The Formula One Teams’ Association is considering further restrictions on how much downforce F1 cars can generate as the 2010 cars are already producing almost as much downforce as they were in 2008. The changes introduced last year at the urging of the Overtaking Working Group have not succeeding in reducing downforce levels. FOTA is … Continue reading FOTA consider new 2011 downforce cuts
Overtaking articles archive
Overtaking
Track or car design – what’s to blame for F1’s passing problem? (Poll)
Posted onTwo F1 car designers have claimed F1 track designs need to be changed to increase overtaking – instead of making changes to the cars so they can follow each other more closely. Do you think tracks need to be changed more to create overtaking opportunities? Or does the problem still lie with the cars?
Soft tyre rule: exciting or artificial? (Poll)
Posted onThis weekend the drivers will once again have to cope with the ?óÔé¼?£super soft?óÔé¼Ôäó tyre. It made for interesting racing in Australia ?óÔé¼ÔÇ£ but should F1 be resorting to gimmicks like forcing drivers to use un-competitive tyres?
The state of Formula 1 in 2008
Posted onThe 2008 Formula 1 season ended on a high on the track – but the shock withdrawal of Honda was a sting in the tail. With 2009 almost upon us it’s time to take stock of F1’s position as one season ends and a new year begins: the quality of the competition, the future of … Continue reading The state of Formula 1 in 2008
What was the best F1 pass of 2008?
Posted onOvertaking can be rare in Formula 1. But when the planets align and someone actually gets close enough to make a move, a genuinely exciting pass is a thing to savour. Although next year sees new regulations designed to enhance passing opportunities there were some fine overtaking moves this year. We?óÔé¼Ôäóve seen double passes, wet … Continue reading What was the best F1 pass of 2008?
F1 2009: 10 questions for the off-season
Posted onAs the 2008 F1 season ends on a high we now look forward to what should be one of the most fascinating off-seasons for many years. With radical changes to the technical rules, fraught political tension between the rule-makers and the teams, and two holes suddenly appearing in the calendar, these are the questions that … Continue reading F1 2009: 10 questions for the off-season
FOTA discusses F1 refuelling ban
Posted onPlease please please please please
Peter Windsor vs Darrell Waltrip on F1
Posted onWe’ve approached the difficult question of passing in F1 from several angles on F1 Fanatic. Last night I found a fascinating video from the American TV channel Speed where F1 journalist Peter Windsor and ex-NASCAR driver Darrel Waltrip approach the question from opposite ends of the motor racing spectrum:
Adjustable wings – a change too far?
Posted onThe 2009 F1 rules are a source of great interest with several radical changes aimed at improving overtaking. Along with bring back slick tyres and reducing wing sizes, teams are expected to be allowed to use adjustable wings. I’m not a fan of the idea. What do you think of it? Cast your vote below…
Grand Prix Legends hit out at state of F1
Posted onAnyone who’s shopped for F1 clothing, a model Formula 1 car or some other kind of memorabilia will likely have heard of Grand Prix Legends. Their adverts have been running on this site for some time. Their new catalogue dropped through my letter box today and I was surprised to see they’d given over five … Continue reading Grand Prix Legends hit out at state of F1
We are all weathermen now
Posted onWhat has been the biggest talking point on the Live Blogs during the past three races? Plenty has been said about the state of Lewis Hamilton?óÔé¼Ôäós driving and Max Mosley?óÔé¼Ôäós libido, but I think the most popular question is this: ?óÔé¼?ôIs it going to rain??óÔé¼?Ø
What F1 can learn from NASCAR II
Posted onRegular F1 Fanatic commenter Robert McKay has written a guest article looking at what F1 can learn from NASCAR – a subject we’ve looked at here before. Here’s his take on America’s favourite motor sport. I?óÔé¼Ôäóve recently started watching Sky?óÔé¼Ôäós NASCAR coverage. Readers of Keith?óÔé¼Ôäós other blog, Maximum Motorsport, will know he?óÔé¼Ôäós a bit annoyed … Continue reading What F1 can learn from NASCAR II
Poll results: Push-to-pass
Posted onMost F1 fans would like to see the quality of racing improve. But how far should the governing body go in trying to make the sport better? Other series like A1 Grand Prix use ‘push to pass’ systems to give drivers a brief boost of power to let them overtake an opponent. Is this too … Continue reading Poll results: Push-to-pass
2008: The new rules
Posted onSeveral major changes to the rules this year have attracted a lot of attention – the traction control ban, four-race gearboxes, and changes to qualifying. Which change are going to have the biggest impact on F1 this year? Here’s a quick look at some of the rules changes for 2008.
Interview: F1 journalist Nigel Roebuck
Posted onNigel Roebuck hasn’t missed many races since he started covering Grands Prix in 1971, but when he skipped the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos for the first time, he wrote about relieved he was not to be going to Sao Paulo ?óÔé¼ÔÇ£ and incurred the wrath of the most powerful man in Formula 1: When … Continue reading Interview: F1 journalist Nigel Roebuck
Good ideas on how to improve racing in F1
Posted onIn an excellent article in last week’s Autosport (November 22nd) former Jordan and Stewart designer Gary Anderson tackles the question of how to improve racing – and overtaking – in Formula 1. It’s a brilliant technical mini-study that I strongly encourage you to read – here’s a brief outline of his suggestions.
Traction control ban: Better races, less safe, more controversy?
Posted onIt’s been interesting to see how the drivers and teams reacted to last week’s test at which most (if not all) the teams tried running the cars with the standard electronic control unit for 2008 installed and the removal of traction control. Questions have been raised over safety and how hard it will be to … Continue reading Traction control ban: Better races, less safe, more controversy?
F1 07 review: Year in debates p3/3
Posted onThe final selection of great debates from the 2007 season is below. Read from a selection of hundreds of comments including thoughts on where Alonso will be next year, whether the best man won the title, and whether scandal ruined the 2007 championship.
Time for grooves to go
Posted onHere’s proof that the FIA isn’t capable of joined-up thinking. 1998: Slick tyres are banned and grooved tyres introduced to control cornering speeds and make racing safer. 2006: A single tyre supplier is announced for 2008, to control cornering speeds and make racing safer. Does F1 really need both rules? No.
Mosley wants standardised F1 cars
Posted onMax Mosley’s words highlighted in bold in the FIA president’s latest letter to the teams spells out his position on green technologies, entertainment and costs as plainly as possible: All items on the cars which are not known, visible and understood by the public should be standardised and manufactured at minimal cost. The technical contest … Continue reading Mosley wants standardised F1 cars