***The Official 2011 Formula 1 Thread***

[Supafly]

The thread of 2010 was very nice, and I really enjoyed all of the participation of you guys. Now the first infos for the oncoming season are coming in, one by one, but there are some nasty sidenotes from behind the financial scenes. But let's look step by step...

(these are just some central points, full news coverage here: http://www.formula1.com/news/

- Petrov stays with Renault until 2012

- Ferrari shuffles it's engineering department (Not so much of a surprise)

- The 2.4 litre V8s get replaced with four cylinder 1.6 litre engines from 2013 on. I guess the companies will all struggle a lot with that one. And how will those new engines sound? Hmmm

Over to that behind the scenes story:

BayernLB's has managed the sale of car-racing events company Formula One to CVC in 2006. One specific member handled that deal specifically, and he got arrested yesterday, January 6th, 2011. He is accused of accepting a bribe of 50 Million Euros for do some things not according to the laws and regulations.

Wall Street Journal has the story

Bernie, Bernie, what have you done :1orglaugh

 

[knowone]

I shocked! Shocked that there are financial improprieties going on in Formula One!!!

 

[bazza599]

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8193489

ferrari chief strategiest chris dyer demoted after the abu dhabi incident

 

[rizwano]

Vettel and Webber would continue with their rivalries.

Massa has to improve in order to stay with Ferrari for the 2012 season.

 

[Petra]

Vettel and Webber would continue with their rivalries.

Massa has to improve in order to stay with Ferrari for the 2012 season.

Honestly, I think Massa will just finish out 2011 with Ferrari and then go his seperate way. I can't see him wanting to extend his contract after how he was treated in 2010.

 

[Supafly]

... and they allowed Team Orders again, he will be thrilled

 

[larss]

New rules look interesting. Movable rear wing, but only available when a driver is less than a second behind another car at pre-determined points on the track (or any time during qualifying)
KERS makes a comeback, with the minimum car weight being lifted by 20kg allowing for better weight distribution for those cars equipped with KERS.
The 107% rule is back so that qualifiers must be within 107% of pole time.
Finally - team orders are now officially allowed. It was a bit of a mockery having this in anyway, but I do hope it isn't used too much.

The changes for 2013 look more interesting with smaller engined turbo's, lower revs, more fuel economy, smaller wings and the return of shaped underfloors. The smaller wings in combination with the underfloors and mean that there will be less effect from turbulent air making overtaking opportunities easier.

 

[ArsErotika]

Turbo 4 bangers. What is this, Indy cars from the 70's?

 

[larss]

Turbo 4 bangers. What is this, Indy cars from the 70's?

The smaller 4 cylinder engines will put out the same amount of power as the current 3 litre engines with a new modern turbo 1.6 litre that will also need to use 60% of the fuel currently used.

 

[Petra]

I know this is an Indycar...but I thought this was kind of cool. ;-)

And all the best wishes to Kubica. If Massa could bounce back, I'm sure we'll see Kubica back on the track as well!

 

[Johan]

After his crash, Kubica will most likely not participate to this season (even if he hopes to be back before the very last Grand Prix).
His substitute should be Nick Heidfeld.

There also rumors about a possible come-back of former World Champion (2007) Kimi Raïkonnen...

 

[Supafly]

Hey Petra, you just took the number of the beast to a whole new level :clap:



Back on topic:

Hope Hamilton will pick up the pace, fifth place won't be any good

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9393011.stm

 

[enndaley]

Are those going to be turbo-charged 4 cylinder engines? If not, they will sound like angry cicadas.

I'll have to check the official FIA site for driver line-ups. I always like watching the in-car qualifying laps while listening to inspirational music-Alice in Chains works well, from "Them Bones" to "We Die Young".

 

[Petra]

The hubby and I are thinking of driving to Monaco to see if they open the gates this year for the race (in the past there haven't been enough ticket sales so they let anyone in).

If we can't get in there, it'll be Silverstone for the 2012 season!

 

[enndaley]

The hubby and I are thinking of driving to Monaco to see if they open the gates this year for the race (in the past there haven't been enough ticket sales so they let anyone in).

If we can't get in there, it'll be Silverstone for the 2012 season!

Driving to Monaco-nice. Don't forget to signal your lane changes.

 

[Supafly]

The hubby and I are thinking of driving to Monaco to see if they open the gates this year for the race (in the past there haven't been enough ticket sales so they let anyone in).

If we can't get in there, it'll be Silverstone for the 2012 season!

I would prefer Silverstone, as I have driven that course in Need for Speed Shift so many times I believe I could beat Hamilton with eyes closed!

Drawback: I have got a ) no car and b ) no drivers license :1orglaugh

 

[TheOrangeCat]

I would prefer Silverstone, as I have driven that course in Need for Speed Shift so many times I believe I could beat Hamilton with eyes closed!

Drawback: I have got a ) no car and b ) no drivers license :1orglaugh

I've driven Silverstone - in an Aston Martin DB4, Fun!

Back on topic, I'm really disappointed to see team orders back. I've always thought ordering a driver to race in a certain way to be against the principle of genuine competition.

 

[kksguy]

The hubby and I are thinking of driving to Monaco to see if they open the gates this year for the race (in the past there haven't been enough ticket sales so they let anyone in).

If we can't get in there, it'll be Silverstone for the 2012 season!

If I could; I'd go to Spa and Monza

I don't think Kubica will be back this year

Living in the USA, I've seen the inaugural USGP at Indy & Long Beach, Phoenix and Watkins Glen..........I just dated myself.......oops

 

[enndaley]

Has anyone seen Bernie's mugged shot?

 

[Rey C.]

Turbo 4 bangers. What is this, Indy cars from the 70's?

I wish. That was one of the most exciting periods in the history of open wheel formula car racing. Both turbos and normally aspirated engines were allowed back then. Unlike today, Indy was pretty much a "run what ya brung" race. Now, dumbed down, normally aspirated, V8 spec engines are the rule. They now keep the horsepower down (the 2.65 turbos could top 1000 horsepower), and glue the cars to the track with massive downforce to keep the formula easy enough, so even half-talents like D@nica Patrick and Marco Andretti can look like they know what they're doing.

Turbo 4's and 6's were used in Formula One in the 80's... and that was also one of the most exciting periods in F1's history. The BMW turbo 4 was said to have roughly 1300 horsepower in qualifying trim. The engines under the current 2.4 V8 formula probably have 750 horsepower on a good day (cool, damp air on qualifying day). Ayrton Senna won his first World Driving Championship in the McLaren/Honda turbo 6 in 1988. The turbo era was fantastic, though I also loved the V12's (especially the Ferraris). But the V10 formula was quite boring (IMO) and this rev limited V8 formula is the absolute worst, as far as technical innovation and excitement. When was the last time anyone talked about F1 engines during a race broadcast? The only engine formulas more boring than what F1 uses now is the IRL formula and the NASCAR formula. Even the Grand Am formula is more exciting (IMO).

I look forward to the new turbo era. Unlike the old turbo formula, now that we've come SO far in electronics, I expect the turbo lag to be less. And I think the racing can be as good or better than last year because of the KERS addition. F1 is about innovation and staying on the edge of the curve. I say, bring it on!!! :nanner: