This is the first of our “Ask the Editors” features and we were overwhelmed at the response from our fans, all keen to get our editors opinions on current issues and the upcoming season.
We plan on running this feature frequently throughout the season and would be overjoyed if you would continue to send in your questions and comments for us to dwell over.
Ryan Wood and Adam Poole, the Editors here at The F1 Times, would like to thank everyone who sent in a question, as promised the person who has won the F1 goodie bag will be notified shortly, if you don’t hear from us then unfortunately you haven’t been successful on this occasion but keep an eye out for future “Ask the Editor” features and various other competitions we run throughout the year.
We really hope you enjoy reading our responses, some of the things we have said you may or may not agree with, and you may have your own views, we’d love to hear these, and any other comment’s you have regarding this feature so please Tweet us @F1Times.
Q. I would like to know why during testing do the teams only run one car? Would it not make sense to run two and get twice the data? (@manojlovicb)
RW: I’m sure the teams would love to run two cars during testing. It would be a simple way of doubling their test mileage. However, it’s an FIA regulation that the teams can only run a single car, partly to reduce cost and partly to reduce the traffic on the track. If all the cars were running around at the same time, 24 of them, then they would struggle to find clean air, as we’ve seen in Q1 on occasion, which would hinder their ability to properly test the aerodynamics of the car.
AP: Just to add to Ryan’s comments, with regards cost-cutting, the sport has been under massive pressure, particularly over the last 2 years, to reduce costs and continue to do so until they reach the spending levels of the early 1990’s. FIA President Jean Todt was quoted as saying, “F1 has been hit harder than ever before by the economic crisis – it is too expensive!”
Q. With the issue faced by Renault at picking another driver, do you think marketing will mean Bruno Senna gets the nod? (@DragRacingOtaku)
RW: What team wouldn’t like to see the ‘Senna’ name in a black and gold car adorned with the Lotus name? It would certainly be a marketing opportunity not to miss. Nonetheless, Bruno failed to impress last year during his 18 races, although much of that was down to the car. Marketing isn’t everything in F1, despite the sports existence primarily to entertain and through that increase awareness of its sponsors. The teams are their to try and win and Boullier [team principal] knows Renault can’t do that without an experienced racer.
AP: I agree with Ryan on this one, I think the best marketing a team can do is to win, or at least compete for, the World Championship – the only way to do that is to have experience behind the wheel. In my opinion, Renault have the opportunity to be in the top-5 teams this year if they pick Kubica’s replacement wisely. Choosing Senna, as much as it would be a “blast from the past” moment for fans and the media alike, wouldn’t be the right choice and I think it’s safe to say that we can rule Senna out on this occasion.
Q. How about the [Pirelli] PZero tyres performance, are they ready for the season? (@AymenLamine)
RW: I think we should commend Pirelli for creating a tyre which intentionally degrades faster than the Bridgestones. They’re putting their reputation on the line in the hope it will increase the spectacle with extra pit-stops and more driver input. There is no doubt they’re ready for their comeback season.
AP: As Ryan says, Pirelli have made a very bold and brave move by allowing their tyres to “deg” quicker than Bridgestone’s did. The idea behind this is purley to improve the spectacle of F1 for the fans, it does their branding no favours and as a result I believe a big “pat on the back” is in order for the guys at Pirelli. It will certainly be interesting to see how the drivers deal with the sheer fact of not knowing what to expect – more so in the first couple of races.
Q. If Schumacher doesn’t out perform/score Rosberg, how will he and the media respond to this? (@pete006_F1)
RW: Schumacher was jumped on a little unfairly last year after he struggled with the tyres and new regulations. He’s put a lot of work in over the winter and I’m sure he’ll perform much better this year. If, however he doesn’t, then I think we could see him leave at the end of 2011. The new car will have been built around him and Rosberg, so if a tailored car doesn’t see the German produce better and more consistent results, nothing will.
AP: I have never been a Schumacher fan, I make no bones about that. However, even I believe that too much was expected of him last season and that he was put back in a car that was totally alien to him. In the short couple of years that Michael didn’t drive so many changes were made, and although he was still a big part of Ferrari, he never experienced the changes from behind the wheel. This year he has no excuses, he needs to go out and perform in a manner that shows he isn’t “past it” and that age and experience counts for something. I don’t ever believe he will get another World Championship before he retires properly, I think he has had his day, but I will be expecting a lot more from Schumi next season, and if he doesn’t deliever, I think he will have to hang up his red helmet once and for all.
Q. Do you think HRT and their blatant ‘paid driver’ programme is damaging F1’s image? (@keelingover)
RW: To a point, yes. F1 has had pay drivers since I can remember, although none to the extent of Hispania. Their choice to switch drivers throughout their rookie year hasn’t helped them to gain respect, especially when you replace a popular driver like Karun Chandhok. It was clearly more about money than talent, but we mustn’t forget, Fernando Alonso is paid by Santander to drive for Ferrari – so there is certainly different types of ‘pay driver’. I don’t particularly agree with the former.
AP: Without a doubt. However, we need to remember that F1 is an immensely expensive sport, and HRT are a team who struggled financially last year – they were a tiny fish in a very big ocean! That said, I don’t condone dropping drivers half way through a season under any circumstance other than through injury – Massa, July 2009. If HRT want their drivers to pay for their seat, and by golly there are plenty of people with Superlicences that will pay big money, then they should only do so before the contract’s are signed at the start of the season. Fans do not want to see a different driver every few races!
Q. What do you think about the coming season in F1. Can any team (but McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull) win a race. Which team has the best chance? (@kammro)
RW: Anyone can win. We’ve seen in the past that anything can happen in this great and unpredictable sport. Brawn GP came from 9th in 2008 (as Honda) to take the title in 2009. Red Bull have slowly climbed up the grid to become champions in 2010, who would have predicted that in 2008 when they finished 7th?
In reply to the final part of your question. I would have said Renault prior to Kubica’s unfortunate accident. If they don’t find an experienced replacement for 2011, then I’d have to say Mercedes.
AP: “In order to finish first, first you have to finish.” As you are no doubt aware, those are the words of Ron Dennis. If teams such as McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull don’t finish then another team has to take the victory. This takes me onto the second part of the question, it’s a tough one with the uncertainty of Kubica’s replacement however, as with Ryan, I believe if they find an experienced replacement then they have a good chance, however, my gut says that we may see Force India take a win- nothing but a gut instinct there, I just feel that FI will shock this season!
Q. Do you think the McLaren team will remain harmonious despite main stream media’s attempt to cause friction between drivers? (@moosamatt)
RW: McLaren did well to manage their drivers and allow them to battle on track (Turkey springs to mind). Ferrari opted for the opposite strategy by favouring Fernando Alonso – a decision which almost secured them a title. Red Bull chose to be impartial, but comments, decisions and Helmut Marko all contributed to some inner-team tension. I can’t see it being any different in 2011 for LH and JB. They get along off-track, which is unusual for such fierce competitors.
AP: I agree with Ryan again on this one. I believe that the respect that LH and JB have for each other, not only off the track, but on it as well, means that whatever tactics are used by the media, winning races will always remain their number one priority. That isn’t to say they won’t have any wheel-to-wheel action with each other, I’m expecting a lot of it, but they both know that the team employs them and therefore it is the car that has to come first – a little lesson that I still believe Seb Vettel could do with drilling into him.
Q. Which ace in the hole technology will turn out to be this year’s ‘Double Diffuser’ or ‘F-Duct’? (@tomlinsp)
RW: We’ve see already that Renault’s innovative front facing exhausts (FEE) have created much discussion among the fans, media and teams. I don’t think we’ve heard the end of it either. McLaren mentioned an innovative exhaust system when they launched their MP4-26 in Berlin. Red Bull have a unique system which feeds the diffuser, despite regulations trying to limit this. The teams understand the importance of creating downforce at the rear, especially now that double diffusers have been banned. I expect more to come of the exhaust systems, and possibly some upset – similar to what we saw in 2010 with the supposedly non-existent ride-height system.
AP: Although the designs mentioned by Ryan all have a potential to make or break a team at the start of the season. I think it will be an innovative design later-on in the season that will cause a mass following by other teams like the Double Diffuser and the F-Duct did. In my opinion, I would have to say that Red Bull seem to be on the ball with their development and I can imagine it being one of their designs that creates this “following” by the other teams – the key will be how quickly the other teams can follow suit,
Q. Raikkonen to Renault for 2011 season? (@madoublet)
RW: No. I really can’t see him returning to a sport he fell out of love with after just one year away from it.
AP: Kimi has admitted that he has no desire to return to F1. I don’t think any amount of money will change his mind on this front and as a result I would have to say that Renault would be wasting their time pursuing this avenue – I believe it will only lead to a dead end and that is time wasted.
Q. Why can’t they just introduce V12 engines? For gods sake, F1 is supposed to be as fast as possible. (@chigstir)
RW: That’s something I would personally welcome, if my heart ruled my head. It isn’t viable though. The sport needs to appeal to the wider motoring industry and it isn’t going to do that during these tough economic times, especially when oil is at record prices. I’m not a fan of the new regs set for 2013 either. F1 needs to compromise between speed and fuel efficiency, but at the moment the FIA seems to be curbing innovation and drastically reducing the engine size, this isn’t going to win over fans.
AP: The simple answer to your question relates to an earlier question. It all boils down to cost. The boffins who run the sport are under considerable pressure to reduce costs year on year and as soon as there is a hike in oil prices, as there has been recently, this pressure grows even more.
At the time of writing this, crude oil is currently at $86 – $87 a barrel, experts predict that in a years time, this will reach around $100 a barrel. When you consider that during a season each team will use around 200’000 litres of highly-concentrated “F1” fuel, you can imagine the sheer cost of this. Whilst I am reeling out facts, a top team, such as Ferrari or McLaren will take around 3’600 lires of fuel, 200 litres of engine oil, 180 litres of gearbox oil and 80 litres of hydraulic fluid to each Grand Prix weekend.
Q. Do you think other teams are already testing similar sidepods to McLaren in their wind tunnels or will they wait to see how it does. (@Condalore)
RW: ‘Waiting’ isn’t in a word you’d find in many of the teams dictionaries. In this sport, waiting will see you flounder in the mid-field. The top teams will no doubt be running some tests to evaluate the performance and benefits of the McLaren U or L (depending on what you call them) sidepods. If there is any potential gain, we’ll certainly see them in some form or another on at least one other car, possibly more.
AP: Development is the key to any team’s success. We saw the advantage that Brawn GP gained in 2009 whilst other teams tried to catch up with their diffusers. Teams will already be trying different designs in their wind tunnels and in their simulators with regards the McLaren sidepods and I dare say any other innovative design they feel may add the vital tenths of a second.
Q. What do you think will be the key to early success? Tyres or downforce? (@AdrianStanley)
RW: Tricky question Adrian. To be the quickest, you need to have mastered both. If I had to choose one, I think tyres will be the sticking point. They’re a massive uncertainty for every team on the grid. Testing has already created some unique results which the teams hadn’t expected and they’re already tweaking things to ensure their car better suits the tyre compounds.
AP: I have to partly disagree with Ryan on this one. I believe downforce will be the key early-on as every team is in the same boat with regards the new Pirelli tyres. However, the drivers who master the new compounds the quickest, usually the more experienced drivers, will find themselves towards the front of the grid through the early stages of the season. It’s going to have to be a nice recipe of downforce and understanding and using the tyres to the drivers advantage that will determine the front runners come the mid-season races.
