How can F1 become better? From reading the thousands of your comments posted in our series over the past week I think we’ve learned some important things about this debate.
Month: April 2010 articles archive
Substantial update for Lotus T127 in Spain
Posted onLotus are bringing several major new parts for their T127 at next week’s Spanish Grand Prix. Technical director Mike Gascoyne explained what will change on the car in Barcelona: All the teams will have upgrades for Barcelona, but we’re hoping that ours is even more significant than our rivals because we received our entry so … Continue reading Substantial update for Lotus T127 in Spain
KERS return could improve racing – Simon
Posted onThe FIA’s director of powertrain and electronics, Gilles Simon, has given another indication that F1 could return to using Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems soon. He stressed the potential benefits of reintroducing KERS in an interview with the FIA magazine In Motion: I think that could actually add to the show because with reduced displacement engines … Continue reading KERS return could improve racing – Simon
Kobayashi hoping for reliability fix
Posted onKamui Kobayashi hopes to register his first finish of 2010 in the Spanish Grand Prix: We have an update to the car and I believe our reliability problems are solved. I should have a good chance to finally go racing after I have only done 19 laps in total in all four races. Kamui Kobayashi … Continue reading Kobayashi hoping for reliability fix
Schumacher not expecting leap to the front
Posted onMercedes are bringing a longer version of the W01 to the next race at Barcelona for both their drivers and Michael Schumacher will use a different chassis. But he doesn’t think it will be enough for last year’s constructors’ champions to take on the front runners just yet: Our step forward in Barcelona will be … Continue reading Schumacher not expecting leap to the front
Ferrari denies Marlboro branding
Posted onFerrari have reacted to media reports claiming their barcode livery is designed to remind people of Marlboro cigarette packaging: Neither of these arguments have any scientific basis, as they rely on some alleged studies which have never been published in academic journals. But more importantly, they do not correspond to the truth. The so called … Continue reading Ferrari denies Marlboro branding
Will Monza lose “fastest track” crown?
Posted onThe revised Silverstone circuit revealed yesterday could take Monza’s place as the fastest track in Formula 1. Though F1 cars will hit higher top speeds at Monza, the projected average lap speed for F1 cars at the new Silverstone is 4kph faster than that achieved at Monza last year. Here’s why.
F1 Fanatic round-up: 30/4/2010
Posted onI’ve had a couple of emails asking for a clarification on how comments are handled here. I want F1 Fanatic to be a place where F1 fans can discuss and argue, share jokes, ideas and experiences. I do not want the joyless experience I find on certain sites (by no means just F1 sites) where … Continue reading F1 Fanatic round-up: 30/4/2010
Silverstone boss explains why they didn’t use Tilke for Arena track upgrades
Posted onSilverstone managing director Richard Phillips said they chose rival company Populous to produce their new Arena circuit because they didn’t want to risk someone ‘;wrecking’ the track.
Silverstone opens new Arena circuit, expects cars to hit 185mph at Abbey
Posted onThe revised Silverstone Arena Circuit, which will hold the 2010 British Grand Prix, was formally opened today by the Duke of York in a ceremony at the track. BRDC President Damon Hill drove the Duke around the circuit. Current and past F1 drivers were on hand for the unveiling of the track including Mark Webber … Continue reading Silverstone opens new Arena circuit, expects cars to hit 185mph at Abbey
F1 Fanatic round-up: 29/4/2010
Posted onToday I’m at Silverstone to get a first-hand look at the changes made to the circuit for this year’s Grand Prix. Stay tuned for more from the track and keep an eye out for updates from me on Twitter. If there’s anything you’d like to know about the changes to the track for this year, … Continue reading F1 Fanatic round-up: 29/4/2010
The rise and fall of Williams
Posted onIf you tuned into an F1 race for the first time this year you wouldn’t suspect the blue-and-white cars mired in the midfield once were the sport’s most feared competitors. Williams have known slumps in their time but it’s now six years since they won a race and you have to wonder if they can … Continue reading The rise and fall of Williams
F1 Fanatic round-up: 28/4/2010
Posted onThe Making F1 Better series continues to attract a lot of responses with over 700 responses so far. Make sure you join in the latest instalment of the discussion on aerodynamics here. Here’s the round-up for Wednesday: Links Lopez: "Kubica deserves a World Championship" (Adam Cooper) Genii Capital boss (and Renault team owner) Gerard Lopez: … Continue reading F1 Fanatic round-up: 28/4/2010
“Art of the Formula 1 Race Car” – winners
Posted onCongratulations to our five winners of the F1 Fanatic “Art of the Formula 1 Race Car” competition. They are: Vipin Vijay of Kellyville, Australia Kyle Rutherford of Glendale, United States David Roges of Dallas, United States Simon Booth of Worthing, United Kingdom Arnaud Taminiau of Gembloux, Belgium Well done to all of you and commiserations … Continue reading “Art of the Formula 1 Race Car” – winners
Addicted to aero (Making F1 better)
Posted onThe “Making F1 better” discussion series started here last week has provoke a range of responses and ideas from fans. But one particular complaint has come up time and time again: F1 cars are too dependent on downforce. There may be no silver bullet which cures all F1’s ills, but kicking its addiction to aerodynamics … Continue reading Addicted to aero (Making F1 better)
FIA wants more women in motor racing
Posted onThe FIA’s Women and Motor Sport Commission met for the first time yesterday and set itself the target of “facilitating the full participation of women in all aspects of motor sport.” Like many branches of motor sport, few women have made a mark in F1 as drivers. The last woman to compete in F1 was … Continue reading FIA wants more women in motor racing
Traffic a greater challenge in next races
Posted onExpect to hear a lot more drivers complaining about being stuck in traffic in the next rounds of the championship. The next four tracks on the calendar are on average 1.2km shorter than the first four. They include Monaco, the shortest and narrowest track in F1, where traffic will prove a major headache in qualifying … Continue reading Traffic a greater challenge in next races
F1 Fanatic round-up: 27/4/2010
Posted onGravaters are back – at least for the time being. Here’s today’s round-up: Links Visit the Williams Collection (Williams) “For the first time, the RBS Williams F1 Conference Centre will be opening its doors for two days of public tours of the private Williams F1 Grand Prix Collection, the largest Formula One Collection in the … Continue reading F1 Fanatic round-up: 27/4/2010
Improving F1 means solving a three-dimensional problem (Making F1 better)
Posted onCost, Safety and The Show. If you want to get anything changed in F1, these are the three criteria you’ve got to satisfy. So how do our ideas for making F1 better measure up?
Nico Hulkenberg laps Nordschleife in Williams Hybrid Porsche
F1 video
Posted onNico Hulkenberg lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife in a Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid. The car uses F1-derived KERS technology supplied by Williams Hybrid Power.