Mechanical Sympathy...

[Kicking-back]

Quite possible - but teams need to build the cars to withstand that.

Ferrari make theirs bulletproof - and have done for years, so it can be done.

Remember the days of 1993-1996 when the Scuderia was a joke as far as reliability was concerned?

[Langers]

Originally posted by Peter Mallett
You may not be able to over rev on upshifts but I'd assume you can on the down shift. These are semi automatic gearboxes which means that you could conceivably down shift from sixth to fifth whilst the rear wheels were turning at sixth gear speed. Thus when the gears engage the engine can over stress itself.

I was under the impression that F1 gearboxes work in the same manner as those on road cars (e.g. Ferrari F1, Maserati skyhook etc) and will only allow downchanges where the engine will not be over-revved.

[BootsOntheSide]

Another point is that Jenson had far better reliability than Trulli at Rneault in 2002, despite Trulli undoubtedly beign teh more supproted driver. Jacques had no more failures than Damon or Frentzen at Williams though, even as a rookie, so perhaps Jenson's style (which as been observed as being unusually smooth) is a big factor in protecting the car?

Sato's spins probably do contribute, as they cause unsuual loads to shift through the car especially rapidly, as well as the strain of the car to get going again.

[Snrub]

Let's say Sato is somehow managing to to beat on the engine. If it's something easy to notice then the team would tell him to stop it because they'd see it on the datalog. In order for it to be the driver's fault he must be smarter than the engineers and have found a way to destroy his engine. If his engine doesn't respond properly to some weird unassuming quirk in Sato's driving then it's the team's job to determine what the problem is.

[garcon]

Here's a thought. Surely it's to Honda's benefit to have a successful Japanese driver. Taku is the best they've ever had, so isn't it up to Honda to produce an engine than can put up with his abuse?!

[Kicking-back]

Absolutely agree, Garcon.

The team needs to produce equipment that will reach the finish.

[Dani Filth]

but that equipment will slow both of them .. so no more podiums for Jenson . and probably very low points scoring for Sato .

[garcon]

well, ideally Honda produce engines that don't detonate amidst Taku's onslaught, but are just as powerful as the current ones!

[Kicking-back]

That's undoubtedly the aim for every team - it worked for Ferrari.

[Knowlesy]

Well, Honda's didn't blow up when Senna was using them and they were usually at the sharp end......Senna had a fairly brutal throttle technique.....that BAM-BAM-BAM technique thingy he used to keep turbo pressure up. He still did it with the N/A Honda (and other manufacturers) engines as well. And how many times did they grenade?

Honda is quite capable of building Taku an engine that won't explode whilst still maintaining power. They are totally concentrated now for the first time in a long time....they will do it!

[Dani Filth]

not everyone can do Ferrari engines you know

[garcon]

Do the Honda engines have a Takometer?



I've got me coat...

[Knowlesy]

Taxi! For Garcon!

[Kicking-back]

[Knowlesy]

Yeah, I know, I've got to stop saying Taxi!