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Open Wheel Racing 2021, anyone there to watch?

If anybody is going to be at the Vintage event at Watkins Glen this weekend, I'll be driving the pace car again.

No pace car rides this year. (Long story, but hopefully they will be back for next year.) But you can still stop by and say hello either at the end of pit lane where I am stationed or at the SVRA hauler when I'm not on the track.
 
Well, that was a fun two laps. I guess there was some midfield and backmarker action, but once Hamilton got behind Russel the top 6 were just running practice laps.
 
Did something happen to Conor Moore? I loved his F1 stuff but he does not seem to be doing it this year.
 
Kepler said:
Russ, Mitch et al. What do you think of this analysis?
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To me, a little over done with the scary hype.

While the powertrain changes are really big, they are also simpler than the 2014 change. Taking out the regen from the turbo it considerably simplifies the system. The cars already have regen braking- this is just more of it, which is pretty easy to deal with, as I see it. The biggest risk is how to cool the extra output of the electrical system- but the extra heat generated by that is actually less than the heat rejection of the 120kw loss of power- so they have a cooling package big enough now to deal with it- where they will start risking it is when they want less drag.

Is it possible that one maker has the best system? Sure- that has ALWAYS been an issue. Recently, RBR had the cheat code at the beginning of the ground effects era. But at the same time, I actually think the degree will be totally different than 2014. The electrical advantage will be almost nothing, since electrical motors and batteries are not going to be a whole lot different from maker to maker- and with the reductio of ICE output, a 10% difference in power results in a 5% net output loss. And the differences are never that high.

The active aero is supposed to get rid of the DRS trick- which is something true old timers don't like that much- it's just as artificial as the power deployment the article complains about. And I fail to see how power management is going to ruin the racing any more than tire management is doing right now. Drivers haven't been driving all out for at least 20 years, so big deal.

Could it be bad? Sure. Will it be bad? I have no real idea. Everyone is playing the same game, so they are still racing each other.

The hybrid system was chosen to add Audi and Ford and GM into the game, and even keep Honda interested. OEM's don't have e-Turbos, so there is zero reason to put them in to attract the big OEM money. But I also have seen enough indicators that this will be one of the shortest lived powertrains in F1, as with totally synthetic fuels, there is significant movement to go back to unboosted engines. Having been to V10 and V8 engine races live, the appeal to the huge sound is very weak to me- it sounds good for a few min, and the start is exciting- but an hour and a half of constant high pitched and super loud droning was not enjoyable- put me to sleep at the Monza race. And ear plugs are a requirement to avoid hearing damage.

It will be different, without a doubt. Will it totally suck? Probably not. Will it result in one team with a single season cheat code- probably. Will that last the entire life of the system- probably not.

As for generational changes, this is a pretty insignificant change compared to when they went to 2.5l to 1.5l in 1961. That wasn't undone until 1965 when they changed to a 3.0l engine.
 
Spartanforlife4 said:
Pointed out by someone else: Sainz scored a podium with Williams before Hamilton did with Ferrari.
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OMG the Hamilton Hive* is going to go ballistic about that.

It's everyone's fault but his.

* I can't recall what RocketPoweredMohawk calls them. It's much funnier.
 
Mercedes it is. Oscar’s frustration toward Lando is growing, wouldn’t be surprised if you see him taking matters into his own hands soon.
 
NHRA had more viewers Sunday than NASCAR. It really is remarkable how bad the France family has destroyed the sport in the last 20 years.
 
Jimjamesak said:
Apple taking over the US rights for $750 million/5 years.
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I think F1 doesn't really care about the nominal TV viewer F1 fan. The individual fan doesn't really give them any money. Whatever means they can do to make the most money is all that matters. Especially in the US- looking at Miami and Vegas as race events, they are more to be seen at than see a race. Meaning they appeal to people who think their appearance is what matters- which is mostly super rich people.

Many US fans survived many years with basically an F1 blackout when ESPN dropped them to Speed Vision many years ago. Same thing all over again until Apple decides they don't want to pay for sports like how NBC decided that having a sports channel isn't worth it.
 
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