22 cars are eligible six cars will be excluded after Q1 and Q2, and so on if fewer cars are eligible.
Safety Car: lapped cars
Once the last lapped car has passed the leader the safety car will return to the pits at the end of the following lap, the race director will no longer have to wait for all the lapped cars to reach the back of the pack behind the safety car.
2015 F1 SPORTING REGULATIONS
The following decisions were taken:
Points
Points for both titles will no longer be doubled for the final Event of the Championship.
Standing Restarts
After consultation with the Teams who raised a number of safety concerns, Articles 42.7 and 42.8 on standing restarts have been rescinded.
Virtual Safety Car (VSC)
Following tests of the VSC system at the final Events of 2014, the introduction of the system has been approved for 2015. The VSC procedure may be initiated to neutralise a race upon the order of the clerk of the course. It will normally be used when double waved yellow flags are needed on any section of track and competitors or officials may be in danger, but the circumstances are not such as to warrant use of the safety car itself. The full text of the article is available in Annex I.
Suspending a race
When a race is suspended, the pit exit will be closed and all cars must now proceed slowly into the pit lane, not the starting grid. The first car to arrive in the pit lane should proceed directly to the pit exit staying in the fast lane, all the other cars should form up in a line behind the first car.
Team personnel or equipment on grid
If any team personnel or team equipment remain on the grid after the 15 second signal has been shown the driver of the car concerned must start the race from the pit lane. A ten second stop-and-go penalty will be imposed on any driver who fails to do this.
Power Unit Penalties
The replacement of a complete power unit will no longer result in a penalty, instead as specified in the current regulations, penalties will be applied cumulatively for individual components of the power unit.
If a grid place penalty is imposed, and the driver’s grid position is such that the full penalty cannot be applied, the remainder of the penalty will be applied in the form of a time penalty during the race (not at the next race as was previously the case) according to the following scale :
• 1 to 5 grid places untaken: A penalty under Article 16.3(a) will be applied.
• 6 to 10 grid places untaken: A penalty under Article 16.3(b) will be applied.
• 11 to 20 grid places untaken: A penalty under Article 16.3(c) will be applied.
• More than 20 grid places untaken: A penalty under Article 16.3(d) will be applied.
Time Penalties
In addition to the existing five-second penalty (Article 16.3a), a new ten-second penalty (Article 16.3b) will also be introduced, to be applied in the same manner.
Unsafe Release
If a car is deemed to have been released in an unsafe condition during a race a ten second stop-and-go penalty will be imposed on the driver concerned. An additional penalty will be imposed on any driver who, in the opinion of the stewards, continues to drive a car knowing it to have been released in an unsafe condition.
Qualifying Procedure
The qualifying procedure was clarified: for cases when 24 cars are eligible seven will be excluded after Q1 and Q2, if 22 cars are eligible six cars will be excluded after Q1 and Q2, and so on if fewer cars are eligible.
Safety Car: lapped cars
Once the last lapped car has passed the leader the safety car will return to the pits at the end of the following lap, the race director will no longer have to wait for all the lapped cars to reach the back of the pack behind the safety car.
2015 TECHNICAL REGULATIONS
- The weight of the car, without fuel, must not be less than 702kg at all times during the Event (up from 701kg).
- Changes have been made to the rules governing Wind Tunnel Testing and with regard to the aerodynamic reporting periods for 2015 and 2016.
- Any suspension system fitted to the front wheels must be so arranged that its response results only from changes in load applied to the front wheels.
- Any suspension system fitted to the rear wheels must be so arranged that its response results only from changes in load applied to the rear wheels.
- The Zylon anti-intrusion panels on both sides of the survival cell have been extended upwards to the rim of the cockpit and alongside the pilot’s head.
- The weight of the car, without fuel, must not be less than 702kg at all times during the Event (up from 701kg).
- Changes have been made to the rules governing Wind Tunnel Testing and with regard to the aerodynamic reporting periods for 2015 and 2016.
- Any suspension system fitted to the front wheels must be so arranged that its response results only from changes in load applied to the front wheels.
- Any suspension system fitted to the rear wheels must be so arranged that its response results only from changes in load applied to the rear wheels.
- The Zylon anti-intrusion panels on both sides of the survival cell have been extended upwards to the rim of the cockpit and alongside the pilot’s head.
Nice of them to take into account what some of the larger drivers have been asking for and raising the weight limit... by 1kg.
I would love to hear the logic behind the change.McLaren appear poised to finally confirm their 2015 driver line-up on Thursday after scheduling a media event at their Woking HQ.
The already delayed wait to learn who will partner Fernando Alonso in the Spaniard’s expected return to the team next season was pushed back further last week when a McLaren board meeting broke up without a resolution on their line-up.
With Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen currently waiting on news whether they will be retained for 2015, McLaren subsequently said that a decison would be made until this week at the earliest and that waiting game could end on Thursday morning with the team having invited media representatives to their Woking base for 10am.
While simply billed on the media invite as an "important and exclusive media event at the McLaren Technology Centre", the inevitable immediate media reaction was that it would feature the unveiling of their 2015 line-up for their first year back with Honda.
The already delayed wait to learn who will partner Fernando Alonso in the Spaniard’s expected return to the team next season was pushed back further last week when a McLaren board meeting broke up without a resolution on their line-up.
With Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen currently waiting on news whether they will be retained for 2015, McLaren subsequently said that a decison would be made until this week at the earliest and that waiting game could end on Thursday morning with the team having invited media representatives to their Woking base for 10am.
While simply billed on the media invite as an "important and exclusive media event at the McLaren Technology Centre", the inevitable immediate media reaction was that it would feature the unveiling of their 2015 line-up for their first year back with Honda.
Spanish and English journalists seem to be reporting that it's Alonso and Button, AMUS think it's Alonso and Magnussen. Which leads me to think that no one really knows yet.
I'm going with Button.
I'm going with Button.
BBC going with Button too, Benson is usually accurate on such things.
Good news I think, K-Mag will be back because he is clearly talented but Alonso/Button is a fantastic pairing.
Good news I think, K-Mag will be back because he is clearly talented but Alonso/Button is a fantastic pairing.
If it is the case that he stays then it is the right one. Little bit disappointing for Magnussen, is he staying within McLaren? Will be interesting on the political side to McLaren next year along with the actual racing with Ron wanting to keep Magnussen and already having a frosty relationship with Alonso. Dennis should have kept himself in the background instead of pushing himself to the forefront again.
In other McLaren news, 16 year old Formula 4 champion George Russell has got an F1 test drive with them and also becomes the youngest winner of the McLaren BDRC award, following in Jenson's shoes.
In other McLaren news, 16 year old Formula 4 champion George Russell has got an F1 test drive with them and also becomes the youngest winner of the McLaren BDRC award, following in Jenson's shoes.