Formula 1 2014 Thread

moosed · March 11, 2014

The new season starts in Australia this coming Sunday. It promises to be the most exciting season in a long time due to the drastic regulation changes, most notably the engine/power units. As it stands Mercedes based teams are looking in good shape (fast and reliable), Ferrari ok (high fuel consumption is an issue) and Renault not good at all (terrible reliability)

Christian Horner was quoted yesterday saying that Mercedes could lap the entire field twice based on their race stints at the final Bahrain test a couple of weeks ago.

Hamilton has to be the early favourite, with Rosberg the most likely man to challenge. Williams are expected to be the only other team capable of challenging Mercedes in Australia although tbh anything could happen. Im considering putting money on Red Bull not making it past 15 laps. Expect less than half the field to do the full race distance, some journalists/engineers think it will be even less !

New BBC F1 pundit and multiple Le Mans winner Alan Mcnish shares his thoughts on the new season with an annoying yank

The Cars/Teams/Drivers

Mercedes W05: Hamilton / Rosberg (Mercedes)

Williams FW36: Massa / Bottas (Mercedes)

Ferrari F14 T: Alonso / Raikkonen (Ferrari)

McLaren MP4-29: Button / Magnussen (Mercedes)

Red Bull RB10: Vettel / Ricciardo (Renault)

Lotus E22: Grosjean / Maldonado (Renault)

Force India VJM07: Hulkenberg / Perez (Mercedes)

Sauber C33: Sutil / Gutierrez (Ferrari)

Torro Rosso STR9: Vergne / Kyvat (Renault)

Marussia MR03: Bianchi / Chilton (Ferrari)

Caterham CT05: Kobayashi / Ericsson (Renault)

ijjysmith · March 11, 2014

I say this every year, then don't. but...

I'm going to try and get into it again this year!

Millea · March 11, 2014

ijjysmith said:
I say this every year, then don't. but...

I'm going to try and get into it again this year!

The ones in the day are the best. Just after your roast there's a race, if it's good you watch it, if not you have your mandatory Sunday nap.

Kurt. · March 11, 2014

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeooooooooooooowwwwwwwwww!!!!!

roydo · March 11, 2014

Dont really understand the details of F1, but quite enjoy it.

But why are Red Bull now pants after whipping everyone for 3 years?

ijjysmith · March 11, 2014

roydo said:
Dont really understand the details of F1, but quite enjoy it.

But why are Red Bull now pants after whipping everyone for 3 years?

Yeah this.

moosed · March 11, 2014

roydo said:
Dont really understand the details of F1, but quite enjoy it.

But why are Red Bull now pants after whipping everyone for 3 years?

Biggest change in technical regulations for decades. Red Bulls engine supplier is Renault and they are having major issues with the new v6 turbo engines, this has resulted in Renault based teams (Red Bull in particular) getting minimal running done during the 3 pre season tests, for example Red Bull have done only 1/6th of the testing Mercedes have done and the longest stint they managed without technical problems was 18 or so laps.

Red Bull believe the chassis they have designed is good but until Renault sort out their engine/power unit problems they won't be able to show their true speed.

Mercedes have also been preparing for this year for ages now, they are the works mercedes team meaning they have an advantage over all the other Mercedes based teams as they designed the engine they are using and therefore most likely have a deeper understanding of how it works compared to the others.

roydo · March 11, 2014

Ahh. That makes sense. Cheers.

It also explains why Mercedes last season kind of gave up competing with RB, knowing these changes were good for them this year I guess?

I have a client who make engines for motor sport. The used to supple Lotus, like ages ago now. Fascinating place to visit.

evilwebby · March 11, 2014

If Vettel wins the WDC this year, he really is the greatest of all time.

Got money on Hamilton to make it WDC #2, with Rosberg as a backup.

Thank god Whitmarsh has gone - he turned McLaren into a laughing stock and managed to alienate the fastest man in F1.

Will be nice to see a Williams revival, but they have flattered to deceive before, so be wary of false dawns. A lot of things in that team still need overhaul before they can return to their glory days.

Foot Long Hot Dog · March 11, 2014

Getting over 750BHP out of a 1.6L engine is an incredible feat of engineering

evilwebby · March 11, 2014

I'm all for the technical changes they've made this year - shakes the order up, and keeps it relevant to road-car technology.

But the double-points for the last race is still just plain STUPID! You wouldn't have this in any other sport without it being rediculed - imagine if the last round of the Masters counted twice to your overall scorecard, or at some point in the footbal season a win became worth 6 points. Utterly cynical manipulation of the sporting code by Eccclestone.

toffeesnuggs · March 11, 2014

A good little vid explaining the new power units

http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2014/3/15539.html

Dylan · March 11, 2014

Foot Long Hot Dog said:
Getting over 750BHP out of a 1.6L engine is an incredible feat of engineering

Not really mate. In the 1980's heyday BMW were pushing 1500hp out of a 1.5l turbo V6 in qualifying form and 1300 hp for race trim.

teppic · March 11, 2014

evilwebby said:
If Vettel wins the WDC this year, he really is the greatest of all time.

Got money on Hamilton to make it WDC #2, with Rosberg as a backup.

Thank god Whitmarsh has gone - he turned McLaren into a laughing stock and managed to alienate the fastest man in F1.

Will be nice to see a Williams revival, but they have flattered to deceive before, so be wary of false dawns. A lot of things in that team still need overhaul before they can return to their glory days.

The greatest of all time for being able to point his Red Bull in the right direction for 4 seasons? Hardly a challenge that.

The greatest of all time is a rich and varied debate, but Vettel is nowhere near that. I'd rate even Schumacher better than Vettel.

evilwebby · March 12, 2014

teppic said:
The greatest of all time for being able to point his Red Bull in the right direction for 4 seasons? Hardly a challenge that.

The greatest of all time is a rich and varied debate, but Vettel is nowhere near that. I'd rate even Schumacher better than Vettel.

Well, that's my point. Winning the WDC this season would be worth more than his previous 4 championships put together.