"ncasolowork2" (ncasolowork2)
02/26/2014 at 09:00 • Filed to: None
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"ncasolowork2" (ncasolowork2)
02/26/2014 at 09:00 • Filed to: None | 0
| 15 |
Wouldn't it be something if the Renault engine was such a dog that the Renault powered teams couldn't qualify within 107% of the fastest Q1 lap time? Before you laugh at me Nico Rosberg's fastest lap in Bahrain last week was a 1:33.283. 107% of that is 1:39.813.
Daniel Ricciardo's fast lap was 1:39.837. Vettel's fastest lap was 1:40.224. Caterham's fastest lap was a 1:39.855. Toro Rosso and Lotus each had 1 driver faster than 1:39.8 and 1 driver slower. Kobayashi is quoted as saying the Renault is losing 20-30kph on the straights.
There's still one more test to go, but it is entirely plausible that Mercedes will go faster just like Renault will go faster. Forget continuing a win streak for Vettel he might not even get to race.
Fred (FreddsterExprs)
> ncasolowork2
02/26/2014 at 09:08 |
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Bullshit. No Renault team was going flat out. Rosberg was on a lap with no fuel in his tank, that's why it was so fast. Just wait, RB will strike back. I really hope they don't, but let's face it, they spend 300 million euros a year.
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ncasolowork2
> Fred (FreddsterExprs)
02/26/2014 at 09:10 |
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Here's the thing. Renault's engine is homologated on Friday. After that the engine specifications are what they are.
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Fred (FreddsterExprs)
> ncasolowork2
02/26/2014 at 09:13 |
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Yes and no. They still can modify it for the sake of reliability and cost saving for the teams. That's the way it was in the V8 era aswell when they "froze" the engines from 2009 on.
Renault seems to have a mechanically fine engine, it is the electronic coordination that is holding them up. Bad, but not unsolvable and I think even not limited by the homologation date.
zmf2112
> ncasolowork2
02/26/2014 at 09:16 |
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Did not know that. I've been following the testing this year (something I've never done before) and I can't believe how bad was going for Renault powered cars in general and RBR in particular until halfway through the second test. That's more than just engine. I'm sure they'll be ready in Melbourne, but I'd love to see the response if they somehow didn't make 107%.....
quarterlifecrisis
> ncasolowork2
02/26/2014 at 09:24 |
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Here's the thing with the 107% rule...its all fine and well. Except when they let every damn team run the races each weekend. Before I go off on a huge tangent...it'd be great if they would allow more teams to enter the series, then actually have people qualify for a spot in the race...you know where the slow cars don't always make the field. Instead, we have the 107% rule, and still let everyone in, even though the rule says otherwise.
Jonathon Klein
> ncasolowork2
02/26/2014 at 09:34 |
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They can also petition to continue testing and get around the homologation rules.
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ncasolowork2
> Jonathon Klein
02/26/2014 at 09:44 |
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Only on the basis of cost savings or reliability or safety. Not on the basis of performance.
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ncasolowork2
> quarterlifecrisis
02/26/2014 at 09:45 |
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Would you spend $100 million + annually if you weren't going to be on the grid? It would be an impossible sell to sponsors.
jariten1781
> ncasolowork2
02/26/2014 at 09:49 |
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If they are really so bad they'll throw some dogs out there and let them blow up then make 'reliability' changes.
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ncasolowork2
> jariten1781
02/26/2014 at 09:52 |
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At this point that's likely to happen and it won't be intentional.
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Jonathon Klein
> ncasolowork2
02/26/2014 at 09:53 |
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They could argue that the lack of power could pose a serious safety issue or that given the number of cars in the field that run the Renault engines that it could limit the viewership and sponsorship giving them a potential loophole in the cost savings department? But the main one I see using is reliability. So far the Renault cars have been all but reliable. They break down every other lap.
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quarterlifecrisis
> ncasolowork2
02/26/2014 at 10:29 |
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I know....in the quarterlifecrisis dream world F1 and Indy would be like the good old days, many more cars thatn can fit on the grid trying to make the race each weekend.
German2207
> ncasolowork2
02/27/2014 at 09:41 |
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It looks like 2009 all over again. If Red Bull can figure out reliability issues, they'll win.
As for 107% rule, even Kobayashi said that his car is slower than Gp2 at the moment..
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ncasolowork2
> German2207
02/27/2014 at 09:46 |
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You think Red Bull can overcome the renault engine? Despite the fact that their fastest laps today before more problems still barely broke the 1:38 barrier? Sorry but as of right now Red Bull won't be in the points at all this year let alone on the top of the podium. And I'm thinking that's even if they become reliable.
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German2207
> ncasolowork2
02/28/2014 at 09:42 |
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I'm not saying that they will be competitive from the start, most likely it will be like 2009 - some cars were competitive on the start of the season, others were competitive in the second half.
Renault did build a dreadful engine, but it doesn't mean it's impossible to increase the reliability.