New Cars for 2015 Season

by dyrewolfe Wed Jan 21, 2015 1:08 pm

First topic message reminder :

Hey - for once I managed to beat Fernando!

Was just reading the BBC sport pages and came across this:

Williams Reveal Car for F1 2015 Season

New Cars for 2015 Season - Page 2 _80414109_williams'newcar

New Cars for 2015 Season - Page 2 _80414109_williams'newcar

The only obvious changes appear to be to the nose, in line with the new regs. Apparently there have been some significant changes under the skin too. Last season's car came in well under weight and had to run with ballast. They've taken the opportunity to use some of the spare weight allocation.

Symonds said that another focus for Williams with the new car was to seek extra performance from parts that previously had been compromised by the need to be light.

They have been able to do this because the 2014 car was already well under the weight limit and carried ballast to make it legal. In addition, the cars' weight limit has been increased this year to ensure heavier drivers are not forced into losing weight to remain competitive.

Symonds said: "We felt we came up against design barriers in the FW36 and so took the opportunity to remove those barriers for the benefit of the performance.

"The FW36 carried a reasonable amount of ballast, so we were able to make alterations to the design for added performance without the fear of adding excessive mass."

Everyone please feel free to add more as other teams release pics...

by Guest Thu Feb 05, 2015 3:34 pm

GSC wrote:You cant guess at a teams fuel loads and only account it for one team.

LiamB can

Fact is, this test & the first Barcelona test will be virtually meaningless, while teams prepare & check systems are reliable. The only time I will take serious notice of times is during the long race simulation stints, that will probably take place during the second Barcelona test. I do agree Ferrari were running low on fuel, given the duration of their stints. We've seen them do glory runs before, so this is no different.

@dyre, I wouldn't be worried for McLaren. They have two more engine specification upgrades to bring in both Barcelona tests, that will be running at 100%.

by GSC Thu Feb 05, 2015 4:05 pm

It makes sense McLaren and Honda would have teething problems. Everyone had them last year, and its a new partnership. Honda don't have the current f1 trackside experience of Merc

by GSC Thu Feb 05, 2015 6:54 pm

Marussia request to run the 2014 car rejected.

What a great day this is

by Fernando Thu Feb 05, 2015 7:08 pm

New Cars for 2015 Season - Page 2 3559488474

Caterham are being auctioned off next month too

by GSC Thu Feb 05, 2015 7:39 pm

Yep, truly the best day F1 has had in years

by Guest Thu Feb 05, 2015 10:30 pm

Ferrari and Mercedes voted "yes" but Force India et al used their "veto". On the back of a fight for more revenue, the smaller outfits were not so happy with the plan that would make them miss out on receiving a share of Marussia's commercial rights income.

So, as expected the mid to lower teams were looking out for no.1.

by GSC Fri Feb 06, 2015 6:56 am

Ferrari just want a feeder team

by daraghj82 Fri Feb 06, 2015 11:03 am

its worrying for mclaren having so many problems, hopefully they will sort it asap, ferrari ahead in the 'winter wc' so far

by GSC Fri Feb 06, 2015 11:07 am

Tbh the winter tests are pretty much sandbagging territory. I wouldn't try to read anything into the results

by dyrewolfe Fri Feb 06, 2015 12:45 pm

John wrote:Ferrari and Mercedes voted "yes" but Force India et al used their "veto". On the back of a fight for more revenue, the smaller outfits were not so happy with the plan that would make them miss out on receiving a share of Marussia's commercial rights income.

So, as expected the mid to lower teams were looking out for no.1.

Which on the face of it seems rather selfish...but when you go back to the prize money distribution, its not surprising the bigger, well-off teams had no issue with Marussia returning, while the less well-funded teams saw an opportunity to increase their share and took it.

Can't say I blame them, but its a sad state of affairs.

Looks like GSC will need a little more toilet time than usual, with all the excitement. laughing

by GSC Fri Feb 06, 2015 1:33 pm

26m for teams whose highlights package doesn't completely entail being lapped multiple times a race. Great news. Even disregarding that the reasons FI gave were more than valid

Interesting how you all agree with Bernie on this point Whistle

by Gerry SA Fri Feb 06, 2015 8:58 pm

GSC wrote:Ferrari just want a feeder team

Gene Haas F1(or whatever they are called) are the official Ferrari feeder team from 2016 anyway.

by Guest Sat Feb 07, 2015 10:59 am

GSC wrote:Marussia request to run the 2014 car rejected.

What a great day this is

I don't want to rain on your parade, however, Force India says it would be willing to reconsider Marussia's bid to use a 2014 Formula 1 car this year, if a resubmitted application was done properly. The fact that the application came in a single-page letter, with no details on team ownership, funding or the support of the administrator, left Bob Fernley believing there was not enough information to justify backing it. When asked if Force India would be open to changing its mind if a proper submission was made, Fernley said: "You would have to be. This process has been closed down, but like everything else in life, if you get turned down once, you go back again and do it properly."

Apparently, FI are also concerned with a fan backlash (LOL Laugh

) after deciding to veto Marussia's return, in favour of securing their reported £4m from the decision.

by dyrewolfe Sat Feb 07, 2015 12:27 pm

GSC wrote:26m for teams whose highlights package doesn't completely entail being lapped multiple times a race. Great news. Even disregarding that the reasons FI gave were more than valid

Interesting how you all agree with Bernie on this point

Erm...what did Bernie say about it?

Did it ever occur to you that with more equitable funding / prize money, they might not have had cars that were getting lapped 2-3 times a race?

by GSC Sat Feb 07, 2015 12:42 pm

The other 9 teams manage it.

by CaledonianCraig Sat Feb 07, 2015 3:25 pm

GSC wrote:The other 9 teams manage it.

Of course they would as they get the bigger share of the TV money but that just keeps going over your head.

Lets look at this simplistically for you. If myself and you were to attempt to make a go cart each and race them then if you had less funds than me I can guarantee my go cart would be much the quicker. The better funds buy better parts, more staff to work on it and sort out teething problems and more spare parts. It isn't really rocket science is it?

The last 'new' team to make an impact in F1 were Red Bull but that was done on the massive bank balance of Dieter Mateschitz. That success story aside (success was bought) then I can't think of any other new team that has broke into F1 and done anything but struggle. Even teams with vast expertise such as Stewart GP (Sir Jackie Stewart behind that team), Sir Tom Walkinshaw at Jaguar F1, Prost run by Alain Prost (multiple world champion) and certain there are many more have all struggled miserable. The reason - FUNDING - or lack of it.

by GSC Sat Feb 07, 2015 3:48 pm

Spoiler:

by CaledonianCraig Sat Feb 07, 2015 4:06 pm

GSC wrote:
Spoiler:

The point is that F1 wasn't always like this. There was a time when it wasn't all money-orientated teams that were successful and that, for me, is how the sport should be. For it ever to be that way again though the distribution of F1 funds needs a complete top to bottom overhaul.

by GSC Sat Feb 07, 2015 4:29 pm

Welcome to 21st century sports

by CaledonianCraig Sat Feb 07, 2015 5:05 pm

GSC wrote:Welcome to 21st century sports

Or money-orientated sport where the winners are determined by who has the most money. If you are happy with that scenario then I am bewildered.

by GSC Sat Feb 07, 2015 5:20 pm

GSC wrote:Welcome to 21st century sports

by CaledonianCraig Sat Feb 07, 2015 5:45 pm

I will take that answer as you being bewildered then.

Right so we move on to how the current situation is changed.

by dyrewolfe Mon Feb 09, 2015 1:01 pm

GSC wrote:Welcome to 21st century sports

The point is that if F1 continues down the road of elitism, then its going to struggle to attract any new teams...especially if they know they are going to need to throw £100-150m a season at it, with little or no outside assistance.

I'm fine with F1 being money-oriented...as long as it gives newcomers and smaller teams a half-decent chance at being competitive.

As things are the top 5 receive far more money than the rest, through various bonuses, concocted over the years to keep them sweet (none more so than Ferrari).

As to the remaining 4 teams, do you realistically ever see them mounting a title challenge, or even winning a race for that matter? Lotus looked like they might bother the top teams for a while but have fallen away. The likes of Sauber, Toro Rosso exist mainly to give experience to upcoming drivers that will find their way into Ferrari, RB etc.

If F1 really wants to "spice things up" and become more appealing to casual fans, they need to think about ways of helping the smaller teams so they're not just making up the numbers or perennial back-markers.

by Fernando Mon Feb 09, 2015 1:15 pm

Honestly i don't see Force India lasting much longer. Would explain Hulkenburg signing that Porsche deal...Everything Vijay seems to touch ends up with crippling debt..

by dyrewolfe Mon Feb 09, 2015 2:42 pm

Fernando wrote:Honestly i don't see Force India lasting much longer. Would explain Hulkenburg signing that Porsche deal...Everything Vijay seems to touch ends up with crippling debt..

A good example of what I'm talking about, right there.

FI have established themselves as a decent mid-grid team...but at what cost? Okay you can probably make a case for mis-management, if they knowingly and willingly spent more than they could afford, but it doesn't help that the baseline expenses are so high to begin with and increase exponentially for every second in pace you achieve.

When you see whats happened to Caterham and Marussia and what may happen to FI, you wonder, did they spend recklessly just because they could (poor management), or was there pressure from their sponsors to improve results, or risk losing their backing?

Again, when you look at the bonuses the top 5 teams get, you see how they can comfortably take risks and absorb losses that can (and apparently have) crippled smaller teams.

Unless a new team is backed by a huge multinational like Red Bull, they will likely be destined to struggle for a few years before going bust...and that can't be a healthy situation for any sport.

by Fernando Fri Feb 13, 2015 2:48 pm

Force India cancel plans to start from 2nd test. Will now be arriving for the 3rd.

Renault have hired Mario Illien as Engine Consultant so will see them making significant steps sooner then later. He's like Messi version of Engineers angel

by Guest Fri Feb 13, 2015 3:02 pm

Illien is a good friend of Newey, saw him sniffing around the back of the RB garage towards the end of last year. Still don't see the Renault engine competing with the Mercedes power, the speed trap times in Jerez suggested that.

As for Force India, they are a team going nowhere fast it appears.

by Guest Fri Feb 13, 2015 3:09 pm

John wrote:Illien is a good friend of Newey, saw him sniffing around the back of the RB garage towards the end of last year. Still don't see the Renault engine competing with the Mercedes power, the speed trap times in Jerez suggested that.

SPEED TRAP FIGURES
Jerez F1 test

1 Felipe Massa (Williams-Mercedes) 307.6 km/h
2 Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 307.6 km/h
3 Pastor Maldonado (Lotus-Mercedes) 306.8 km/h
4 Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso-Renault) 303.3 km/h
5 Marcus Ericsson (Sauber-Ferrari) 303.3 km/h
6 Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) 300.8 km/h
7 Daniil Kvyat (Red Bull-Renault) 294.2 km/h
8 Jenson Button (McLaren-Honda) 277.6 km/h (obviously running at reduced power)

Although not a definite answer, it suggests, the Mercedes engine still does have the advantage & that it's rivals still need to show improvement, in order to reduce that power gap.

by Fernando Sun Feb 15, 2015 3:37 pm

Mercedes reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein may be driving Force India’s 2014 car for all four days of the upcoming Barcelona test starting on February 19th.

The reports come as neither of Force India’s two race drivers, Sergio Perez or Nico Hulkenberg, have yet been confirmed as running in the test, and amidst the Silverstone team’s continuing struggles to get their 2015 car ready.

As Mercedes also supplies Force India’s engines, it makes sense that the 20 year-old German would be allowed to test for a customer team, having already driven for Mercedes in the post-season Abu Dhabi test last year. Deputy Team Principal Bob Fernley told German news website F1-Insider simply: “Driving is a reserve driver.”

Report suggests that Wehrlein is being used as a makeweight by Mercedes as it has not received its payment from Force India for its power unit supply.

by dyrewolfe Mon Feb 16, 2015 2:33 pm

So there's still a distinct possibility we will be starting the 2015 season with just 8 teams then?

Or at best FI will be crippled in terms of car development and drivers, which will see them become the new Marussia / Caterham.

by Fernando Mon Feb 16, 2015 4:37 pm

That's because the owner of Sahara is in jail owes $3.9bn in refunds and Force India are now out of pocket cos he's his money been halted essentially. So their sponsorship is worth nothing at the moment.

by Guest Mon Feb 16, 2015 4:51 pm

16 cars would be pathetic, looked awful last year, in terms of the show, the pack looked so small & it's about the crowd too having something to watch. Is it too late for three cars from RB/Ferrari?

by dyrewolfe Wed Feb 18, 2015 3:57 pm

LiamB wrote:16 cars would be pathetic, looked awful last year, in terms of the show, the pack looked so small & it's about the crowd too having something to watch. Is it too late for three cars from RB/Ferrari?

I would imagine so. The teams could probably field their reserve or development drivers, but the cost of building a third car and the time the drivers would need to clock up some decent mileage in it, probably rules this out.

Sounds like Force India are the victims of a very dodgy owner (owing nearly $4bn...seriously? Shocked

How bad / crooked a businessman do you have to be to rack up that amount of debt?). It would seem F1 needs to tighten up its due diligence guidelines to prevent more teams going bust through mis-management.

Even so, fairer distribution of prize money is needed to help those that do spend within their means.

by GSC Wed Feb 18, 2015 4:07 pm

Fernando wrote:That's because the owner of Sahara is in jail owes $3.9bn in refunds and Force India are now out of pocket cos he's his money been halted essentially. So their sponsorship is worth nothing at the moment.

Clearly F1 needs to pay $3.9bn to every team

by Guest Thu Feb 19, 2015 9:59 am

Lewis Hamilton has withdrawn from Thursday's pre-season testing in Barcelona because he is 'feeling unwell', according to his Mercedes team. The world champions are adjusting the car so that their reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein can drive it in the afternoon session

McLaren looking much better already in Barcelona, than in Jerez.

by GSC Thu Feb 19, 2015 10:11 am

Maybe Wehrleins going to drive a different car at every race this season

by Guest Thu Feb 19, 2015 1:47 pm

McLaren's day is over after a faulty seal was found in the ERS. Reported that Rosberg has an inflamed nerve in his neck & could miss he test this week, so Wehrlein could be paid some serious over time this week. Ferrari are also not going away, quickest so far with Kimi on day one.

by GSC Thu Feb 19, 2015 3:07 pm

Nasr rear ended Suzie

by Guest Thu Feb 19, 2015 5:53 pm

Pastor Maldonado's Lotus was fastest on day one, after a run on the 'soft' tyres towards the end. Interesting though & the most eye-catching performance was again from Ferrari, with Kimi Raikkonen only 0.156secs adrift of Pastor's time, while on the slower 'medium' tyre. Are Ferrari back?" Oh this so very intriguing, has Allison done the unthinkable, has Alonso had a mare OR am I getting carried away?

by CaledonianCraig Thu Feb 19, 2015 6:02 pm

LiamB wrote: OR am I getting carried away?

You are getting carried away.

by Guest Thu Feb 19, 2015 8:33 pm

I'll start to take notice of Ferrari as serious candidates, if they are performing like this in q3 of Australia. I see the betting firms have taken note, seeing as the constructors odds now have Ferrari as second favourites behind Mercedes Laugh

by Fernando Thu Feb 19, 2015 8:36 pm

Well people went we're take notice if they do it in Barcelona and now it's happening it's we're take notice in Australia Laugh

Let's face it they can't be any worse then last year anyway really.

by dyrewolfe Fri Feb 20, 2015 12:23 pm

It'll be hilarious if Kimi ends up doing the same thing to Vettel as Ricciardo. Wink

Big question is, can the Iceman rediscover his mojo. If not, Ferrari will need the ice cream van on standby.

by dummy_half Fri Feb 20, 2015 12:33 pm

John wrote:I'll start to take notice of Ferrari as serious candidates, if they are performing like this in q3 of Australia. I see the betting firms have taken note, seeing as the constructors odds now have Ferrari as second favourites behind Mercedes

Ted Kravitz on Sky last night was reckoning the pit lane wisdom now is that Ferrari have made a step forward and could well be better than Rb at the start of the season. However he also made the point that Ferrari never did a run of more than 15 laps, so are running light. Still, it looked good going through turns 2 and 3, so the aero is pretty good.

Another interesting fact - Wehrlein was faster in last year's Fi than in the Merc. A strong suspicion that Mercedes were running very heavy and perhaps with the engine in a low power mode. Sandbagging?

by Guest Fri Feb 20, 2015 12:42 pm

The Ferrari hasn't done long run simulations, however, it's clear significant progress has been made. I agree it appears the Ferrari has overtaken the RB, who are STILL enduring issues with Renault & it's package. Mercedes know they have the speed & are sandbagging, truly focusing on reliability, as that was their downfall last year. I'd expect Williams to be chasing Mercedes hard in second & where McLaren are is still a complete ?

by Fernando Fri Feb 20, 2015 5:20 pm

Renault is considering a rethink of its Formula 1 strategy in a move that could result in the return of a fully branded works effort.

While its focus right now is on improving its power unit to help partner Red Bull challenge Mercedes for the title, the French car manufacturer has admitted that its longer-term ambitions could lay elsewhere.

It is questioning whether being just an engine supplier for two Red Bull teams delivers it the maximum benefit, or if it should expand its presence in F1.

Although going as far as creating an all-new team from scratch has been ruled out, one possibility could be to ramp up investment in an outfit to make it a fully branded Renault-works team.

Renault F1's managing director Cyril Abiteboul told AUTOSPORT: "We are here for marketing.

"So if from a marketing perspective we need to do things a little bit differently, we are open minded.

"There is no ego. The priority is to get the marketing messages that we want to deliver in the sport in the most cost-efficient manner.

"If you look at 2014, it was very expensive for us. We moved from four customers including very good teams, including the relationship with Enstone [Lotus], to having two teams both being under the ownership and control of Red Bull.

"It means that in effect that we only have one customer, and our priority is to satisfy that customer.

"But it is a situation where we are fully dependent on Red Bull.

Red Bull Renault, F1 testing 2015

"Is it sustainable for Renault? That is a question mark. I am not saying yes and I am not saying no.

"Right now, we want to have a good relationship with them."

BOB BELL LINKED WITH PLANS

AUTOSPORT understands that former Mercedes technical director Bob Bell, who worked at Renault's F1 team during its title glory years in 2005/2006, is poised for a role in helping Renault evaluate its options.

Abiteboul made it clear, however, that Bell was not being lined up for a job within the engine department.

"Bob is a fantastic person and we know Bob at Renault since the Renault F1 days," explained Abiteboul.

"But Bob has no particular engine background that I am aware, so I will not see Bob in our engine organisation at this point in time."

When asked to clarify whether it was possible he could join in the future, Abiteboul replied: "Yeah, the world is full of options and the future is unknown. The future is to be written."

by Guest Fri Feb 20, 2015 6:03 pm

Heard Boullier saying McLaren are 50% behind schedule, for any McLaren fans interested. They are focusing on development, instead of performance currently. I envisage a slow start to the season for McLaren.

This from BBC, "The headline today was the late lap from Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes. Only fifth-quickest overall, but just 0.349 seconds off the fastest lap from Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, despite using a tyre reckoned to be at least a second slower. That will cause some concern up and down the pit lane - if little surprise". #nomoresandbagging

I think the Mercedes' team have let Ferrari have their five minutes of fame. I still do think the Ferrari is geniunely quick, I'd guess it's looking at being third quickest behind the Mercedes & Williams.

by GSC Fri Feb 20, 2015 7:19 pm

Renault are possibly 2 years away from having no customers

by CaledonianCraig Sat Feb 21, 2015 2:19 pm

There are many reasons why I won't get excited by Ferrari topping test times.

Firsty, they were rank last year so to presume they can improve their car from a hunk of crap with terrible pace into a car full of pace and blowing the opposition away is fanciful to say the least. Also this 'transformation' I cannot see happening at the current climate there has been at Ferrari with more comings and goings than I can remember for some time at Ferrari so it is hard to see that much can be achieved with such an unsettled period within the team.

Also lets remember Sauber have topped practice time sessions as well so do we presume they are onto something brilliant? Of course not. Why? Well for the same reason as Ferrari have topped times in that many of the very top teams are sandbagging and keeping their cards close to their chest going for long runs to opt for reliability and consistency other than going for eyes out on stalks light fuel load laps like Ferrari have.

Of course we shall see once the season starts and if Ferrari have made progress it will be not enough to propel them into a consistent race-winning team this year in my opinion. That will take time.

by Guest Sun Feb 22, 2015 12:09 pm

More woes for McLaren as Alonso bins it & finds himself in the medical centre. He's ok, though.

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