2005/2006 F1 News and Testing.

Flibster · 22 Feb 2006 at 11:55

Renault duo hit trouble at Barcelona

The Renault team's first day of testing at the Barcelona circuit got off to a poor start when both their cars hit trouble on their opening laps.

World Champion Fernando Alonso stopped on track right at the start of the session, which had to be red-flagged while the Spaniard's car was towed back to the pits.

The second red flag of the day came moments later when teammate Giancarlo Fisichella's R26 also hit trouble on its installation lap, with apparent engines problems.

By noon, the cars had not returned to the track.

The Super Aguri team, who yesterday made their public debut, seemed to be enjoying a better day after Takuma Sato only managed eight laps.

Sato's teammate Yuji Ide made his Formula One debut in the SA05 car, the Japanese completing 12 laps before noon. He was over 11 seconds slower than pace-setter Jenson Button in the Honda.

Flibster · 22 Feb 2006 at 11:56

Standard ECUs take a step closer

The removal of driver aids from Formula 1 has moved a step closer to reality, with the FIA inviting companies to tender for the role of supplying standard electronic control units to fit to all F1 cars from 2008.

The switch to standard ECUs is a key element in the governing body’s new rules package.

Max Mosley believes that the move will reduce costs because manufacturers will no longer need to develop complex electronic systems.

It will also be popular with the many fans who feel that devices such as traction control and launch control reduce the level of driver skill required to succeed in F1.

Conversely, those who want F1 to maintain its reputation for technological excellence see standard ECUs and similarly restrictive regulations as a backwards step for the sport.

The so-called ‘gizmos’ were first banned at the end of 1993, but traction and launch control were re-legalised in 2001 because the FIA believed that the regulations banning the systems could not be reliably enforced.

But standard electronic control systems on all cars would prevent illegal devices being hidden within the engine software, and ensure that aspects such as throttle control and the race start were entirely in the drivers’ hands again.

Standard ECU proposals have often been floated in recent years, but today’s tender document indicates that the FIA is determined to make this measure a reality from 2008.

Flibster · 22 Feb 2006 at 11:57

Super Aguri to use revised aero package

The Super Aguri team plan to introduce a revised aerodynamic package for their SA05 car following this week's public testing debut at Barcelona, autosport.com has learned.

The Honda-powered squad are testing the SA05, based on an old Arrows chassis, in order to check the systems in what is their first public outing.

The car is running with an old aerodynamic package that autosport.com understands does not comply with the 2006 regulations.

But technical director Mark Preston revealed the team will test a revised bodywork next week at the Silverstone circuit, adding that only the current car's mechanical and electronic systems will be used in the first race in Bahrain.

"The systems car that we are running in Barcelona this week during our test does not have the definitive 2006 bodywork, this will be released at Silverstone next week," Preston said. "The systems car is exactly that, a systems car.

"It is running the full mechanical and electronic specification that will be taken to Bahrain. This gives us the maximum time in the wind tunnel to work on downforce."

Flibster · 22 Feb 2006 at 11:58

Imola revamp project making progress

The proposed changes to the Imola circuit were presented yesterday by German track architect Hermann Tilke at the Imola town hall, as the circuit moves closer to being revamped.

The track, host of the San Marino Grand Prix, is set to be updated in a 10 million euro project supported by the Italian government. Only five of the ten million will come from the government, however, with the rest of the funds coming from Sagis, the group which operates the circuit.

Tilke is expected to draw up the preliminary project by April, while the definitive one will be ready in June.

The plan could see the circuit becoming much faster thanks to a proposed straightening of its Variante Bassa chicane. A new, larger paddock space and improved facilities are also included in the project.

The Agip grandstand next to the Variante Bassa will be demolished to allow the construction of 30 new pits with hospitality on top. The old garages will be rebuilt to constitute the new media centre.

The plan has received the approval of Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

"It's an interesting project, which has already had the all clear by the FIA, and is part of the objectives stated by a Government's decree which allocates ten million euros for it," said Imola mayor Massimo Marchignoli.

"The works will have to end within six months, in time for the F1 Grand Prix next year."

Imola will host this year's San Marino Grand Prix on 24th April.

NOOOOOOOOO

Not Tilke...

Anyone but Tilke... *or preferably dropping the track altogether..

*

Richard T · 22 Feb 2006 at 12:24

Flibster said:
NOOOOOOOOO

Not Tilke...

Anyone but Tilke... *or preferably dropping the track altogether.. *

agreed.... the only one that was any good was the Turkish track

Yeah we should drop the track if he's gonna spoil it

Sone · 22 Feb 2006 at 12:42

10 million euros doesent sound like much to do all that work

Dutch Guy · 22 Feb 2006 at 13:08

Flibster said:
*or preferably dropping the track altogether.. *

For some reason I like Imola so i'd rather not lose that as well but they also need to keep that TIlke guy far away

Flibster · 22 Feb 2006 at 13:22

Imola lost it's soul after the changes to it for 1995...it's now a shadow of it's former self.

To quote Highlander *which I watched last night*

It's better to burn out than to fade away!

Imola is defianately fading away...

Simon/~Flibster

Flibster · 22 Feb 2006 at 13:23

Expressions of interest in 2008 F1 electronics

In readiness for the 2008 Formula 1 season the FIA is seeking expressions of interest from potential suppliers of electronic systems and component suppliers with a view to supplying all Formula 1 teams with a standard electronic control system and technical support for racing and testing as referenced in articles 8.2, 8.4 and 8.6 of the 2008 Technical Regulations.

The supplied system will be required to control the following:

An 8 cylinder engine, including single injector and spark plug per cylinder, one throttle actuator, pneumatic valve air pressure, two lambda sensors and two fuel pumps.

A 6 or 7 speed semi-automatic sequential gearbox and hydraulic multi-plate carbon clutch.

A hydraulic differential

An energy recovery system

A number of digital output drivers

The supplied system will be required to include:

Steering wheel electronics for switch inputs and driver displays.

Data acquisition and logging capability sufficient for all control, diagnostic and chassis performance analysis functions with fast data upload capability

An accident data recorder

A nominal 12V regulated car system voltage supply

A list of approved sensor and actuator types

A single infrastructure telemetry system

Those potential suppliers expressing an interest will be invited to submit a formal bid with a view to supplying the Formula 1 teams in accordance with a procedure which will be administered and regulated by the FIA. A dossier with a more detailed description of the technical requirements of the system itself and of the procedure for submitting bids will be sent to those who register an interest on or before 31 March 2006.

clv101 · 22 Feb 2006 at 13:38

What does it mean by "An energy recovery system"? Hybrid technology like in a Toyota Prius?

Flibster · 22 Feb 2006 at 14:22

clv101 said:
What does it mean by "An energy recovery system"? Hybrid technology like in a Toyota Prius?

Mmmm...15mph Prius F1 car..

It's a technology that would allow heat energy that is produced in braking to be able to be stored and be able to release that as a power boost of around 60hp for 10 seconds *or something like that*.

It's not an easy thing to explain and I can't sem to find a good link at the moment.

Simon/~Flibster

J1nxy · 22 Feb 2006 at 15:13

Wonder if the standard electronics will be as succeful and consistent as the standard refueling rigs...which fail for one team at least once per race.

Flibster · 22 Feb 2006 at 15:53

Valencia targeting F1 Grand Prix

The Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia is aiming to host a Formula One Grand Prix in the near future, with members of the Valencian government having already met with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

Francisco Camps, president of the Valencian government, met with Ecclestone this morning in London to discuss the possibility of hosting the first Formula One race in Valencia.

The Valencia circuit, which regularly hosts F1 teams for testing, will hold the opening round of the 2006 GP2 season - the only GP2 event not held as part of Formula One Grand Prix weekend.

At the end of the meeting with Ecclestone, Camps said that "Valencia would soon be able to host every kind of motorsport event available, from bikes to cars."

Camps added that the government "was on the verge of giving very important news" regarding its future.

"We are aware that Formula One is the maximum and that right behind it there's GP2," said Camps. "This year Valencia will host a GP2 race, and in a different way to the rest of the world - where GP2 is linked with the Formula One championship."

The Spanish Grand Prix is currently held at the Barcelona circuit, which has a contract with Ecclestone until the end of 2011.

rpstewart · 22 Feb 2006 at 16:05

J1nxy said:
Wonder if the standard electronics will be as succeful and consistent as the standard refueling rigs...which fail for one team at least once per race.

I would be surprised if there aren't some teething problems. Unless it's one of the incumbent ECU suppliers (TAG, Magnetti Marelli etc) then I could see issues with heat, vibration etc.

However I would suggest that the FIA's response would be exactly the same as it is with Intertechnique and the fuel rigs - head in the sand denial of any problem.

Glaucus · 22 Feb 2006 at 18:12

whens the first race? we must be getting nearish now?

Flibster · 22 Feb 2006 at 18:29

rpstewart said:
I would be surprised if there aren't some teething problems. Unless it's one of the incumbent ECU suppliers (TAG, Magnetti Marelli etc) then I could see issues with heat, vibration etc.

However I would suggest that the FIA's response would be exactly the same as it is with Intertechnique and the fuel rigs - head in the sand denial of any problem.

It's got huge problems..

Are the teams going to have them before the season's engine development begins? ie - 18 months in advance? I think not...

Plus - how is this going to restrict the money spent? They'll just funnel it into more engine devlopment using this ECU rather than in conjunction with their own ECU...

Add to that high failure rates... and you have vast problems.

Simon/~Flibster

Flibster · 22 Feb 2006 at 18:30

AcidHell2 said:
whens the first race? we must be getting nearish now?

Starts on Friday 10th of March in Bahrain.

Simon/~Flibster

sunky · 22 Feb 2006 at 19:56

i dont belive that

Flibster · 22 Feb 2006 at 20:00

sunky said:
i dont belive that

Anything in particular or just everything?

Simon/~Flibster

Duke · 22 Feb 2006 at 21:12

Lol permabanned. Looking at his previous posts.. I think he was spamming to get to 250?

Anyway, looking at the timing sheets, Aguri have picked up some pace.. only 9 seconds behind this time