FRIC Could Be Banned As Soon As Germany

[mikeerfol]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/114891

To me it looks like McLaren will vote against the delay

"In the case of McLaren, we are quite relaxed," said Boullier. "We don't see any issue with this for us.

"I don't think it will be too much disturbance for the rest of the season.

"We don't like it when there is a technical change in the season, but maybe there is a reason why the FIA wants to do it.

[SectorOne]

I get the opposite reaction.

"It came as a total surprise," said Boullier when asked by AUTOSPORT about the FRIC ban.
"It was not based on any team's action, it was an FIA action.

But then again, Mclaren was the team i figured could go against everyone else because they have no ties to anyone.

[Juzh]

But then again, Mclaren was the team i figured could go against everyone else because they have no ties to anyone.

Have no ties AND probably the worst system of all top teams. Otherwise RB could be in this as well.

[iotar__]

It's only technical directive, like sensors, and you can always ignore it.
“It came as a surprise,” Boullier said. “It's obviously not come from any team action it is an FIA action. We had been warned over the weekend that something could come out of this. Obviously we got this technical directive from Charlie Whiting."
No team involved, we get it Eric .

[beelsebob]

If they're simply raising or lowering wheels with the suspension, then I don't see how anyone could interpret that as violating the rules. At least, no more than any other suspension system.

The teams raising or lowering the suspension by their own while the car is in motion sounds like active suspension to me.

Only if there's power, other than the force of the car bouncing against springs being provided to it to do that.

[bhall II]

Brilliant theory shamelessly stolen from elsewhere:

I have a theory, what if this is how the FIA plans on ramming the 18 inch wheels down the teams' throats? It would explain the upcoming FRIC ban because forcing the teams to redesign the suspensions would take out [the teams'] excuse that going to...18-inch [wheels] would create massive problems since [current suspensions] were designed with the thick sidewalls in mind?

That makes total sense to me, except that I think it would be driven more by Pirelli's push for "road relevant" tires that the teams have been heretofore unwilling to accommodate.

[Waywardism]

That doesn't account for why they need to do it mid-season though.

[jz11]

I wonder who are the people that think that those 18" slicks have any relevance to road car tires besides the fact they fit on an 18" rim, probably the same that think that carbon fiber is the chequered stuff, and then are dumbstruck that they don't see that pattern on their i3 bmw parts...

[dans79]

That doesn't account for why they need to do it mid-season though.

I have to agree, as I said earlier this is either a political move by a team that sucks right now, or a move by "Bernie to spice up the show".

[mikeerfol]

That doesn't account for why they need to do it mid-season though.

I have to agree, as I said earlier this is either a political move by a team that sucks right now, or a move by "Bernie to spice up the show".

Or both

[basti313]

Brilliant theory shamelessly stolen from elsewhere:

I have a theory, what if this is how the FIA plans on ramming the 18 inch wheels down the teams' throats? It would explain the upcoming FRIC ban because forcing the teams to redesign the suspensions would take out [the teams'] excuse that going to...18-inch [wheels] would create massive problems since [current suspensions] were designed with the thick sidewalls in mind?

That makes total sense to me, except that I think it would be driven more by Pirelli's push for "road relevant" tires that the teams have been heretofore unwilling to accommodate.

No, that makes no sense at all. The FRIC ban may be delayed until next season, but there is no way to get 18 inch wheels for next season.

[basti313]

But then again, Mclaren was the team i figured could go against everyone else because they have no ties to anyone.

Have no ties AND probably the worst system of all top teams. Otherwise RB could be in this as well.

You are absolutely right about McLaren. They do not get their system working.
RB would never want the ban. The good FRIC is what keeps the Bulls alive at the moment. Without their suspension the rake will no longer be possible, so their downforce will no longer be superior. Without FRIC they will fight with the Torros for the places behind the Merc powered cars and Ferrari.

[SectorOne]

Yup, Red Bull with or without FRIC is not gonna make a difference in terms of climbing upwards, Mercedes still have damn near the downforce and a lot more powerful engine.

But Mclaren, last of the Merc teams, might as be the bus driver and throw everyone under the bus.
They don´t have much to lose let´s face it.

[kooleracer]

Its really easy to figure out who is behind this. Ferrari and Red Bull and Lotus have good FRIC systems. The customer teams will never protest against the factory teams. Lotus could have done but they are trying to get a Mercedes deal so they would be so stupid to protest against them. Marussia also has a FRIC system so they wouldn't protest against it. That leaves the odd one out that is McLaren. They are out of contract with Mercedes so they have no alliances in the paddock. Also we all know that has been the worse car under braking and over bumps and kerbs for the past 3 seasons.

This is Ron Denis's parting "gift" to Mercedes for stealing Hamilton, Lowe and Hugo Boss. It's sad the FIA is trying to push for a in season ban. This a big part of development off a lot teams, if you wan't to get rid of something such substantial why not include it in the regulation changes for 2015... We are going from F1 to FIA1 if the FIA is starting to play a crucial role each season.....

[bhall II]

That doesn't account for why they need to do it mid-season though.

Think of this: Pirelli's tenure in F1 has done precious little in terms of its public image thus far due to the FIA and FOM's remit to "spice up the show." They've been humiliated from the start, and one could make a pretty strong argument that they're perhaps owed a favor. If 18-inch tires are more commercially viable on their side, despite having no performance advantage whatsoever for the teams - they don't, which is why teams have balked at making the switch - why not ask the FIA to help force the teams' hands?

And remember, the FIA said they were open to delaying it until next year. But, if you're a team principal, would you rather go through some of the teething problems of an expensive suspension redesign on-track over the course of the remainder of the season, one in which the Championship has been largely decided, or would you rather delay it until next year with the mere hope that your simulation work over the offseason will be accurate enough to make you competitive such that there's no risk of compromising yet another Championship with virgin hardware?

Just a thought.

No, that makes no sense at all. The FRIC ban may be delayed until next season, but there is no way to get 18 inch wheels for next season.

Really? I could have sworn I saw four on the Lotus today.