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The Formula 1 2014 Season |OT2| Louder Than Formula E

Ark

Member
I stopped getting overly excited at the reveals since so much is fake/hidden to not give anything away.

The excitement is simply that F1 is back soon!

Oh yeah car reveals themselves are anticlimactic, but seeing all the new drivers in their garb, the new McLaren-Honda livery, and the feeling that the off-season seems to feel shorter every year.
 
Nope, wait for the car launch. But rumors were Ron was asking for a lot of money.

Mclaren is busy lowering expectations.

And Kimi isn't (yet) a father.
 

Zeknurn

Member
Reports from Italy are suggesting that Ferrari has signed an agreement with Austrian company AVL which is based in Graz.

AVL is the largest independent company in the world in regards the development of the internal combustion engine and a team of their specialists will be stationed in Maranello to contribute to the development of the six-cylinder turbo engine designed by Lorenzo

...

What many will find surprising is that Ferrari have turned to a company that has ties witSassi.h Red Bull Racing but in particular, Helmut Marko. Back in the summer when RBR threatened to leave Renault and construct their own engines – the plan was to have the power unit designed by AVL.

Concerns are being voiced that it may not just be Caterham and Marussia that have been eliminated from the F1 circus. In the list provided by the FIA, there is an asterisk placed beside the Lotus entry for the 2015 championship.

...

Yet having lost a considerable amount of staff to other teams and investment having being reduced throughout the season, Gerald Lopez is seen as wanting to offload the team. The E23 design which has been headed by Nick Chester’s team has failed it’s first crash test but the engineers are not concerned as a skin of carbon fibre should reach the required safety standards.

...

This of course presents a problem to both Bernie and the FIA as it would mean just 16 cars and 8 teams on the grid..
http://thejudge13.com/2014/12/30/f1-daily-news-and-comment-tuesday-30th-december-2014/
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Nope, wait for the car launch. But rumors were Ron was asking for a lot of money.

Mclaren is busy lowering expectations.

Lowering expectations? Just the other week Ronbo was talking about domination and Honda stating that "we will win next year in Melbourne and start a new era."

Peter P's rocketship, he must have cut the gardening short and started earlier than expected.
 
Lowering expectations? Just the other week Ronbo was talking about domination and Honda stating that "we will win next year in Melbourne and start a new era."

Peter P's rocketship, he must have cut the gardening short and started earlier than expected.

And then Boullier said they wanted no engine freeze otherwise Mercedes will dominate for years.

2015 will be a learning year more than anything else, so keep your expectations in check.
 
And then nothing, Boullier was answering Crofty on Sky Sports back in November when he asked him if they need to unfreeze the engine rules for the good of the sport. For some reason, a month later, the degenerates at Autosport have used this interview and put their own spin on it.

"if you could unfreeze the engine regs, you will see some catch up"

"some" being Ferrari and Renault, there's no need for Honda to catch up as they have a jewel of an engine with exceptional performance according to McLaren.
 

Mastah

Member
A Statement from the Bianchi Family | 30 December 2014

Nice, France

The parents of Jules Bianchi, Philippe and Christine, would like to provide the following update regarding Jules’ medical situation:

“As we reach the conclusion of a difficult year for our family, we wanted to take this opportunity to provide a further update regarding Jules’ medical situation, per our pledge to communicate continued information, when appropriate, to his many fans.

“It was a significant and very comforting step for us to be able to bring Jules home to France last month, to continue his rehabilitation surrounded by his family and friends. This is very important for Jules and also for us.

“Since that time, Jules has received the very best treatment in the Intensive Care Unit of Le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice (CHU) and now at the CHU’s rehabilitation centre for this kind of trauma.

“Jules’ neurological status remains unchanged; he is unconscious but able to breathe unaided. Whilst there is no significant information to report, we take a great deal of comfort from the fact that Jules continues to fight, as we knew he would, and this has enabled the medical professionals caring for him to commence the planned, but very painstaking, programme of rehabilitation therapy.

“As we reflect on the events of the past few months, we would like to acknowledge once again the overwhelming warmth and affection shown towards our son. These continue to be challenging times for our family, but the knowledge that he has touched the lives of so many people all around the world has helped us through.

“We would also like to acknowledge the respect and support shown by the media towards our family during this time, for which we are extremely grateful.

“We will continue to provide information when it is possible to do so and our sincere appreciation to everyone who continues to pray for Jules.”

https://twitter.com/Jules_Bianchi/status/549962953928482820

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And then nothing, Boullier was answering Crofty on Sky Sports back in November when he asked him if they need to unfreeze the engine rules for the good of the sport. For some reason, a month later, the degenerates at Autosport have used this interview and put their own spin on it.

"if you could unfreeze the engine regs, you will see some catch up"

"some" being Ferrari and Renault, there's no need for Honda to catch up as they have a jewel of an engine with exceptional performance according to McLaren.

The ICE yes, it seems it will competitive, but everything else, in particular when it comes to reliability, is still far from clear.
 

Mastah

Member
Isn't Lotus in good financial standing? I remember Lopez boasting that his team is at least breaking-even.

Nah, they are bankrupt. Every year since 2010.

Lotus F1 Team ‏@Lotus_F1Team

EXCLUSIVE first #sneakpeek of the #E23! Revving baby girl born at Enstone, all parents involved are doing well. :)

B6Ldj2JCQAAcWDH.jpg:orig
 

Mastah

Member
No problems with Sauber, especially since it's now the only Ferrari customer. Don't think Ferrari want to see Sauber go bust when they lost millions with Marussia.

No problems with Sauber? They somehow survived through 2010, barely made it to Australia in 2012 (as confirmed by Perez), had to appease creditors during 2013 summer break, took money from anyone interested with a bag of cash in 2014 (Fong, Nissany) and now for 2015 hired 2 highest bidders, Nasr and Ericsson, with Swedish money grabbed already, so Sauber can survive winter. That's no problems?


In other news, former F1 driver and current Formula E driver Franck Montagny was positively tested for cocaine during Malaysian round:

http://www.lequipe.fr/Sport-auto/Actualites/Montagny-je-suis-fautif/525172
 
No problems with Sauber? They somehow survived through 2010, barely made it to Australia in 2012 (as confirmed by Perez), had to appease creditors during 2013 summer break, took money from anyone interested with a bag of cash in 2014 (Fong, Nissany) and now for 2015 hired 2 highest bidders, Nasr and Ericsson, with Swedish money grabbed already, so Sauber can survive winter. That's no problems?


In other news, former F1 driver and current Formula E driver Franck Montagny was positively tested for cocaine during Malaysian round:

http://www.lequipe.fr/Sport-auto/Actualites/Montagny-je-suis-fautif/525172
Sauber will be in Australia. That's what I meant. Obviously they're not swimming in cash, but Lotus is in bigger trouble.
 
Nah, they are bankrupt. Every year since 2010.

Lotus could be about to lose their biggest sponsor and pay driver. It is going to be very difficult for the Venezuelan government to justify such an expensive sponsorship programme of Lotus and Maldonado now that the country is deep in recession and PDVSA is in trouble.
 
Didn't realise BBC Racing Legends was back, the second episode this Sunday sees Jeremy Irons examining the life and cars of Graham Hill, final episode is some baker / John Surtees.
 

DrM

Redmond's Baby
Toto for Gazetta dello Sport:
- They will discuss Hamilton contract extension during the season, Alonso first and Bottas second alternative
- 2015 car is on schedule, they are planning shakedown in mid January in Silverstone. Unveil probably on the first day of testing
- Williams main rival in 2015, RBR will be also dangerous

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117254
 
Oh shit

Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault can all develop their PUs during the season, but Honda can't. So Honda has until the 28th of February to freeze their engine.
 

Zeknurn

Member
Oh shit

Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault can all develop their PUs during the season, but Honda can't. So Honda has until the 28th of February to freeze their engine.

The 2015 season just got a whole lot more exciting. God bless FIA and their ability to write rules with loopholes.
 
Oh shit

Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault can all develop their PUs during the season, but Honda can't. So Honda has until the 28th of February to freeze their engine.

Please post sources to claims. It's awfully tedious to try and guess where people are getting information from in order to read more about it.
 

Dead Man

Member

The interpretation that allows Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault to bring in developments over the course of 2015 will not apply to Honda because it is a new manufacturer.

Although the regulations do not specifically state dates for the Japanese car maker to submit its homologated unit, the FIA is standing by its view that it must stick to the February 28 date that the current manufacturers faced last year.

The Whiting note added: "As the existing manufacturers were obliged to homologate their power units by 28 February 2014 it would seem fair and equitable to ask a new manufacturer to homologate their power unit before February 28 2015.

Utter crock of shit.
 
The interpretation that allows Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault to bring in developments over the course of 2015 will not apply to Honda because it is a new manufacturer.

Although the regulations do not specifically state dates for the Japanese car maker to submit its homologated unit, the FIA is standing by its view that it must stick to the February 28 date that the current manufacturers faced last year.

The Whiting note added: "As the existing manufacturers were obliged to homologate their power units by 28 February 2014 it would seem fair and equitable to ask a new manufacturer to homologate their power unit before February 28 2015.
Utter crock of shit.

Funnily enough I'd just copied exactly that block of text in order to comment on it. I honestly can't see (in a logical world), a scenario in which Honda don't attempt to mount a legal challenge to that as it seems an awfully arbitrary way to fuck over their 2015 (and potentially 2016) campaign.
 

Dead Man

Member
Funnily enough I'd just copied exactly that block of text in order to comment on it. I honestly can't see (in a logical world), a scenario in which Honda don't attempt to mount a legal challenge to that as it seems an awfully arbitrary way to fuck over their 2015 (and potentially 2016) campaign.

There's your mistake, thinking anything about the FIA and F1 is logical. ;) But yeah, can't see that reasoning flying with Honda.
 
Funnily enough I'd just copied exactly that block of text in order to comment on it. I honestly can't see (in a logical world), a scenario in which Honda don't attempt to mount a legal challenge to that as it seems an awfully arbitrary way to fuck over their 2015 (and potentially 2016) campaign.

If you're talking about civil courts, the FIA won't take kindly to that.

That's why they have the ICA. If anything, Honda will go the ICA route, never a civil court. But I doubt Honda will even go down that route.
 

itsgreen

Member
So, if I get this right, they still can only modify engine with that token limit?

Yeah, what has happened is that Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault have submitted their basic design in February 2014.

They can improve on those with their tokens at any time they chose. Because the FIA has forgotten to add a date to 'freeze' the engine again.
 
Here's the situation:

- The spirit of the law was to forbid in-season development of PUs unless there were reliability issues. That required the agreement of the FIA and the other manufacturers;

- However, the rules were poorly written and a couple of months ago they were rumors that Ferrari and Renault were going to take advantage of that loophole. The FIA (Charlie Whiting) accepted the view of Renault and Ferrari during the Christmas period;

- Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault can continue to develop mid-season in 2015, and according to reports (AMuS) Ferrari and Renault have 5 tokens left;
Also, homologation of the PUs can happen after the 1st GP. So teams can run with 2014 PUs until their 2015 PU is ready (very unlikely to happen, but in theory possible). Obviously inside the token rules.

- Honda will have the treatment that the other manufacturers had in 2014: complete freeze on introducing new developments unless there are reliability problems. So any introduction of new parts requires the approval of all the other manufacturers.
 

Pimpwerx

Member
It says Ferrari and Renault have 5 tokens left. How many does Mercedes have left? Also, does this allow for the other teams to copy Merc's split turbo design? The packaging of the engine was small because they had the exhaust spool and intake compressor on opposite ends of the cylinder banks, with the shaft running down the middle of the V. That was my understanding of it, and why Merc was able to deliver such a compact engine.

Anyway, Honda knew the rules coming in. It wouldn't be fair to allow them more prep than the other manufacturers had. PEACE.
 

Nicktendo86

Member
The rumours are that Merc wanted to use all of their tokens for season start but are holding back 5 'just in case'. That Renault and Ferrari are so incompetent that they need more time to use theirs is staggering.

Honda have had no more prep time than anyone, where have you got that from? They are a full year behind on development and have no track data to use compared to the others. Only advantage they have is that they can freeze their basic design later than the others.

This is yet another clusterfuck.
 

DBT85

Member
Bizarre they are letting them do it, but since Honda have not yet homoglated an engine, they do need to do it before the start of the season. The other three already have one homoglated, so they can use that until the new unit is ready.
 

Dead Man

Member
Bizarre they are letting them do it, but since Honda have not yet homoglated an engine, they do need to do it before the start of the season. The other three already have one homoglated, so they can use that until the new unit is ready.

Yeah, but they should be able to do that and then use this years tokens like any other team. Saying a team has to make no changes in their first year 'just because that's the what was intended' when the other teams get to use the loophole is bullshit.

Even Honda knew it would be that way for years now. They will have to live by the same rules the other teams had - only one year later. That's neither new nor surprising.

It made sense when the other teams were going to be held to the same standard. First year or not, the same rules should apply to every team in every season.
 

Ark

Member
Have you guys not read a single thing Wax Free posted? Ye of little faith.

For the record, I actually think Honda will deliver and the only thing holding back McLaren will be a less-aggressive development programme.
 

DBT85

Member
I really hope Williams do well again this year. Really really. Think we'll end up Mercedes, Williams, Red Bull, Ferrari/McLaren. Lotus are a bit of a wildcard with the Merc engine.

Yeah, but they should be able to do that and then use this years tokens like any other team. Saying a team has to make no changes in their first year 'just because that's the what was intended' when the other teams get to use the loophole is bullshit.
Unfortunatly the FIA being soft as a sack of shite when it pleases them is part of F1 and has been for some years.

The issue with Honda being allowed the same extra toeksn is that then they would either a) homoglate twice in one year or b) not homoglate at all until they see fit.

The other three can get away with it because they already have an engine which is homoglated to the spec.

The concern here is whether the FIA are just going to allow open development all season or if they are going to stick to the one homoglation per season part of the rule or not, the press release wasn't clear for me. If they are still only allowed one homoglation then I doubt Ferrari and Renault are going to wait much more than 1 or 2 races as the performance gap to Merc will be even larger assuming they homoglate for Australia, and they don;t know how good the Honda will be.

It made sense when the other teams were going to be held to the same standard. First year or not, the same rules should apply to every team in every season.

Have you guys not read a single thing Wax Free posted? Ye of little faith.

Not a word.
 

Hammer24

Banned
It made sense when the other teams were going to be held to the same standard. First year or not, the same rules should apply to every team in every season.

Which would give Honda an advantage. They will have the same rules as the other teams - starting next year.
 
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