F1 Official Thread - Grand Prix of Britain

[Sinner]

McLaren's been given the green-light by the FIA, but you never know... remember the F-duct?   A brilliant, clever and efficient idea... ultimately banned by the FIA. 

A good Ted's Notebook on the new engines...

 

[Sinner]

Quite technical, but an interesting read, nonetheless.

http://www.f1technical.net/development/435

 

[zk1mpls]

The recovery trucks getting more laps in than the Red Bulls this weekend.

Rumours about RBR and Merc's nose not being up to FIA spec... too fragile.

 

[zk1mpls]

Kevin Magnussen tops the timesheets for today's day of testing. That McLaren is working well... The Mercedes engine sure isn't bad, either -5 of the top 6 on the timesheets.

All the Renault powered cars are having a disappointing experience today. Well, that's one way to stop RBR's domination.

Curious to see how the cars would perform on full power....

 

[Sinner]

Pleased.  But must remain maintain expectations!  Still waaaaaaaaaay too early! 

 

[zk1mpls]

Mercedes and Ferrari already doing race simulations on this final day of testing. Fuel consumption seems fine... albeit they're running in the wet. Red Bull already packed up. Troubled test week for them.

Man, Mercedes is running well. Looks like they're the team to beat so far...

 

[imasoleman18]

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

 

[zk1mpls]

^ Toro Rosso

 

[Sinner]

 

[zk1mpls]

Ross Brawn retires from Formula One. He will definitely be missed.

No sign of Martin Whitmarsh just yet?

 

[Sinner]

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/9149576/Bernie-Blames-Ferrari-For-Double-Points

 

[zk1mpls]

What a w*****.

The mid-season tyre change still was the turning point of the season, IMO.

 

[zk1mpls]

If you've caught up on last week's Jerez Winter Test, you might have noticed some cars (Ferrari) using a new Steering Wheel Display. Still built by McLaren Electronics - the PCU-8D.

More data displayed would probably be nice for the drivers... looks like they're borrowing a few things from LMP cars -or GP2 steering displays.

Only a matter of time before the sim racing community makes their own replicas...

 

[Sinner]

Hmmmm.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112434

And

 

[zk1mpls]

^ Man, the effort he put into that...

I'd have to agree... Q3 needs more spicing up.

 

[zk1mpls]

 

[zk1mpls]

Allan McNish is taking retirement well....

 

[Sinner]

Mock-up, but this would look glorious.

 

[Thierry Henry]

We no longer have the Vodafone sponsorship right? That's why our livery is looking so boring?

 

[Sinner]

Yep, Vodafone ended their title-sponsorship in '13.  

They could have used more colors for this season, but chose not to... dunno why.  Having said that, there's still 1 more test in Bahrain... plus they could bring a new livery for Oz.  Who knows?

 

[zk1mpls]

Yep, Vodafone ended their title-sponsorship in '13.  

They could have used more colors for this season, but chose not to... dunno why.  Having said that, there's still 1 more test in Bahrain... plus they could bring a new livery for Oz.  Who knows?

Hopefully they do get some sponsors in before Melbourne, just like Williams.

Who knows? Maybe they win a couple of races at the beginning of the season and take sponsorships by each grand prix (a la Brawn GP)?

 

[Sinner]

I don't think they're not able to get sponsors... but rather, I think sponsors aren't willing to pay what they're asking... more like a situation of "no discounts".  I know it sounds arrogant, but I doubt a team like McLaren would have trouble finding sponsors.  I hear Honda's looking at throwing lots of $$$ into the team in '15, so in the long-run, they should be secure.  

 

[Thierry Henry]

No discounts? LOL

As long as there is Infrared on the car by the time of the Aussie GP

 

[Sinner]

No discounts? LOL

As long as there is Infrared on the car by the time of the Aussie GP

Yeah, as in... hypothetically, lets say they usually charge $10mn for sidepod sponsorship.  Vodafone used to own that space, but now that they're gone, McLaren are looking for another sponsor, but will probably not accept anything less than $10mn for that spot from another company.  So, say Coke comes along and wants to sponsor $9mn for that sidepod... McLaren will probably say no... no discounts.  I'm just speculating and over-simplifying it, but that was just an example.  

I have a feeling they'll be sticking with this plain-chrome livery for the '14 season.  

And... donuts legalized!  Mmmmm... donuts. 

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/fia-legalises-donuts-for-f1-winners/

 

[Sinner]