Alonso: GP2 catching F1

[prisonermonkeys]

Linky

GP2 Catching F1, Alonso Warns

Mar.2 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has voiced his concern that the demise of key technologies in formula one could allow motor racing's lesser categories to catch up.

F1's governing body has outlawed electronic driver aids including engine braking and launch and traction control for 2008, while the further reduction of downforce and engine capacity looms for future regulations.

But Spaniard Alonso, the drivers' world champion of 2005 and 2006, told the Times: "Maybe it's a good thing, but we are making F1 not the highest technology in the world.

"Everybody looking at F1 from the outside sees it as the maximum, but if GP2 keeps improving, and keeps their slick tyres, they will do our time laps very soon while we are going back to the past," he added.

That's right, 'Nando, let's remove any and all driver skill and make Formula One the most technologically advanced sport on the planet. Who knows, maybe in a few years we won't even need drivers because the cars will be able to drive themselves. What a great idea!

[/sarcasm]

 

[Blake]

Well the engineers have very little scope for improvement so I can see where he’s coming from. The list of technologies that have been banned in Formula One is huge, and it’s only a matter of time before another series overtakes it because the cars are nowhere near the limits of current technology (and I’m not talking about driver aids here).

 

[MagpieRacer]

I dont think GP2 will ever be on F1's level. They wouldnt let it get to that stage..

 

[mustang245]

IMO, change to 'slicks' should have coincided with ban on traction control. Grooved tires are a big handicap. Once again Fernando has the ballz to speak out. Slicks in gp2, but not F1? For once, I'm inclined to agree with Blake.

 

[Jim Prower]

I'd suggest a return to underbody tunnels and (Boost Controlled) Turbos. Anything to increase the unspoiled air, and perhaps our Turbos could increase fuel mileage...

The slicks aint' a bad idea, either, and we know Bridgestone makes 'em for Champ Car...

 

[Appie]

LinkyThat's right, 'Nando, let's remove any and all driver skill and make Formula One the most technologically advanced sport on the planet. Who knows, maybe in a few years we won't even need drivers because the cars will be able to drive themselves. What a great idea!

[/sarcasm]

Hey wait an minute. I thought that F1 was the most technologically advanced sport. I like seen the technology being used in such wonderful machines and see them at work.

 

[Greycap]

I'd suggest a return to underbody tunnels...

Hopefully not. The problem is that as soon as the car loses contact with the ground it loses all ground effect and becomes an aircraft, the situation being even worse thanks to the higher cornering speeds the ground effect would allow.

...and (Boost Controlled) Turbos. Anything to increase the unspoiled air, and perhaps our Turbos could increase fuel mileage...

Definitely a thumbs up for the turbos, even if it's only to give the drivers the Champ Car style overboost button for overtaking. The engines would have to be very small though, 2.0 litres at maximum and that's with low pressure turbos.

The slicks aint' a bad idea, either, and we know Bridgestone makes 'em for Champ Car...

Oh yes. Mechanical grip should be more important than the aerodynamical grip, in other words smaller wings and wider slicks is the way to go in my opinion. In a way it would be a return to the seventies but at least the sport was exciting back then!

 

[m7ammed]

I would like to see F1 engines last longer , gearboxes last longer .... I don't but this is an educated guess that this could actually benefit road cars in way that would allow them to rev higher. Wouldn't it be cool if an F1 engine lasted a whole season making the same power outputs ? engineering is all about solving what normal physics can't solve , and as blake says the technology isn't just restricted to driver aids

 

[GilesGuthrie]

People have been singing this same song for at least the last 15 years, and yet:
- no race series is faster than F1 on a track which turns in both directions.
- erm, yeah, that's it.

 

[mustang245]

FIA's scrapping of Renault's mass dampers is classic example of FIA's attitude towards evolutionary thinking and substituting their own politically correct ones like 'green' fuel and KERES. I say it's time for new blood at FIA, MM meddles with everything.

 

[Alex.]

And not another Ecclestone, He hates Silverstone

 

[mustang245]

Personally I'd like to see Schumacher, not that he wants the job. Fine way to add to his legacy to the sport as he is respected by everyone. He can keep in touch with sport he loved and loved him back. It's nice to see him get in a Ferrari time to time, but he can't do that forever. He has stated "no DTM, open-wheel racing is in my blood".

 

[Mt. Lynx]

I think KERS is a great idea, and there you will get the overtake button requested earlier. And they have been testing slick tyres, and IRC, they will start running slicks from next season, or do do I remember wrong?
There is also supposed to be less aerodynamics, and more mechanical grip from then IRC.

As for gearboxes, from this season they have to use the same ´boxes for 4 consecutive races.

I don´t know about you, but the way I see things, restricting things forces the engineers to think outside the box, and develop new technologies to keep their edge over the competition. And looking back, the F1 cars have never been as fast as they were in 2004, but I think that will change very soon. No matter what, the engineers finds a way to become faster.

 

[m7ammed]

Personally I'd like to see Schumacher, not that he wants the job. Fine way to add to his legacy to the sport as he is respected by everyone. He can keep in touch with sport he loved and loved him back. It's nice to see him get in a Ferrari time to time, but he can't do that forever. He has stated "no DTM, open-wheel racing is in my blood".

what has that got to do with GP2 catching up with F1 ?

 

[Blake]

And they have been testing slick tyres, and IRC, they will start running slicks from next season, or do do I remember wrong?
There is also supposed to be less aerodynamics, and more mechanical grip from then IRC.

Yes, there is a high likelihood that F1 will run slick tyres next year.

Aerodynamics will also be reduced, the regulations are intended to stop cars from generating more than 1,275kg of downforce at any time (AFAIK they generate over 2,000kg at high speeds currently).

I’m not sure how much that will impact lap times, but I’d suggest that 800kg less downforce will be a huge handicap to lap times. Slicks and KERS will help a bit but I don’t see how they’ll overcome the aerodynamic issue.

I don´t know about you, but the way I see things, restricting things forces the engineers to think outside the box, and develop new technologies to keep their edge over the competition. And looking back, the F1 cars have never been as fast as they were in 2004, but I think that will change very soon. No matter what, the engineers finds a way to become faster.

Engineers can’t think outside of the box because the regulations are so restrictive. Every time an engineer comes up with a revolutionary idea it’s banned.

 

[m7ammed]

I don´t know about you, but the way I see things, restricting things forces the engineers to think outside the box, and develop new technologies to keep their edge over the competition. And looking back, the F1 cars have never been as fast as they were in 2004, but I think that will change very soon. No matter what, the engineers finds a way to become faster.

there is no box to think out of I think lol as Blake says they are restricitng them in every way possible. I think they would be able to think outside the box if they had the same set of rules for 2 or 3 years then they can develop their ideas , they way its going now once they get something next year the rules change.

 

[Jim Prower]

Engineers can’t think outside of the box because the regulations are so restrictive. Every time an engineer comes up with a revolutionary idea it’s banned.

Sounds like they're finding out how Smokey Yunick felt...only they're not trying to be underhanded about it.

 

[mustang245]

what has that got to do with GP2 catching up with F1 ?

Nothing, sorry for getting off track. Just believe FIA is holding F1 back.