a thecnical question

[nickF1]

Hello all, I am a relative newcomer to F1 and I would like to ask a question for the experts. Ever since he was in F3000, I've heard that many people say that JMP has "amazing car control". Can somebody elaborate on what is meant by "car control"? How can you distinguish a driver with good car control?

Thanks

[Peter Mallett]

Hi Nick,

Well the definition of great car control is not putting it in the wall at every opportunity. Sadly this woulkd appear to be JPM's main attribute unless he breaks his car instead.

Anyway probably the best exponents of car control currently are Mickey-the-shoe or Mika H. If you watch them during a qualifyinfg lap you will see the back of the car twitching and sliding. If they do this and still keep the car pointing in the right direction, they've got good car control.

[Airhead]

Originally posted by Peter Mallett
Hi Nick,

Well the definition of great car control is not putting it in the wall at every opportunity. If you watch them during a qualifyinfg lap you will see the back of the car twitching and sliding. If they do this and still keep the car pointing in the right direction, they've got good car control.

Great synopsis Peter,

I thought the same thing, those able to drive as quick as buggery and still stay on the track. The other definition is also valid. There are fast smooth non-dramatic drivers who do well and there are those who look bloody quick by throwing the thing around - it depends what you like to watch. Usually boring is fast in this league.

[Valve Bounce]

Big Welcome to NickF1 to our friendly forum. Keep posting mate, and when you get to 1000 posts, you qualify to enter the lucky draw for the Ferrari, which will be drawn when everybody posts 1000 posts.
Good car control - there was this Brit, can't remember his name, who qualified on the front row of every GP in one year. He was smooth and very, very fast and that's bloody good car control. Maybe some of the other guys here can remember who it was.

[Peter Mallett]

Smooth non-dramatic drivers. I can think of three offhand.

Prost, Moss and Damon Hill.

Bouncey,

Are you thinking of Mansell in '92? If so I'd put him into the "chuck it into the corner and hang on" category.

[Speed]

Originally posted by Peter Mallett
Sadly this woulkd appear to be JPM's main attribute unless he breaks his car instead.

Or gets the Podium...

[Total-F1]

Look at that, a rookie makes 2 mistakes and suddenly he's satan

[Gt_R]

To be able to put a car smoothly on the road, nil wheelspin, nil spins, and perfectly inch to inch on the maximum on the track without overstepping it is boring good car control... Eg. Mika in one of his better qualifyings or races

Or to be able to control your difficult car as it threatens to break lose...is dramatic excellent car control...See Jean alesi or Michael's twitch in qualifying in Sepang 2001...

[Hans.ca]

Car controll, all drivers have some of it. But there are drivers that posesse outstanding abillity to control the car under difficult conditions.
Gilles Villeneuve at the canadian GP at Mosport, in the rain, spun between corner 9 and 10, did a complete 360 and continued on without slowing up.
Alfonso De Portago had incredibly fast reaction time and good car controll.
Others that come to mind are S. Moss, Fangio, Mika H., TGF, they are all smooth and most of the time they look like they are out on a sunday drive rather then in a race.
These are just a few that come to mind, there are many more.

[botsquad]

those cars are pure beasts.

all f1 pilots have unreal 'car control'

[BD]

I think Hans.ca has put it best;
[QUOTE]Car controll, all drivers have some of it. But there are drivers that posesse outstanding abillity to control the car under difficult conditions.

Drivers with excellent car control stick out in wet conditions. TGF, Jos Verstappen, Jean Alesi. Senna and Gilles Villenuve were untouchable in wet conditions which demonstrated their phenomenal car control.
Car control doesnt always mean fast though. Outstanding car control is just one of many factors that make these drivers so good.

[Sodemo]

I actually thought the term "car control" had more of an active meaning.
More like "slide control". For me the definition of car control is being able to get the car on the ragged edge of adhesion (ie oversteer) and keep it on the road.

People who's arms are chopping left to right is not the fastest way to drive a car (the first thing i was tought about karting was, the less the arms are moving the better) although I admit sliding a car/kart through corners does FEEL faster, but it isn't.

[SL]

If you able get to the Goodwood Revival meet in September, you will see the good drivers go fast though the bends, you will see the other drivers go slower though the bends.

After that you might see a great driver go power slideing though a bend foot to the floor in total control. Hint look for Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, Pete Hardman, John Surtees, Damon Hill, Phil Hill , Alan Jones and so on. Then you will tell


Simon