2 seconds a lap slower next season

[Marbot]

Bridgestone say they'll be 2 seconds a lap (approx) next year.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/54942

[Smokey 6 litre]

Does that mean with the introduction of reduced aero in 2008 and fewer driver aids the current fastest laps may never be bettered?

I dont like the idea of harder compounds tho, doesn't that lead to reduced mechanical grip? meaning further reliance on aero and making it harder to follow close behind. D'oh.

[Sodemo]

Any sign of slicks?

[Pingguest]

Originally Posted by Smokey 6 litre

Does that mean with the introduction of reduced aero in 2008 and fewer driver aids the current fastest laps may never be bettered?

I dont like the idea of harder compounds tho, doesn't that lead to reduced mechanical grip? meaning further reliance on aero and making it harder to follow close behind. D'oh.

That's right. With harder tyres, the cars will rely even more on aerodynamics. But with a control tyre is less likely that we'll get more mechanical grip, as reliability is a more important issue.

Originally Posted by The Monster

Any sign of slicks?

No, we won't get slicks in 2007. It's not even sure wether we'll get slicks in 2008.

[Gt_R]

We constantly talk about increasing grip, especially tyres. But the most exciting races we have this season and last mostly came when cars were skating and fighting for traction.

I think that Bridgestones should work on getting tyres that doesn't essentially manufacture rubber marbles off the racing line. In the wets in China, we have cars taking different lines. FIA should balance this with a reduction in the contribution of aerodynamics.

But off course, we have to bear in mind that this should be achieved without compromising F1 car's outright pace relative to other series (especially perceived junior categories).

[TSR]

Originally Posted by The Monster

Any sign of slicks?

Yes when will F1 be returning to SLICKS. When.?????????

[Pingguest]

Originally Posted by TSR

Yes when will F1 be returning to SLICKS. When.?????????

We still don't know for sure.

[Marbot]

Hiroshi Yasukawa (Bridgestone) have this to say in press conference.

"OK, you have two questions there. For us, we prefer competition, but unfortunately our competitor is stopping. So we have to supply our tyres for all teams which means that first our mission is safety in tyres, and secondly fairness. Fairness is very important. If we support one team, this is no good. We have to provide equally quantity and quality of tyres for all teams, but this is a very very tough business, because currently we support just five teams, ten cars. But next year, eleven teams, 22 cars, which is more than double. After this season, after the Brazilian Grand Prix, we have to prepare all the logistics and warehouses, manpower, everything.

This is one question. And secondly, red tyres. I don't know about red tyres but currently the regulation is two specifications of dry tyres and we have to supply seven sets of each, which is fourteen sets. Better to use all of them on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, then I think we can achieve a very good fairness, this is the idea.

But of course this decision is made by all the teams and the FIA, so we listen to them and their decisions. But if we are concerned about fairness, then I think it's a good idea because we have to prepare two specifications, so if everybody has to use both specifications, then I think this is a good idea."

[Spritle]

Originally Posted by Gt_R

But off course, we have to bear in mind that this should be achieved without compromising F1 car's outright pace relative to other series (especially perceived junior categories).

When F1 gets to the point of being slower than other open wheel series on road courses it loses its "pinnacle" status IMHO. I could care less about on-track overtaking, or famous venues; raw speed still is what makes it most exciting for me.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Spritle

When F1 gets to the point of being slower than other open wheel series on road courses it loses its "pinnacle" status IMHO. I could care less about on-track overtaking, or famous venues; raw speed still is what makes it most exciting for me.

But it would be so easy for a series like Champcar to turn up the boost on their engines,copy a reasonably quick F1 car,ask for stickier tyres from Bridgestone and then blow F1 out of the water at any race track.F1 is more than just being fastest.

[Bononi]

We hear this kind of thing each and every end of season... and what happens ?

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Bononi

We hear this kind of thing each and every end of season... and what happens ?

F1 still ends up being fastest,dispite the myriad of restrictions imposed upon it.

[Bononi]

Is that why it's called the pinnacle of the motosport ?

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Bononi

Is that why it's called the pinnacle of the motosport ?

I think so.

[outflat]

Cutting speeds will likely encourage a bit more overtaking.

The faster the cars are, and in particular they faster they corner, the less likely we are to see passing.

Wet races are a great indicator - there's always more passing - because the mechanical grip is much less, yet the aero is the same.

People who want to increase mechanical grip while slashing aero grip could be barking up the wrong tree.

[Inigo Montoya]

I am with Bon. The cars are supposed to be slower every year, but somehow... they still manage to be as quick... Or very fast, anyhow..

[ralf fan]

Yes..... im sure they will be on a similar pace as this year...the tyres will be 2 sec a lap slower but im sure the engineers will find some way og recovering the defecit......

[Pingguest]

Originally Posted by martyn bott

F1 is more than just being fastest.

Like what?

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by outflat

Cutting speeds will likely encourage a bit more overtaking.

The faster the cars are, and in particular they faster they corner, the less likely we are to see passing.

Wet races are a great indicator - there's always more passing - because the mechanical grip is much less, yet the aero is the same.

People who want to increase mechanical grip while slashing aero grip could be barking up the wrong tree.

I don't think that's strictly true.

The reason why wet races are so good for overtaking is;

1. Can use a variety of lines,
2. Cars run slower / therefore aero isn't as important,
3. Water / rain interfere with the aero making it far less effecient,
4. Braking distances increased,

And so on...

[Armco Bender]

People who want to increase mechanical grip while slashing aero grip could be barking up the wrong tree.

Someone needs to get a grip on things then.

[Spritle]

Originally Posted by ralf fan

Yes..... im sure they will be on a similar pace as this year...the tyres will be 2 sec a lap slower but im sure the engineers will find some way og recovering the defecit......

But with frozen engines, single tyre, limited aero modifications, and other rule changes, where will this improvement come from?

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Pingguest

Like what?

OK,FWIW,let's assume that next season Champcar introduce 5 litre ohv turbocharged 1200bhp 2004 chassised Ferrari's running on this seasons Bridgestone F1 tyres.They then procede to knock 10-15 seconds off their current lap times.Do they suddenly become the "Pinnacle of motorsport" No i don't think so.

[Marbot]

Forgot to add that the above cars also have ABS,ESP,TC,ABC,XYZ.

[Marbot]

Forgot also to add that it would be entirely possible for Champcar to use 2005 Cosworth V10's (unrestricted).

My point being,that it would be quite easy for another series to outrun F1.

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Originally Posted by outflat

Cutting speeds will likely encourage a bit more overtaking.

The faster the cars are, and in particular they faster they corner, the less likely we are to see passing.

Given that the tyres will cut the speeds across the board, there will still be the same relative speed differential between teams.

Say....Ferrari slows from 1.30 to 1.32 but Williams drops from 1.31 to 1.33.

How does that improve overtaking, if one driver still can't catch the other?