2013 F1 Thread

[SeatBackForward]

To avoid the off-topic thread becoming a sea of F1 banter, I thought it worthwhile starting a new thread.

The British GP has just produced an interesting result, not least of all because of the five tyre blowouts:

Thankfully, noone was hurt, but it does ask the question "what was Pirelli thinking". Sure, they blame the limits on off-season testing (not for those Mercedes looking cars, with Mercedes looking drivers donning black non-Mercedes helmets). We want excitement, we want drama, but we want it to be because the drivers pass one another, not because they can balance their vehicles on three wheels around a circuit.

And good ole Mark Webber, Mr "Poor start, spectacular Finish", someone ought to remind Mark that other than the opening drag race, F1 is becoming a mobile slot car advertisement set. He ran out of track.

At least noone got their car stuck under the finish banner, onwards to Germany.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Good idea re: thread.

I don't have a problem with Pirelli really. They were told to create a high degrading tyre which they did. The teams should bear the brunt of the anger here, they are the ones that could not agree to changes. They will have to be made now.

There is a meeting in Paris on Wednesday...obviously no changes would be possible for Nürburgring but for Hungary I am sure there will be a different tyre available.

Can't wait for the upcoming race though. I love the Nürburgring, I was there in 2009 to see Mark's first win so I am hoping for a repeat of that effort, watching from afar

 

[simonpenny408]

The roar from the crowd when Sebs gearbox seized was quite amusing

 

[docjames]

Pirelli have done what was asked for by the F1 organisers - a rapidly degrading tyre, with large differences between compounds.

The risk (which has happened), was that in chasing rapid wear, they've sacrificed durability.

The balance has swung too far and needs to be corrected.

Guys having tyres explode at 190mph can't continue - its lucky none of them were injured.

 

[FuzzyAUS]

I have to admit I am old school when it comes to F1..

I think they need to bring back
- The great sounding V10 engine
- Fueling stops during the race
- a better tyre overall..

I do like KERS, DRS etc, but in an effort to save money in the sport it does feel like its becoming a precession of vehicles and then when someone has to go into a corner hot to make a move then they are in trouble for doing it.

I personally think they are fixing something that wasn't that broken overall, get the fuel stops back, get strategy happening again so its a race of the driver, the car and the crews, not just will the car last the race on its tyres..

Grumpy young me..

 

[JessicaTam]

The roar from the crowd when Sebs gearbox seized was quite amusing

The roar from my lounge room was probably as loud - and I was the only one there! :shock:

I realise that tyres are very much made to the requirements of the F1 hierarchy, but Pirelli must be seeing a drop in sales as their perceived quality is rubbish.

 

[serfty]

...
And good ole Mark Webber, Mr "Poor start, spectacular Finish", someone ought to remind Mark that other than the opening drag race, F1 is becoming a mobile slot car advertisement set. He ran out of track. ...

[TIN HAT]

Hmmm ... maybe those start programs are rather tweakable
​

[/TIN HAT]

 

[JessicaTam]

[TIN HAT]

Hmmm ... maybe those start programs are rather tweakable
​

[/TIN HAT]

At the after race Q&A Webber was rather bemused at the poor start.

 

[HarryB]

Goodyear have made too good of a tyre for NASCAR and the quality of racing suffers there too so its clearly not easy to find the happy medium. Pirelli have gone too far though because even without last nights issues, the drivers are having to drive most of the race at 80% to save the tyres.

Yes, I watch NASCAR too ... If it has an engine and it gets raced I'm gonna watch it.

I get laughed at.

 

[eastwest101]

Yes I have followed F1 for quite a few years and watching last nights race was very entertaining. Remember the few seasons a while ago where they made a tyre that could last the entire race and no new tyres were allowed unless it rained? Remember refuelling and the tactics that came in with that?

This season and last season have sometimes been a bit of a festival of tyre changing being occasionally interrupted by some racing car action. But it has certainly made for some entertaining races - especially at the start of last season and for this season.

As others have said - Pirelli were told to design a tyre that "fell off the cliff" for performance and wear and Pirelli have delivered that in spades. It very much seems like that if your tyres wear out you can go from 1st to 20th on the race track in the space of 1 lap.

Was a very entertaining race seeing Hamilton, Webber and Alonso in fine form driving the wheels of their cars, great atmosphere as well. Raikkonen has been "hung out to dry" by his team trying to push the wear boundaries of tyres a few too many times in my opinion. I would not be surprised to see him start unilaterally pitting in the future as he has lost quite a few points this season and last season.

Will be interesting to see if Ross Brawn can get the Mercedes good enough to trouble Red Bull, if anyone can do it then I would bet that Ross can.

 

[moa999]

Certain teams suggested that Pirelli move back to 2012 tyres.
Other teams boycotted this move, as they thought it wouldn't suit them as much
... personal interest over safety.


It also appears Mercedes has become the favoured team of the FIA.
First a slap on the wrist over the driver test
Then Rosberg gets a 'warning' after failing to slow during yellow flags... noting that if Webber had been 0.2secs closer on Lap 52 (of 54) he would have had three laps under DRS to overtake Rosberg.


Good to see Torro Rosso showing some form... pity Ferrari is slipping back.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I have to admit I am old school when it comes to F1..

I think they need to bring back
- The great sounding V10 engine
- Fueling stops during the race
- a better tyre overall..

And one hour qualifying sessions, where you had quali specific setups and all afternoon to get that sweet lap. These days they complain they don't get enough testing, well here's a cost effective opportunity.

 

[Flashback]

Well, I wasn't expecting that result after the start! What a great race and yet again Mark has proved himself to be a top notch driver.

 

[JessicaTam]

Well, I wasn't expecting that result after the start! What a great race and yet again Mark has proved himself to be a top notch driver.

If he could start his race in the second lap, he would win every time!

 

[serfty]

If he could start his race in the second lap, he would win every time!

I am sure Seb's quite happy with those starts ... he couldn't have organised them better if he did it himselsf ... or does he

 

[SeatBackForward]

I am sure Seb's quite happy with those starts ... he couldn't have organised them better if he did it himselsf ... or does he

Well, they do say red bull gives you something or the other.. and Seb is their poster child.

 

[JohnK]

Is Webber likely to have a win before he farewells F1?

If he could start his race in the second lap, he would win every time!

Wouldn't that be a head start?

 

[Must...Fly!]

Is Webber likely to have a win before he farewells F1?

He has 9. Another would be likely. If I had to guess, this weekend, Suzuka and Interlagos are tracks he has historically been strong at so would be his best chances, just off the top of my head.

 

[Buzzard]

With qually about to start, who is going to get pole and who is going to get shafted?

Pole, shaft :mrgreen:

 

[whatmeworry]

Hopefully Vettel!