New drivers for Haas F1

[Chris K. Hale]

I checked out the rules book they use now and basically there is a set of dimensions, and a set of boxes that represent the various parts of the car, start with the center section or driver cell then side pods boxes, nose & front wing box , rear wing and engine cover box etc every section of the car must comply to the Boxes that make it up. ...Add clearances, maximums, legal devices etc and then draw what you want with in those perimeters.. which basically leave no room for actual design innovation or creative license. Basically other than tabs, flaps and bumps there is no design allowed. When teams change engine manufactures they actually have to fit into the pre-existing design and very little if any body changes are allowed. ie: McLaren Mercedes to Honda change created all sorts of problems because the Honda was longer and the plenum taller, sure so make it smaller ..... means new intake new plenum, new FI system , new ECU, New hybrid layout, new trans-axel, new half shafts, new engine mounting, new electronics new bulkhead etc etc ... basically new rear section of car and then guess what? It doesnt work with the Front half! That is why it took them a year to design a proper race car and I must admit they are performing much better now.
I say give them tire and engine perimeters and leave everything else ( within reason ) OPEN! Kind of like the Can Am series. Based on the changes needed just by changing engine makers you can see why they have 1/2 billion dollar budgets, the drivers dont seem to make a ton of money, in fact I believe with exception of the top 3 teams, most drivers pay to drive or at least their sponsors do. Dont expect a change in the way things are done soon......... Chris

[arcticwolf]

That's very true Chris. A "formula" is just a set of parameters under which you must operate. It used to be "minimum weight and maximum engine size", but the technology of the day made that workable. Aerodynamics meant "streamlining", if at all. Basically all formula cars became an improved copy of whatever won last year. But it allowed for technological breakthroughs - ground effects, turbocharging, blown diffusers etc. It wasn't just good for the sport, it was part of the sport.

The more restrictive you make the rules, the more all the cars will become the same. Make it restrictive enough and you get a spec series, whether you intended to or not. Next new craze will be identical cars operated remotely by satellite connection from a simulator anywhere in the world. In the interest of safety, of course.

[sam]

Dec 4, 2020 10:19:57 GMT -8 arcticwolf said:

Next new craze will be identical cars operated remotely by satellite connection from a simulator anywhere in the world. In the interest of safety, of course.

Honestly, they lost my interest when they came out with the electric version. If I can't hear the engines, why bother. Then, I read about their next big thing being GPS controlled racing with no driver...and electric powered. I about threw my phone out the window when I read that. To think that the highest paid members on the team are going to be the computer programmer and the best gamer you can find. The pit crew being reduced to changing out the tires...and battery.

[Joel_W]

Paul,
You missed McLaren, and the new Aston Martin team (formally Racing Point) both of which is having a stellar year.

But like you said, teams like Alpha, Williams, and Haas haven't had the budget, nor the right people to produce a competitive car.

Joel

[arcticwolf]

Dec 4, 2020 14:40:17 GMT -8 Joel_W said:

Paul,
You missed McLaren, and the new Aston Martin team (formally Racing Point) both of which is having a stellar year.

But like you said, teams like Alpha, Williams, and Haas haven't had the budget, nor the right people to produce a competitive car.

Joel

OK, We'll let McLaren enter 2 of the Audi's and paint them orange. 

And Racing Point aka Aston Martin can enter two of the Mercs, which they are doing already anyway. 

[Joel_W]

Paul,
Sounds like a pretty good plan. Although, the McLaren's do have one excellent chassis. Hoping that the engine move for 2021 is the final piece of the puzzle to make then contend for the front pack. It would be really nice to see Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren, Aston Martin, and even Ferrari all fighting for a podium finish.

Joel