Of all the exotic technologies to be banned from Formula 1 through the years, four wheel steering is perhaps be the only innovation to have been developed after it was outlawed.
safety articles archive
Debate: Your verdict on Max Mosley
Posted onOn 9th October 1991 Max Mosley defeated incumbent FIA President Jean Marie Balestre by 43 votes to 29. In the 16 years that have passed with Mosley at the helm the sport has changed dramatically in character. But has it changed for the better? Has Formula 1 been efficiently and professionally managed under Mosley’s stewardship? … Continue reading Debate: Your verdict on Max Mosley
Should F1 cars have cockpit covers?
Debates and Polls
Posted onThe collision between David Coulthard and Alexander Wurz in yesterday’s Australian Grand Prix left me wondering what direction F1 car safety might take in the future.
F1 2007 Preview: New rules at a glance
Posted onAs is now customary, the sporting rules have had a shake-up ahead of the new season. The changes range from the seismic (like engine homologation) to tiny acts of bureaucratic house-keeping, tidying up the loose ends from past instances when FIA President Max Mosley was let loose on the F1 sporting regulations. They have also … Continue reading F1 2007 Preview: New rules at a glance
Indianapolis to axe banking from F1 circuit?
Posted onChanges to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road circuit to make it suitable for Moto GP could see the removal of the famous banked final turn. The Speedway has proposed changes to the latter part of the road track, currently only used by Formula One for racing, so that motorbike racers would not have to negotiate … Continue reading Indianapolis to axe banking from F1 circuit?
Banned: Brabham-Alfa Romeo BT46B ‘Fan Car’
Posted onThe Brabham-Alfa Romeo BT46B ‘Fan Car’ achieved an incredible 100% victory rate: It started one race, won it, and was banned.
Banned: Flexi-wings
Banned!
Posted onA new series looking at F1’s banned technologies begins with an aerodynamic tweak that was the centre of controversy last year: flexi-wings.
Changes to Barcelona for 2007 revealed
Posted onThis is the official diagram showing the changes made to the Barcelona circuit, home of the Spanish Grand Prix, for the 2007 race. The penultimate bend, Europcar, has been tightened to allow for the insertion of a chicane on the approach to New Holland. As mentioned earlier on F1 Fanatic the changes have been made … Continue reading Changes to Barcelona for 2007 revealed
Overtaking: Too much or too little?
Posted onIn the past week we picked the fifty best overtaking moves (see below if you missed them). The difficulty of passing a rival on the track in Formula One, and the perceived lack of it, comes up time and again in criticisms of the sport. But is it really that serious a problem? And if … Continue reading Overtaking: Too much or too little?
“Grand Prix Yesterday & Today” (Bruce Jones, 2006)
Posted onCoffee-table picture books about motor racing are ten a penny. So what makes this one special? As the title suggests the theme of the book is ‘then and now’, and each spread places two photographs from different periods side by side and compares the two. It’s a simply but effective approach that has produced an … Continue reading “Grand Prix Yesterday & Today” (Bruce Jones, 2006)
F1 in the blogs 10
Posted onWith the holiday season drawing in the F1 blogs have quietened down. But discussion still goes on about the future of Jacques Villeneuve, the Max Mosley vs GPDA safety row, and McLaren’s (ultimately successful) endeavours to get Fernando Alonso behind the wheel before the year was out. Read on for more.
More overtaking at Barcelona in ’07?
Posted onThe news of changes to the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, home of the Spanish Grand Prix, provokes a mixed reaction. The changes will affect the penultimate bend ‘Europcar’ which is taken at over 200kph (125mph), the intention being to make the corner slower and therefore safer. By doing this the challenging, high-speed turn Europcar … Continue reading More overtaking at Barcelona in ’07?
The Ben Evans Column: Age Concern
Posted onOnly time will tell the damage Formula BMW has done to single seater motor sport. With excessive running costs (well in excess of ?âÔÇÜ£200,000 for a tilt at the title), questionable driving standards and underpowered cars with way too much grip which teach drivers little in the way of feel. But then again what’s do … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column: Age Concern
The Ben Evans Column: Stars in Wrecked Cars
Posted onThese are dangerous times to be a minor television celebrity, whether you’re crashing jet cars, sacrificing your credibility on the dancefloor, or having to spend one second in the company of David Gest, our hardworking D-list celebs have had a hard time of it lately – with nary an invite to Tom and Katie’s wedding … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column: Stars in Wrecked Cars
F1 in the blogs
Posted onIn this week’s round-up of stories in the F1 blogs there’s scepticism on the FIA and GPMA announcement, speculation on the return of Mika Hakkinen, anticipation for the return of Spa-Francorchamps next year and incredulity at the Dubai F1 Theme Park. (All blog links external)
Safety car ‘unsafe’
Posted onMark Webber has warned that the use of the safety car could precipitate more serious accidents as the enforced low-speed running causes tyre pressures to become dangerously low. This problem has been observed in F1 since the growing regularity of the use of the safety car in 1994, when it was suspected to have been … Continue reading Safety car ‘unsafe’
The FIA Survey: How to fix Formula One
Posted onThe FIA have launched a survey to canvas Formula One fans on their opinions of how the sport should develop in the future. F1 Fanatic sets out what changes need to be made to ensure F1 gets stronger and stronger over the coming years. As much as they suffer criticism for their handling of the … Continue reading The FIA Survey: How to fix Formula One
Crash Testing
Posted onFor the casual fan it may seem that F1 testing is more interesting than the races. Seemingly every week there is some new controversy about testing. This week, David Coulthard has decided to share with the world his opinion that safety standards at F1 test days are not up to scratch. I do sympathise with … Continue reading Crash Testing
Wurz in the wars
Posted onDavid Coulthard’s recent remark on the issue of safety at test sessions has been given greater resonance by a massive accident Alex Wurz suffered in testing at the Paul Ricard facility today. A suspected suspension failure threw his McLaren into a barrier at around 280kph (180 mph). The car was reportedly broken into several pieces … Continue reading Wurz in the wars