Formula1

Intersting news came up regarding new F1 PU's (Power Units). It was expected that V6 ICE (internal combustion engine) together with turbo will produce around 600 bhp and together with 160 bhp from ERS will bring PU to 750-760 bhp, equaling last years V8 engines.
But in interview for German AMuS (Auto Motor und Sport) Mercedes engineer Andy Cowell has said that V6 together with turbo produces 690-700 bhp, which brings total power from PU to 850-860 bhp
 
But then Jenson said this:

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/9152563/-F1-not-much-faster-than-GP2-

Jenson Button believes this year's Formula One cars won't be much faster than the ones used in the GP2 series.

Under the new aerodynamic regulations, there is a large reduction in the amount of downforce the cars generate, which results in a loss of speed in most corners.

Although most drivers were impressed with the cars' torque during last week's test session in Jerez, the lap times were significantly slower than the tests at the same track last year.

The fastest time of the four-day test was set by McLaren rookie Kevin Magnussen, who was almost six seconds slower than the fastest times in Jerez last winter, but some drivers were another four seconds slower than the Dane.

Since the GP2 series wasn't forced into the same technical changes, Button believes the cars competing in the support series will run their F1 counterparts close.

"They will be a lot closer on certain circuits," Button noted.

"We'll be quicker, but not that much quicker.

"By the end of the year we might not be that far off (2013 pace), maybe a couple of seconds, which will be pretty good when we get a real handle on where we are."

Button noted that the new, harder Pirelli tyres might have a bearing on the relatively slow lap times at the Andalucian track.

"We think they are half a second slower," the 2009 World Champion added.

"The cars are also heavier, about one to 1.2 seconds through weight, so that's 1.6, 1.8 seconds already from those two changes."
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They are all really talking s*it whit those "we will be so slooooooow this year". I have done some search on google and I have found out that 2009 cars were only 1.1 seconds faster at their first run at Jerez than those 2014 cars. And you have to consider that back then they had engines which were already used for 3 years, while this year they had completely new engines which haven't been run in F1 car before Jerez.
 
First 2 pictures of Lotus E22
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Seems like Martini-Williams is done deal, as this picture leaked on one of many sites that sell official team accessories
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It was removed shortly after, but still...
 
yesterday Autosport wrote that it is just a matter of confirmation that Williams will be known from 2014. as Williams Martini Racing. Their sources claim that deal is signed but that livery still isn't finalized due to Williams' negotiations with few other sponsors, which if signed will have their logos on the car.


EDIT: In 2015. we could have a girl (and pretty good looking one) on the grid. Simona De Silvestro, 25-years old Swiss, joined Sauber F1 Team as affiliated driver. She will have track and simulator training with Sauber, as well as mental and physical training and hopes for F1 seat in 2015. Those who (like me) follow IndyCar should know her quite well as she is competing there for 4 years already.

http://www.sauberf1team.com/en/seas...o-wird-affiliated-driver-des-sauber-f1-teams/

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nice. haven't watched indycar in ages, is she fast? i just looked and seen she finished 13th last season in indycar:THINK:
 
I haven't seen every race in 2013. but she was Ok. She had difficult start of the season as they switched from Lotus to Chevrolet engines between 2012 and 2013 (that was the main reason for poor 2012 as Lotus engine had 50-100 BHP less power than Chevrolet and Honda) so it took her some time to get used to new engine. She had some good races, even lead few of them, but usually she was involved in accidents where someone crashed and she just didn't have anywhere to go. She has the speed, that is certain. The thing she lacked is consistency...but that can be fixed through the training with Sauber, as they have stated that she have both physical and mental training with team.


Anyways...Lotus is on track today with everyone else.
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EDIT: On the topic of current cars being slower than GP2 and much slower than last years cars...
With about 2 hours until the end of testing today current fastest time is 1:37.908, set by Hamilton. For comparison, last years pole in GP2 at Bahrain IC was 1:39.427, while pole lap set by Rosberg in 2013. was 1:32.330
 
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1st Bahrain day results:
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So the best time on 1st day is about 4,5 seconds slower than fastest time last year in Q3. It is 3 more days in Bahrain this week and than again 4 days next week, also in Bahrain so times could be even closer to last year



EDIT: good view of Mercedes' steering wheel display
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Another comparison with last year in Bahrain. Best FP2 time last year was 1:35.154, while currently fastest time today (2nd test session in Bahrain) was set by Magnussen, who lapped the track for 1:34.910


EDIT: Day 2 times
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The more times I see the more I believe that some teams aren't using their full potential yet. Nobody can tell me there is a gap of nearly 8 seconds between the fastest and the slowest car on the grid and that the Caterham made such an impressive step forward.
 
Well, you can't really take testing times for granted as we never know exactly what is everyone doing. It was reported by few sites that Alonso did the fastest 1st and 2nd sector times on soft tires (Magnussen did his time on super-soft) but than he pulled back into pits on that lap (didn't finish it).
As for Caterham, from all Renault powered teams their car has by far the largest sidepods and cooling openings. And (not counting today) they did almost 750km in testing, while all Renault powered teams (Caterham's nearly 750km included) did 1108km...that means that barely 400km was done by 3 other Renault powered teams.
 
Day 3 is over:
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@jonneymendoza
Not only RB but all 4 Renault powered teams (Red Bull, Toro Rosso, Lotus and Caterham). Actually, V6 Turbo works correctly, there are no issues with it. Problems are with ERS (Energy Recovery System), more specifically with ES (Energy Storage, or as we call them, batteries) which tend to overheat and with ERS-K (what was known before as KERS) which sometimes overstress engine's crankshaft. Cooling problems are most seen at Red Bull which has packaged it all very tight and Newey has said that they will have to redesign rear end a bit. Reports are saying that problems might be finished just in time for Melbourne, but could probably go on up to the Spanish GP


EDIT: Here is the mileage each engine manufacturer and each team has done in 7 days so far (4 in Jerez + 3 in Bahrain)
Mercedes - 8281km (4 teams: Mercedes 2480km, McLaren 2226km, Williams 1957km, Force India 1618km)
Ferrari - 4266km (3 teams: Ferrari 2124km, Sauber 1891km, Marussia 251km)
Renault - 3232km (4 teams: Red Bull 607km, Toro Rosso 846km, Lotus 266km, Caterham 1513km)


EDIT2: Top speeds at the end of main straight today. Just for comparison, top speed on the same place last year in Qualifying sessions was 314.2 km/h
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EDIT3: Also regarding top speeds
AMUS reports that Alonso had the fastest top speed on day 2, 336.4 kph (into a slight headwind), which is 22 kph faster than in 2013. The McLaren was second at 330.2. Alonso may have been drafting when the top speed was recorded, but this would seem to indicate the Ferrari power unit is at least close to the Mercedes in peak power.
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Cuky said:
EDIT2: Top speeds at the end of main straight today. Just for comparison, top speed on the same place last year in Qualifying sessions was 314.2 km/h
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So the top speed is much higher and the lap times are slower? I don't know how this could work. Therefore another argument to not take the current test times as serious lap time tries.
 
well, RB was one of the slowest cars in regards with top speed (they were rarely in top 10, sometimes in top 15 but mostly all the way down) and yet they would cruise to poles and wins. They have lost a bunch of downforce at the rear of the car with ban on lower rear wing and with having one central exhaust exit. To compensate for that they needed to take off some of front downforce so that car will still be stable at the rear. And that is whey they loose all the time compared to last year: in corners. They get some of it back at straights, but it is not that much.
For top speed, Rosberg has said that they are expecting to be able to reach 360km/h at Monza, where last year they were topping at 340


Although, times are not that slow at all. Fastest lap in Bahrain of those 3 days is just 2 seconds slower than pole in 2013 (and 2013. cars were developed from 2009. with new knowledge, while they needed to start from scratch this year).

Also, Pirelli has brought a bit harder and more durable tires this year (at least they said that) so some grip is lost there too.
 
Rosberg has smashed laptimes in Bahrain yet again. Currently he is fastest at 1:33.283 which is just 1 second of the pole time last year.
 
Cuky said:
well, RB was one of the slowest cars in regards with top speed (they were rarely in top 10, sometimes in top 15 but mostly all the way down) and yet they would cruise to poles and wins. They have lost a bunch of downforce at the rear of the car with ban on lower rear wing and with having one central exhaust exit. To compensate for that they needed to take off some of front downforce so that car will still be stable at the rear. And that is whey they loose all the time compared to last year: in corners. They get some of it back at straights, but it is not that much.
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I knew they weren't the fastest, but a difference of ~30 km/h and just barely over 300? I doubt that this is really their Vmax.
 
well, those are top speeds measured yesterday in speed trap which is just before they start braking for T1 in Bahrain. Those who were slower (for example Raikkonen) were obviously testing something else. Ferrari posted on their site that Raikkonen was working on setup, meaning that he will be out for few laps, trying to be as constant as possible and return to the pits. Mechanics would than adjust something on the car and he will go do few more laps to see how the car reacts to those changes. AMuS reported that Alonso did 336 km/h on day 2 with that same car Raikkonen did 303
 
This week testing is over...Bahrain day 4 results:
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They will test again in Bahrain next week, starting on Thursday and finishing on Sunday. Than we'll rest for two weeks and return to post comments on 1st race at Melbourne


And 5 minutes before the end of today's session Raikkonen made it sure that Ferrari mechanics are not bored in the afternoon :D
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seems that Renault and Red Bull problems are quite big
Some rumours say that the Red Bull gearbox is not able to deal with the savage torque delivery of the unrefined Renault engine .

Lotus ran "full power" in Bahrain, only Renault team not to use Red Bull gearbox + conservative cooling solutions

It should also be noted that the Renault powered cars aren't currently capable of performing a racing start (reported by Sky).
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And here is how Bahrain race will look at the end...like in Abu Dhabi, they will start late in the evening and finish at night.
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Wolff to make Friday practice appearances for Williams
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Williams’ Susie Wolff will become the first female driver in over two decades to compete in an official Grand Prix session later this year, when she takes part in two opening Friday practices for the team.

The practice outings are part of an expanded role for Wolff, as she continues as Williams’ development driver for the 2014 season, and follow her impressive performance in last year’s young drivers test at Silverstone.

"I'm grateful for the support and belief Williams continue to show in me and 2014 promises to be a very important milestone in my career,” said the 31-year-old Scot. “My responsibilities within the team have steadily increased as I have proved myself, culminating in the opportunity to test the car at Silverstone and conduct straight line aero tests last season.

“Competing in two FP1 sessions, alongside an additional full test day this season will be a big step and I am looking forward to the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the FW36 on a Grand Prix weekend. It's a challenge that I will relish and it will be a great chance for me to continue assisting the team."

Wolff joined Williams in April 2012 and played a valuable part in helping to develop the FW34, FW35, and the new Williams FW36. This year she will continue to work in the British team’s simulator to help further develop the FW36.

"Susie has become a valued member of our driver line up and 2014 will see her take on more responsibilities as we seek to make a strong step forward in performance,” commented Pat Symonds, Williams’ chief technical officer. “Susie has demonstrated a natural talent for developing a car and providing strong feedback and these sort of characteristics will be key this season as teams seek to quickly understand and refine the radically overhauled 2014 cars."

Prior to joining Williams Wolff spent seven seasons driving in Germany’s DTM series, and was twice nominated for the prestigious BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award.
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IZVOR
 
With all respect to Susie Wolff, but she hadn't the speed to compete in the DTM and I doubt she'll has it in F1. I'd be happy if she proves me wrong, but I can't imagine her being much faster than in the last years.

@Sakhir: Is this only a promotional picture or the reality? Asking because of the light poles on the Endurance circuit part, which F1 drove only once, in 2010, and never afterwards. According to my information they are running on the normal GP circuit this year.
 
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S-NipE said:
With all respect to Susie Wolff, but the hadn't the speed to compete in the DTM and I doubt she'll has it in F1. I'd be happy if she prove me wrong, but I can't imagine her being much faster than in the last years.
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It's amazing what doors open for you when your husband is a former executive director of - and still a shareholder in - Williams F1.

I too have followed her career in DTM, going back to the Susie Stoddart days (watched her a couple of times at Brands Hatch). She just isn't good enough. The DTM is a tough, very competitive series but Wolff was usually to be found at the tail-end of the pack getting lapped. I'm more than happy to see more women in motorsport but Wolff isn't in F1 on merit.

She's also 31 so has no future in F1. It seems a waste of a position to me. I'd rather see a younger, highly talented driver getting these opportunities, someone who has the ability to break into F1.
 
@S-NipE
I think that was more of a test if everything is OK. Only reason for those lights on endurance part to be on is because of safety if someone goes off or because they are made to be turned on together.


@S. Wolff
I think this chance is given to her for two reasons
1. promotional reasons - when she drive that car out of the pits on FP that will be shown all over the web
2. she works on car development in simulator, so having her drive the real thing should help her with that work.
 
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