2012 Formula 1 Off-weeks Thread

[Nang Vann]

They'll bounce back,

[E90SLAM]

What piss me off as a McLaren fan was, they finally have a race car capable of win races in the beginning of the season, but they failed to lead after four rounds of fly-away races, with just one win.

Since 2008 they can really sniff an opportunity to haul away great points to win WDC and WCC.

[STIto335]

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

Ted Kravis pointed out another problem, if the wheel nut is indeed attached to the wheel. The mechanic must insert the wheel in perfect perpendicular to the axle. There will still a chance of cross-threading the nut. If that occurs, where the nut stuck to the wheel, they will have to change ALL the wheels. Regulation prohibits mix tires, they must change a whole set of four.

Makes no different if it's getting 1 tire or 4 out of the garage, the race would already be in the toilet.

[johanness]

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

What piss me off as a McLaren fan was, they finally have a race car capable of win races in the beginning of the season, but they failed to lead after four rounds of fly-away races, with just one win.

Since 2008 they can really sniff an opportunity to haul away great points to win WDC and WCC.

What should make u more pissed off as a fan (I'm not, at least Hamilton anyways) is the fact that they're passing on Mugello. Makes you think they'd attend if they actually gave a shit

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by johanness

What should make u more pissed off as a fan (I'm not, at least Hamilton anyways) is the fact that they're passing on Mugello. Makes you think they'd attend if they actually gave a shit

They don't, McLaren will attend the mid-season testing (HRT is skipping; but Marussia will go for the first time), just jenson will attend a McLaren sponsored event and Hamilton might go for the testing.

and testing is why there's "test drivers"...more like validating the upgrades performs as expected.

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by STIto335

Makes no different if it's getting 1 tire or 4 out of the garage, the race would already be in the toilet.

well, no, changing one wheel nut like last race, cost additional 2-3 secs.
but give new instructions to change another 4 tires (if any standing by), will cost even more, like re-do the entire pit stop.

Also if there's no planned compounds left, they will have to switch to the less desired one and further screw the strategy. Not even a so call "plan B" to salvage more points.
If the wheel nut in embedded into the wheel itself, a cross-threaded one will render whole set worthless.

[E90SLAM]

Williams, Sauber and Marussia confirm test plans

Williams, Sauber and Marussia have confirmed their plans for the Mugello test next week, taking different approaches to their respective driver line-ups.

Williams is splitting its running equally between three drivers, with third driver Valtteri Bottas in the car on the opening day. Bottas has already taken part in three of the 15 Friday practice sessions that he's scheduled to do this season, and also ran for a day at the second pre-season test in Barcelona. Bruno Senna will then run on Wednesday and Pastor Maldonado is set to drive the FW34 on the final day.

Sauber has decided not to run test driver Esteban Gutierrez, however, and has remained with its race drivers for the whole test. Kamui Kobayashi will get the majority of the running as he is in the car on Tuesday and Wednesday before Sergio Perez takes over on Thursday.

Marussia also confirmed to ESPNF1 that it will split the running equally between its two race drivers, with Charles Pic driving on Tuesday and Wednesday morning before Timo Glock takes over for the afternoon and Thursday.

Only Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Mercedes are yet to formally announce their driver line-ups, with Red Bull telling ESPNF1 that it is still to finalise its schedule. Daniel Ricciardo also revealed on Twitter that he is lined up to drive on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday for Toro Rosso.

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/77085.html

[STIto335]

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

well, no, changing one wheel nut like last race, cost additional 2-3 secs.
but give new instructions to change another 4 tires (if any standing by), will cost even more, like re-do the entire pit stop.

Also if there's no planned compounds left, they will have to switch to the less desired one and further screw the strategy. Not even a so call "plan B" to salvage more points.
If the wheel nut in embedded into the wheel itself, a cross-threaded one will render whole set worthless.

Yes, but you were saying wheels not wheel nuts. Even if you could get 1 separate wheel/tire from the garage to mix in with a set it would take so much time.

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by STIto335

Yes, but you were saying wheels not wheel nuts. Even if you could get 1 separate wheel/tire from the garage to mix in with a set it would take so much time.

Regulation prohibits mix tyres, all four wheels MUST be the same set provided by Pirelli and tracked by the FIA.
mixing tires will be disqualified.

[Boostin FD]

Is the testing going to be on SkyF1?

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by Boostin FD

Is the testing going to be on SkyF1?

I don't recall them saying will be live, probably some "highlights" on The F1 show, with analysis and such....

[E90SLAM]

Dude...you're not worried...I AM!!!

Weather forecast for Mugello Circuit next week seemed quite cool. Around 60-65F (15-18C). Should use that day for Jenson to investigate and try different methods to get heat into his tires.

Its been a continuous problem where Jenson unable to put enough heat to his tire in cool weather races and especially qualifying (British, Germany GPs) where the track temp is cooler than expected. Which hurt Jenson dearly in qualifying, and compromise race eventually.

Button not worried about missing Mugello test

Jenson Button is not worried about missing out on the upcoming in-season test at Mugello as McLaren looks set to stick with its original plan to run test drivers Gary Paffett and Oliver Turvey.

The three day test, which will run from Tuesday to Thursday next week, will see all the teams bar HRT take to the Italian circuit for the first in-season test since 2008. Earlier this week, Lewis Hamilton said that he was tempted to pull rank over Paffett and Turvey and test McLaren's latest developments himself, but Button doubts it will make much of a difference.

"The reason why we're not there is because we've never been to Mugello before," he told the Daily Mail. "I don't really think we will be a benefit because there aren't any massive updates to try.

"For the test drivers to put some miles on parts and try some very extreme things, then I think it's good, but it's not necessary for us to be there."

GPUpdate.net reports that McLaren will stick with Turvey and Paffett.

Two different mentality from two drivers, Lewis cannot wait to get more track time, and Jenson believes the teams schedule and approach, and their "plan".

http://en.espnf1.com/mclaren/motorsp...ory/77124.html

[E90SLAM]

McLaren confirmed that both Button and Hamilton won't be testing in Mugello next week.

http://planetf1.com/driver/18227/770...est-at-Mugello

[UltimateBMW]

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

McLaren confirmed that both Button and Hamilton won't be testing in Mugello next week.

http://planetf1.com/driver/18227/770...est-at-Mugello

ugh.

[Nang Vann]

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

McLaren confirmed that both Button and Hamilton won't be testing in Mugello next week.

http://planetf1.com/driver/18227/770...est-at-Mugello

Hmm interesting...

[007MCoupe]

So just Button and Hamilton are skipping the testing, not McLaren itself? They really need to work out their pitstop issues. cost them (possibly) 1 race win and many more points for Hamilton's TWO botched stops. Insane.

Also, anyword on what happened to Button's exhaust/engine at the end there?

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

McLaren confirmed that both Button and Hamilton won't be testing in Mugello next week.

http://planetf1.com/driver/18227/770...est-at-Mugello

idiots

[Nang Vann]

Can't wait for the next race!

Taking a while ay....

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by 007MCoupe

So just Button and Hamilton are skipping the testing, not McLaren itself? They really need to work out their pitstop issues. cost them (possibly) 1 race win and many more points for Hamilton's TWO botched stops. Insane.

Also, anyword on what happened to Button's exhaust/engine at the end there?

Test drivers will attend and get on the scheduled items that they had planned.
Perhaps pit stop and technique will be high on the "to-do-list"...

Broken exhaust and a differential failure...not much further details...

http://en.espnf1.com/bahrain/motorsp...ory/76788.html

[UltimateBMW]

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

Test drivers will attend and get on the scheduled items that they had planned.
Perhaps pit stop and technique will be high on the "to-do-list"...

Broken exhaust and a differential failure...not much further details...

http://en.espnf1.com/bahrain/motorsp...ory/76788.html

I distinctly remember Merc GP also mentioning a broken exhaust. Same engine in a very hot atmosphere. Seems like it just was overheating.

[007MCoupe]

http://www.f1sa.com/index.php?option...:f1&Itemid=157

The official ruling on the 2 Rosberg 'incidents'. In both cases, he was ruled to have made his direction to the right coming out of the turn and was still allowed his 1 move, back to the racing line. Watching what I can find online, with Alonso, sure. It was obvious that Alonso tried to push it and pass when he didn't have room. I'm a little skeptical about the one with Hamilton though.

But they ruled he didn't do anything wrong and that's what they get paid to do I guess.

[007MCoupe]

I find this rule interesting...

20.4 Manoeuvres liable to hinder other drivers, such as deliberate crowding of a car beyond the edge of the track or any other abnormal change of direction, are not permitted.