Russell Jaslow
Registered User
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!
You sure it wasn't due to the partying from the night before...
You sure it wasn't due to the partying from the night before...
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Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!
- Thread starter MattS
- Start date
solovsfett
Registered User
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!
seriously though, I can't wait for this. between RUSH and Turbo it will be a good year for us open wheel types at the movies
You sure it wasn't due to the partying from the night before...
seriously though, I can't wait for this. between RUSH and Turbo it will be a good year for us open wheel types at the movies
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!
I thought it was a very good race yesterday. It had everything a fan could want. Passing, even at places without the DRS. Bone headed moves (Gutierrez). Strategy (Vettel, Webber, Button on tires). Controversy (Webber). And of course a Ferrari win!
Also, I have to mention is Hamilton driving excellent or what? I don't like him, but props to his driving in that mediocre car.
I thought it was a very good race yesterday. It had everything a fan could want. Passing, even at places without the DRS. Bone headed moves (Gutierrez). Strategy (Vettel, Webber, Button on tires). Controversy (Webber). And of course a Ferrari win!
Also, I have to mention is Hamilton driving excellent or what? I don't like him, but props to his driving in that mediocre car.
solovsfett
Registered User
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!
it was a great race. I'm a bit of a Hamilton fan and wanted him to win but he had a great race nonetheless. watching that jag-off Vettel storm in the last 4 laps was amazing, thankfully his tires gave out right at the end
good job to Alonso, not sure what the heck happened to Massa he disappeared after the first stops
I thought it was a very good race yesterday. It had everything a fan could want. Passing, even at places without the DRS. Bone headed moves (Gutierrez). Strategy (Vettel, Webber, Button on tires). Controversy (Webber). And of course a Ferrari win!
Also, I have to mention is Hamilton driving excellent or what? I don't like him, but props to his driving in that mediocre car.
it was a great race. I'm a bit of a Hamilton fan and wanted him to win but he had a great race nonetheless. watching that jag-off Vettel storm in the last 4 laps was amazing, thankfully his tires gave out right at the end
good job to Alonso, not sure what the heck happened to Massa he disappeared after the first stops
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!
Too bad Massa could not keep up better with Fernando.
The fact that the supersofts were only good for 3-6 laps is kinda dumb. Why even bring that tyre to the track at all?
Rumor has it Webber will be racing Porsche's in the ALMS next year.
I thought it was a very good race yesterday. It had everything a fan could want. Passing, even at places without the DRS. Bone headed moves (Gutierrez). Strategy (Vettel, Webber, Button on tires). Controversy (Webber). And of course a Ferrari win!
Also, I have to mention is Hamilton driving excellent or what? I don't like him, but props to his driving in that mediocre car.
Too bad Massa could not keep up better with Fernando.
The fact that the supersofts were only good for 3-6 laps is kinda dumb. Why even bring that tyre to the track at all?
Rumor has it Webber will be racing Porsche's in the ALMS next year.
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!
There is an article on Speed stating that Audi is interested in supplying engines in Indycar and possibly aerokits too. I tend to think it will not happen and it's just MP writing a story of rumors and speculation based upon some offhanded comments from Audi execs. However, I would like to see another manufacturer come in compete in Indycar. The more the better in my opinion.
There is an article on Speed stating that Audi is interested in supplying engines in Indycar and possibly aerokits too. I tend to think it will not happen and it's just MP writing a story of rumors and speculation based upon some offhanded comments from Audi execs. However, I would like to see another manufacturer come in compete in Indycar. The more the better in my opinion.
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!
So I officially do not have any idea if Alexander Rossi's career is going well or not. I read this morning that he has taken over for Ma Qing Hua on the Caterham GP2 team. He is still scheduled to participate in some FP1 sessions also. I tend to think this is an OK move for him, but I am not sure anymore.
I also read that Conor Daly has been replaced for at least this weekend in the GP2 race. Bad news for him.
So I officially do not have any idea if Alexander Rossi's career is going well or not. I read this morning that he has taken over for Ma Qing Hua on the Caterham GP2 team. He is still scheduled to participate in some FP1 sessions also. I tend to think this is an OK move for him, but I am not sure anymore.
I also read that Conor Daly has been replaced for at least this weekend in the GP2 race. Bad news for him.
Russell Jaslow
Registered User
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!
There is good news for us, though -- NBC Sports Channel apparently is going to start showing the GP2 races. They are airing the first Bahrain race at 4:30p on Saturday. I didn't see the sprint race listed, so maybe they will show highlights of that during the F1 broadcast.
There is good news for us, though -- NBC Sports Channel apparently is going to start showing the GP2 races. They are airing the first Bahrain race at 4:30p on Saturday. I didn't see the sprint race listed, so maybe they will show highlights of that during the F1 broadcast.
Russell Jaslow
Registered User
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!
Hmmm, it could be worse than it appears. And Rossi was really looking forward to Bahrain since he knows the track so well.
(GMM) Former team racer Heikki Kovalainen has rejoined Caterham's F1 driver lineup.
The team announced on Wednesday that the Finn, who raced for the Tony Fernandes-owned outfit since its inception in 2010 until last year, will return to the cockpit this weekend in Bahrain.
Caterham said the highly rated 31-year-old, who has been keeping fit since being replaced by 2013 lineup Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde, is the team's new reserve driver alongside Californian Alexander Rossi.
He will also drive in the first Friday practice sessions at the forthcoming Bahrain and Spanish grands prix, sessions that were slated for Rossi.
Caterham said Kovalainen's is a new "formal technical development role" ahead of "the first performance updates to the 2013 car, an important milestone in the strategy the team are working to in the current season".
With Pic and van der Garde at the wheel of the green CT03, Caterham has fallen behind usual rivals Marussia so far in 2013.
"He (Kovalainen) has six years of F1 experience behind him so he is perfectly placed to provide us objective feedback on the various types of configurations we will run and to give us an objective view of the 2013 tires against his experience with the 2012 compounds," said team boss Cyril Abiteboul.
"Having invested in Heikki for our first three years of competition it would be a waste not to leverage the valuable expertise he brings.
"As F1 is a team sport, he will also provide support to Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde, who are both doing a good job in their first months with the team," he added.
Abiteboul said the driver shakeup was triggered by Chinese driver Ma Qing Hua's practice run in Shanghai, whereafter "a number of new opportunities have arisen for him".
Rossi is replacing Ma at Caterham's GP2 team, but the Chinese "remains a core member of Caterham's (F1) driver roster and an announcement about his (Ma's) revised race plans in 2013 will be made in due course".
Hmmm, it could be worse than it appears. And Rossi was really looking forward to Bahrain since he knows the track so well.
(GMM) Former team racer Heikki Kovalainen has rejoined Caterham's F1 driver lineup.
The team announced on Wednesday that the Finn, who raced for the Tony Fernandes-owned outfit since its inception in 2010 until last year, will return to the cockpit this weekend in Bahrain.
Caterham said the highly rated 31-year-old, who has been keeping fit since being replaced by 2013 lineup Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde, is the team's new reserve driver alongside Californian Alexander Rossi.
He will also drive in the first Friday practice sessions at the forthcoming Bahrain and Spanish grands prix, sessions that were slated for Rossi.
Caterham said Kovalainen's is a new "formal technical development role" ahead of "the first performance updates to the 2013 car, an important milestone in the strategy the team are working to in the current season".
With Pic and van der Garde at the wheel of the green CT03, Caterham has fallen behind usual rivals Marussia so far in 2013.
"He (Kovalainen) has six years of F1 experience behind him so he is perfectly placed to provide us objective feedback on the various types of configurations we will run and to give us an objective view of the 2013 tires against his experience with the 2012 compounds," said team boss Cyril Abiteboul.
"Having invested in Heikki for our first three years of competition it would be a waste not to leverage the valuable expertise he brings.
"As F1 is a team sport, he will also provide support to Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde, who are both doing a good job in their first months with the team," he added.
Abiteboul said the driver shakeup was triggered by Chinese driver Ma Qing Hua's practice run in Shanghai, whereafter "a number of new opportunities have arisen for him".
Rossi is replacing Ma at Caterham's GP2 team, but the Chinese "remains a core member of Caterham's (F1) driver roster and an announcement about his (Ma's) revised race plans in 2013 will be made in due course".
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!
I agree. Does anyone else think Vettel waited a lap too long before changing tires? I think perhaps he could have extended his lead over Hamilton for third place and then held on before the tires were totally ineffective. I'm sure the team knows more than me.
I agree. Does anyone else think Vettel waited a lap too long before changing tires? I think perhaps he could have extended his lead over Hamilton for third place and then held on before the tires were totally ineffective. I'm sure the team knows more than me.
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Russell Jaslow
Registered User
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!
Wow! Just wow! What an amazing Bahrain GP.
That's what open wheel racing is all about.
Wow! Just wow! What an amazing Bahrain GP.
That's what open wheel racing is all about.
solovsfett
Registered User
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!
seriously, why can't Vettel ever have the mechanical gremlins that seem to besiege the competition (Alonso this time)? ugh.
other than Vettel winning the race in Bahrain was great. Raikonnen is really impressing, if he indeed winds up at RB next year they better not treat him as shabbily as they treat Webber
Long Beach was pretty good, great to see Takuma get his first win for Foyt (and ABCSupply, that company has been a fantastic sponsor)! Rahal and Wilson finishing on the podium was fantastic as well. I think if Indycar can up the horsepower of the cars and ditch those ugly fenders in back they'll have a better chance of picking up new fans
seriously, why can't Vettel ever have the mechanical gremlins that seem to besiege the competition (Alonso this time)? ugh.
other than Vettel winning the race in Bahrain was great. Raikonnen is really impressing, if he indeed winds up at RB next year they better not treat him as shabbily as they treat Webber
Long Beach was pretty good, great to see Takuma get his first win for Foyt (and ABCSupply, that company has been a fantastic sponsor)! Rahal and Wilson finishing on the podium was fantastic as well. I think if Indycar can up the horsepower of the cars and ditch those ugly fenders in back they'll have a better chance of picking up new fans
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!
It was a good race, but there was way too much blocking going on.
I loved the podium @ Long Beach.
I am a Penske fan, but I'm beginning to think Will Power is over-rated as a driver. If he's out front on non-ovals, he's just about unbeatable, but get him in traffic, and in restarts and he just can't pass. This is not just based on LB, but what I have seen over the last 3 years. He also has some of the worst luck. His car seems is a magnet of stupidness for other drivers.
It was a good race, but there was way too much blocking going on.
I loved the podium @ Long Beach.
I am a Penske fan, but I'm beginning to think Will Power is over-rated as a driver. If he's out front on non-ovals, he's just about unbeatable, but get him in traffic, and in restarts and he just can't pass. This is not just based on LB, but what I have seen over the last 3 years. He also has some of the worst luck. His car seems is a magnet of stupidness for other drivers.
Russell Jaslow
Registered User
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!
Best GP I have seen in a long time. There was good action all through the field. It was nice to see tires the did not degrade too quickly.
I thought the best drives came from Alonso (still passing without DRS), Kimi and Lewis. All three showing why they are WDC's. I was surprised with how well Grojean ran and seemingly without incident. And Di Resta will a excellent drive. I didn't think he had it in him.
I really dislike Vettel. It seems like he has zero bad luck. And I am still unimpressed with him when he gets in heavy traffic. I think any of the three drivers I listed would all beat him if they were in the same car.
I thought the only blatent blocking that was too much that I saw was from Webber. There might have been more but I can't remember any. I don't mind one even two moves to block, but when Webber (or anyone) is weaving back and forth over the track then that is too much.
On another note...I see that Porsche had ruled out a return to F1 due to "lack of road relevance". I really can't blame them. F1 needs to open back up the engine development, suspensions (active), and more energy recovery. Get rid of all the dependency on aero. That is why manufacturers that have the $$$ don't want to get involved. Developing aero just isn't worth the investment.
Rossi had a solid 3rd place finish in the GP2 feature race. His sprint wasn't so good. Overall a good first couple of races in GP2.
Best GP I have seen in a long time. There was good action all through the field. It was nice to see tires the did not degrade too quickly.
I thought the best drives came from Alonso (still passing without DRS), Kimi and Lewis. All three showing why they are WDC's. I was surprised with how well Grojean ran and seemingly without incident. And Di Resta will a excellent drive. I didn't think he had it in him.
I really dislike Vettel. It seems like he has zero bad luck. And I am still unimpressed with him when he gets in heavy traffic. I think any of the three drivers I listed would all beat him if they were in the same car.
I thought the only blatent blocking that was too much that I saw was from Webber. There might have been more but I can't remember any. I don't mind one even two moves to block, but when Webber (or anyone) is weaving back and forth over the track then that is too much.
On another note...I see that Porsche had ruled out a return to F1 due to "lack of road relevance". I really can't blame them. F1 needs to open back up the engine development, suspensions (active), and more energy recovery. Get rid of all the dependency on aero. That is why manufacturers that have the $$$ don't want to get involved. Developing aero just isn't worth the investment.
Rossi had a solid 3rd place finish in the GP2 feature race. His sprint wasn't so good. Overall a good first couple of races in GP2.
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!
Opening the engine rules won't help- that will lead to v10's that spin to +20k, and have no real relevance to reality.
being that engines are the most expensive part of the car- both in making it and developing it, F1 won't see much action from manufactuers until there will be a direct benefit to road cars. Next year's rules come close- especially with the fuel restrictions. But I would make them use metalic springs- the compressed air springs put much of the physics of F1 motors way out of the window of road car benefit. One interesting note about next year- the aero effects will have to be significantly reduced- else cars will not finish the race due to excess drag. It will be quite interesting.
Not sure how active suspensions change things- they were tried, and the real world benefit is so limited that it's not worth the money.
Next year's rules are a good first step- but based on Porsche's response, not quite enough for them.
I also thing the lower series should employ similar actions- Bernie is so afraid that the f1 cars will be too slow- make everyone else slower, then. It's not rocket science. But right now, it's science for racing only- and that's a problem.
Opening the engine rules won't help- that will lead to v10's that spin to +20k, and have no real relevance to reality.
being that engines are the most expensive part of the car- both in making it and developing it, F1 won't see much action from manufactuers until there will be a direct benefit to road cars. Next year's rules come close- especially with the fuel restrictions. But I would make them use metalic springs- the compressed air springs put much of the physics of F1 motors way out of the window of road car benefit. One interesting note about next year- the aero effects will have to be significantly reduced- else cars will not finish the race due to excess drag. It will be quite interesting.
Not sure how active suspensions change things- they were tried, and the real world benefit is so limited that it's not worth the money.
Next year's rules are a good first step- but based on Porsche's response, not quite enough for them.
I also thing the lower series should employ similar actions- Bernie is so afraid that the f1 cars will be too slow- make everyone else slower, then. It's not rocket science. But right now, it's science for racing only- and that's a problem.
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!
I think the difference between what I was thinking and what you thought I meants, is not a "free for all" engine development, but rather a controlled development. I wouldn't let them have huge engine displacement or really really outlandish rpm's, but I would let them develop the engines from year-to-year or at least every couple years. For me it would center around fuel conspumtion. That has real world relevance.
If a manufacture is in F1 then it going to be expensive and it should be expensive (to a point). What I would envision is instead of spending money on aero, which has zero relevance for today's road cars, and probably would not for the forseeable future, spend that cash on engines that are fuel efficient and on other mechanical and electronic advancements that could have use on not-too-distant road cars. Especially energy recovery.
I was just using active suspensions as an example of other places to spend money instead of aero.
I think the difference between what I was thinking and what you thought I meants, is not a "free for all" engine development, but rather a controlled development. I wouldn't let them have huge engine displacement or really really outlandish rpm's, but I would let them develop the engines from year-to-year or at least every couple years. For me it would center around fuel conspumtion. That has real world relevance.
If a manufacture is in F1 then it going to be expensive and it should be expensive (to a point). What I would envision is instead of spending money on aero, which has zero relevance for today's road cars, and probably would not for the forseeable future, spend that cash on engines that are fuel efficient and on other mechanical and electronic advancements that could have use on not-too-distant road cars. Especially energy recovery.
I was just using active suspensions as an example of other places to spend money instead of aero.
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!
Ok, I see what you mean.
FWIW, I don't think F1 is the only racing series that isn't relavant enough for a manufaturer to invest money into. Endurance racing has gotten there, too- the bias toward diesels really sucked the core out of prototype racing at LeMans. It's been Audi for more than a decade now- enough of the diesels- give back some of the gas rules. Even then- there's little point in investment.
At least the rules for DP seem to make it easier for support- which can be seen by the variety of engines in a DP car.
I kind of thing that endurance racing has gotten too fast for it's own good. No more will anyone consider running a 4 cyl car- you can remember epic drives by Lotus Elites and XI's, and the Sebring MG's are famous. Now the slowest class is a spec Porsche, as opposed to something smaller. They've even slowed the cars with restrictors so much that reliabilty isn't an issue. So if they are slowing the cars, how about making smaller engines instead?
LeMans and Sebring used to have a lot of street cars out there, and the prototypes were pretty much street cars- Testa Rossa, GT40, and even the whale tail P cars of the 70s. Now even the street cars are not capable of running on the street, else they would break something going over a pothole or speed bump.
I love the idea of getting rid of aero- that will also result in a lot softer suspension, so you can see the cars move around. I also think that the tires used are horrible- while I can deal with some of the lifespan, what I hate is that the track quickly runs down to one path in major areas due to the build up of tire rubber. Heck, Indy car has street sweepers. I would go totally opposite- much much harder tires. One thing I do like about endurance racing is the tire compounds- that they seem to last well, and not make much of a mess of the track.
Anyway, I still watch and enjoy. Just wish a few tweaks could be made.
Ok, I see what you mean.
FWIW, I don't think F1 is the only racing series that isn't relavant enough for a manufaturer to invest money into. Endurance racing has gotten there, too- the bias toward diesels really sucked the core out of prototype racing at LeMans. It's been Audi for more than a decade now- enough of the diesels- give back some of the gas rules. Even then- there's little point in investment.
At least the rules for DP seem to make it easier for support- which can be seen by the variety of engines in a DP car.
I kind of thing that endurance racing has gotten too fast for it's own good. No more will anyone consider running a 4 cyl car- you can remember epic drives by Lotus Elites and XI's, and the Sebring MG's are famous. Now the slowest class is a spec Porsche, as opposed to something smaller. They've even slowed the cars with restrictors so much that reliabilty isn't an issue. So if they are slowing the cars, how about making smaller engines instead?
LeMans and Sebring used to have a lot of street cars out there, and the prototypes were pretty much street cars- Testa Rossa, GT40, and even the whale tail P cars of the 70s. Now even the street cars are not capable of running on the street, else they would break something going over a pothole or speed bump.
I love the idea of getting rid of aero- that will also result in a lot softer suspension, so you can see the cars move around. I also think that the tires used are horrible- while I can deal with some of the lifespan, what I hate is that the track quickly runs down to one path in major areas due to the build up of tire rubber. Heck, Indy car has street sweepers. I would go totally opposite- much much harder tires. One thing I do like about endurance racing is the tire compounds- that they seem to last well, and not make much of a mess of the track.
Anyway, I still watch and enjoy. Just wish a few tweaks could be made.
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!
I totally agree on the tyres. I'd make them them hard enough so you wouldn't get the marbles/chunks coming off of them. That just really reduces the passing areas and stifles passing creativity. They can wear out without losing pieces of them, as we have seen in other series.
I totally agree on the tyres. I'd make them them hard enough so you wouldn't get the marbles/chunks coming off of them. That just really reduces the passing areas and stifles passing creativity. They can wear out without losing pieces of them, as we have seen in other series.
solovsfett
Registered User
Re: Open Wheel Racing 2013...year of the driver swap!
totally agree with you here, I think all 3 of Hamilton, Alonso, Raikonnen would be more than a match for Vettel in equal cars (and we'll likely find out next year w/Kimi). Also, Rosberg would push him as well. the kid has had the #1 seat on the overall best team for all 3 of his titles and it reminds of me of schuey in the late 90's. sure there's a bit more competition now but still, w/virtually no dnf's there's no way to beat Reb Bull unless there's a young Adrian Newey coming up through the ranks to help out
totally agree with you here, I think all 3 of Hamilton, Alonso, Raikonnen would be more than a match for Vettel in equal cars (and we'll likely find out next year w/Kimi). Also, Rosberg would push him as well. the kid has had the #1 seat on the overall best team for all 3 of his titles and it reminds of me of schuey in the late 90's. sure there's a bit more competition now but still, w/virtually no dnf's there's no way to beat Reb Bull unless there's a young Adrian Newey coming up through the ranks to help out