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Formula 1 - season 2008 (pg. 6)
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| stren |
I really enjoyed this movie.
my favourite quote
| quote: | | I used to go to pieces. I'd see an accident like that and be so weak inside that I wanted to quit - stop the car and walk away. I could hardly make myself go past it. But I'm older now. When I see something really horrible, I put my foot down. Hard! Because I know that everyone else is lifting his |
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| Fledz |
It's going to be very interesting this year. Lots of great drivers, a few contending teams and a whole new set of rules.
I really need a big round up of all the changes. Has anyone come across a great page that sums it all up? I've been out of the loop for a bit. |
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| Orko |
| quote: | 2008 season changes
A number of changes to both the Sporting and Technical Regulations have been made by the FIA for the 2008 Formula One season.
Traction and launch control
Traction control - systems which prevent the rear wheels spinning if a driver applies too much power - are no longer permitted. This will place more emphasis on driver skill and should lead to more overtaking, as drivers are more likely to make mistakes. Similarly, systems that help the driver hold the clutch at a specific point to ensure an optimal getaway at the race start, have been outlawed.
Electronic Control Units (ECUs)
From 2008, all teams must use a standardised, FIA-approved ECU to control their cars' electronics. AS well as providing a more level playing field in this area of development, the new ECU - which must run FIA-approved software - will allow the FIA to monitor the cars' performance more closely.
Engine changes
As in 2007, drivers must use the same engine for two consecutive events. If that engine fails in final practice or qualifying and has to be changed ahead of the race, the driver will be given a grid penalty - 10 places if the change was made before qualifying, or the back of the grid if it was made following qualifying.
However, in an amendment for 2008, each driver is allowed one ‘free’ change per season, unless that change takes place at the final round. In other words, he will not incur a penalty for his first engine failure of the year, as long it is not at the last event.
Gearboxes
In a bid to further improve reliability and cut costs, gearboxes must now last for four consecutive Grand Prix meetings. Every unscheduled gearbox change will require the relevant driver to drop five places on the grid at that meeting. If a driver fails to finish a race, he may start the next meeting with a new gearbox without incurring a penalty.
Qualifying
In a very slight tweak to the familiar knockout qualifying format, the duration of Q1 has been increased from 15 to 20 minutes, while that of Q3 has been cut from 15 to 10. Q2 remains 15-minutes long. Furthermore, cars participating in Q3 will no longer get back the fuel used in that session - they must now start the race with whatever fuel was left in the car at the end of qualifying, thus eliminating the need for the infamous 'fuel-burning' phase at the start of Q3.
Cockpit safety
One of the slightly more visible differences to the cars this season will be an increase in the height of the cockpit padding - and hence the cockpit sides - on either side of the driver’s helmet, a change that has been implemented to further increase head protection in the event of an impact.
Biofuel
As part of moves to make Formula One racing ever more environmentally friendly, the FIA has introduced a new rule governing fuel. From 2008, at least 5.75 percent of all fuel must contain biomatter and, as a result, all cars must be designed to be biofuel compliant. |
http://www.formula1.com/inside_f1/r...gulations/6844/
They also have summurised versions of all their rules at:
http://www.formula1.com/inside_f1/r...nd_regulations/ |
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| nchs09 |
| quote: | | As part of moves to make Formula One racing ever more environmentally friendly |
:conf:
even more? seriously they have done NOTHING to be environmentally friendly before... they go through tires and fuel like its water.
It would be awesome if they could run with 100% biofuel :D |
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| Fledz |
| quote: | Originally posted by nchs09
:conf:
even more? seriously they have done NOTHING to be environmentally friendly before... they go through tires and fuel like its water.
It would be awesome if they could run with 100% biofuel :D |
Actually almost all of the advancements in motor vehicles in terms of improved efficiency, cleaner output, less waste, more reliable parts, higher safety etc are as a direct result of motor sports, F1 being the biggest contributor. |
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| nchs09 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Fledz
Actually almost all of the advancements in motor vehicles in terms of improved efficiency, cleaner output, less waste, more reliable parts, higher safety etc are as a direct result of motor sports, F1 being the biggest contributor. |
true.... but they still are a huge waste... going through engines, gearboxes, tires and fuel like nobody's business |
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| Orko |
Not even what the racing cars them selves waste. How about the massive transportation costs from race to race? I'm sure it takes a massive toll on the environment when McLaren wants to transport their building they call a motor home.
How about flying from China to Brazil for the the last two races? lol, I always found that very funny. |
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| denys envy |
| pardon, wtf is/are 'tefosi'? |
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| Orko |
| quote: | Originally posted by denys envy
pardon, wtf is/are 'tefosi'? |
Thats the Italian word for Ferrari fans. They are renowned being super enthusiastic and die hard fans. Even old ladies dress up, and paint themselves red.
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| denys envy |
| quote: | Originally posted by Orko
Thats the Italian word for Ferrari fans. They are renowned being super enthusiastic and die hard fans. Even old ladies dress up, and paint themselves red. |
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| Orko |
| quote: | Barcelona (Spain) -Flags, like the checkered finish flag, have always served a critical part in any form of car racing, but drivers can sometimes miss those wavy pieces of fabric driving at 200+ MPH. In a bid to change the status quo between judges, race organization and the drivers themselves, FIA as the world's automotive governing body recently tested digital flags on the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona.
Digital Flags are nothing else but panels consisted out of large set of LEDs that change color in accordance to a command given by Race Control. With strategically positioned panels across the race track, circuits would enable judges to have a better overview of the situation on the track instead of having to concentrate in showing the flag to racing drivers.
This system could be of great help in conditions of limited visibility, since screens are visible in any weather condition, from sun to torrential rain (we know at least several racetracks where weather conditions result in visibility less than 100 feet, such as Fuji Speedway in Japan, Sepang in Malaysia and others).
FIA is currently analyzing gathered data and feedback from Formula 1 teams, but if a call is made for implementation of this kind of signaling, you can expect that sooner or later, most of racetracks will switch to this kind of signalization. It would be quite interesting to hear explanations from drivers for not seeing this part.
Of course, it is hard to expect that old-school style sports such as NASCAR would accept this kind of signalization, but who knows. But FIA-sanctioned championships and sports that are being held in problematic weather conditions might be more than happy to accept this system. |
http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/02..._digital_flags/ |
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| Fledz |
| quote: | Originally posted by nchs09
true.... but they still are a huge waste... going through engines, gearboxes, tires and fuel like nobody's business |
Yea well it is entertainment. The trade off is worth it :tongue2
The digital flags look interesting. I'm keen to see how they go in the tests and how drivers respond to them. |
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