9 replies to this topic

[Jdcasas]

Is it possible to develop a car changing drivers every year? Is it realy crucial for the driver to be good at "setups" etc.... just want to hear your opinions...........

[No27]

I think it's possible, but only when the new driver can explain better what the car does than the old driver.

Really, I think a driver's input is one of the most important things in development. He's the only one who really knows what's happening. Telemetry etc. is nice, but it only gives facts in numbers not in terms of car behaviour.

This is why didn't understood Benneton hiring both Alesi and Berger in 1996. They teamed up at Ferrari a few years before and didn't manage to get it together. Of course, it wasn't their fault but to hire them both is maximalising on the risk it had something to do with driver input.

[POLAR]

The driver imput is essential to develop a car, because the engineers can set up a car for sheer performance, but a driver needs much more than that. If a car is not user friendly, if its not confortable, it will not go as fast. See Senna and the 94 Williams.

Polar

[Wheels]

If it isn't important then why has Ferrari kept Luca for over 6+ years. He's a great yardstick for how much better the car runs after making changes since his times are measured in terms of many past performances as well as to MS & RB. Also, because of his track knowledge they eliminate this variable when you get new drivers who take time to learn the track.

[Williams]

Most important are quality of driver feedback and consistency of driving. Some technical knowledge on the part of the driver doesn't hurt as long as he uses it to describe performance, as opposed to trying to second-guess the engineers.

Also, it's important that the driver knows what he wants from a car and be able to describe it. That is where a driver from a top team, like Irvine at Jaguar, or Damon at Jordan, for example, can be invaluable to a mid-field team: these drivers know what a good car feels like. (Though these two might not be the best examples ;) )

[Bex37]

Originally posted by Jdcasas
Is it possible to develop a car changing drivers every year? Is it realy crucial for the driver to be good at "setups" etc.... just want to hear your opinions...........

I don't think it matters too much if you change the drivers, but it is essential that the drivers provide good feedback and direction to the engineers. A good race driver does not always possess these traits yet it is essential to modern formula 1 since the pace of development is so fast.

You'll find that modern F1 world champions have great racecraft AND provide great development feedback, particularly in qualifying. The exceptions are Damon Hill and Jacques Villenueve. Damon was had the feedback but not the racecraft (helped to make the 96 and early 97 Williams a world beater), whilst Jacques was the opposite (part of the reason the Williams declined very quickly). This is why both drivers struggled to win the title somewhat when perhaps they should have won more easily. It could also explain one of the differences between an IRL/Champcar driver and an F1 driver; this ability to continue to develop the car whilst incorporating new/changed technology seems to make the transition difficult for many. Just my opinion anyway.

[The Soul Stealer]

Originally posted by Williams
Also, it's important that the driver knows what he wants from a car and be able to describe it. That is where a driver from a top team, like Irvine at Jaguar, or Damon at Jordan, for example, can be invaluable to a mid-field team: these drivers know what a good car feels like.

I never looked at it that way before:up:

[Zawed]

Originally posted by Williams
Also, it's important that the driver knows what he wants from a car and be able to describe it. That is where a driver from a top team, like Irvine at Jaguar, or Damon at Jordan, for example, can be invaluable to a mid-field team: these drivers know what a good car feels like. (Though these two might not be the best examples ;) )

That's why teams should hire experienced testers. I don't understand why it is now so popular to hire F3 drivers to become regular test pilots. I mean just look at the Scheketer kid. He was hired as Jaguar's test driver, but it was'nt the wisest of decisions, because he had no worthwhile F1 experience to compare the Jag car to. Unless all he was expected to do was put mileage onto components. Anyway he's fired now...

[HSJ]

Is this the reason DC still has a seat at McL? I think it is. Of course he is fast too, but top teams don't often stick with non-WDCs for 6 years in a row like McL has done with DC.

[Bex37]

Originally posted by Zawed


That's why teams should hire experienced testers. I don't understand why it is now so popular to hire F3 drivers to become regular test pilots. I mean just look at the Scheketer kid. He was hired as Jaguar's test driver, but it was'nt the wisest of decisions, because he had no worthwhile F1 experience to compare the Jag car to. Unless all he was expected to do was put mileage onto components. Anyway he's fired now...

I don't think you necessarily have to have driven an F1 car before to give good feedback. You need to be able to have the ability to identify areas that can be improved in the car. Some people have a natural ability to do this whilst others are more reliant upon trial and error. Sure, an experienced F1 driver will provide better immediate feedback, but if you happen to stumble across a talented "sorter", you could make leaps in the speed of the car after a settling in period. Don't forget, the young drivers also cost far less and often bring heaps of money, so the team can also afford that new technology that they wanted all last season. Tough decision, but if you have confidence in a new driver, it makes the decision a lot easier.