Katsuya Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 PdR? Pedro de la Rosa? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Lineker Posted June 23, 2013 Author Admin Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 Paul di Resta. Keep up Kats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 I wish we still lived in a time where Pedro de la Rosa was the perennial driver 'waiting in the wings' at McLaren. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Lineker Posted June 25, 2013 Author Admin Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 Formula 1 teams will use a new side impact system in 2014 designed to improve protection in the case of an oblique angle of impact. The new system, developed through collaboration between F1 teams and the FIA Institute and featured in the latest issue of the FIA's AUTO magazine, was voted through at a technical working group meeting last month. Research into current side impact technology found it not to be as effective when angles of impact are not square, with Robert Kubica's massive accident during the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix used as a reference point for analysis. Two different concepts were investigated, one using carbon tubes and the other using crushable carbon sandwich panels, with the the former found to be more effective. The final specification was produced by Red Bull based upon an initial design by Marussia. "There were three teams that ultimately submitted impact devices that were subjected to a physical test and ours was deemed to be the best of the bunch so we pursued that device further," said Red Bull head of car engineering Paul Monaghan. The structures, one of which will be fitted to each side of the car, are designed to progressively crush on impact. FIA Institute testing proved this design to be capable of absorbing close to 40kJ of energy even at acute angles of impact. "The tube has a common specification but how teams put it into their cars is entirely their business," said Monaghan. "The static tests that will be undertaken on the monocoque will determine the strength of the mounts and make sure that they are sufficient to support the tube. "After that, it's down to the teams as to how they integrate it and how they design their car around it." He added that the new system is likely to save teams money on crash tests. "One of the driving forces was to spare teams extra expense in the testing process," he said. "Assuming everybody has a monocoque which is strong enough and passes the static tests, then they've saved money as they're not doing an impact test." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJB Posted June 27, 2013 Report Share Posted June 27, 2013 Red Bull driver Mark Webber has decided to leave Formula 1 at the end of this season. The 36-year-old Australian is joining Porsche's new sportscar programme and will compete in the classic Le Mans 24 Hours for the German manufacturer. Webber had options to stay in F1, either with Red Bull or another top team, but feels it is time to move on. Lotus's Kimi Raikkonen is favourite to replace him, with Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo or Jean-Eric Vergne options. Webber described it as an "honour" to race for Porsche, saying it "has written racing history as a manufacturer and stands for outstanding performance and technology at the highest level". He added: "I'm very much looking forward to this new challenge after my time in Formula 1. I can hardly wait to pilot one of the fastest sports cars in the world." In 12 years in F1, Webber has won nine grands prix, achieved 36 podium finishes, 11 pole positions, 15 fastest laps and twice finished third in the World Championship. His best season was 2010, when he led the championship for much of the year before faltering in the final three races, falling behind team-mate Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso. With a reputation as a tough but fair competitor, plus a direct and honest approach to the media, Webber's time at Red Bull has been characterised by an uneasy relationship with Vettel. The tension between the two drivers has boiled over on several occasions during their five years as team-mates, most recently at this season's Malaysian Grand Prix, when Vettel ignored a direct team order not to overtake Webber to win the race. The German initially apologised after the race, but subsequently said he would do the same thing again. Webber, who has often felt he has not benefited from the same support that Vettel enjoys from Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko, was furious, prompting talk that he would leave the team at the end of 2013. But Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz, with whom Webber has always had a close relationship, made it clear he could stay on if he wanted to. "Whether he retires, only he will choose, but Mark is definitely a candidate for 2014," said Mateschitz in April. "He is always welcome with us." Webber considered staying with Red Bull for another season, but, with a big change in regulations next year that will dramatically alter the demands of F1, he has decided to seek a fresh challenge. He has also been critical of the Pirelli tyres that F1 teams have been forced to use since 2011, claiming their rapidly degrading nature prevents drivers pushing to the limit throughout a race. Webber is 37 this August, an age that, for a Formula 1 driver, he has admitted is "long in the tooth in some people's eyes". He also recognised that, even if he stayed on for another year, his time in the sport was running out. Webber could have gone to another top team - at least one approached him - but he felt that would be the wrong thing to do. For one thing, Red Bull has produced the fastest car in F1 since 2009. For another, he decided against a move to Ferrari last year partly because he felt that the effort of getting used to a new environment was not worth it given of his limited time left in the sport. Webber will now spearhead Porsche's attempt to revive its glory days at Le Mans, a race it has won 16 times, the last in 1998. He has raced at Le Mans twice before - with Mercedes in 1998 and 1999. He was on pole position in 1998 only for the car he shared with Germans Klaus Ludwig and Bernd Schneider to retire after just 19 laps. The following year, an aerodynamic flaw in the Mercedes car caused him to flip on two separate occasions at more than 200mph. On both occasions, he escaped injury, but said he would never return to Le Mans because of the danger involved. Great shame. I like Mark's honesty and it will hurt Red Bull's chance next year in the Constructors, unless they get Kimi, that is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katsuya Posted June 27, 2013 Report Share Posted June 27, 2013 Mark Surely going to be Kimi who gets the job, but I wouldn't mind seeing JEV get the chance either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted June 27, 2013 Report Share Posted June 27, 2013 The first race I ever watched was the 2002 Australian Grand Prix. Webber, making his debut for the worst team on the grid in Minardi, drove to a 6th place finish and a debut point in his home race, and since that day he's been my favourite driver. One of the few reasons I still held interest in F1 this last year or so. Shame ot see him go without winning the title but he's had an excellent career. I'm sure those two Monaco GP victories rank right up there for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Lineker Posted June 27, 2013 Author Admin Report Share Posted June 27, 2013 Unsurprising news, but I'll miss MW nonetheless. I can't see Kimi going to Red Bull and playing second fiddle to Vettel. JEV will get the seat and da Costa will be promoted into Toro Rosso. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Lineker Posted June 29, 2013 Author Admin Report Share Posted June 29, 2013 Daniel Ricciardo came top of the timing sheet in an extremely rainy FP1; while Rosberg pipped Webber by 0.299 seconds in FP2. Lewis Hamilton has been reprimanded for making a late entry to the pitlane during second practice for the British Grand Prix. Williams was fined €1000 for Valtteri Bottas speeding in the pitlane in second free practice, while Lotus was reprimanded for an unsafe pitstop release for Kimi Raikkonen. RULE CHANGES FOR 2014! FIA approves Formula 1 testing revamp for 2014 FIA bans stepped nose designs on Formula 1 cars from 2014 (plus more) Formula 1 to introduce penalty point system in 2014 (plus more). Drivers who accumulate more than 12 points will be automatically banned from the next race. Elsewhere, McLaren has confirmed that former Sauber chief designer Matt Morris is to join the team as its new engineering director. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJB Posted June 29, 2013 Report Share Posted June 29, 2013 Paul Di Resta's car was found to be underweight and he has been excluded from qualifying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Lineker Posted June 30, 2013 Author Admin Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 He must be fuming. All Mercedes front-row, led by Hamilton. Red Bull's on row two, Ricciardo now starts fith. Button promoted to tenth. Lotus's passive drag reduction system will make its race debut in tomorrow on Kimi Raikkonen's car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fry_4000 Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Epic start from Massa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrilla Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Hahaha, Hamilton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fry_4000 Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Now Massas tyres gone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Another tyre gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fry_4000 Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 (edited) this is getting serious. Safety car now out Edited June 30, 2013 by Fry_4000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fry_4000 Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 (edited) Crowd cheers as Vettel retires Edited June 30, 2013 by Fry_4000 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asuka's Gonna Kill You Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Great drive from Hamilton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Alonso has spent the day dodging exploding tyres. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lusophone Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 So um... what's with all the tyre shredding? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts