Comments on: We are all weathermen now

By: ogami musashi

ogami musashi — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:28:41 +0000

The interest in rain races is not because you have less grip, it is because cars are designed to run on dry tracks so when in wet their performance are quite matched.

the low grip=better racing is non issue to me.

Low grip simply means you have less margin of movement and you have to care more about your car state than where you actually drive.

That’s two separate things, and by the way, the actual cars are much more sensible than the car for next years.
Slicks tyres and less downforce make cars far more predictable in their behavior and allow them to tolerate limits overshoot more easily.

So two type of cars: high grip=aggressive driving, low grip=car balance driving.

By: Jonesracing82

Jonesracing82 — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:23:36 +0000

perfect example was when hamo was behind piquet at estoril corner!
he was on inside and had grip but as soon as piquet came across to the inside for the exit he simply had to lift or go off!
also with rain, the drivers are unsure just how much grip there is, in the dry they know how much grip there is.
aero must be slashed!
i dont know next years will be enuff as each car will b the same! time will tell bit i do hope so

By: Ben Goldberg

Ben Goldberg — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:04:44 +0000

“Idea there. Alternatively, there must be a way of making the tarmac off the racing line much much grippier than on the racing line, so that it is possible to find extra grip to pass someone.”

That might actually change the preferred racing line, though.

All they have to do is lower aero grip and increase mechanical grip, both of which are going to happen next year. That way the cars can still go very quick and at the same time run close to each other.

By: Robert Mckay

Robert Mckay — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:37:33 +0000

“And maybe the FIA should look into using less-adhesive tarmac, too…”

Idea there. Alternatively, there must be a way of making the tarmac off the racing line much much grippier than on the racing line, so that it is possible to find extra grip to pass someone.

By: Chalky

Chalky — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:43:40 +0000

Mechanical grip is fine. Aerodynamic grip is what we need to reduce \ remove. If you are too dependant on aero grip you are only going to go slower when you hit turbulent air, like when following another car round a corner. This is when you need the most grip to get into a passing position for the following straight.

By: A Singh

A Singh — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:39:15 +0000

Yeah there’s no doubt when rain appears on the track, it’s one of those moments when motor racing can’t be missed.

By: Lustigson

Lustigson — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:04:29 +0000

What does rain do? Reduce grip. What do we need? Less downforce, like Andy Wolf says. The code is, I believe: Power > Grip, and not Power < Grip, like in F3.

And maybe the FIA should look into using less-adhesive tarmac, too…

By: Terry Fabulous

Terry Fabulous — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:44:06 +0000

Hear hear Keith! Rain makes a race great, but we should have quality racing in all weather!

By: AndyWolf

AndyWolf — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:42:44 +0000

I’ve said it here before, but the answer to these processional races has go to be the overall reduction of grip (be it aerodynamic or mechanical). Montreal was a fascinating race especially at ‘that’ hairpin. OK, the drivers moaned about lack of grip, but from a spectators point of view it was edge of the seat stuff, something you can’t usually accuse F1 of being.