2014 Formula 1 Report: USA Edition
Drafting the Circuits
Week 18
Grand Prix Date Tire Compounds
Grand Prix of Spain May 9-11 Medium/Hard
Grand Prix of Monaco May 22-25 Supersoft/Soft
Canadian Grand Prix June 6-8 Supersoft/Soft
Ayrton Senna
This past week marked the 20th anniversary of the passing of the legendary Ayrton Senna. Having just read the great article on Senna from Drafting the Circuits’ own Philip Mathew, I would like to refer everyone to the article. It is poignant and represents well the respect and adoration we all have for this great man.
You can find Philip’s article here at Drafting the Circuits.
You can also find a short film specially commissioned by McLaren below.
“This film does a fantastic job of recreating the intensity of that fast lap, but also captures Ayrton’s introspection and wisdom via snippets of audio from an unforgettable interview that really lays bare Ayrton’s state of mind on that day.”
#RememberSenna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn8gh39SsrM&feature=youtu.be
Spain
The European summer leg of the Grand Prix season picks up Sunday in Barcelona at the Circuit de Catalunya. All of the teams are expected to bring significant upgrades designed to close the gap between themselves of the dominant Silver Arrows squad from Mercedes.
Toto Wolff expressed that Mercedes too, have aimed to “ increase the advantage we enjoyed in the last race in China.” Barcelona will be a great track to measure the changes in performance of the F1 paddock.
Many of the teams will have brought new upgrades and some will be making attempts to replicate items that have worked well for other teams.
The Barcelona circuit is an older circuit and traditional in nature. It requires a strong balance of engine, aero and mechanical performance. Tire degradation is expected to play a role here, as the shorter straights will not allow the tires to shed heat.
It will be especially interesting to see what Red Bull and Ferrari bring to the fight. If Mercedes is as dominant here as they have been all season, the F1 season could essentially be a run toward to roses for Mercedes.
Sauber
Sauber has been overweight all season but plan to bring a new C33 to the Spanish Grand Prix. They are also expecting a new aero package as well software upgrades to the Ferrari engine package.
There is hope that these upgrades translate to a higher position in the running order for the team.
On another front, Simona De Silvestro tested for the first time in an F1 car in Fiorano this past week. As expected, she noticed significantly more g forces as well as improved braking in the older run C31.
Formula 1 Cost Cutting Plans
The F1 strategy group is still convinced that reducing cost can be achieved by altering certain aspects of the Formula and standardizing them so costs are reduced across all teams. Here are some of the agenda items being discussed.
2015
Tyre blanket ban
Fuel system simplification
Brake duct simplification Front wing simplification
Gearbox usage flow brought in line with engine life
Increase in curfew
Ban on front and rear interconnected suspension
2016
Standard front impact structure and rear impact structure
Standard final drive system
Standard steering rack
2017
FIA standard active suspension
Move to 18-inch wheel rims
Monica Kaltenborn, of Sauber, thinks this is not the way to bring costs in line and is still in favor of a cost cap. Caterham, Marussia, Sauber and Force India have all written to Jean Todt, President of the FIA, urging the FIA to consider the needs of the smaller teams and whether they can continue on with costs escalating as they have been.
These teams have been told to submit their ideas to solve the cost crunch that enveloped Formula 1.
For those who use Twitter, you can follow me @steve_aibel or check us all out @RacingDTC for Drafting the Circuits.