F1 in 2011

The last several races have been great. Because of the red flag in qualifying, I didn't catch the end with the DVR, same thing with the race. I guess it was a good finish.

Pete, I wish I knew you were in Vancouver, I would have come and said hi! I'm just in the Seattle area and it would have been worth the small trip.
 
Seems that Hamilton has played the race card - not as in F1 race but as in
'of another tribe' when the stewards had a go about him cutting corners. This morning he has 'about turned' saying it was a joke. What did he say?
Along the lines of "They'se picking on me cos I'm black".

Wake up Hamilton - smell the coffee Hamilton.
Another Vettel masterclass Hamilton.
Hamilton - You weren't even on the same planet.


Of course he played the race card. He's a race card river........:laugh:


Seriously though, he made himself look like a right prat, just like vettel did in turkey last year. Fortunately Whitmarsh had the balls to refuse to greet him with a sympathetic arm around the shoulder.
 

David Morton

Lifetime Supporter
Nick Wirth, former head of Simtek Grand Prix and now running a design company
that was responsible for the Virgin car (and responsible for that car having a fuel tank to small to last a race) has lost his Virgin (ity? ) contract. He was the guy that extolled the idea of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and disregarded the idea of a wind tunnel. They, the Virgin team, are pissed off with fighting to be last in every race, and have taken their charms elsewhere - maybe RBR (though I doubt that ) or Mr Whippies Whitmarsh Maclaren or Fat Norberts Mercedes. All will be revealed shortly.
I hear Nick Wirth is doing something with a Le Mans entry but he's keeping quiet about it for the moment. Who knows - we might see him next week at Circuit de La Sarthe.
 

David Morton

Lifetime Supporter
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A meeting of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) took place in Barcelona, Spain, today, the 3rd of June 2011, and the following decisions were taken on the 2012 calendar and 2013 regulations.

2012 calendar

The 2012 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar is confirmed as follows:

<TABLE border=1 cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=2 width="95%"><TBODY><TR><TD>Date</TD><TD>Country</TD></TR><TR><TD>11 March</TD><TD>Bahrain</TD></TR><TR><TD>18 March</TD><TD>Australia</TD></TR><TR><TD>01 April</TD><TD>Malaysia</TD></TR><TR><TD>08 April</TD><TD>China</TD></TR><TR><TD>22 April</TD><TD>Korea</TD></TR><TR><TD>06 May</TD><TD>Turkey *</TD></TR><TR><TD>20 May</TD><TD>Spain</TD></TR><TR><TD>27 May</TD><TD>Monaco</TD></TR><TR><TD>10 June</TD><TD>Canada</TD></TR><TR><TD>17 June</TD><TD>United States</TD></TR><TR><TD>01 July</TD><TD>Valencia, Spain</TD></TR><TR><TD>15 July</TD><TD>Great Britain</TD></TR><TR><TD>29 July</TD><TD>Germany</TD></TR><TR><TD>05 August</TD><TD>Hungary</TD></TR><TR><TD>02 September</TD><TD>Belgium</TD></TR><TR><TD>09 September</TD><TD>Italy</TD></TR><TR><TD>30 September</TD><TD>Singapore</TD></TR><TR><TD>14 October</TD><TD>Japan</TD></TR><TR><TD>28 October</TD><TD>India</TD></TR><TR><TD>11 November</TD><TD>Abu Dhabi</TD></TR><TR><TD>25 November</TD><TD>Brazil</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
* Subject to confirmation

2013 Regulations

The Technical Regulations for 2013 were approved:
  • Power units will be four cylinders, 1.6 litre with high pressure gasoline injection up to 500 bar with a maximum of 12,000 rpm, with extensive energy management and energy recovery systems (now known as ERS), reflecting the decision taken by the WMSC in December 2010
  • The aerodynamic regulations have been based on 2011 rules, with modifications in order to improve the aerodynamic efficiency: together with the power train rules, this will enable a 35% reduction in fuel consumption
  • The height of the tip of the nose will be limited to ensure better compatibility in a T-bone style accident
  • A limitation on transmissions (gear ratios, number of gearboxes) in order to decrease costs
  • The overall weight of the car must be no less than 660kg
In consultation with the main stakeholders, and following the outcome of this consultation, a fax vote by the WMSC could be considered by 30 June latest to redefine the implementation date of these technical regulations. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
 

David Morton

Lifetime Supporter
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The Formula One world is awaiting further details but the Bahrain round of the championship has definitely been rescheduled for 2011.

Sheikh Fawaz al-Khalifa, the island Kingdom's information affairs chief, wrote in a blog earlier on Friday that the FIA is in the process of deciding the race's new date after the Barcelona meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.

It has been reported New Delhi's first race could be postponed until the unprecedented late December 11 date to make room for the Bahrain reshuffle.

World Motor Sport Council Announcement- 03/06/2011

A meeting of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) took place in Barcelona, Spain, today (3 June), and the following decisions were taken:

Bahrain GP:
Following a fact finding mission undertaken at the request of FIA President Jean Todt, FIA Vice President Carlos Gracia visited Bahrain on 31 May 2011 to assess the situation in the country.

Meetings were conducted with the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Bahrain Motor Federation and Bahrain International Circuit, as well as other national and international organisations including Mr. Tariq Al Saffar at the National Institute of Human Rights.

It should be noted that the recent announcement by the King of Bahrain has established a political dialogue and reconciliation process.

After considering all the factors and taking into consideration all stakeholders’ concerns, the WMSC unanimously agreed to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix in the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship.

This decision reflects the spirit of reconciliation in Bahrain, which is evident from the strong support the race receives from the Government and all major parties in Bahrain, including the largest opposition group, all of whom endorse the Formula One Grand Prix and motor sport in the country.

The WMSC feels that reinstating the Grand Prix is a means of helping to unite people as the country looks to move forward, and also recognises the commitment made by the Formula One teams, their employees and families, and personnel associated with the Championship including the local team of volunteers who are so vital to the event.

The Bahrain Grand Prix will take place on 30 October, replacing the Indian Grand Prix, which will now become the final round of the 2011 Championship, combined with the FIA Annual General Assembly and Prize Giving Gala.
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David Morton

Lifetime Supporter
21 races next year. Well, at the risk of becoming boring, F1 is going to be almost every other weekend. I think people will start looking at the bar of soap in their bathrooms slowly reducing in size as being more interesting unless things really start becoming more captivating. This current qualifying format is a really good example - I don't even bother with it now. For the race, I usually watch the start then either fall asleep or start cutting the grass. The end game is usually the same as the start game so F1 is usually on my TV from 14:01 until 14:03 (I usually pour a drink at 14:00 )

And - the fact that Turkey will be back on is no surprise. Look at who owns the circuit? The midget !
 

David Morton

Lifetime Supporter
From the Daily Mail:



Virgin Racing give Wirth the chop as team announce technical overhaul



By Sportsmail Reporter


<?xml:namespace prefix = fb ns = "http://www.facebook.com/2008/fbml" /><fb:like class=" fb_edge_widget_with_comment fb_iframe_widget" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-1393450/Nick-Wirth-axed-Virgin-Racing.html" width="90" height="30" colorscheme="light" show_faces="false" layout="button_count" ref="LikeButtonTop"></fb:like>
Virgin Racing have axed technical director Nick Wirth as the team seek a new direction in the hope of propelling themselves up the Formula One grid.

In a determined bid to cut costs ahead of the debut campaign last season, Virgin employed Wirth Research, whose sole use of computers - known as CFD - to design and develop race cars raised eyebrows.


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In the slow lane: Virgin have struggled for pace this season

Wirth endured a troubled start as for the first few races the cars did not have a big enough fuel tank to see them through to the end, with the team finishing last in the constructors' championship.

With hopes raised for this season, neither Timo Glock nor Jerome D'Ambrosio have qualified any higher than 20th, with their highest finishing position being the latter's 14th in the season opener in Australia.

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Out of tune: Wirth (left) has been dumped by Virgin

Explaining the position of the Dinnington-based team, CEO Andy Webb said: 'The decision has been taken that the team will take greater control of its own destiny.
'Accordingly, having consulted with our existing technical partner during the course of the past few weeks, we have been obliged to terminate our relationship with them.

'I believe the steps we are taking in terms of our technical leadership and operational excellence will provide us with the robust foundation required to go on and achieve our performance objectives in the years ahead.
'These are bold but positive steps that will enable us to move forward with confidence.'
Webb has confirmed the use of wind tunnels for future testing, although CFD (computational fluid dynamics) will not be abandoned altogether.

'At this stage I would like to underline our continued commitment to a cost-efficient commercial model,' said Webb.

'We maintain our absolute belief in CFD as a technology, especially since it continues to become more cost-effective with every year.
'Naturally, we will continue to use every means at our disposal to improve the aerodynamics of our car with immediate effect.'


Read more: Nick Wirth axed by Virgin Racing | Mail Online
 

Rick Muck- Mark IV

GT40s Sponsor
Supporter
21 races next year. Well, at the risk of becoming boring, F1 is going to be almost every other weekend. I think people will start looking at the bar of soap in their bathrooms slowly reducing in size as being more interesting unless things really start becoming more captivating.

Enzo Ferrari when asked about the number of F1 races many years ago, said something that translated to "One can die as well from overeating as well as starvation".

Perhaps Bernie and the boys are trying to eat the Golden Goose every weekend and the feast will no longer be a special treat! Who will be dropped when the US GP comes on line and how long before F1 cannot live without Russia, Mexico and other "developing markets"????
 

David Morton

Lifetime Supporter
Apparently Mark Weber has gone on record saying he is unhappy about the situation in Bahrain and feels he should not be a party to any Grand Prix this year. This is the also the view of Damon Hill, president of the BRDC, as well . FOTA are scheduling an extraordinary meeting, probably in Montreal to discuss the situation.
 
I think 2012 is the last year of F1 anyway, who is going to want to sponsor little 1600cc 4 pot engines limited to 12K, totally absurd and when Eccles gets the push next year it will all change round again. Frank
 
For those who are not old enough, Eccles was a characture from the 1960s BBC radio show called "The Goon Show" , he was played by Peter Sellers ( or Spike Milligan ) as a small and very thick idiot, quite appropriate in my analogy ! David will remember it well. Frank
 
On a lighter note, I found this site the other day. It's made up of spoof quotes from drivers & other associated people. Made me laugh A LOT!!

The F1 Slate

Not quite sure why they make DC out to be thick as I thought he was OK, but very funny,
 

Pete McCluskey.

Lifetime Supporter
The last several races have been great. Because of the red flag in qualifying, I didn't catch the end with the DVR, same thing with the race. I guess it was a good finish.

Pete, I wish I knew you were in Vancouver, I would have come and said hi! I'm just in the Seattle area and it would have been worth the small trip.

Jeez that is bad luck I stayed over night in Seattle, we could have caught up.
Next time!
David I had my first taste of Barolo at Lake Louise, I now know why you admire it so much, a lovely drop.
 
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