The Formula 1 Off-Season |OT| Haas to get better, right?
- Thread starter Ark
- Start date
aspiegamer
Member
Ooh. I like the brake ducts at the front of the STR. The front wing looks like it's been specifically built around it and everything.
The Americans built an F1 car! And sent it to Europe! And it works! Holy crap! Ferrari seems to have handed over a copy of their front wing, so perhaps Haas can send them a nose in return so the car doesn't look hideous.
A lot of variation in airboxes, size and shape. So that's the go-to magic spot to look for improvements this year, I guess?
So how many horizontal planes/cascade elements are we going to reach on the front wings this year before we start over for 2017? That's 8 on the STR and we're just starting! Surely there's a point where it buffers more air vertically in drag than it actually redirects constructively.
The Americans built an F1 car! And sent it to Europe! And it works! Holy crap! Ferrari seems to have handed over a copy of their front wing, so perhaps Haas can send them a nose in return so the car doesn't look hideous.
A lot of variation in airboxes, size and shape. So that's the go-to magic spot to look for improvements this year, I guess?
So how many horizontal planes/cascade elements are we going to reach on the front wings this year before we start over for 2017? That's 8 on the STR and we're just starting! Surely there's a point where it buffers more air vertically in drag than it actually redirects constructively.
nekkid
It doesn't matter who we are, what matters is our plan.
Would that be to help them find the wreckage?
nekkid
It doesn't matter who we are, what matters is our plan.
Aside from accounting for material rigidity, are there any restrictions on vane thickness or the radius of the business-end? Like, can they not be too pointy for the sake of safety?
Surely as thin as possible would allow for maximum redirection with minimal drag.
Edit:
Looking at the FIA tech regs, yes indeed both minimum composite wall thickness and radii are accounted for.
EarsOfASnake
Member
Moment of truth
brotkasten
Member
Goldrusher
Member
Finally someone putting a smartphone to good use:
https://www.periscope.tv/w/1OyKAzNazOgGb
(live video from Catalunya)
https://www.periscope.tv/w/1OyKAzNazOgGb
(live video from Catalunya)
Someone forgot to take the rocks out of the Honda lol.
When laying wallpaper you can never get all the bubbles out.
Wut is that on the nose...
My money is on Ferrari for this year.
Way too early.
This afternoon will be the first time we see any indication of reliability.
Pace? Later in the week.
I really hope they're close enough to make Mercedes sweat more than 2-3 times this season.
nekkid
It doesn't matter who we are, what matters is our plan.
Alonso made a similar bet a few years ago.
I wouldn't put too much on that. As was said, Mercedes already clocking in 48 laps today, well ahead of Sainz at 32. They're going to be well ahead of the curve.
Mercedes only topped like 3 or 4 of the 12 test days last year, it's entirely likely you won't see their real speed until Australia this year.
They turned up to Melbourne last year with a significant upgrade.
They're running their Melbourne spec right now at Barcelona, so theoretically this IS the Melbourne Mercedes give or take a few setup tweaks.
I'm not basing my prediction on the test at all.
massivekettle
Member
Can you provide a source re: Melbourne spec? Not sure that's correct. But then again, most teams will be running specs close to Melbourne given there are only two tests this year (and we are a month away from Melbourne).
Mercedes never went for laptime last year. Did they sandbag last year? Not exactly. They were just running with a lot of fuel and were pumping out long runs. I guess that's one way to hide "ultimate" pace...
I hope Ferrari caught up to them enough to pose a challenge. But realistically they need to find a second and then whatever time Mercedes found over last years car as well, that's just not very likely.
Would be great, and fingers crossed, but I wouldn't put a dime on it.
Would be great, and fingers crossed, but I wouldn't put a dime on it.
Psychotext
Member
I just hope someone is close enough to at least give us some semblance of competition. Can't be arsed with the Rosberg and Hamilton show again.
I'm actually holding off buying my tickets for this year (was originally planning on doing two races) as I'm really not convinced it's going to be worth watching.
I'm actually holding off buying my tickets for this year (was originally planning on doing two races) as I'm really not convinced it's going to be worth watching.
massivekettle
Member
The issue last year wasn't the Rosberg and Hamilton show. It was the lack of on-track action due to current aero regs.
Rosberg and Hamilton show is miles better than the Vettel show we were subject to in 2011 and 2013 (and what 2010 and 2012 should have been had Vettel/RBR not dicked around)
Everything is possible. James Allison's first Ferrari car. They've pretty much redesigned the entire car whilst Mercedes only refined theirs.
Psychotext
Member
Yeah, we've had this discussion before, and I'm not convinced. We had fewer winners last year than at any point since the crazy Ferrari dominance days. Boring.
massivekettle
Member
Looking at winners is a bit flawed. Yes, it sucks having the same winner or polesitter but if the racing's fun, then who cares. I'll take a Bahrain GP (2014) or US GP (2015), despite Mercedes dominating for the most part of those races, over any GP during MSC's dominance (2000-2004).
Psychotext
Member
That was a big part of the problem. We had a couple of races where we got competition up front, and the rest with virtually nothing.
Wax Free Vanilla
Member
Insane.
The Toro Rosso is the best looking car by a distance.
Psychotext
Member
I guess one advantage of running last year's engine is knowing exactly how hard it can be pushed before it explodes.
Wut is that on the nose...
The livery gave the car cancer.
Vettel takes the fastest lap of the first test run.
Since pre-season testing is highly representative of the rest of the season, Vettel World Champion 2016 confirmed.
Since pre-season testing is highly representative of the rest of the season, Vettel World Champion 2016 confirmed.
Myoclonic Jerk
Member
Congratulations Hamilton
Norwegian Rudo
Member
The Manor ran 1.33.455 on one of their first timed laps. Their best race lap at last year's Spanish Grand Prix was 1.33.655.
That is pretty insane alright... it's a shame they're running last year's engine.
Insane.
Wax Free Vanilla
Member
Where are the sound videos? I'm reading from those at the test that the Honda is the loudest and best sounding.