2408 replies to this topic

[dabrasco]

I actually did 'reallly' well in school.

And you can play semantics with me all you like, but it isn't hard to see through the facade.

Vettel is right, a couple of teams look good...even past the 'top four'. But there is nothing that suggests a clear frontrunner...nothing in the times. Matter of fact, Kob. for Sauber has had the most impressive stint so far.
With so many teams looking promising and Barcelona updates coming, there is still all to play for....with fuel loads making it so easy to 'sandbag', I feel we wont really know the pace of the teams until Bahrain Qualy.

Then there is the issue of how well teams manage their tires...

[femi]

Rulings couldn't be clearer:

The ducts may not rotate with the wheels nor may they, or any of their mountings, protrude axially beyond the outer face of the wheel fastener;
No part of the car, other than those specifically defined in Articles 12.8.1 and 12.8.2, may obscure any part of the wheel when viewed from the outside of the car towards the car centre line along the axis of the wheel

---

12.8.1
The only parts which may be physically attached to the wheel in addition to the tyre are surface treatments
for appearance and protection, valves for filling and discharging the tyre, balance weights, drive pegs, tyre
pressure and temperature monitoring devices and spacers on the inboard mounting face of identical
specification on all wheels for the same axle

12.8.2
The wheel must be attached to the car with a single fastener. The outer diameter of the fastener must not
exceed 105mm and the axial length must not exceed 75mm. The wheel fastener may not attach or mount
any part to the car except the wheel assembly described in Article 12.8.1

Personally, I think its a no brainer - they're not legal. Before anyone says that they're 'welded' on so actually integral to the wheel. i would say that welding is a means of attaching> We have seen the wheels without them so know that they'r enot integral to the function of the wheel. I think we could see them banned fairly swiftly.

I actually think Ferrari must be aware of the regulations and also think what we they have shown so far is the test version. If they want to implement wheel nuts with that functionality, then I don't think we have seen the finished product yet - my take.

[Mika Mika]

Jesus, I hope these legal Ferrari wheel covers are banned.

http://www.terra.es/...82faseara2p.jpg

12.8.1
The only parts which may be physically attached to the wheel in addition to the tyre are surface treatments
for appearance and protection, valves for filling and discharging the tyre, balance weights, drive pegs, tyre
pressure and temperature monitoring devices and spacers on the inboard mounting face of identical
specification on all wheels for the same axle

I think they will fall foul of this regulation.. unless they are tyre pressure and temperature monitoring devices????

[sawyer_si]

They could be "surface treatments for appearance (and protection)". You can't define ugliness...

Edited by sawyer_si, 22 February 2010 - 10:39.

[Mika Mika]

They could be "surface treatments for appearance (and protection)". You can't define ugliness...

Depends on the definition of surface.


Re. Slot - Hole 2009 argument.

[bonjon1979]

Depends on the definition of surface.


Re. Slot - Hole 2009 argument.

That wasn't a semantic argument about slots and holes. The problem was that the ruling stated 'when viewed from directly underneath' which means that the cars could have holes in the vertical plane. ie from directly underneath the car you can't see the holes. This is a little different I think - I'll be interested to hear how they defend it. I'm sure they've got 700 people who are far, far cleverer than I am when it comes to formula 1 design so they must have come up with a reasonable way of circumventing the rules. Not really a major issue as it's not as if it looks particularly difficult to copy so if it's unlikely to be a game changer, I just think that it looks quite ugly!

I'll be interested to see what the outcome is though. I remember last years Ferrari had exhausts that extended beyond the bodywork and they had to change the whole shape of their engine cover which I think hurt them aerodynamically. When we first saw the car it looked shrink wrapped with the bodywork really hugging the components of the car. When they extended the cover they had to make it bulkier to encase the exhausts. Don't really think this will effect them much if they have to ditch the fairings - i expect we're going to see much bigger changes to the cars in barcelona than just the odd wheel rim.

[Hacklerf]

F1 fans arguing is worst than football fans

[Classic Ferrari]

Wishful thinking at best, 50 laps with full fuel on softs? Last year when they used 1/3 of the fuel during stints the softs were going off in like 15 laps on most tracks.

Bear in mind that was last year's car. Half distance perhaps not, longer than the other teams? good chance i'm sure.

[Gilles4Ever]

Winter testing 2010 Part 3 : Barcelona