NationStates Jolt Archive

So, the first race of the 2009 season just finished. As is usual for the first race, there were a bunch of challenges and complaints about other teams' technology (the rule is: whatever you didn't think of, you protest against), but the race itself was pretty good.

The big question is of course about the new rules though. The cars run less downforce, but slicks again. It didn't appear as though there was more overtaking, with the exception of the requirement to run the dodgy supersoft tires, which run out of grip after a couple of laps and make your car easy prey for anyone close enough.

The KERS thing has potential though, I think. There are a lot of choices involved that could make it exciting for a while, until everyone figured out the optimal setup and just goes with that.

So what do you think?

Gaaahhhh!!! I knew I should have set a reminder...I'll have to catch the rebroadcast tomorrow...

Thank you for ruining the results for me.:p

It is repeated on British TV later and I was gonna watch it.:mad:

I notice the design hotbed of Formula One has rediscovered the hubcap.

Oops, I didn't realise people weren't watching it live. It is evident that you lack commitment, and I recommend you never move to Australia: all important international sporting events require getting up in the middle of the night to watch them.

Anyways, sorry.

I notice the design hotbed of Formula One has rediscovered the hubcap.
Much more aerodynamic. *nods*

Saw the highlights. It looked to be an interesting race and this is coming from someone who wasn't all that in F1. I predicted the outcome correctly...just didn't bet on it. Stupid me!

Much more aerodynamic. *nods*

The pit crew change the wheels well inside the fueling time.

It's been a while since I watched an hour of F1, but I seem to remember the fuel almost always being what the car had to wait for.

So ... just how long has it taken F1 to rediscover the hubcap?

So ... just how long has it taken F1 to rediscover the hubcap?
http://www.madtv.me.uk/f1insight/default.aspx?blogid=177
http://www.f1technical.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4965&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Gaaahhhh!!! I knew I should have set a reminder...I'll have to catch the rebroadcast tomorrow...

You have a rebroadcast? Ahhhhh why can't Ten do this? They now have a all sports channel it should be easy for them.

To the OP: Good race overall, amazed that Brawn got the 1-2* though it seems that they may soon become Virgin, ugh.

KERS is one thing that will be looked at over the next few races to see how well it does work.

It will be interesting to see if the appeals against the rear diffuser are upheld or dismissed, since Brawn won the race and their cars have this, they could lose their results* hopefully this doesn't happen.

*In white as it talks about the winner, if you haven't seen it and want to watch it first don't read it.

I hope the KERS system disappears or is banned. I think the situation where a driver like Robert Kubica cannot use it when other drivers can is unfair. Hopefully the disadvantages to those who do use will outweigh the advantages.

Ah. It isn't just a hubcap. It can stay still independently of the wheel, and it can change the angle of presentation of those ... er, brake cooling slots.

I'm thinking that the "movable aerodynamic device" rule is a bit stupid.

I hope the KERS system disappears or is banned. I think the situation where a driver like Robert Kubica cannot use it when other drivers can is unfair. Hopefully the disadvantages to those who do use will outweigh the advantages.
Well, he could use it. It's just that since he weighs more, and the KERS is quite heavy as well and concentrates weight in certain parts of the car, he runs out of options for shifting ballast around. All he'd need is either a lighter system, or a car that is a little easier on its tires if the weight distribution isn't just so.

Why watch Formula One, and not people making Left Turns?

I've never understood the appeal of F1... I mean, I'll watch the first lap, that's exciting enough, but then I just end up getting tired and walking away to do something more interesting. That being said, I do try to remember to turn it back on at the end, and managed to this time. Cool finish.

I think the new rules have potential, they seem to make the field a lot closer and eliminate a lot of the differences between the cars, making it more up to driver skill. But that's just my totally un-knowledgeable impression, so don't quote me on that.

Why watch Formula One, and not people making Left Turns?

No need to decide, I flipped back and forth between the NASCAR race, but since it was on a short track there were plenty of cautions so I could watch most of the F1 race.

Rather than parity it seems F1 just tosses the box every couple of years.

It was sort of new, sort of not. Mercedes engines where up front, as was an Adrian Newey car. Seriously, the teams should put together a fund that gives him an insurmountable salary that keeps him from designing F1 cars for any team. Hiring him is like a 'put me in the front of the field' magic wand.

I actually like the KERS system. It's kind of funny that real cars now kind of act like video game cars with a 'boost' that magically charges, though now it's engineering and it weighs more to have it on instead of buying it as an upgrade after beating the first track. If they can keep it so that there is a trade off, I like that. I like different strategies on the field, which is at its best in sportscar racing.

I'm not 100% on how things work in F1 as far as changing the cars, but I suspect that if changes are allowed you'll end up seeing those defusers on everyone's cars mid season.

One or two more incidents like at the end with those tires and it's once again back to the drawing board. At least they got rid of those stupid grooves.

The cars this year look down right goofy with those giant front wings and tiny tiny rear wings.

The cars run less downforce, but slicks again. ...
the requirement to run the dodgy supersoft tires ...
The KERS thing has potential though, I think.

Both the supersoft tires and the KERS are the utmost shit, methinks.

If I could have it my way, we would have turbo engines back, no rules about tires, and more freedom in the chassis design.
It really looks like Bernie Ecclestone and Obersturmbannführer Mosley are trying to have all teams run the very same car, which is boooooooring.

It really looks like Bernie Ecclestone and Obersturmbannführer Mosley are trying to have all teams run the very same car, which is boooooooring.
Well, I think there should be room in the world for a race series that is about trying to see who can make a car go around a track as fast as humanly possible, with no restrictions. For a while F1 was close to that idea, but the problem is that it doesn't necessarily make for very close racing and very good television.

I'd love to see what a no-rules car would look like, and what it could do. But I don't think it'll happen.

Well, I think there should be room in the world for a race series that is about trying to see who can make a car go around a track as fast as humanly possible, with no restrictions. For a while F1 was close to that idea, but the problem is that it doesn't necessarily make for very close racing and very good television.

I'd love to see what a no-rules car would look like, and what it could do. But I don't think it'll happen.
It would look like Can-Am racing in 1970.