2014 season: how would it be?

[SectorOne]

It will be similar to driving a diesel LMP car minus traction control, you have to have a lot more part throttle finesse than the current cars. It's more like a dance, and yes its a bit frustrating to drive this way especially if you have to adapt.

I think this is the way it should be. Being able to floor the pedal everywhere is not really a challenge. Being forced to modulate the throttle is where drivers will begin to show what they're worth again. I feel that drivers prefering a stable rear end or understeering car will struggle next season, whereas drivers like Hamilton or Vettel, prefering a looser rear end, will start better into the season.

Button being worried about bone dry conditions. Imagine then how it would be driving in wet conditions.

[Gerhard Berger]

It will be similar to driving a diesel LMP car minus traction control, you have to have a lot more part throttle finesse than the current cars. It's more like a dance, and yes its a bit frustrating to drive this way especially if you have to adapt.

I think this is the way it should be. Being able to floor the pedal everywhere is not really a challenge. Being forced to modulate the throttle is where drivers will begin to show what they're worth again. I feel that drivers prefering a stable rear end or understeering car will struggle next season, whereas drivers like Hamilton or Vettel, prefering a looser rear end, will start better into the season.

Vettel certainly does not like a loose rear end. He's got used to driving Red Bulls with a very stable rear end the last few years. He's also (apparantly) mastered the counter-intuitive technique of getting on the throttle early during corners to increase the downforce produced. None of this will apply in 2014, and it may take him a few races to adapt (as we saw in early 2012).

[FW17]

Vettel certainly does not like a loose rear end. He's got used to driving Red Bulls with a very stable rear end the last few years.

"His main strength is he is naturally gifted and has awesome car control and that allows him to drive a car on the limit with oversteer (when the front of the car has more grip than the rear) all the time - and that tends to be the quickest way in Formula 1."

- Sebastien Bourdais

[SectorOne]

Do we have any Quali laps of Vettel neutral steering around some corners? to me it always looks like a train on rails in both front and rear end.

[Gerhard Berger]

Vettel certainly does not like a loose rear end. He's got used to driving Red Bulls with a very stable rear end the last few years.

"His main strength is he is naturally gifted and has awesome car control and that allows him to drive a car on the limit with oversteer (when the front of the car has more grip than the rear) all the time - and that tends to be the quickest way in Formula 1."

- Sebastien Bourdais

Here is a good analysis by Anthony Davidson of how Vettel struggled in early 2012 (particularly in qualifying) with the RB (which at the time, did not have the planted rear end that Vettel has become so accustomed to).

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xq4ikq ... art1_sport

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xq4ijw ... art2_sport

[Mandrake]

Here is a good analysis by Anthony Davidson of how Vettel struggled in early 2012 (particularly in qualifying) with the RB (which at the time, did not have the planted rear end that Vettel has become so accustomed to).

The biggest issue in early 2012 was the two faced handling of his car. In one situation it would grip, in the next it wouldn't. That way you cannot build trust into the car and thus not perform to your expectations.

But this should not be on Vettel, if you prefer it this way, Hamilton and all the others liking a loose rear they can work with are benefitted. Button, as one we have concluded in this very forum, who doesn't like it will be worse off. I for one am looking especially forward to cars moving around a bit. Even in the late 90s, early 2000s the cars were sliding quite a lot. I liked that!

[lebesset]

Here is a good analysis by Anthony Davidson of how Vettel struggled in early 2012 (particularly in qualifying) with the RB (which at the time, did not have the planted rear end that Vettel has become so accustomed to).

The biggest issue in early 2012 was the two faced handling of his car. In one situation it would grip, in the next it wouldn't. That way you cannot build trust into the car and thus not perform to your expectations.

But this should not be on Vettel, if you prefer it this way, Hamilton and all the others liking a loose rear they can work with are benefited. Button, as one we have concluded in this very forum, who doesn't like it will be worse off. I for one am looking especially forward to cars moving around a bit. Even in the late 90s, early 2000s the cars were sliding quite a lot. I liked that!

don't buy this at all with the advent of the automated super kers I think the engineers will be able to map to the drivers style , in other words smooth out the power delivery if that is what suits him best

so , to use button as the example quoted here , instead of using the electric power immediately on exiting the corner , loosening the tail , it is saved for later so that button can use his favoured smooth lines ..someone like hamilton will want it completely differently perhaps !

but one thing is for sure , it's going to be a steep learning curve for more than the drivers ! form at the beginning of the season may be illusory

my forecast ? RBR will stay as one of the top teams but lose it's dominance ; it seems inevitable that those who were most successful at exhaust blowing will lose the most , and no guesses as to who that was !! and williams were so bad at it that they improved without it ,even with a renault engine which contributed greatly to the RBR success!

will be having a look pre-season so see if good odds are available on button for the WDC .. as usual , won't be much to be made betting on the favourites

[dan]

i thin vettel will adapt his style and be fast in 2014 if the engine is decent
i think hamilton would be my favorite for driving these new cars - if mercedes will be competitive
if not he could be the new alonso outdriving the machinery

[lebesset]

Vettel certainly does not like a loose rear end. He's got used to driving Red Bulls with a very stable rear end the last few years.

"His main strength is he is naturally gifted and has awesome car control and that allows him to drive a car on the limit with oversteer (when the front of the car has more grip than the rear) all the time - and that tends to be the quickest way in Formula 1."

- Sebastien Bourdais

strange then that the car with the most planted rear end has been so dominant

[Daliracing]

i just redt an article that the last gp of 2014 will have double points. i don't kniw if its a good thing.

[Jonnycraig]

Mark Webber believes his former Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel will start next season as favourite to win a fifth consecutive world championship.

Major rule changes for 2014 mark a reset for F1 but Webber says Red Bull will adapt well to the new regulations.
"Seb's the favourite for the drivers' championship," said Webber, who has quit F1 to race for Porsche at Le Mans.

"They'll be favourites for starting the season very strongly, which is probably not what people at home want to hear."

But Red Bull chief technical officer Adrian Newey, whose team have dominated under the 2009-13 rules regime, says next year's regulations are "a fresh roll of the dice for everybody".

In 2014, Formula 1 cars will have turbo-charged engines for the first time since 1988 and these will be fitted with extensive energy-recovery systems. A series of aerodynamic changes have also been introduced which will prevent Red Bull exploiting some of the areas in which they have excelled.

But Webber said: "I think they are going to be very strong.
"It's an engine category next year more than probably a car/aerodynamic category, which is probably not a bad thing for some people.
"But there will also still be decent driver input, especially from a brainpower perspective in terms of pacing and managing and all the technology the cars are going to have next year, which will help Sebastian. That's right up his alley. Perfect for him."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/25344023

[SectorOne]

Given the car is up to the job that is.

[Jonnycraig]

Given the car is up to the job that is.

As Webber stated above. It's whether the engine is up to it though, rather than the car.

[Holm86]

Given the car is up to the job that is.

As Webber stated above. It's whether the engine is up to it though, rather than the car.

I dont give much for that statement. Engines will be very close. At least in power output. The difference could be in the way they map the ERS and ECU.

Aero will be just as important as ever. If not more.

[SectorOne]

Downforce is still king yes.