Formula One 2012

[tweety bird]

Formula 1's teams have been told by the FIA that they cannot run trick brake systems that react to temperature to improve cooling during races, following a complaint by Red Bull.

AUTOSPORT can reveal that Red Bull wrote to motor racing's governing body ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to seek clarification on the use of thermal energy devices within the air duct of the brake system.

The team contended that attempts to use either a bimetallic strip - which would change shape to open and close off cooling ducts depending on the temperature of the brake friction material - or a thermal actuator was a breach of the regulations.

In the letter, a copy of which has been seen by AUTOSPORT, Red Bull argued: "Use of such technology via either of the examples offered or similar devices will change the brake system, thus including the air duct, and are not reacting to the driver's direct physical input and are not under his complete control at all times as required by Article 11.1.4 [of the F1 technical regulations].

"RBR therefore contend such systems are in breach of the 2012 F1 Technical Regulations and seek your opinion on the matter."

Article 11.1.4 of the regulations states: "Any change to, or modulation of, the brake system whilst the car is moving must be made by the driver's direct physical input, may not be pre-set and must be under his complete control at all times."

The FIA duly responded to Red Bull on Friday confirming that it agreed with its view that the use of such systems would be a breach of the rules.

In a letter that was forwarded to all teams and seen by AUTOSPORT, the FIA's Charlie Whiting said: "In our view movement of a bimetallic strip and thermal actuator within the air duct as you describe would not be made by the driver's direct physical input, hence we believe such a system would contravene Article 11.1.4 of the F1 Technical Regulations."

AUTOSPORT understands that Red Bull's complaint was made after suspicions that at least one of its rival teams was using the concept on its car.

However, high levels sources at Red Bull's main rivals insist that they have never used the concept and agree that doing so would be a breach of the rules.

Red Bull's dialogue with the FIA shows how focused the outfit is on ensuring that it maintains every possible competitive advantage as it makes a push to win its third consecutive championship double.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103958

Paul di Resta has switched to a new chassis in Abu Dhabi in a bid to move on from the 'fundamental' issue which had blighted his last few races.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103959

[tweety bird]

the interesting thing about homos fastest p1 time was that he was told by mac to come in for a set up change the lap before so he could try the new set up on the same tyres he was on but homo said no, he was told by mac that if he stayed out that they would not be able to change his set up in time to go out again and use the same tyres mac asked homo if he still wanted to stay out, homo chose to stay out.

ego???

p1 Times

01 Lewis Hamilton McLaren 1:43.285 21 laps

02 Jenson Button McLaren 1:43.618 0.333 19 laps

03 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:44.050 0.765 23 laps

04 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:44.366 1.081 21 laps

05 Mark Webber Red Bull 1:44.542 1.257 22 laps

06 Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1:44.694 1.409 23 laps

07 Pastor Maldonado Williams 1:45.115 1.830 26 laps

08 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:45.194 1.909 19 laps

09 Valtteri Bottas Williams 1:45.347 2.062 25 laps

10 Kimi Raikkonen Lotus 1:45.422 2.137 15 laps

11 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:45.567 2.282 24 laps

12 Nico Hulkenberg Force India 1:45.587 2.302 20 laps

13 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber 1:45.722 2.437 20 laps

14 Romain Grosjean Lotus 1:45.743 2.458 20 laps

15 Jules Bianchi Force India 1:45.769 2.484 22 laps

16 Sergio Perez Sauber 1:45.811 2.526 22 laps

17 Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso 1:46.649 3.364 24 laps

18 Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso 1:46.708 3.423 26 laps

19 Heikki Kovalainen Caterham 1:47.418 4.133 23 laps

20 Timo Glock Marussia 1:47.891 4.606 21 laps

21 Pedro de la Rosa HRT 1:48.354 5.069 22 laps

22 Max Chilton Marussia 1:48.887 5.602 22 laps

23 Ma Qing Hua HRT 1:50.487 7.202 20 laps

Giedo van der Garde Caterham 3 laps

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3213/8218758/Prac-One-Hamilton-dominates

p2 Times

01 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:41.751 33 laps

02 Lewis Hamilton McLaren 1:41.919 0.168 33 laps

03 Jenson Button McLaren 1:42.412 0.661 35 laps

04 Mark Webber Red Bull 1:42.466 0.715 21 laps

05 Romain Grosjean Lotus 1:42.500 0.749 34 laps

06 Kimi Raikkonen Lotus 1:42.532 0.781 27 laps

07 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:42.587 0.836 30 laps

08 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:42.823 1.072 32 laps

09 Pastor Maldonado Williams 1:42.998 1.247 37 laps

10 Sergio Perez Sauber 1:43.106 1.355 35 laps

11 Bruno Senna Williams 1:43.191 1.440 33 laps

12 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:43.200 1.449 35 laps

13 Nico Hulkenberg Force India 1:43.255 1.504 34 laps

14 Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1:43.267 1.516 31 laps

15 Paul di Resta Force India 1:43.578 1.827 33 laps

16 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber 1:43.689 1.938 31 laps

17 Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso 1:44.260 2.509 26 laps

18 Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso 1:45.073 3.322 19 laps

19 Vitaly Petrov Caterham 1:45.245 3.494 35 laps

20 Heikki Kovalainen Caterham 1:45.782 4.031 32 laps

21 Timo Glock Marussia 1:46.589 4.838 35 laps

22 Charles Pic Marussia 1:46.671 4.920 31 laps

23 Pedro de la Rosa HRT 1:46.707 4.956 26 laps

24 Narain Karthikeyan HRT 1:47.406 5.655 34 laps

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/8219582/Vettel-edges-Hamilton-in-second-practice

[wolverine]

Translation: Mark is to RBR what Massa is to Ferrari. He will move over for Vettel IF he actually managed to be in front of him

'cept Chin scores some points and doesn't lose the back end of his car every chance he gets.

[ctjet]

Maybe the angst Homo feels against Vettel who ripped his stats to bits as the youngest most successful driver ever !

I think you'll find its Fernando's stats that Vettel is making a mockery of

Youngest champ, double champ etc etc

[ctjet]

also just realised that the race starts at midnight! So yeah... fcuk that, lol

[Roy]

Webber with more KERS problems. I wonder if its to do with his size meaning the KERS installation is a little more compromised in his car. He seems to have all the KERS failures!

[benm]

Georgie Thompson looking smashing in her "F1 Show" outfit mmm

[Roy]

I would rather smash Pinkham's back door in

[Berk]

McLaren are fast in FP3.

The tool is having brake troubles. Qualy should be good, carn Mark.

[Roy]

Was watching a doco on fighter planes today and I started dreaming how good would it be to see the US GP increase interest in corporate USA and someone like Lockheed Martin/BAE etc get behind an F1 team with tech/engineering effort. Would be interesting to see how the Yanks go as it has been over 20 years since they have had a team in F1.

[Berk]

I'd love to work for BAE Systems.

Imagine all the classified shiz they're working on, I haven't seen the doco you speak of, but did you hear about that helicopter that they had to ditch when they knocked off Bin Laden. Twas apparently some next level stealth tech, pretty cool.

Project Aurora, pulse jets, the composition of the radar absorbing material...and who knows what else.

[sh@un]

Hamilton absolutely destroys all quali seshes

[Roy]

Knowing how McLaren have been kicking home goals like in Singapore I am betting his car breaks and Webber takes a won

Have to say though, Whitmarsh must be looking at where Button is and then Homo and really be scratching his head. They are losing the freaskishly quick guy but keeping their consistant racer who rarely uses a cars pace in quali. And then Homo must be looking at the car he is getting at the moment and look at Mercedes and be worrying....seems McLaren and Lewis are the losers from the decision to move on.

A point was raised tonight that I had not considered. Part of the reason why Vergne flatters in the races compared to Disco Dan as he is always getting booted in Q1 so has loads of fresh tyres vs Dan that uses all his tyres up in Q1 and Q2 so ultimately loses some race pace for not having fresh tyres

[Nee-san]

Very dodgy that Red Bull and Renault won't cough up why Vettel stopped on track.

Their silence make them seem very guilty.

The easy money would be on not having enough fuel to get back.... bye bye to the back of the grid for Seb haha.

Alonso brings it home in third and retakes the lead or atleast gets himself back in contention.

dreams are free.

[Roy]

Well it has now been confitrmed that hr did not have enough fuel and is starting from last YAY! Webber might get the win but Lewis is looking mega quick. I am also betting he has not got very good 7th gear for overtaking on the straight so will be interesting to see if he can get a point as it looks pretty close up front with STR and the 3 new teams being off the top ten pace.

[ctjet]

Excluding these guys from the entire quali session seems far too harsh. Excluding them from Q3 results makes sense, but they ruin races by taking out main players

Its not going to very interesting to watch hamo stroll away with this, and this track isnt the most thrilling place to begin with

[sh@un]

Well it has now been confitrmed that he did not have enough fuel and is starting from last YAY!

sucked all the way in

this and Gonzo's poor start position could be the only thing that keeps this championship vaguely alive

[sh@un]

I certainly don't care that Vettel got shafted, but the FIA needing a whole litre of fuel for a sample seems a bit much.

What you gonna be able to see in 1000cc that you wouldn't get from 100 or 200cc?

[wolverine]

Going to the back of the grid is a very harsh penalty but in this case I am prepared to look the other way.

[wolverine]

A point was raised tonight that I had not considered. Part of the reason why Vergne flatters in the races compared to Disco Dan as he is always getting booted in Q1 so has loads of fresh tyres vs Dan that uses all his tyres up in Q1 and Q2 so ultimately loses some race pace for not having fresh tyres

Plus Dan has been compromised in at least two races with mechanical issues either on the last lap or in the last few laps which has cost him points.