Motors The Official bit-tech F1 2010 Thread - Post season washup

I'm not a Ferrari fan but the F10 is rapidly growing on me:

 

I find most of the cars this year good looking.
The exceptions are pretty much the Williams and the Sauber.

That Lotus is stunning, as is the VR01, IMHO.
Always did like the FI liveries, so their new car works for me.
Love the Macca.
As for the Merc: I Like it, but if Schu is planning on racing in that helmet, I really want Nelsinho back to handle the eyesore...

 

Agreed, I find it interesting how pretty much all of the cars look better on track as opposed to the release shots. I've even taken a bit of a shine to the Renault

 

I love the crazy hook nose that Ferrari have pilfered from the RB05, it looks much nicer than last year's car imo.

 

what sort of problems are plauging each team atm?

 

Well the Lotus had some clutch problems and di Grassi couldn't keep the Virgin on the track for long

Webber set the fastest time today, a second faster than Hamilton's fastest last week...looks like the RB6 has some pace.

 

with the odds on the main men being so low i reckon webbers worth a bet tbh, Testing doesnt really prove anything though, but the torro rosso team seem to be looking good aswell

 

I was excited hearing about an American team. Any sport's more fun when you can watch your country's team compete. Oh well, that Ferrari looks beautiful and I may have found someone else to root for

 

I wasnt saying there shouldnt be an american entry, and i fully agree that its great for the fans and the sport if you have a team to get behind.

My issue is that prodrive wouldnt have had any problems at all getting a car ready for this season, but instead F1 went down the commercial route, and took a risk on teams that werent in the best position of the candidates to fill the grid.

Id love to see an american team, the revenue it would bring to the sport could be massive.

 

Oh no, you're exactly right. They wanted to get more people and it worked, even at the cost of upsetting current fans. Not exactly a kind approach. Just nice for people like me who happen to be American XD

Although it's completely embarrassing that USF1 isn't even able to get a car and drivers ready, let alone win. It may not really have anything to do with our country or car manufacturers but it certainly doesn't make them look any better!

 

Another dry day forecast and the times are very quick - Kubica in the French wasp is currently fastest with a 1:19.114.
edit - Button is the first man in to the 1:18s.

In other news, Jose Ramon Carabante has taken over Campos Meta. Colin Kolles has replaced Adrian Campos as team principal and managing director.

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2010/02/19/changes-at-campos-put-kolles-in-charge/

 

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=39973

It would be such a joke if they are allowed to miss 4 races if Stefan does not get a grid slot

 

And it seems that Campos has been saved after all. They say "10 days until we know for sure" - still having funding issues.

The FIA already warned the teams that even though they can miss 3 races according to the concorde agreement, missing any race is in breach of regulations.
I reckon they're trying to push the teams to either pitch up and race or GTFO and make space for Stefan GP

 

Just as they should do imo - if they can't get to the first race grid they've missed the season. It's not like they haven't had the time.

Part of me also wonders how slow the untested new teams will be; Virgin and Lotus don't look fast, but they've had hundreds of testing laps to help them...

 

wasn't there a rule passed about new teams being able to buy and use a previous seasons car to help reduce costs.....or was that idea rejected? Surely strapping on a bigger fuel tank would be all you need to at least sit on the grid.

Other option is to do an arrows, go out, warm up lap, drive into pits and retire.

 

A very advanced "bit of news" - Webber is apparently going to quit F1 at the end of the season, leaving his RBR seat free for Kimi to sit in.

http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5970277,00.html

 

It's not even close to that simple. Also isn't Lewis's dad renting some of last years cars to run his "F1 Academy"?

 

Doesn't really surprise - he's getting on in years now and I think after last year's championship he's seen that he probably won't get there before he's over the hill.

The Beeb will probably offer him quite a bit to do their coverage too.

Sticking a bigger fuel tank in last year's car would be a simple solution, it'd meet most of the regs, but it wouldn't be close to competitive.

 

Webber also stated that he "considered quitting" at the beginning of last year, then decided against it, after last year's red bull was a good car.

Take the above with a pinch of Salt, though... "Bild" - that's a really "gossippy" German magazine...

 

Oh yeah I've got handfuls of salt here it wouldn't be particularly surprising if it did happen but I won't be placing any bets.

On the Stefan GP front, Villeneuve has downplayed his links with the team:
http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-villeneuve-downplays-stefan-gp-connection/