Getting around testing restrictions?

[SiLo]

So Honda can test all they want, will Mclaren send engineers to be there for each test to learn about the engine? I assume they would, but then are they allowed?

[Cam]

So Honda can test all they want, will Mclaren send engineers to be there for each test to learn about the engine? I assume they would, but then are they allowed?

One could argue that Newey already answers that question for you.

[SiLo]

I'm a bit lost on this one, can you explain that one please?

[Richard]

I think it's a bit odd that someone at the top of his game would take a year out of the limelight too, I'd expect him to try and remain 'current' in the paddock, at least for his ego :\

What's not appealing about spending a year testing an uber-engine that'll blow away the opposition at the first race?

I'm not saying that'll happen or it is his attitude, but it seems an appealing prospect to an ego-centric person.

[beelsebob]

I think it's a bit odd that someone at the top of his game would take a year out of the limelight too, I'd expect him to try and remain 'current' in the paddock, at least for his ego :\

What's not appealing about spending a year testing an uber-engine that'll blow away the opposition at the first race?

I'm not saying that'll happen or it is his attitude, but it seems an appealing prospect to an ego-centric person.

In fact, it can't happen if the engine homologation rules are phrased in the same way as they currently are, as all manufacturers will have to present their homolgated engine to the FIA before the 2014 season starts (including Honda).

[Pierce89]

I think it's a bit odd that someone at the top of his game would take a year out of the limelight too, I'd expect him to try and remain 'current' in the paddock, at least for his ego :\

What's not appealing about spending a year testing an uber-engine that'll blow away the opposition at the first race?

I'm not saying that'll happen or it is his attitude, but it seems an appealing prospect to an ego-centric person.

In fact, it can't happen if the engine homologation rules are phrased in the same way as they currently are, as all manufacturers will have to present their homolgated engine to the FIA before the 2014 season starts (including Honda).

I was under the impression that homologation would be a thing of the past or severely reduced. How can these engines help road development if they can't develop.(Not that I believed they would help road development, that was just part of the reason FIA gave for changing engines)

[Cam]

I guess it's difficult to try to figure out how to circumvent rules when we don't really have them set in stone yet. I too thought that a freeze on engine development would not occur until around 2018, thus allowing new manufactures time to join and develop. But that could change any day really. Big gamble to develop outside only to be shutdown through a new rule.

[WhiteBlue]

Honda will probably run the F1 engine in LMP1 in 2014 with a Wirth designed chassis.
http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ ... gulations/
I doubt that they intend to design different engines for LMP1 and F1. So the LMP1 will be the test mule followed by an F1 test mule if at all. I would think that Allison will work with Wirth on the LMP1 and as soon as his gardening leave is up will switch to designing the 2015 McLaren.

[spinmastermic]

The tyre supply is a good point. Is there any chance McLaren have squirrelled some away over the years, awaiting this situation? Is that even possible? What about Michelin, could they use their rubber in an attempt to hedge bets that's the way the supply will go?

Could Michelin recreate the Pirelli rubber and supply Honda as a standalone product?

Honda are a major car manufacturer, they'd have no problem PAYING for a supply of F1 spec tyres from any tyre manufacturer. Except from Pirelli, they wouldn't be allowed.

[Cam]

Honda are a major car manufacturer, they'd have no problem PAYING for a supply of F1 spec tyres from any tyre manufacturer. Except from Pirelli, they wouldn't be allowed.

Could Michelin recreate the Pirelli rubber and supply Honda as a standalone product?

Or any tyre supplier for that matter? Could they deconstruct an existing tyre - understand the construction, the compounds etc and duplicate it - essentially making a clone? This is way left field and arguably not viable at all - but wondering if it was conceivable.

[Cam]

I'm a bit lost on this one, can you explain that one please?

There's some great posts in various threads on Newey - but in a nutshell, it is suggested that Newey is not paid by Red Bull Racing and therefore his cost is outside of the budget expenditure (he is employed by Red Bull Technologies). I'm sure this kind of similar scenario could be employed by others for similar benefits. It's one the key areas of arguments to why an effective RRA is difficult to implement and police.

[beelsebob]

Honda are a major car manufacturer, they'd have no problem PAYING for a supply of F1 spec tyres from any tyre manufacturer. Except from Pirelli, they wouldn't be allowed.

Could Michelin recreate the Pirelli rubber and supply Honda as a standalone product?

Or any tyre supplier for that matter? Could they deconstruct an existing tyre - understand the construction, the compounds etc and duplicate it - essentially making a clone? This is way left field and arguably not viable at all - but wondering if it was conceivable.

No, tyres are not left at the circuit – they are all returned to pirelli.

[turbof1]

After which they get destroyed, to be complete.

[Cam]

I was asking if it was conceivable, and that question still stands. Lets suggest a tyre company somehow got a tyre (maybe they grabbed Webbers loose wheel from China, or some carcass remains from Hamitons delamination), could they 'clone it'? As a possible avenue to vent the system, could this occur? Any compound engineers in here?

[spadeflush]

Since tyres are not available to any team to keep after the race, perhaps a different supplier can create a clone of the current tyres based on data collected by the teams till now? For example, McLaren will provide all the data collected on the 2013 rubber and pass it on to say Michelin who analyse the data and come up with a design that can replicate a similar tyre behaviour. I know this is easily said than done but what other option do they have