LiveJournal Formula 1 discussion

How much of a turn up do you want from a grand prix? ( If you haven't watched it, hurry up! )

I visited the McLaren Technical Centre near Woking this week. Here is my report:

McLaren Technical Centre

My preview of this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix:

Bahrain Grand Prix preview

I've enjoyed the videos at http://safeisfast.com/ - mostly interviews with drivers (US series, not F1) talking about aspects of how to be a good racing driver. Worth watching, I'd say.

Oh shut up! That's ridiculous! (nice passing from Roman Grosjean is what he's talking about)

I've been reading about the Mercedes f-duct. When the DRS is open on the rear wing, a hole is revealed that channels air to the front wing, improving the aerodynamics. Autosport has a handily arrowed photo which shows the hole (and the fatness of the rear wing end plate required to let air flow through it).

As with the original McLaren f-duct, this is described as stalling the wing to reduce drag. I can see that changing the wing air flow would affect down force, but can anyone explain what "stalling" means here, and why drag is reduced?

I've just been having a go with this:
http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/race-strategy-calculator/
It took me a minute of looking at the graph to figure this out: the higher your line the better!

My guess is that it's not that accurate, but it gives you some idea. I couldn't make a Sauber-style one stop strategy work. Otherwise it's pretty easy to beat the example strategy (the grey line) but harder if you have a set of used tyres instead of all new.

I've watched both transmission, the Sky live race and the BBC 'extended highlights' and for the most part, there wasn't a huge amount cut out (if anything, although it did seem to pass a lot quicker. Was it me or did the BBC actually have more pit lane coverage? I don't remember seeing Senna's pit stop after the Massa connection.

On the other hand there was a massive difference in the punditry - Sky got their interviews but they seemed to get a very cold shoulder from the British teams and drivers; when they passed through the McLaren garage, the team very deliberately turned their backs on the pundits and Jenson only reluctantly seemed to answer the questions, with the mechanics appearing to loom around exuding a 'get lost' aura.
The post-race paddock interview with Lewis was also very restrained - he gave minimal answers to Sky and that was that.

The BBC on the other hand got a lot more emotion and honesty from Hamilton and there was a great deal more banter from Jenson.

Favourite quote of the weekend from fakewhitmarsh
"#Hamilton being called to the stewards office for Massa's collision with Senna. #f1 #MelbourneGP"

If you played GridBids last year, you should have had reminders to start playing again. If not, sign up! There's an LJ group you can join too.

Oh, and the season starts this weekend. 8~)