The 2018 Formula One Thread

[harrybarracuda]

Analysis indicates that Ferrari have now matched Mercedes in power but still aren’t quite there in terms of fuel economy.

“We don’t loose time to Mercedes on the straights” admitted Sebastian Vettel in Melbourne. Indeed in China the Red team were comparable to the Silver Arrows with only a difference of 1.5kph on the main straight.

So many are arguing that actually Ferrari have stepped up their game in terms of engine performance but the truth of the situation appears to be a return to the subject of oil burning for performance gain.

The FIA clamped down on teams using oil in the combustion process over the last couple of years, the biggest culprits being both Mercedes and Ferrari. By burning oil that normally is used for cooling and lubrication of the Internal Combustion Engine, these teams have extracted extra engine performance and gain lap time over Renault and Honda.

This year see’s even more restrictions on burning oil, and the FIA are clamping down harder than ever. In light of this, Mercedes appear to have returned to an old specification of oil, last used in 2016. The biggest result being a loss of performance by the 2018 Mercedes Power Unit.

The German publication Auto Sport und Motor confirms this revealing that the reason for the voluntary move by Mercedes is due to the oil rule change mandated by the FIA for 2018. Mercedes wants to be on the safe side with oil consumption. For 2018, only 0.6 liters per 100 kilometers may be consumed in an effort to prevent oil from being introduced into the combustion process for increased performance.

The common practice to allow oil to mix with the combustion process involved the main seal in the compressor of the turbocharger being deliberately made to “leak” so that a pre-calculated amount of oil could enter the combustion chamber. And it appears Ferrari are continuing to do just that.

The FIA ​​is conducting strict oil consumption controls this year. Sensors in the main oil tank constantly measure how much the level drops. Every day, the FIA ​​examines the additional oil tanks in two teams, weighs them full and empty, so that it can not be tricked by clever “leaky” seals.

The FIA limit being set at 0.6 litres of oil consumed per 100km, up until Bahrain both Mercedes and Ferrari were sailing close to the wind by burning 0.58 litres of oil. Mercedes have since throttled back but Ferrari are continuing to run at that level. For clarity, Renault and Honda run just 0.1 to 0.2 a piece.

With a maximum of only three different lubricant specifications are allowed per manufacturer, Mercedes have now already used up 2 changes by reverting to the 2016 spec oil, leaving just 1 oil ‘upgrade’ for the rest of the season.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff explains the reasons behind the move: “The measurements of the oil consumption are not quite precise. If you operate there on the border, you risk that you sometimes over it. Mercedes can not afford to drive illegally. ”
Should Ferrari play safe and follow suit, we might see the red team have less straight line performance relative to Mercedes.

https://thejudge13.com/f1/the-real-r...edes-are-slow/

[harrybarracuda]

Biometric gloves? But at least it helps the fatties.

F1 to finalise 2021 engine regulations in May

The regulations regarding power units for the 2021 Formula One season are set to be decided in May.


THE FIA’S PROPOSALS for new engine rules to be introduced from the 2021 Formula One season are due to be revisited with the aim of reaching a final decision in May.

On Tuesday, the F1 Strategy Group and the F1 Commission met at the FIA’s headquarters in Paris to discuss a number of issues, and “positive and constructive discussions” with stakeholders were held.

Earlier this month, suggestions were made for power units to be “cheaper, simpler and louder” in future and those wishes were reiterated in the French capital, where FIA president Jean Todt and F1 CEO Chase Carey were among those in attendance.

The FIA’s proposed changes include the removal of the MGU-H – which recovers energy from the turbocharger – an element which the governing body believes is too expensive and complicated.

“The FIA presented its proposals for the 2021 power unit regulations, under which teams would continue to use 1.6 litre, V6 turbo hybrid engines, but with the MGU-H exhaust energy recovery system – one of the current unit’s most complex and costly elements – removed,” read a release on the F1 website.

“The FIA Technical Department will now meet with current and potential power unit manufacturers to discuss the proposals in more detail, with a view to finalising the 2021 regulations by the end of May.”

Tuesday’s meeting also saw an agreement to the following rules for the 2019 campaign:

“An increase in race fuel allowance from 105 to 110 kg. This will allow drivers to use the engine at full power at all times.

“Driver weight will now be considered separately to the car, meaning heavier drivers will no longer be disadvantaged.

“Drivers will be required to wear biometric gloves to increase safety and facilitate medical rescue.”

- Omni

https://www.the42.ie/new-f1-engine-r...63537-Apr2018/

[Johnny Farang]

I think the driver weight proposal a good one. Given the current obsession with total weight savings they're headed for a driver line-up of emaciated dwarves.


From 2015:



Weight (from the heaviest to the lightest):
Roberto Merhi 76kg (167 lbs)
Nico Hulkenberg 74kg
Jenson Button 72kg
Valtteri Bottas 70kg
Marcus Ericsson 69kg
Fernando Alonso 68kg
Romain Grosjean 68kg
Felipe Nasr 67kg (148 lbs)
Max Verstappen 67kg
Nico Rosberg 67kg
Lewis Hamilton 66kg
Daniel Ricciardo 66kg
Pastor Maldonado 66kg
Carlos Sainz 66kg
Daniil Kvyat 64kg
Sebastian Vettel 64kg
Kimi Raikkonen 63kg
Will Stevens 63kg
Sergio Perez 63kg
Felipe Massa 59kg (130 lbs)



In a world where Jenson Button is a heavyweight something ain't right.



(And who the hell is Roberto Merhi?)

[bsnub]

I think the driver weight proposal a good one.

Agreed. This is long overdue and should have happened decades ago.

[harrybarracuda]

(And who the hell is Roberto Merhi?)

One season Manor/Marussia.

Probably brought his own sponsorship and thus bought a drive.

[harrybarracuda]

Slightly better day for Mercedes.



QUALIFYING RESULTS

POS.	Driver	TEAM	TIME
1	Sebastian VETTEL	FERRARI	1:41.498
2	Lewis HAMILTON	MERCEDES	1:41.677
3	Valtteri BOTTAS	MERCEDES	1:41.837
4	Daniel RICCIARDO	RED BULL RACING	1:41.911
5	Max VERSTAPPEN	RED BULL RACING	1:41.994
6	Kimi RÄIKKÖNEN	FERRARI	1:42.490

[VocalNeal]

Agreed. This is long overdue and should have happened decades ago.

Surely the minimum weight of car + DRIVER (728kg) already covers this? They could raise it 10kgs? To cover Hulkenburg?

I'm not sure I see how making car and driver weights separate makes any difference. Other than allowing drivers sponsored by Burger King. A heavier drivers will always be at a disadvantage because the ballast required by lighter drivers may be put where the car designer wishes.

Jockeys still weight less than F1 guys.

[Norton]

I'm thinking a good chance for another Ricciardo win. A few good overtaking spots on this course and he is damn good at overtaking.

[harrybarracuda]

I'm thinking a good chance for another Ricciardo win. A few good overtaking spots on this course and he is damn good at overtaking.

Good racing ahead.... Max is driving like a cock again.

[harrybarracuda]

The Red Bulls are racing each other....

And it all ends in tears.

Newey should have seen that coming all race.





And a Safety Car.

And Bottas can pit and put on Ultrasofts.

And so has Hamilton.

And it looks like Vettel will as well.

Result!

[harrybarracuda]

We now have a ten lap sprint race.

With:

1. Bottas
2. Vettel
3. Hamilton

Raikonnen is 4th but I don't know if he's pitted.

[Norton]

It's all come unglued.

[Norton]

The Red Bulls are racing each other....

And it all ends in tears.

Racing each other before the crash hurt them as well. Lost a lot of time to the front runners.

[harrybarracuda]

Fucking hell, poor Bottas.

Now Hamilton's to lose.

[Norton]

Yea. Shame.
Vettel screwed up. Now Perez is by him.

[harrybarracuda]

Finally some luck for Hamilton - although a chunk of it at Vettel's expense.

1. Ham
2. Rai
3. Per
4. Vet

[Norton]

Ham takes lead in championship. Luck helped but he ran a decent race.

[Switch]

The only good news I’ve had all weekend. Thanks fellas. ��

[harrybarracuda]

Ricciardo and Verstappen have apparently been ordered to the factory to apologise to the team in unison.

[harrybarracuda]

Bottas is unhappy, and hiding behind dark glasses. How do you handle the disappointment, he’s asked. “Ten pints of beer.”

[Norton]

Ricciardo and Verstappen have apparently been ordered to the factory to apologise to the team in unison.

As well they should be. I'm always quick to blame Verstappen but in this case both of them deserve a major come to jesus session with the team.

[bsnub]

Grosjean is a damn idiot. Unbelievable.

[VocalNeal]

I'm always quick to blame Verstappen..

Me too. Ruining the whole spectacle. His idea of racing seems to be weaving all over the track. If a guy, never-mind your teammate, is close enough to get DRS he is coming by. He now knows that moving all over the place is not the right thing to do. Has he never heard of Maldonado? Roles reversed he'd be the one doing all the whining.

Someone like Alonso would have made it difficult but would not have risked causing an "incident" just for the sake of being in front for a few more corners.

[harrybarracuda]

Me too. Ruining the whole spectacle.

Oh I don't know, a lot of people only watch for the crashes.

[VocalNeal]

555 That's Stock Car racing whichever side of which ocean one comes from.