2014 Formula 1 Gran Premio de España Pirelli

[05XR8]

I dont think F1 being slower than GP2 is embarassing. New technology. Just like in V8s, the New Generation cars are only quicker because of new tyre tech and resurfacing at some tracks. Give them time to sort these cars.

What could spice up each event is, have a karting championship within each weekend. Same machines. Pays championship points or prize money or bragging rights. They have to train on simulators and do cardio anyway. Media commitments and meeting the fans. Would be awesome to see who shines at the end of the season.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Oh read session as season, my mistake. I didn't say it was mediocre, I stated that it was expected and like I said Grosjean aside, hardly a surprise there, the only noticable difference from the previous races is the Force Indias.

How so outside of Australia the Williams hasn't been anything special like McLaren and now they've turned it up to actually challenge DR instead of just Ferrari and Vettel. So yeah Grosjean and Lotus great, but you nice job of you to take away from Williams.

As for Kimi he is actually driving the car better this weekend than other weekends he has qualified well.

Well when it rains it pours, looks like Vettel is going back another 5 places due to changing the gearbox.

Called it earlier. And I'm right, you know the commentators and press groups seem to be impressed with this seasons reliability in race. However, the reality is seen after the race and the unit has to be changed out. Lotus and Ferrari are on the cusp and I wouldn't be surprised if in a couple gp they are next to get penalized.

I dont think F1 being slower than GP2 is embarassing. New technology. Just like in V8s, the New Generation cars are only quicker because of new tyre tech and resurfacing at some tracks. Give them time to sort these cars.

But the tires aren't all that different from last year and this has been said by many of the drivers. The cars also on average are slower that's why times are different from last year, but the overall speed (top speed) is faster than last years by 10 to 15 mph.

What could spice up each event is, have a karting championship within each weekend. Same machines. Pays championship points or prize money or bragging rights. They have to train on simulators and do cardio anyway. Media commitments and meeting the fans. Would be awesome to see who shines at the end of the season.

I don't know about all that, this isn't NASCAR or V8s where face time with the drivers is incredibly big nor do I see it ever being that way. And for the rest...I don't know about all that either.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

However, the reality is seen after the race and the unit has to be changed out. Lotus and Ferrari are on the cusp and I wouldn't be surprised if in a couple gp they are next to get penalized.

All of the Ferraris are on their third batteries. Räikkönen is also on his third generator unit.

So far, I have felt that most of the criticisms of the new engine formula are without merit. The sound is quieter, but there is a lot more texture; you can hear the engine, the turbo, the ERS, the wheelspin and even the car glancing the kerbs. The tail-enders are slower than GP2, but the GP2/11 chassis won't be developed any further.

But if there is one criticism that is valid - and it hasn't really been voiced yet - it's that the part restrictions are too tight, and the penalties too severe. I understand and fully support the way they are intended to cut costs and promote reliability, but I think it would have been better to wait a year for everyone to get their head around it first. As it is, I think there is a real risk of qualifying becoming a pointless exercise as people incur grid penalties. It's a problem that will naturally correct itself with time, but until then, something else it needed. I have a few ideas for temporary solutions, but I don't think they would be too popular:

1) Lose a set of fresh tyres. If, at any point, you go over the allocation of parts, the team has to return a set of fresh tyres.

2) Fastest qualifying time is disallowed. A driver's grid position will be decided by his second-fastest qualifying time; alternatively, by his fastest time on the slower tyre. If a part is changed after qualifying, the grid is simply rearranged.

3) A "penalty box" in pit lane, where the driver is forced to drive a longer distance (where available), or have their speed restricted from 80km/h to 60km/h.

Of course, I think grid penalties for going over quota are important, but I think there is a risk that grid - and even race results - will be decided by penalties, not times.

 

[niky]

Last year Rosberg out-qualified Hamilton so I don't see how he could be a whole second off and still get pole then . He was 4.682 seconds slower than his last years pole lap this year so shows how much slower the cars have become.

My bad. Cross-eyed. Was looking at the full qualifying record for last year. He was, indeed, faster in Q3, even though Hamilton pipped him in the other sessions. That's kind of what I'd hoped he would do this year, also.

I think there maybe a lot of cars that won't beat that considering Chilton was slower than that in qualifying and he was fastest of the backmarkers.

While part of that is due to the aero... I think they can tackle it with a relaxed fuel flow limit. Really, who doesn't want to see the return of 1,000++++ horsepower qualifying engine trims...

 

[PsuPepperoni]

I'm awake, where's everybody else?

 

[MHPALA]

Body, is ready.

 

[niky]

Alonso will win, comfortably. If Maldonado doesn't.

 

[ShiftingGears]

So apparently promoters from every grand prix bar China are in Spain to talk to Bernie about numerous issues, the top of which is addressing the noise. I would have thought people would've gotten used to it by now and I don't see it as an issue personally.

As far as the race goes, I am predicting Hamilton to run away with this one.

 

[Lizard]

My prediction. Hamilton will win easily. Vettel will crash with a backmarker.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

I'm ready for this...

 

[ECGadget]

Let's go let's go!

 

[ZEROX]

Hoping for a better race and good evening peeps.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Hoping for a better race and good evening peeps.

I wish it was evening but good morning Zerox. Happy Mom's day to those in the states.

 

[PsuPepperoni]

Vettel might have a big problem

 

[niky]

I expect some exciting stuff from Vettel and Maldonado.

Whether that's good or bad for either driver is up to them.

Great start from Grosjean and the Ferraris. Go Kimi.

 

[ZEROX]

Clean start by all.

 

[ZEROX]

Derp. Double post. Sorry.

 

[lbsf1]

Am I seeing spots of rain on the camera's???

 

[ZEROX]

Am I seeing spots of rain on the camera's???

The car do pee themselves sometimes you know. Especially when Maldonado behind...

 

[lbsf1]

The car do pee themselves sometimes you know. Especially when Maldonado behind...

I know, haha, but the sky does look a little murky. Also at 24'c air temp a quick short shower wouldn't surprise me.

 

[Panoz]

The car do pee themselves sometimes you know. Especially when Maldonado behind...

A replay showed a Caterham had a moment with a Maldonado.

 

[ZEROX]

I know, haha, but the sky does look a little murky. Also at 24'c air temp a quick short shower wouldn't surprise me.

This. I want.

 

[Pagey279]

There was contact between Maldonado and Ericsson at the start, I couldn't see who was at fault but obviously it was Maldonado.

 

[PsuPepperoni]

I missed the ant, what happened?

 

[niky]

Incident involving Maldonado under investigation? Why am I (not) surprised?

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

DR already has to watch after his tires? Geez

 

[niky]

Ricciardo needs about another fifty or sixty horses to make that overtake stick.

Painful to watch.

 

[ZEROX]

Nice outside move for Danii.

EDIT: Penalty for Maldonado. I ain't even mad.

 

[Furinkazen]

I switch on the telly and see Pastor has a penalty. What did that fool do this time?

 

[Grayfox]

Penalty for mr major malfunction

I switch on the telly and see Pastor has a penalty. What did that fool do this time?

He turned into someone and got airborne