2012 Formula One

[thornz]

Anyone else see Brendon Hartley is driving for Mercedes at the young driver test? Good to see he hasnt completely dropped off the radar over there.

http://planetf1.com/photo-gallery/80737 ... river-Test

[.:O4AGTZ:.]

http://totalf1.com/full_story/view/428456/Webber_on_Paralympics_and_F1_safety/

Interesting read from Webber

[Mr Ree]

Anyone else see Brendon Hartley is driving for Mercedes at the young driver test? Good to see he hasnt completely dropped off the radar over there.

http://planetf1.com/photo-gallery/80737 ... river-Test

He has been the development/simulator driver for Merc since last year, but somehow it was never really publicised., but to be given this opportunity to drive the real car at a real track is awesome. Being dropped from the RedBull driver programme is akin to having an X burned into your head these days, so I really hope he manages to get another bite of the cherry, even if it just gets him another GP2 or FR3.5 seat to re-prove himself.

Very lucky that Sam Bird had two smooth days of running, as Brendon was only going to get a turn if they had fully completed their programme up to that point.

The team have been testing some vital new parts over the past days, with the lotus-esque rear wing double DRS, the new 'Coanda effect' exhausts to help energize the airflow over the diffuser etc. They have had more pitot tubes on the car than I have ever seen before so data correlation with their back to back runs will hopefully bear some fruit.

If they can finally get the rear end to stay balanced, and the new exhaust to help with rear tyre wear, they can finally put back on their amazing front wing thats been removed for the past 6 races, so they can get the balance back.

Stay tuned

[2jayzgte]

Reith whats the deal with alot of gearbox expirementation that is going on,I heard them mention this during the free practise commentary during the last race??

[Mr Ree]

Are you referring to Mercedes?

They started the season with a metal case, but then they started running the carbon/composite gearbox around the time of Monaco, as I think it was moving/flexing slightly under certain loads during testing, putting internals out of alignment, so they had a few niggles to iron out before it could be raced in anger.

The main benefit from running it is the obvious weight loss, and then being able to use that weight saving as balast on the floor to help with better setup.

[Mr Revhead]

R.I.P Sid

[Mr Ree]

Indeed

I didnt post it in here yesterday as I wasnt sure how many people would have known who he was.

What he gave to the sport, was immeasurable, and there is no doubt in my mind, that all of the drivers in the modern era(and some from the Past, Hakkinen included) owe him a huge amount of gratitude for his tireless efforts in making the sport as safe as possible.

I hope hes up there now with all the greats, he tried to protect.

[.:O4AGTZ:.]

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2012/9/13798.html

Looks like Brendon did get some track time.

[Mr Ree]

Indeed he did.

The track was wet in the morning, which while not ideal, allowed the team to get some crucial data on the inter's and wets, before the track dried up.

The team were running some very interesting upgrades, including a "shark fin" which hasnt been seen since 2010 for most teams (HRT 2011 car aside) as the FIA closed of the bodywork dimensions in that area to ensure no teams could run the so called F-duct where the bodywork meets the rear wing.

They have also run various nozzle lengths for the triple DRS system, and slightly different variations of the Coanda exhuast outlet and bodywork. From the vidoes I have seen of the test so far, the rasp of the exhaust while under decel, was far more pronounced than at any stage this year,
and while EBD are essentially banned this year, than doesnt stop the teams playing around with different ignition maps to help try to energize the difusser.

Another thing worthy of mention was how well the car was getting through the final tight chicane, very aggressive, and very well balanced.

The amount of data they have collected in 1400km is awesome, and I have everything crossed that it will translate into a far better package come Singapore next weekend.

On a side note, seeing Schu turn up and stand trackside through the test, discussing the new upgrades with Sam, and no doubt, Brendon too, shows he is still as committed, and as hungry as ever. Given the team run an un-numbered car for the YDT, I was astonished to see they put Michaels Name, and number, and german flag along the top edge of the sharkfin. This "old man" doesnt plan on going anywhere soon

[.:O4AGTZ:.]

This "old man" doesnt plan on going anywhere soon

As well he shouldnt! He hasnt lost it, people tend to forget that the Ferrari he drove for years was a lot different and perhaps higher up the competition scale that the merc is. Hes outdoing rosberg, and with a package capable of winning he could do that, at this moment in time mercedes havent had that package.

[.:O4AGTZ:.]

Thoughts on last night? Gutted for Hamilton, had the potential for another victory although it would have been close as Vettel did have the pace at the latter stages.

[Mr Revhead]

Getting real hard to bet against Alonso! But never say never....

[.:O4AGTZ:.]

Getting real hard to bet against Alonso! But never say never....

Consistency is key!

[Scottie]

what the hell was the shoe thinking.

Good to see Vettel get a win

[2jayzgte]

This is the thing with Alonso for me if he know's he can't win he minimises the damage and with the unlucky with-drawl of Hamilton Alonso's there to pick up the pieces and with Ferrari actually having not many if any reliability issue's Alonso now has a sniff and will be tough to run down.

[Scottie]

Yea, Him and Kimmi. They both know when to go for it and when not to. They are often very fair in leaving gaps. And they bring home the points.

[.:O4AGTZ:.]

Yea, Him and Kimmi. They both know when to go for it and when not to. They are often very fair in leaving gaps. And they bring home the points.

Fully agree with that statement. When was the last time one of them caused an accident?

See Massas sketchy overtake on Senna? That could have ended badly!

Schumacher....noob move two years in a row.

[2jayzgte]

Yea, Him and Kimmi. They both know when to go for it and when not to. They are often very fair in leaving gaps. And they bring home the points.

Fully agree with that statement. When was the last time one of them caused an accident?

See Massas sketchy overtake on Senna? That could have ended badly!

Schumacher....noob move two years in a row.

Didn't Schu have some sought of brake issue????

I loved Massa's move super aggressive and probably the most spirited driving I've seen by him in a few years I gotta think he has to show the Ferrari hierachy he still has some passion or I think he's a gonna from the prancing horse's ranks.

[.:O4AGTZ:.]

Yea, Him and Kimmi. They both know when to go for it and when not to. They are often very fair in leaving gaps. And they bring home the points.

Fully agree with that statement. When was the last time one of them caused an accident?

See Massas sketchy overtake on Senna? That could have ended badly!

Schumacher....noob move two years in a row.

Didn't Schu have some sought of brake issue????

I loved Massa's move super aggressive and probably the most spirited driving I've seen by him in a few years I gotta think he has to show the Ferrari hierachy he still has some passion or I think he's a gonna from the prancing horse's ranks.

Last few races he has changed a bit. Not overly great result but fighting his way up from the back to finish where he did was not bad at all.

Seen this article? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/9563299/Lewis-Hamilton-urged-by-Niki-Lauda-to-leave-McLaren-to-join-Mercedes-Formula-One-super-team.html

Hypothetically, if Hamilton did move to Mercedes it would obviously trigger Schumachers retirement. But who would move to McLaren? Di Resta perhaps? Or even Perez if he is not wanted by Ferrari?

[.:O4AGTZ:.]

well welll...

http://totalf1.com/details/view/430054/Breaking_News_Hamilton_to_join_Mercedes_in_100million_deal/

Fair to say that 2008 could be his first and last if he doesnt take out this year. Perez taking his place is a good move though