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29-01-2009, 11:27 AM #761
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Ferrari, albeit a fierce critic of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS), worked on an innovative solution for its 2009 system.
The Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell reports that, parallel to a more conventional in-house project, engineers at Maranello devised a system whereby the KERS batteries were located in the front nose of the F60.
The solution would have negated one of the teams' main concerns about deploying KERS in 2009: that the location of unwanted ballast in the centre of the car disrupts the ideal weight distribution towards the front.
During initial testing of the new Ferrari, reports indicated that one of the problems encountered was in the area of the front wing.
The front nose solution for KERS would also have resulted in the need for high-voltage cables to run through the cockpit.
The saga goes some way to explaining Ferrari's negative attitude about the entire KERS deployment, given the vast sums of money spent already by the team.
Ferrari's initial KERS project, developed by Magneti-Marelli, also struck technical trouble, and the more conventional third solution tested recently at Mugello reportedly delivered a questionable performance benefit.
Toyota has already announced that KERS will not be fitted to its TF109 in Melbourne, and with two months to go until the season opener, most other teams are undecided.
Toyota's chassis boss Pascal Vasselon told ITV: "At the moment our estimation is that KERS will be detrimental on almost all circuits, because of the weight and the difficulty to manage braking."
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29-01-2009, 11:27 AM #762
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F1's controversial safety car rules have been scrapped ahead of the 2009 season, the FIA's Charlie Whiting confirmed in a media briefing on Tuesday.
We reported last October that it was agreed to revert to the system of 2006, whereby the pitlane will stay open upon deployment of the safety car, rather than unfairly penalise drivers who are forced to pit.
"The rule introduced in 2007 was a bad one, and we've gone back to the 2006 regulations," the governing body's technical and safety delegate said.
We had also reported in October that, to accompany the revised system, drivers will need to adhere to a minimum lap time as they drive slowly after deployment of the safety car, as was trialled several times in free practice last year.
The new rules are an improvement but not perfect, BMW Sauber team manager Beat Zehnder said last year.
"If at the time of (race) neutralisation you were just past the pits, it will be a problem because you will have do a full lap."
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03-02-2009, 08:50 AM #763
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Organisers of last year's inaugural Singapore Grand Prix have confirmed that changes will be made to the Marina Bay street circuit ahead of the 2009 race.
Turns 1, 13 and 14 will be modified to improve overtaking, a better road surface with fewer bumps installed between turns 5 and 7, and runoff reduced at turn 22 for the benefit of spectators.
The most significant addition will be a dedicated pit entry, with some drivers complaining last year about an unsafe speed differential between cars entering for service and those staying on track.
The pit exit will also be modified for safety reasons.
"While the circuit and the event exceeded expectations around the world, as with any brand new event, there are always things which we now know we can do better," said Singapore's technical and race operations director, Michael McDonough.
Meanwhile, the Business Times on Monday reported that the price of trackside corporate suites for the event has been increased from between 1800-3900 euros in 2008 to between 2500-4100 euros this year.
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03-02-2009, 08:52 AM #764
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He finished almost forty points behind Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa's championship battle, but Fernando Alonso was the "best driver in 2008."
That is the belief of David Coulthard, outlined as the newly-retired Grand Prix veteran made a visit to Spain for the Zaragoza Motor Show Festival.
Alonso's Renault was not as good as the contending McLaren and Ferrari last year but "he continued working and eventually achieved two wins at the end of the season," the Scot is quoted as saying by the Diario AS newspaper.
F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone is also fully convinced of the performance last year of 27-year-old Alonso, amid speculation he may in the future switch to Ferrari.
Ecclestone said on a visit to Valencia that the Spaniard is "one of the world's best drivers who should one day demonstrate his quality with Ferrari."
Spaniard and world number one tennis player Rafael Nadal, who early on Monday morning won the Australian open in Melbourne, agrees.
"Ferrari should have the best driver in the world, and that is Fernando," the 22-year-old said.
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04-02-2009, 07:01 AM #765
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04-02-2009, 07:03 AM #766
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04-02-2009, 07:25 AM #767
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Originally Posted by Noxide
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Mmmm... it's kinda ugly.... Originally Posted by Noxide
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04-02-2009, 07:31 AM #768
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04-02-2009, 07:47 AM #769
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Originally Posted by Noxide
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Your bum is ugly.
That's not very nice. You haven't even seen my bum. How can you judge it?
I was just being honest....
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04-02-2009, 07:49 AM #770
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Now's the time to show us then... Originally Posted by Lemmings
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You haven't even seen my bum. How can you judge it?
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