Tag: FOM

F1 2020: Australian Gp Preview – Expectations & Anticipation

The wait is nearly over as the 2020 Formula 1 season is poised to commence this weekend at Australia’s Albert Park circuit.

The Formula 1 paddock will travel nearly halfway around the globe to reach the destination of the first round of the new season. They’ll leave behind not only their base of operations but also the expectations that six days of running in pre-season testing may have suggested. The testing at Spain’s circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya plays a crucial part in the teams’ own understanding of what they have produced for the first few races of the 2020 season. And while they may have some inclination as to where everyone stands it wont be absolutely confirmed until Sunday’s race.

The threat of coronavirus has already prompted Formula 1 to announce a postponement of the Chinese grand prix. A few days ago the Bahrain grand prix organizers, in conjunction with F1, revealed that the race would go ahead but without any spectators in the stands. German commercial broadcaster RTL has said that it will not be sending any journalists to the first three races of the season. RTL holds free-to-air broadcast rights for Formula 1 and will be broadcasting remotely. Italy too has announced a quarantine of spanning large parts of the country. Nevertheless, Ferrari and Formula 1 are confident that all will be in place for the season-opening race.

With the show set to go on there is also the added complexity of the make-up of the Albert Park circuit. The temporary, semi-street track is unlike any other on the calendar. The mixture of medium speed corners and three relatively short straight bits puts a bigger emphasis on braking stability. Still, Australia isn’t always the best indication of the pecking order. But there is still a potential twenty-six world championship points up-for-grabs for whoever wins the race and/or set the fastest lap.

Though the sharp-end of the grid seems likely to be dominated by the Big Three the mid-field promises to be an incredibly close battle. The stagnant regulations have meant that the 2020 cars are evolutions of their predecessors. It has, potentially, given teams the opportunity to put right any missteps there may have been in 2019 and the occasion to improve their designs for this season.

The expectation is that Mercedes will arrive in Australia with the quickest car with Red Bull and Ferrari, in that order, trailing the Silver Arrows. But Formula 1 is after all a sport that is infamously unpredictable, especially at the start of a new season. There are still questions however. Has Mercedes sorted the reliability issues suffered in pre-season testing? Did Ferrari run to their full capability? Is Racing Point genuinely nipping at the heels of the Big Three?

March 11, 2020
Rosberg’s shock retirement – a sad indication that something’s wrong with modern F1

You know, I’ve been watching Formula One for a very long time. Since I can remember, really. I started watching F1 with my Dad when I was less than knee high to a brick. Schumacher!, Lauda!, Senna!, Prost!, Patrese!, Alesi!, Hunt!, and so many more iconic names were being exclaimed by good old Murray Walker. It was the best!

Nico Rosberg retired from Formula One immediately after winning his damn hard fought for then 2016 World Championship title. As a parent of a pretty young kid who was born under the hashtag #F1baby, I’ll tell you it’s been a learning curve. Your priorities change when you become a parent.

But Rosberg’s retirement is hitting a nerve with me. It’s hitting a nerve that says F1 is not what it used to be. You give me back the exclamations and sheer excitement of pure, unobliterated, uninhibited racing any frikken day or minute of the week! I miss that stuff. And I bet today’s F1 drivers – who are around my parental age by the way – feel a lot of the same. That excitement business is gone these days. This despite the valiant efforts of the misers to bring said excitement back while filling their pockets.

Rosberg’s retirement brings up so many different emotions for me. I am torn though between the understanding that when you have a family priorities change, and then the feeling that these guys, these greatly exclaimed names, are no longer being allowed to just do what they love doing most. Racing their frikken hearts out. Don’t pass unless this guy’s moved this way, and don’t overtake if you’re hitting the brakes that way, and don’t drive a couple centimeters over this white line or there’ll be trouble, and let’s not even get into team orders. Multi-21 and move over XYZ is faster than you. And all the pressure of the media spotlight, analysing every little encounter on the track as we’ve now all been trained to do.

Can we not just let the best racing drivers in the world … drive. Let them race their flippen hearts out! And why are we giving them anything but the best equipment anyway? These are the best damn drivers in the world. Or that’s what I grew up believing, anyway. They have the best technology at their fingertips but Bernie and his Formula One management continues to inhibit and restrict in order to increase the spectacle. Their goal is to increase viewership – i.e dollars/pounds in their bank accounts. But I feel as though miserly, greedy decisions are clouding the goal for fans, and drivers.

None of exclaimed names back in the day would have backed away after winning a world championship. None of them. There’s no way they would have backed down. Back then the goal was to be the best racing driver of all time and that’s that. Get out on the track and do that. And they all loved it. Now? Now the pressure is insurmountable. I’ll be honest, I’m not a Rosberg fan. I’d be first to voice my opinion about his Sulky Sue faces when he’s losing, but the guy is a damn good racing driver. We’re losing one of the best drivers on our current grid. But as a parent, I get it. The pressure in today’s F1 is too much. You can’t just go out and drive to win.

Rosberg’s news really concerns me. Why are we limiting the limitless? Formula One is such a spectacular sport and I will never stop watching. But if drivers aren’t passionate anymore because of all this incredible pressure, and our drivers stop wanting to drive … we’re going to have nothing left to watch eventually.

December 5, 2016
Ferrari Veto’s Cost Cap For Standardized Engines for Customer Teams

The FIA have released a statement saying that Ferrari has vetoed a decision to implement a cost cap on customer engines. This move has lead the FIA to open up tenders for a cheaper, standardized engine.

“The FIA, in agreement with FOM, suggested the principle of setting a maximum price for engine and gear box for client teams at the last Strategy Group meeting,” read a statement by the FIA

“These measures were put to the vote and adopted with a large majority.

“However, Ferrari SpA decided to go against this and exercise the right of veto long recognised under agreements governing F1.

“In the interest of the Championship, the FIA has decided not to legally challenge Ferrari SpA’s use of its right of veto.”

With the FIA deciding not to challenge the decision, it opens up the door for them to call for tenders for a standard engine.

“The FIA will initiate a consultation with all stakeholders regarding the possible introduction of a client engine, which will be available as of 2017. Following this consultation a call for tenders for this client engine, the cost of which would be much lower than the current power unit, could be undertaken,” the statement continued.

“Supported by FOM, the FIA will continue in its efforts to ensure the sustained long-term development of the Championship and look for solutions enabling it to achieve this.

” It asks all of the teams to make a positive contribution to the success of this approach through proposals and initiatives in the interest of the Championship and its continuation over the long term.”

October 26, 2015
FOM Statement on Pirelli Investigation

Following Pirelli’s investigation into the tyre failures at the Belgian Grand Prix, Formula One Management (FOM) have issued a statement saying that Pirelli should keep doing the good job its been doing for the past 4 years.

In the statement, FOM expressed its support for Pirelli and that they have full confidence in the tyres. It comes at an interesting time where Bernie Ecclestone is deciding on a new tyre supplier for F1 from 2017.

The by FOM statement read: “Pirelli has been a first class partner of Formula One during the five seasons in which it has been the Official Supplier of Tyres to the FIA Formula One World Championship and we continue to have full confidence in the safety, quality and suitability of its tyres.

“Within the constraints of safety considerations, which are always paramount, Formula One encourages Pirelli to provide tyre compounds with performance limitations because tyre degradation contributes to the challenge and entertainment of a Formula One race. When doing so, Pirelli provides strong guidance to competitors about any performance limitations of the tyres supplied. Competitors should heed Pirelli’s expert advice when setting their race strategy and tactics, and if they do not, it is at their own risk.

“We are entirely satisfied that Pirelli was not at fault for any tyre-related incidents during the 2015 Formula 1 Shell Belgian Grand Prix.

It was also revealed that Pirelli offered FOM a tyre that will last an entire race distance.

“Pirelli has offered to provide to each car a single set of tyres to last for an entire Event. While we know that they would be very capable of it, a race with no pit stops would be less exciting.

“Thank you, Pirelli, for helping us to deliver excitement to Formula One fans!”

September 3, 2015
Changes to F1 Announced by Strategy Group

The F1 Strategy Group which met yesterday in Biggin Hill announced a few changes to the regulations for the current and future seasons in F1.

There will be restrictions on driver aids and driver coaching, especially during race starts. “Increased restrictions on driver aids and coaching received unanimous support and will be rapidly implemented, starting from this year’s Belgian Grand Prix – with a particular emphasis on race starts – and in 2016,” read a statement from the FIA. The FIA say that this will bring unpredictability to the sport and enhance the excitement.

The process of handing out penalties for power units, and how these penalties are applied will get an overhaul which was also unanimously agreed upon by the strategy group. The decision will need to be ratified by the F1 Commission at the World Motorsport Council next week in Mexico City. Further changes to the exhaust system on the cars are planned for 2016 to enhance the engine noise.

Staying on power engines it was also announced that new manufacturers entering the sport will receive and extra power unit per driver. This is good news for Honda and McLaren as it gives them some breathing room and it comes after both McLaren drivers were handed 25-place grid penalties at the Austrian Grand Prix.

“It was agreed to allow an extra power unit per driver in the first year to any new manufacturer entering the championship and, for the sake of fairness, the measure will apply retroactively to Honda for the 2015 season,” read the statement.

The FIA and FOM have been given a mandate to “propose a comprehensive set of measures for power unit development and cost of supply”. This will include a review of the token system that is currently in place where teams are only allowed to change certain elements of the power units by using development tokens. An increase in race fuel allowance and the use of engine dynamometers was also suggested.

Teams will now be given freedom of choice of tyre compounds for race weekends. The details are being finalised with Pirelli for 2016.

It looks like cars are set to look more aggressive from 2017. According to the FIA statement some of the changes will include “wider cars and wheels, new wings and floor shape and significantly increased aerodynamic downforce has been outlined and is currently being assessed by the teams.”

Finally a tweak to the race weekend format is in the works and is being evaluated by the FIA and FOM and we could see this happen for 2016. There are suggestions for a sprint race on a Saturday with a reduced number of laps for a race on Sunday. Over the years changes have been made to qualifying and practice sessions but the race format has pretty much stayed the same throughout the history of the sport. This has been billed by the FIA as “exciting and innovative”

July 2, 2015
Broadcast crews banned from pitlanes during all F1 sessions

Formula One broadcast personnel and camera crews have been banned from the pit lanes at all circuits, during all sessions – including practice sessions, qualifying and the race.

This follows an FIA announcement yesterday in which the FIA stipulated that they would be clamping down on safety in the pit lanes following the incident at the German Grand Prix where Mark Webber’s loose tyre hit FOM cameraman Paul Allen, breaking his ribs and collar bone.

The FIA have since their statement, sent an email to all TV crews and media that they will now be banned from the pit lane going forward.

The FIA statement, released last night read as follows:

Following a pit lane incident at last weekend’s German Grand Prix, the FIA has decided to take steps to increase F1 safety and is to institute an immediate ban on anyone other than event marshals and team personnel being present in pit lane during races and grand prix qualifying sessions. Access for approved media will be confined to the pit wall.

Last weekend’s incident at the Nürburgring occurred when, following a pit stop, a wheel became detached from the Red Bull Racing car of Mark Webber as he made his way towards the pit lane exit. The loose wheel struck a television cameraman who was hospitalised as a result. He is expected to make a full recovery.

In order to reduce the risk of similar accidents in the future, the FIA, on the initiative of its President, Jean Todt, will be seeking to make changes to the Formula One Sporting Regulations. In order to effect this, the FIA today informed teams that the approval of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) will immediately be sought for two changes to the Sporting Regulations. Both of these changes have already been approved for 2014. However, for safety reasons, the WMSC will be asked to approve their immediate implementation. The changes are:

1) Article 23.11*, which will now require all team personnel working on a car during a pit stop to wear head protection.

2) Article 30.12**, which will provide for a reduction of the pit lane speed limit during races from 100km/h to 80km/h (with the exception of Melbourne, Monaco and Singapore, where due to track configuration the limit remains at 60km/h).

Finally, in relation to the incident at the German Grand Prix, the FIA is expecting a written report from Red Bull Racing tomorrow. This will also be shared with the other teams in order to help improve pit lane safety.

* 23.11 Team personnel are only allowed in the pit lane immediately before they are required to work on a car and must withdraw as soon as the work is complete. All team personnel carrying out any work on a car during a race pit stop must be wearing head protection.

** 30.12 A speed limit of 80km/h will be imposed in the pit lane during the whole Event. However, this limit may be amended by the stewards following a recommendation from the FIA F1 safety delegate. Any team whose driver exceeds the limit during any practice session will be fined €100 for each km/h above the limit, up to a maximum of €1000. However, in accordance with Article 18.1 the stewards may inflict an additional penalty if they suspect a driver was speeding in order to gain any sort of advantage. During the race the stewards may impose either of the penalties under Article 16.3a) or b) on any driver who exceeds the limit.

July 10, 2013