F1 getting slower?!

[turbof1]

The clue here is that schumacher was roughly as fast during the race, as hamilton was during the race. You do have to put that somewhat in perspective though: back then refueling was allowed, so naturally in 2004 between race laptimes and qualy laptimes was alot less. The qualy time back then was 1:28.351.

Suprisingly, the qualy time this year is 0.7s faster then back in 2011. Even though f1 got slower in a timespan of almost 10 years, they rebounded from the ban on EBDs, to go that much faster within the timespan of 2 years.

[Nuvolari_the_legend]

I haven't done to much research on this subject but I did saw this (the laptimes are from the Nurburgring):

1:29.468 Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 2004 (laprecord)
1:29.398 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 2013 (best qualifying)

So on that basis F1 is getting slower but does anybody know why?

The lap times you have give above show that Hamilton's lap was 0.070 seconds faster then Schumacher's lap time

Sorry, like I said, I didn't do to much research so I just went to wikipedia and saw that the fastest time 1:29.468 was and then I took the pole lap of 2013 and placed it below the time of 2004. I just forgot that the lap from Schumacher not a pole lap was but the fastest lap in the race.

Here are the two pole laps from 2004 and 2013.


1:28.351 Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 2004
1:29.398 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 2013


Sorry again for my mistake but I think I've proved my point now.

[beelsebob]

I haven't done to much research on this subject but I did saw this (the laptimes are from the Nurburgring):

1:29.468 Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 2004 (laprecord)
1:29.398 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 2013 (best qualifying)

So on that basis F1 is getting slower but does anybody know why?

The lap times you have give above show that Hamilton's lap was 0.070 seconds faster then Schumacher's lap time

Sorry, like I said, I didn't do to much research so I just went to wikipedia and saw that the fastest time 1:29.468 was and then I took the pole lap of 2013 and placed it below the time of 2004. I just forgot that the lap from Schumacher not a pole lap was but the fastest lap in the race.

Here are the two pole laps from 2004 and 2013.


1:28.351 Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 2004
1:29.398 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 2013


Sorry again for my mistake but I think I've proved my point now.

The thing is, I understand your result – yes, the time is a second slower than 9 years ago. I just don't understand your conclusion. What is this meant to demonstrate? Should we feel happy, sad, or indifferent to this?

Personally, I feel indifferent, I couldn't, frankly, give two shits if the pole lap 9 years ago was a second faster or if the pole lap 18 years ago was a second slower.

[turbof1]

Given the massive clampdowns on cars concerning aero and engine, it is quite remarkable the time is only 1,13% slower.

[beelsebob]

Given the massive clampdowns on cars concerning aero and engine, it is quite remarkable the time is only 1,13% slower.

Agreed, the technological challenge is massively harder now. It's amazing that the cars are as fast as they are given the design constraints.

Say to someone in 1980 that they're only allowed to use a 2.4l V8, and that they're only allowed very narrow cars, and very narrow tyres, and the rear wings can't be too wide, and they'd likely build something that was 100% slower than the current cars.

[SiLo]

I think we can see the increase in downforce has given them speed in different parts of the race track, whereas they used to be seriously fast in a straight line (still are) what they lack in power compared to the V10 days they gain back in downforce so it's generally quite similar. Now imagine the V10 era with 2010/2011 downforce levels...

[Steven]

Perhaps it would be good to check what rule changes and innovations have had an impact on Formula One's speed over the years. Fortunately, I have done the work for you

2000-2009 http://www.f1technical.net/articles/27
2010-2019 http://www.f1technical.net/articles/12497

EDIT: drop a mail if you find anything missing!

[xpensive]

Perhaps it would be good to check what rule changes and innovations have had an impact on Formula One's speed over the years. Fortunately, I have done the work for you
...

Close your eyes and imagine 1981 downforce, 1986 power and 1993 suspension, all in the same car.

[krisfx]

Perhaps it would be good to check what rule changes and innovations have had an impact on Formula One's speed over the years. Fortunately, I have done the work for you
...

Close your eyes and imagine 1981 downforce, 1986 power and 1993 suspension, all in the same car.

I wanna see 2008 aero with KERS, DRS and slicks combined with the V10's from 2004 and ground effect combined with active suspension.

That might be a bit daft, but who cares? =D

[krisfx]

The thing is, I understand your result – yes, the time is a second slower than 9 years ago. I just don't understand your conclusion. What is this meant to demonstrate? Should we feel happy, sad, or indifferent to this?

Personally, I feel indifferent, I couldn't, frankly, give two shits if the pole lap 9 years ago was a second faster or if the pole lap 18 years ago was a second slower.

I feel the same. One second over the distance of 2.8 miles is pretty damn impressive, not to mention weather differences, track surface differences. I'm pretty sure the 04 slicks were grippier and harder wearing as well as being tailored(maybe?) to the Ferrari. Don't just pluck two laptimes out of the air and read from them.

[mnmracer]

1 second seems like a lot on paper, and trust me, I get equally annoyed by the premise of "the evil FIA" slowing down the pinnacle of motorsports. But then, I also just get a kick out of the designers in Formula 1 taking that challenge, flipping them the bird, and overcoming the restrictions within usually 2 or 3 years.