Force India say they will make an announcement about their driver line-up at 3pm (GMT) today. The team is expected to promote Paul di Resta to partner Adrian Sutil.
Links
Top F1 links from the past 24 hours:
Michael Schumacher hit by illness in Mercedes simulator (BBC)
“Throughout his career, Michael from time to time has been susceptible to simulator sickness. It hasn’t adversely affected Michael’s race preparation or competitiveness with regard to his team-mate.”
South Africa to bid for F1 grand prix from 2013 (Reuters)
“South Africa is bidding to host a Formula One Grand Prix in Cape Town from 2013, which would be the country’s first in nearly 20 years.”
“Jaime was in the factory today for his seat fitting in STR6. As you can clearly see, he is either giving it the thumbs-up, or trying out our latest invisible steering wheel, with KERS button.”
Note the Monza 2008 podium sign in the background and, on the car, signs of a heavily undercut air intake on the new STR6.
Symonds: F1 overtaking research key (Autosport)
“If we are going to improve overtaking then we need to know what our target is – and if our target is to have half as much again as we have now, then sure we can work on it. If it is three times as much, we can work on it. We need a target, we need to dispel some of the myths – and we need to put some money into it to research it.”
“Force India F1 Racing Team 2011 Drivers Announcement… catch the LIVE updates on Twitter at 8.30PM IST/3PM GMT! Mark your clocks!”
Shanghai International works to cure sinking feeling (Crash)
“The circuit’s head of engineering, Sun Liang, gave another explanation for the problems, citing the use of ‘complex materials’ to artificially elevate sections of the circuit, which was built on reclaimed swampland. ‘Because some parts of the circuit are on the ground while some parts are not, as time goes by it’s normal for some subsidence,” he noted, ‘What we will do is repave the asphalt on the three corners as we don’t have to repave the whole circuit at all.'”
“Lotus Renault GP R31, Le Figaro have released this picture apparently of the new car, note the clever mirror mounts, sidepod inlets and Helmets”
Beneath the Hype of F1 Austin: Part 1 and Part 2 (Austin Post)
“In my opinion the roads that immediately surround the F1 site are inadequate for the demands of a major racing series. I cannot cite any studies, but I have been to racing events in six countries and more than 25 locations in the US. I have driven around the site, looked at the existing roads, and I recognize that the road infrastructure is inadequate. It barely satisfies the current daily demands. Improvements are needed and the Commissioner’s Court has some demands.”
It had to happen…
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Comment of the day
What did yesterday’s look at the adjustable rear wing rules tell us? Robert McKay offers an interpretation:
It does highlight a potential flaw in the thinking. For example there were loads of ARW opportunities in Canada because there was already lots of close racing and overtaking. Canada last year was one of the races we really didn’t need ARW overtaking help. But Bahrain, where we really did need help, had the third fewest possibilities for ARW overtaking.
So on that basis the ARW is the wrong way round – doesn’t help the races you need it in and probably overdoes the races you don’t.
Robert McKay
From the forum
Lucasowen85 asks what’s going to happen to the European Grand Prix?
F1 Fanatic Google Calendar
Yesterday’s announcement by HRT that their F111 should make its first appearance in the Bahrain test means we now know when all of the new 2011 F1 cars should be revealed.
As usual you can find all these dates on the F1 Fanatic Google Calendar. Details of which drivers will be in action at each of the tests are also being added, and of course all the 2011 F1 race dates are in there too.
You can subscribe to the F1 Fanatic Google Calendar in a range of different formats to suit, many of which are supported by mobile devices.
Happy birthday!
Happy birthdays to Stealthman and Weasel Chops!
On this day in F1
And happy birthday also to Sauber’s new driver for 2011 Sergio Perez. He’s 21 today.
RIISE (@riise)
26th January 2011, 0:02
As long as Schumi doesn’t barf in the cockpit like Webber he’ll be fine. Very strange though.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
26th January 2011, 0:13
Here’s an idea for a circuit in Cape Town. I imagine that chicane at the top of the circuit would be like the East Terrace at the old Adelaide circuit:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4254317
Or, alternatively, this:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4254324
But I like the first one better.
I should get into the circuit design game.
Hamish
26th January 2011, 0:29
Accounting probably isn’t the best approach to that aspiration sunshine.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
26th January 2011, 0:50
I’m only doing accounting because it’s a compulsory subject for my degree. I’m an English and business studies teacher, princess.
Hamish
26th January 2011, 1:19
Calm down internet warrior, it was all meant in good nature. Either or not really a path to circuit design.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
26th January 2011, 2:59
Be very careful about that. Appearances can differ from intentions. Calling someone an “internet warrior” is not something that most people would take in good nature.
Hamish
26th January 2011, 10:28
Well its clearly obvious from the above comments that the first comment was meant in good nature. Second comment, perhaps not as much.
Be careful? Just curious, what are the implications for such a comment?
Mark Hitchcock (@mark-hitchcock)
26th January 2011, 14:37
Careful Hamish, he’ll back trace you and report you to the cyber police.
Hamish
26th January 2011, 20:32
Haha, my thoughts exactly
his_majesty
26th January 2011, 6:54
Prisoner Monkeys.. that’s an odd name. Good link you’ve found, but I gotta say I like number two better. I see the S bends looking a bit like silverstone on a street circuit, with overtaking available at the end of the straight. Just my opinion anyways
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
26th January 2011, 11:14
I didn’t find it. The G-Maps Pedometer lets you plot paths along city streets. You can use it to find directions, work out routes for exercise, or use it to create racing circuits. I used it for the latter purpose to make both of those.
Nicholas (@nicholas)
26th January 2011, 12:02
I’ve found this on the Net. This should be the official proposed circuit layout:
http://www.capetownalive.co.za/images/blogs/97/f1.jpg
http://www.capetownalive.co.za/blogs/cape-town-formula-1-bid.html?index_php?view=article&print=1&tmpl=component
It’d be exciting to see cars going through the stadium if that’s gonna happen.
Mikos
26th January 2011, 22:12
Would never up – too many fast corners and an interesting layout. Learn to love the constant radius 90 degrees – seek inspiration from the classic tracks like Aboo Sleepy or Sleephir and maybe you will have a future in track design.
Dipak T
26th January 2011, 1:09
I thought it was common knowledge that Schumi suffered from this sickness. Its why he amassed such a vast amount of track time at Ferrari.
Ned Flanders
26th January 2011, 1:10
Even now, two and a half years on, I can still barely comprehend that Toro Rosso won a Grand Prix! Their existence has basically been five years of lower midfield mediocrity with the exception of those glorious few months in the second half of 2008 where all of a sudden they were contenders. Extrodinary
alejandro
26th January 2011, 4:14
That was a unique set of circumstances though… They were using what was essentially an RB4 sporting a Ferrari engine, wet conditions, as well as a very capable driver… Not quite the same set of circumstances as Panis winning in Monaco in 96, but equally as improbable IMO.
Gridlock
26th January 2011, 1:45
Having seen Jaime’s chin I might bet on big things for him, he’s not quite got the full Coulthard or Webber but he’s well on the way.
Also either that Renault’s a (1/3rd?) scale wind tunnel model or someone at Enstone needs to re-read the 2011 regs sharpish :D
Interesting to see 2 bits of 2011 though, roll on Friday!
Hamish
26th January 2011, 1:55
Agreed. This keeps the fiends happy.
alejandro
26th January 2011, 4:15
yep…. the shakes and cold sweats are getting unbearable
US_Peter (@us_peter)
26th January 2011, 6:59
Or they have the world’s biggest mechanic working in Enstone…
VXR
26th January 2011, 2:20
Schumacher also dislikes air-conditioning. Thought you’d all like to know that. :)
Hamish
26th January 2011, 2:24
Ha funny you should say that. Read Sid Watkins book and you’ll get what I mean
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
26th January 2011, 2:33
In the past Schumacher wasn’t used too much simulator, as always he relied on track testing.& those I wonder whether drivers used too much simulator, I just hope this don’t effect his preparation for the season.
Good news for us that SA is making a bid.Things remains to see as many GP will be added to the calender Bernie may axe some classic race track as if he don’t then he may end up with 23 GP by 2013 with Russia, USA & SA wants to join.
silencer
26th January 2011, 7:57
some people will feel nauseous and sick when staring or playing computer games with fast moving graphics, color and camera ; I forgot what that sickness name is..
I guess that’s what M.schumacher problem is; especially at his age and have to staring at fast moving simulator graphics.. that dude need a real on track testing :D
PJA
26th January 2011, 13:26
I sometimes get motion sickness when travelling in cars depending on the circumstances such as the driver etc. But I have also got motion sickness when I tried playing a first person shooter computer game, I think it was Quake, but it happened on all of the few occasions I tried playing the game.
Icthyes
26th January 2011, 8:29
Next time I get motion sickness I’ll comfort myself with the fact that it happens even to Michael Schumacher!
Steph (@)
26th January 2011, 8:57
The BBC have been a bit slow with that story as one of their own commentators (Brundle I think) mentioned it back at Valencia last year.
Patrickl (@patrickl)
26th January 2011, 11:57
I heard it from Anthony Davidson.
BasCB (@bascb)
26th January 2011, 15:30
I think I picked it up from him as well. Seems this is one of the reasons for getting a new simulator done by Mercedes.
SoerenKaae (@soerenkaae)
26th January 2011, 10:41
This argument does not work:
Ok, so dont think people will listen to you…
BasCB (@bascb)
26th January 2011, 15:32
Why doesn’t it work? Having visited races in 6 different countries including the US, that means over 30 in total.
SirCoolbeans (@sircoolbeans)
26th January 2011, 11:32
That Christian Horner fan club is freaky. Those girls come across as massive perverts. Almost as bad as Sky Sports presenters. :D
McLarenFanJamm
26th January 2011, 11:50
that’s my comment of the day
Tarshenden
20th April 2011, 6:33
God forbid we have girls behaving the same way as men do. The Christian Horner fan club is hilarious and satirical. To claim those girls as perverts when it is apparent by the way they write, that although they like the man, that they have a solid hold on reality whilst still laughing, shows your inability to have a good laugh. That club is one of the best around. Those girls are so funny and they are global and blend together so well and tease the crap out of each other, I for one love them and think they are great.
Patrickl (@patrickl)
26th January 2011, 12:00
I don’t think the comment of the day is correct.
In Bahrain there is no overtaking possible anyway. So why bother driving within 1 second of your opponent?
The standard distance for “holding station” is about 2 to 3 seconds. That’s the distance they will hold if there is no chance of overtaking anyway.
So obviously on tracks where overtaking is possible they will be closer more often and thus more ARW events.
Now if the wing will allow overtaking, drivers will creep up closer to their opponents much more often.
BBT (@bbt)
26th January 2011, 12:40
Nah, don’t agree they would get closer if they could but they can’t.
They aren’t going to get within 1.5s and then think this isn’t going to work and not bother,(how do they know they can’t overtake without trying) they will try and then after that they might sit back when they realise its pointless.
BBT (@bbt)
26th January 2011, 12:41
PS I totally agree with COTD.
Patrickl (@patrickl)
28th January 2011, 9:21
You would really start hounding another driver if you had no hope of overtaking anyway? Risking damaging your tyres, overheating your car, crashing out etc etc.
More importantly, you think that F1 drivers would be of the same mindset?
John H
26th January 2011, 13:25
That’s an important point you highlight Patrick.
Also, drivers were backing away because of overheating issues and the lack of knowledge of a fuel weights (using up fuel by slipstreaming).
I do think that Keith’s analysis whilst interesting is not a true enough picture of which tracks will suit the ARW.
John H
26th January 2011, 13:11
Loving the Horner website…
“He sounds like Jack Dee with a cold”
important hard hitting facts, and true!
PJA
26th January 2011, 13:17
I don’t know if this has been mentioned elsewhere and I have missed it, but when I leave a comment the box at the bottom to tick if I would like follow-ups e-mailed to me has gone.
I realize this will be connected to the recent work done on the site but was just wondering if it was permanent or not.
Becken
26th January 2011, 13:17
Good interview with ‘Senna´s authors:
http://bit.ly/fZP5i4
Fixy (@)
26th January 2011, 16:44
Force India drivers: Sutil and Di Resta with Hulkenberg as tester.
Hare (@hare)
26th January 2011, 19:54
Rumour has it, Mercedes simulator simulates Barrichello as faster than Michael this year… Maybe the two are connected?
Patrickl (@patrickl)
28th January 2011, 9:22
Is Alonso faster than Massa?