maybe they can implement a Patent rule or something where a team can submit a new idea to FIA and if approved, only that team can use that technology for a fixed number of races (maybe two races) until other teams are allowed to copy it. lol

 

Merc has to be trying to hide something or else theres no point in waiting to unveil the car, I highly doubt a team like Mercedes is "behind schedule"

 

Well, when Haug said," The most beautiful car will be the one in the front", I assumed he meant Merc's 2012 rendition from the perspective of its outer skin design. The best pic to date of the new Merc is far from "beautiful" ( see http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97553) and I guess what he actually meant was whichever car is at the front of the grid will be "the most beautiful" just because it is the fastest.

Also, as a side note, it seems Russian $$ won over experience: Petrov in, Trulli out...look out all U other drivers... the Russian, not-so-guided missile, is still alive and active!

Later, Ken

 

I just read that story about Jarno being outted, can't say I'm really surprised. His best feature was always his qualifing and that hadn't been going so well the last few years. Caterham is better off with Vitaly behind the wheel, IMO.


As far as the Merc, they did the same thing last year I think. I highly doubt there is anything groundbreaking on the car. I would imagine they'll be in the same spot as last year, 4th in the constructors.

 

Agreed on both accounts. Jarno used to be capable of some impressive qualifying performances back in the days of the single flying lap, but not so much under the newer/current format(s). And Caterham is DEFINTELY way better off with Vitaly. They may be forced to rebuild the car a lot more often with Petrov behind the wheel, but at least he has some potential to be competitive in the midfield group.

 

That made me

 

cool vid of how the W-Duct work

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ9cFis55xM

 

Great find on the W-duct. Pretty cool stuff. Now if only it had a setting for full downforce under braking...

No surprise at Trulli being gone. If you were in Caterham's shoes, what would you rather have? Truly incessant whining about steering feel, or a petrifying amount of cash.

l8r)

 

^^^ How do other teams even figure that stuff out? I mean the system is completely hidden within the structure of the front wing... there's no way to notice it from outside of the car right?

 

Sorry if you guys discussed this already... but what do you guys think of the stepped noses on the majority of the F1 cars? Why have that sudden jump? There must be a smoother way of complying with the rules? That vertical jump can't be good for aerodynamics.

I know it's been revealed that Sauber has a vent in that step... but do all the teams have this?

 

Thanks Honda Guy...great find!
Crestor: Step is done to maintain a high rear ride height but still conform to crash requirements...precluding taking a drivers head off with side impacts...and it is RB, not Sauber that has vented step nose. Speaking of same, here's Merc dream child: http://www.autosport.com/gallery/index.php/id/2713

PS: Remember times at Jerez mean nothing and yet everyone keeps ona guessin.

Later, Ken

 

No, Sauber does have a vented step nose (read about it on formula1.com), which actually looks like a very clever solution. RB has an intake vent in the nose hump, but nobody has really figured out what it's used for, unless you believe Newey when he said that it's for driver cooling.

l8r)

 

I thought is was to keep the suspension pick-up points mounted high on the chassis/body...? Something most of the teams have been doing for a while, sans McLaren. That is why they're the only team (so far) that don't have the stepped nose. I don't think it has to do with rear ride height. Anyone else under that impression also?

 

Here's a write-up on Sauber's vented nose...
http://www.formula1.com/news/technical/2012/0/933.html

 

What you are saying makes sense to me too... I notice cars with the stepped nose have their upper suspension arms mounted right at the top of the nose at it's higher height point.

Does having your upper arms mounted 2 inches lower make a world of difference?