Tag: FIA

Categories
Formula 1

All F1 teams FRIC-off for German GP

2014 British Grand Prix

If you haven’t heard the term Front-and-Rear Interconnected Suspension before, otherwise known as FRIC, you’re going to be hearing all about it this weekend during the German Grand Prix.

In very basic terms FRIC systems do exactly as they say, they link the front and rear suspension with the aim of improving stability of the car, especially under heavy braking when the car will pitch forward shifting as much as 300kg of load towards the front wheels. This load transfer increases the work of the front tyres and also affects aerodynamics underneath the car, in turn making the rear wheels light and unstable.

FRIC systems have been around in some form for decades and are designed to counter the affects of load transfer. All the teams in F1 have been using the technology to varying degrees. However, after the British Grand Prix the FIA’s Charlie Whiting issued a technical directive which questioned the legality of FRIC technology used by some of the teams. Some, not all.

So, heading into the German Grand Prix we were facing a situation whereby protests could be the order of the day. Thankfully that crisis has been averted after all teams were found to have removed their FRIC systems for this weekend’s race.

In typical F1-style this move from the teams was not agreed to in a unified meeting, rather it was discovered at the completion of pre-race scrutineering. FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer, referring to all cars, said: “I can confirm that no car is fitted with a front to rear linked suspension systems of any sort.”

It’s believed FRIC can save up to 0.4s per lap, although Fernando Alonso isn’t too concerned about the impact of altering the suspension.

“It is a system that has been on F1 cars for some years now and there is not a big implication in terms of driving style or anything that can change the behaviour of the car,” he said. “It is like changing from soft to medium tyres.

“OK, you will go a little slower and some teams will adapt maybe a bit better but we will not see a Marussia on pole position or something like that. It is just a couple of tenths for everyone.”

Championship leader Nico Rosberg, hopeful of a win in his home race, is unsure how the car will be affected.

“Everybody has it [FRIC] to some extent,” Rosberg stated. “It’s impossible to predict. For sure it can have some influence but we just need to wait and see what happens.”

Sebastian Vettel is hopeful the removal of FRIC suspension will allow the teams to close the gap to Mercedes, but says it may take more than this weekend to find out.

“I hope it brings the field closer to Mercedes but it’s difficult to say,” Vettel said. “All of the teams have been playing with it to some extent. How much it has an impact? I think it has to be seen this weekend and also probably next week in Hungary. After those two races I think you can have another judgement.”

[Source: Autosport]

Categories
Formula 1

FIA WMSC bans tyre blankets from 2015 and more

2013 Singapore Grand Prix

The FIA World Motor Sport Council met overnight, along with Bernie Ecclestone and the F1 Strategy Group. The outcome of that shindig is a series of changes for both the 2014 and 2015 F1 seasons.

For 2014:

  • The Stewards may now impose a five second time penalty which can be taken before work is carried out on the car in a pit stop
  • Team personnel must also wear helmets during qualifying, as well as the race
  • Drivers may not stop on the slowing down lap to save fuel for sampling and subsequent analysis; this will not be considered justifiable reason for stopping
  • For 2014 only, each team will be allowed six curfew ‘jokers’, previously there were two permitted. This is to allow more flexibility for working on the new engines and cars
  • The weight of the car, without fuel, must not be less than 691kg at all times during the Event. The weight limit has increased by 1kg to take into account the difference in weight between the tyres in 2013 and 2014

For 2015:

  • To be considered as a constructor, teams will now not need to design and manufacture suspension and brake ducts
  • The car minimum weight has been increased by 10kg, to 701kg, for 2015
  • All tyre heating devices will be prohibited in 2015
  • For safety reasons, the front part of the chassis will not be able to climb too steeply rearward of the front of the chassis

There’s nothing too radical in the amendments to the 2014 regs, although the banning of drivers stopping on the cool down lap to preserve fuel for sampling purposes will place further demands on teams who have to make do with just 100kg of fuel in 2014, compared with 160kg last year.

The changes for 2015 are a little more significant, especially the freedom for teams to buy off-the-shelf suspension components and brake ducts. A ban on tyre blankets will at least tell us once and for all how effective they really are.

In addition to these approved changes a draft set of “cost reduction and cost control regulations” will be presented to the WMSC in June with a view to having effect for the 2015 season.

[Pic: Ferrari]

Categories
Formula 1

CAMS fights back in Melbourne melee

Australian Grand Prix

Today’s battle between CAMS and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation has shifted up a gear with a stern press release issued by CAMS. Key to their reply is the claim that their fee charged to the AGPC is “substantially less than the AUD$800,000 or £500,000 stated in some reports”.

According to the CAMS statement they are “acutely conscious of the need to reign in spending on Formula One events”. Further, it is claimed that CAMS and AGPC Executives had negotiated a satisfactory deal several months ago only to have that deal rejected by the AGPC Board.

“In August 2010 after months of negotiation CAMS and AGPC’s Chief Executives reached agreement on a proposal which was put to AGPC’s Board. However that proposal was rejected by AGPC’s Board,” reads the press release.

The CAMS statement continues, “Since that time AGPC’s Board has refused to negotiate further with CAMS and has summarily rejected two revised proposals put to it, despite CAMS and the FIA making it clear that the consequences of failing to appoint an organiser by 19 November will be that the 2011 Australian Grand Prix does not take place. The Victorian Government has been kept informed of developments.”

CAMS say the dispute is a matter of safety over budget and adds further context to the matter saying, “the cost to AGPC of CAMS’ services is less than 0.625% of the AGPC’s annual budget.”

“This is an issue about safety and not fees and we do not believe the Australian Formula One Grand Prix can be run safely without the high degree of professional and safety expertise that CAMS can deliver.”

Looks like we’ll need to watch this space over the next week. CAMS has also issued a separate statement to its members which can be read in full after the break.

[Pic: Mercedes GP Petronas]

Continue reading “CAMS fights back in Melbourne melee”
Categories
Motorsports Nissan

Godzilla on track for GT1 championship

Nissan GT-R - FIA GT1

Nissan will be hoping this is the view the new FIA GT1 field sees in 2010 after announcing four new GT-Rs will be taking part in the upcoming season. Nismo have signed agreements with UK-based Sumo Power GT and Swiss Racing Team, based in, well Switzerland. Each team will run a two car operation with Nismo offering tech support.

Other details are pretty scant at the moment, so you’ll just have to make do with these pics that make the GT-R’s backside even bigger—but so much naughtier!

Continue reading “Godzilla on track for GT1 championship”
Categories
Formula 1

2009 Formula 1 calendar – Canada cruelly cut

2009 Formula 1 calendar

The FIA have confirmed their calendar for the 2009 season, with a few notable revisions from the provisional list revealed in June. The biggest shock is the loss of the Canadian Grand Prix. Not only was the news unexpected, the organisers themselves were not informed prior to the FIA’s announcement and only found out their fate through regular media channels. Montreal has hosted a Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve every year since 1987. In 2006 Canadian GP organisers announced they had secured the race’s future until 2011. Expect to hear a bit more about this one.

Other changes see the swapping of dates for the Belgian and Italian Grands Prix. The Turkish GP moves to 7 June, filling the gap left by Canada’s demise. There is now a four week summer break between rounds 10 and 11.

Source: Formula1.com and F1-Live

Categories
Formula 1 Motorsports

Max Mosley to remain FIA President

In stunning news just to hand Max Mosley has won a vote of confidence and will remain in his role as FIA President. The vote, called by Mosley himself, returned over 60% of the count in favour of the embattled motorsport supremo, winning 103 of the 169 votes.

Mosley’s controversial grip on the FIA has been under question since news broke of his involvement in a ‘Nazi-style sex orgy’ in late March. The automotive federations of Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Spain and the USA all voted against Mosley. This follows public condemnation of the 68-year-old’s behaviour from prominent Formula 1 manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Honda. Even Formula 1’s main man, Bernie Ecclestone, has pleaded that Mosley step down. “He should go out of responsibility for the institution he represents,” Ecclestone told the Daily Telegraph.

Eddie Jordan, former Formula 1 team boss, has expressed concerns over Mosley’s ongoing tenure, “there are a lot of countries where F1 goes and lots of the rulers of those countries don’t want to deal with him. That is clearly not acceptable. My hope is that he will listen to the comments and then go.”

There are also suggestions from BBC journalist Adam Parsons that the FIA could face a damaging split, “he won by a clear majority, but among those who opposed him there is overt anger and resentment. The US, German and Dutch raised the spectre of breaking away from the FIA in protest is an unprecedented threat.

“Today the FIA is an organisation in crisis, facing the prospect of being ripped apart.”

Source: BBC

Categories
News

FIA appoints barrister to examine Max Mosley case

The FIA have recently appointed Anthony Scrivener QC to undertake an independent review of the News of the World’s allegations that Max Mosley was involved in a Nazi-style sex romp. Since the allegations came to light Mosley has been under increasing pressure to stand down as FIA President, with many claiming his reign is now untenable. Several F1 teams have issued public statements declaring they have lost support in Mosley continuing at the head of the FIA. As with most things in Formula 1 these days, the appointment of Anthony Scrivener has attracted fierce debate, with many F1 insiders believing he would not be the independent investigator the FIA claim. One F1 source left their opinion perfectly clear by stating, “Everything is an inside job under Max’s rule.”

At the completion of Scrivener’s report it will be issued to all voting members of the FIA who will determine Mosley’s fate by secret ballot. It has been reported that this ballot will take place in early June.

Source: TimesOnline 

Categories
Formula 1 Motorsports

Max Mosley’s orgy torture continues

The continuing Max Mosley orgy saga shows no signs of letting up. Several Formula 1 manufacturers have issued official statements condemning Mosley’s sexcapades, while the Crown Prince of Bahrain has personally written to the F1 supremo telling him “I feel that under the current circumstances, it would be inappropriate for you to be in Bahrain at this time.” This statement, powerfully issued just days before the Bahrain Grand Prix, leaves Mosley in a virtually untenable position.

Further adding to his woes are the revelations that BMW and Mercedes-Benz have issued a joint statement asking the FIA for a response to their President’s “disgraceful” actions. Toyota went further by stating “Toyota Motorsport does not approve of any behaviour which could be seen to damage Formula 1’s image, in particular any behaviour which could be understood to be racist or anti-Semitic.”

Honda also hit out at the embarrassed and embattled Mosley in their statement, which read, “The Honda Racing F1 Team is extremely disappointed by recent events surrounding Mr Mosley and we are concerned that the reputation of Formula One and all its participants is being damaged. We request that the FIA gives this matter careful consideration and reaches an immediate decision in the best interests of F1 and motorsport.”

Mosley has taken legal action against News of the World—which broke the story last Sunday—and has claimed any Nazi connotations as being “entirely false”.

Source: BBC, TimesOnline

Update: FIA to hold Mosley crisis meeting, BBC