[jfxavier]

Auto Motor und Sport has exclusive GPS data the fastest practice laps at Silverstone and Budapest. They show where Mercedes and Red Bull are faster compared to each other.
Silverstone pole position lap by Lewis Hamilton is compared with that of Max Verstappen.




The initial acceleration for both cars are quite similar and it speaks about the good traction of both W07 and RB12, and also of the Renault engine drivability and torque at low speeds even thought the Merc. Is thought to be having a higher peak power.
Between Farm and Village Mercedes is just 1 km / h faster. 9 km / h up on the Wellington section, 6 km / h up on the Hangar Straight, 5 km / h up before Vale. This could be because of 2 reasons: The higher DF of the Red Bull and the Renault V6 turbo lagging behind on the ERS recovery amount compared to Merc.
In 4 corners Red Bull is faster. Abbey, Maggotts, Becketts and Club. While the difference in Club (204 km / h vs 203 km / h) and Maggots (307 km / h vs 306 km / h) are only 1km / h, Red Bull gains in Abbey (295 km / h vs 292 km / h) and in Becketts (195 km / h vs 189 km / h).

Source : http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/f...-11509477.html

[Hatari]

Spa should give us the final verdict on the power of the current Honda PU compared to Ferrari's 2015 PU (on the Toro Rosso).
Interesting to see how the latest update gets along at Spa and Monza.

Big steps needed from McLaren-Honda to catch Force India.

[jfxavier]

A look at the performances of teams relative to Mercedes in 2016 & in longer terms. Source : F1Fanatic, UK.





Looks like a 3 -tier racing season, other than the Merc. cars which are on a league of their own.
Hopefully the performances will start converging sooner than later.

[jfxavier]

Jost is in the house.

making his first appearance in the F1 paddock as a McLaren guest this weekend, and will be as the new CEO next weekend on wards maybe.

[jfxavier]

Originally Posted by Hatari

Spa should give us the final verdict on the power of the current Honda PU compared to Ferrari's 2015 PU (on the Toro Rosso).
Interesting to see how the latest update gets along at Spa and Monza.

Big steps needed from McLaren-Honda to catch Force India.

I guess there are no doubts regards to the PU comparison anymore

From what I understand, Honda has started well on their journey into the Pre-chamber method of combustion in the GDI engine.
The old T/C had to be changed this year to get better recovery levels in ERS and they went as big as they could with the compressor while keeping it within the V but the location is still the limiting factor on max power and they will not have enough tokens this year to change the layout of the system.
I think they are just going to get the combustion efficiency within the limitations of the compressor size for max. leaning of the mixture in the main combustion chamber sorted this year along with ERS.

New whole T/C design and more top-end power resulting from the next version of pre-combustion design will happen next year when they are not limited by tokens for changes.The biggest decision they have to make might be to go for the split-turbo Merc. style or to have the T/C in the rear like Ferrari and Renault. I hope they are testing at Sakura for comparing both designs now.

Rumors are on about Honda working on multiple stage injector with two spray pattern (one for main comb. chamber & another for pre-ignition chamber) which possibly every other manufacturer has (since F1 regs. does not allow multiple injectors) and with fuel heating capability (to increase efficiency or similar to super critical fuel injection concept).

High time that the Token system is dumped where it belonged in the first place.

[Hatari]

Originally Posted by jfxavier

I guess there are no doubts regards to the PU comparison anymore
High time that the Token system is dumped where it belonged in the first place.

Oh yes. Another testament to the rapid rate of development in F1.
That Mercedes PU though remains an enviable work of art (and science ofcourse)

Apart from Monza, Mclaren should outscore Williams and Toro Rosso on all remaining races (taking into account one last upgrade from Honda).
54 points still too big a gap.

Will definitely be satisfying to see McLaren in a position to score points with both cars in every race.

[a*ed]

Massa announces he's retiring at the end of 2016 season.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/fe...mula-1-813646/

[arunphilip]

Jenson Button not to drive for McLaren Honda in 2017

Jenson Button has announced he will not be on the F1 grid in 2017, but has stopped short of confirming a full retirement from Grand Prix racing.

The Briton's spot at McLaren alongside Fernando Alonso will instead be filled by Stoffel Vandoorne, the team's highly regarded reserve driver.

Button will stay on at McLaren however in a new ambassadorial role - with a two-year deal said to include an option to return to a race seat in 2018.

Source: http://www.formula1.com/en/latest/he...aren-2017.html

Jenson Button has confirmed he will not race in Formula One next season – but he could return in 2018.

The McLaren driver confirmed he has signed a new two-year deal with the team as an ambassador next year but has an option to race for them the year after (i.e. 2018).

Source: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2016/09/0...nt-end-season/

McLaren seem to be keeping him as a reserve/driver development driver, and also are keeping their driver options open in case Alonso throws in the towel at the end of the 2017 season.

[Makin Rulesz]

Strange decision by Button to stay back and not get to race at least in 2017. I feel he still has couple of years racing left in him.
This opens up lot of options for the open seat at Williams and most probably it might go to Perez.

[Hatari]

Originally Posted by Makin Rulesz

Strange decision by Button to stay back and not get to race at least in 2017. I feel he still has couple of years racing left in him.
This opens up lot of options for the open seat at Williams and most probably it might go to Perez.

It was clear no other team was attractive enough, Williams, sadly, is already on the slide.
Now he can stay close to F1 and it gives Ron Dennis a master card in contract negotiations with Alonso for 2018 onwards.

Ron.. brilliant!

[a*ed]

Originally Posted by Makin Rulesz

Strange decision by Button to stay back and not get to race at least in 2017. I feel he still has couple of years racing left in him.
This opens up lot of options for the open seat at Williams and most probably it might go to Perez.

Perez just confirmed that he's staying at Force India for 2017.

[jfxavier]

Like all good things that doesn't last, looks like the Mercedes aero stability advantages are also set to be replicated or removed.
The hydraulic interconnecting suspensions (similar to the outlawed FRIC) are either being copied (already on the RBR) or being questioned.
McLaren even tried to poach Loic Serra from Mercedes, unsuccessfully.
AMuS has written an article about it.

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/f...-11538621.html



The step here is much more pronounced than in any other car and keeps the hydraulic level control system.



Only the lower part of the chassis without the cover flap, Mercedes would not comply with the minimum dimensions of the regulations for cross section area of 300mm x 275mm.



However since they define the cover as part of the chassis, it is within the legal framework. The two openings at the top are the cooling air passage to the control system.



All looks well and good.



RedBull has its own version of the system.



It is difficult to copy the trick once the chassis is homologated because there is hardly enough space for the hydraulic components.



Ferrari : How a system should look going strictly by the book.

[arunphilip]

Mercedes Clinch Third Successive World Constructors' Championship and World Drivers' Championship

Pictured: The 2016 constructors champion team.
Also pictured: The 2016 drivers' champion. Which driver? We don't know... yet!

Mercedes clinched their third successive World Constructors' Championship of the current turbo era at Suzuka. With an unassailable 593 points after the Japanese GP, they are 208 points clear of second-placed Red Bull Racing. With only 172 points available to a single team over the next 4 races, it means Mercedes are the 2016 WCC.

Not shown: Sauber with zero points

Interestingly, a Mercedes driver has also secured the 2016 WDC (World Drivers' Championship). With Rosberg and Hamilton on 313 and 280 points respectively, and the next driver being Ricciardo on 212 points, Ricciardo is 101 points behind Nico Rosberg, but there are only 100 points to offer a single driver over the course of the remaining 4 races.

Therefore, it will be a Mercedes driver who is the 2016 WDC. Which driver? Stay tuned for the upcoming races!

Showing only the top 10 drivers of the 2016 WDC as of 9-Oct

Source: formula1.com

[deetjohn]

Wonder why McLaren is under performing and the drivers seem distracted?

Here is your answer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTVmQk-VD_E

Really glad to see one from TOONED after long.

[ashwin.terminat]

Sepang might drop out of the F1 calendar.

http://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-...cle9266747.ece

Dwindling ticket sales and lowering TV viewership are being cited as reasons.