Guest writer John Beamer continues his look at how the F1 rules have been changed for 2009 in a bid to encourage closer racing and more overtaking.
F1 Technology articles archive
F1 technology
How the F1 rules changes for 2009 are meant to improve racing (part 1/3)
Posted onOver the last three years the rules that govern F1 have remained remarkably stable. In recent times the slowest car on the track (usually a Force India) has often been within 1.5s of the fastest. Ten years ago such a slim margin was unheard of. However, that will all change as the FIA has overhauled … Continue reading How the F1 rules changes for 2009 are meant to improve racing (part 1/3)
Ferrari F60 and Toyota TF109 side by side – pictures (2009 F1 cars)
Posted onThe first two F1 cars of 2009 have been officially unveiled – so now we can get a close-up look at the pair of them and see where the designers have gone in different directions. Here’s a look at the Ferrari F60 and Toyota TF109 side by side.
Ferrari and BMW’s clash over KERS could signal a threat to FOTA unity
Posted onThe first fault line has opened in what so far has been the impressively solid unity of the Formula 1 Teams’ Association. Speaking at Ferrari’s annual press skiing event, Stefano Domenicali complained that BMW had vetoed the efforts of the other teams to postpone the introduction of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) for 2009 due … Continue reading Ferrari and BMW’s clash over KERS could signal a threat to FOTA unity
The state of Formula 1 in 2008
Posted onThe 2008 Formula 1 season ended on a high on the track – but the shock withdrawal of Honda was a sting in the tail. With 2009 almost upon us it’s time to take stock of F1’s position as one season ends and a new year begins: the quality of the competition, the future of … Continue reading The state of Formula 1 in 2008
The cost-cutting plans: development
Posted onPerhaps the most significant aspect of the cost-cutting plan for F1 approved by the World Motor Sports Council today is the restrictions on development. Not only are dramatic changes planned for 2009, but even tighter controls are envisioned for the future to keep costs down. Is it enough to prevent more teams leaving Formula 1? … Continue reading The cost-cutting plans: development
The future of F1 aerodynamics part 1
Posted onGuest writer John Beamer from F1-Pitlane begins a two-part feature on discussion about the future of F1 aerodynamics technology at the World Motorsport Symposium. In the first part he looks at how the radically re-shaped wings on the 2009 F1 cars and their moveable sections will transform racing.
John Beamer’s tech review: Interlagos
Posted onGuest writer John Beamer of F1 Pitlane takes a final look at technical changes on the cars of 2008. The denouement of the Formula 1 season was certainly spectacular. As a story, the emotional roller-coaster and intense human drama of Interlagos easily eclipsed the technical innovation.
F1 2009: 10 questions for the off-season
Posted onAs the 2008 F1 season ends on a high we now look forward to what should be one of the most fascinating off-seasons for many years. With radical changes to the technical rules, fraught political tension between the rule-makers and the teams, and two holes suddenly appearing in the calendar, these are the questions that … Continue reading F1 2009: 10 questions for the off-season
Ferrari and Toyota threaten to quit F1 if Max Mosley forces standard engines
Posted onFerrari, F1’s oldest team, has threatened to quit over standard engines First Toyota, now Ferrari is threatening to pull its F1 team if Max Mosley persists with his plan to make all F1 teams use the same engine: The Ferrari Board of Directors expressed strong concerns regarding plans to standardise engines as it felt that … Continue reading Ferrari and Toyota threaten to quit F1 if Max Mosley forces standard engines
John Beamer’s F1 tech file: Shanghai
Posted onWhy did Felipe Massa race with a ‘shark fin’ but Kimi Raikkonen didn’t? How did Fernando Alonso’s ‘under-powered’ Renault out-drag Heikki Kovalainen? John Beamer of F1-Pitlane has the answers to these questions and more in his technical round-up for Shanghai.
John Beamer’s F1 tech file: Fuji
Posted onJohn Beamer from F1-Pitlane looks at the technical tweaks from Fuji. In contrast to the tight corners and slow speeds of the Marina Bay circuit in Singapore, Fuji Speedway, with its 1.5km start-finish straight, puts a premium on a low drag car. Although over 80% of the corners are low speed and would typically demand … Continue reading John Beamer’s F1 tech file: Fuji
John Beamer’s F1 tech file: Singapore
Posted onJohn Beamer, editor of F1-Pitlane, takes a look at the teams’ technical developments from the Singapore Grand Prix. The Singapore Grand Prix couldn’t have provided a more stark contrast to Monza two weeks ago. The tight, twisty street circuit snaking its way around Marina Bay called for a high downforce set-up, very different to the … Continue reading John Beamer’s F1 tech file: Singapore
John Beamer’s F1 tech file: Monza
Posted onIn what I hope will become a regular series John Beamer, editor of F1-Pitlane, takes a look at the teams’ technical developments from the Italian Grand Prix. Not only is Monza a classic F1 track but it unique among current F1 tracks in that it demands teams to bring one-off aero packages to the race. … Continue reading John Beamer’s F1 tech file: Monza
Video: KERS gives BMW mechanic shock
Posted onHere’s a video showing how a BMW mechanic suffered an electric shock and was thrown to the ground when he touched a car fitted with a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS): The incident occured during testing at Jerez last week. Links below.
KERS causing problems for F1 teams
Posted onThe new-for-2009 Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) are starting to make their first appearances on F1 test machinery. However two teams have run into early problems with the devices. First Red Bull suffered a fire at their factory while working on the systems. And today a BMW mechanic got an electric shock while testing the … Continue reading KERS causing problems for F1 teams
McLaren’s technical innovations have put the MP4/23 ahead of the pack
Posted onMcLaren have made a clear step forward in performance in the last two races and Ferrari have struggled to compete. What has made McLaren so competitive all of a sudden? Like every other team they constantly develop their car through the season but three particular changes seem to have made a significant different: a new … Continue reading McLaren’s technical innovations have put the MP4/23 ahead of the pack
What F1 can learn from NASCAR II
Posted onRegular F1 Fanatic commenter Robert McKay has written a guest article looking at what F1 can learn from NASCAR – a subject we’ve looked at here before. Here’s his take on America’s favourite motor sport. I’ve recently started watching Sky’s NASCAR coverage. Readers of Keith’s other blog, Maximum Motorsport, will know he’s a bit annoyed … Continue reading What F1 can learn from NASCAR II
Problems with KERS and its impact on F1
Posted onMax Mosley has tried to shrug off growing demands for him to quit in the face of lurid revelations about his personal life and pushed ahead with his plans to introduce environmentally-friendly kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) in F1 from 2009. He has written to teams outlining a vision of how a more powerful KERS … Continue reading Problems with KERS and its impact on F1
What swimming can tell us about F1
Posted onThe world of swimming is up in arms about a controversial new piece of swimwear dubbed the Speedo LZR Racer. Its effectiveness in making swimmers faster can be judged by the fact that 33 swimming world records have been broken since February – 30 by users of the LZR gear. The Times’s top sporting scribe … Continue reading What swimming can tell us about F1