Force India confirms legal action against Lotus
Force India on Wednesday confirmed it has instigated legal action in the UK and Italy against rival F1 team Lotus, over what it claims is a “very serious” breach of intellectual property
F1 Tech: New fuel tanks, trick wheels ‘N wings and tilted lumps
As Im sure Yall are painfully aware of by now, this years Formula 1 Challengers have become BRAWNIER, Err longer N bulkier due to the new in-race refueling ban and hence the fuel tanks have effectively doubled in size. Although I cannot find any pertinent info on exact regulations, it appears that the fuel tanks have stretched from a maximum of 90 liters to approx. 250 liters. Thus, IM assuming that THE Teams were free to play with the exact shape of said tanks which therefore can become either longer, wider or a combination of both.
The SPEED lads have noted that the increased fuel capacity now weighs about an extra 300lbs on a chassis whos minimum weight has been increased to 620kg, (1,367lbs) from 605kg, (1,334lbs) having been done so for the usage of KERS vs. taller/larger Drivers being penalized for their additional mass…
Meanwhile there are several developments occurring constantly in Formula 1 as after all F1 NEVER SLEEPS! With some of these being:
The Mercedes MGP W01 is claimed to be utilizing a triangular shaped Airbox with some sort of splitter inside it vs. the traditional round/oval roll hoop structures for some sort of increased airflow/downforce.
The McLaren MP4-25 is running some sort of side body air snorkel contraption to reportedly dump air onto the rear wing to make it stall predictably to increase the cars straight-line speed.
The Ferrari F10 and Red Bull RB6 have reportedly tilted the angle of their engines installation in order to allow for increasing the size/room of the all important rear diffuser, with claims that Ferraris 056 V8 lump is angled at 3.5 degrees, while Red Bull has altered the angle of the Gearbox, which also alters the rear suspension while McLaren is said to be utilizing a long/thin Gearbox to aid in its Aero-treatment.
Ferrari has come up with a new wheel molding that casts an Aerodynamic effect into it, along with auto locking wheel nut catches.
And with all of the conjecture over the RB6s rear bodyworks exhaust location, one has to ponder if this caused any trouble with Sebastian Vetttels car while he was leading in Bahrain? (As NO! It was a Spark Plug, yeah thats the ticket…) As Mark Webber was previously sidelined with some sort of cooling/exhaust issues during practice.
For a better explanation of some of these developments, you may wish to check out James Allens new Tech Talk posts…
James Allen: Bahrain Tech Talk
James Allen: Melbourne Tech Talk
James Allen: Sepang Tech Talk
Fans groove Bernard
This past Tuesday Don Kays guest on the Autosport Radio Show was none other then somebody named Randy Bernard… Yep, as in the newly appointed CEO of the Indy Racing League, as this was the third time Ive heard Mr. Bernard speak. First on Trackside with Kevin N Cavin and then on wind Tunnel with Robin Miller guest hosting… And all I can say is WOW! The more I listen to Randy Andy, apparently an inside joke according to Jeff of My Name is IRL… Something to do with some TV show Ive never seen, but I digress… Im just overly impressed by Mr. Bernards charisma, as hes just a breath of fresh air and seems like a really good fit to lead the league into the future… As could you imagine Tony George not only taking an hour plus out of his schedule to go on some little webcast program… And then saying hed like to stay afterwards and talk, and Meet N Mingle with everybody! Not to mention wanting to potentially establish an email correspondence with Fans; Aye Karumba! So you may want to listen to the Archived show by clicking here… And yep, that was my question that don asked about (when in the HELL) will Indy Car return to Portland?
While there was NO word on what Mr. Bernard plans to do to mesmerize jaundiced Old Timers over The Speedways infamous Powder Rooms… While hopefully hell leave the Tenderloin Sandwiches alone, eh?
Good Luck Mr. Bernard!
Sharp has Extreme outing at Sebring
Dont know if Yall saw Scotty Sharp goin up in flames last Saturday evening… As apparently the teams name was an example of things to come, as in Extreme Speed Motorsports… Whale, Scotty surely got the best rush available when his new Ferrari F430GTE burst into fire during the latter portion of the race, as Sharp claimed there had been a vibration, but the team couldnt find anything… So well just Keep On Truckin! Then as the F1 lads on SPEED like to say, KABLAMOE! As the rear end of the Ferrari illuminated le Telescreen in a large yellow fireball as Sharp wisely pulled off at the nearest hole in the wall, which signals a corner workers station. As Kudos to an overly courageous corner worker who put out the fire before the actual fire crews had arrived by aiming his fire bottle at the base of the Ferraris flames!
Much later on, SPEEDs Pit reporter Justin Bell interviewed the uninjured Scott Sharp who claimed his first thought was how expensive it was gonna be as a team owner… While Justin asked if hed be giving the brave corner worker a silver bottle of his sponsors spirits, to which Sharp replied definitely… Which probably isnt a problem when your teammate is the CEO of Tequila Patron, eh?
Happy St. Patty’s Day
YIKES! I just realized Im NOT wearin any Green… As after all its Saint Patricks Day, which Yall know the drill, eh? Although I WONT be partaking in any green jello shots, nor a very crazy drinks concoction known as an Irish Car Bomb…
So heres a not-so-little ditty I scribbled bout a brace O Irish racing drivers awhile ago, cleverly titled; Drumroll please…………… Tuh Duh!
TAG laces up skates before heading south
(Photo courtesy of FAZZT Race Team)
Alex Tagliani has been busy racking up his Frequent Flyer miles according to his FAZZT Race Teams latest release, as hopefully hell remember to change into his driving boots upon arriving in Sao Paolo, eh?
As Alex Tagliani got his first opportunity as an actor playing a small speaking role for the upcoming film, Score: A Hockey Musical. Alex played himself in the film along with other Canadians such as Walter Gretzky, Marc Jordan and Margaret Atwood in a scene that was filmed at an ice hockey rink in Toronto. Alex thoroughly enjoyed the experience although he wasn’t certain he would give up his role as IZOD IndyCar driver anytime soon.
“This was an incredible opportunity,” said Alex. “I had so much fun doing this today! I got to put on my hockey skates again and it’s been quite awhile since I had those on my feet. And I completely enjoyed meeting all of the actors and singers who are in the film. I don’t think I will be pursuing a career in movies, but I had a great time and was honored to be invited to participate in the film.”
As it sounds like hell be keeping his Day Job for now, eh?
Desert sands of Bahrain await F1
So this past weekend I watched a large portion of the 2hr taped delayed Australian V8 Supercars event which was taking place upon the Bahrain International Circuit, as the Commodores N Falcons were using the newly elongated Formula 1 layout, which made for lots of very entertaining Criss-Cross overtaking maneuvers thru the circuits new portion of Ash-fault, so we could have a good race on our hands upcoming this weekend
You can catch all of the action beginning very early Friday morning on the SPEED Channel, but as ALWAYS! Check your local listings…
