Is STR doomed to losing ground?

[Bluewolf]

As the year progresses and V8 teams have their engines continually developed with one result being higher revs -- Is STR doomed to lose ground stuck as they are at 16,500???

[Dutton]

It would make sense.

I guess it depends on what they can do with the car.

[Suze]

Possible, but it depends what they can do to maximise their potential as well. However it could happen.

[BootsOntheSide]

With young inexperienced drivers they have potential to improve in that area, but both the chassis and engine have been in use for a year and have probably reached their development limit. It would be intersting to see them apply to the FIA for extra revs later in the season once some of the other teams are running rleiably at higher revs.

[Suze]

Hehe that's going to go down soooo well!

[SALEEN S7R]

Indeed, it will be umm "interesting" to see what the other team managers have to say if Midland do ask the FIA for a larger air restrictor in the latter half of the 2006 season. As things are the Midland cars still look pretty fast in a straight line, they are losing speed more on the cars areodynamics rather than because of a poor enigne. Until this changes and the cars are visibily slower than the V8's down the straights I think things will stay as they are.

[SALEEN S7R]

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

Indeed, it will be umm "interesting" to see what the other team managers have to say if Midland do ask the FIA for a larger air restrictor in the latter half of the 2006 season. As things are the Midland cars still look pretty fast in a straight line, they are losing speed more on the cars areodynamics rather than because of a poor enigne. Until this changes and the cars are visibily slower than the V8's down the straights I think things will stay as they are.

Whoops Ive just noticed that Ive been putting "Midland" where I meant to put "Scuderia Torro Rosso".

[avsfan733]

They seem to be in need of cranking on more downforce. If they do it and look slower they're sure to get alightly loser rules on the engine side. make it look like chassis improvements and that the engine is lacking.

In the long run though they are gonna be in trouble. Teams will develop and because the engines are new (and already fast) there is likely to be a lot of big development strides to come

[Super Hans]

As the other teams develop their V8 engines, STR are bound to lose ground, and I doubt that the FIA will risk the sizeable backlash that would occur should they decide to alter the V10 equivalency formula in STR's favour.

Given their unpopular use of V10 engines, I can't imagine that their slide down the order will cause tears to well up in their rivals' eyes.

[kipper]

Originally Posted by Super Hans

As the other teams develop their V8 engines, STR are bound to lose ground, and I doubt that the FIA will risk the sizeable backlash that would occur should they decide to alter the V10 equivalency formula in STR's favour.

I would agree that Toro Rosso will gradually fall to the back of the midfield battle as the season progresses (although I can't imagine Aguri or MF1 being ahead of them). Having said that rules covering V8s and V10s refers to an equivalency formula. Therefore, the case can be made that the rev limit should be increased at intervals throughout the season in order for STR to maintain their current place in the pecking order, although I can't see it happening.

[Suze]

Originally Posted by Super Hans

As the other teams develop their V8 engines, STR are bound to lose ground, and I doubt that the FIA will risk the sizeable backlash that would occur should they decide to alter the V10 equivalency formula in STR's favour.

I don't think the FIA can afford to, there's been enough of an outcry already about STR being able to use the restricted engines / Minardi etc etc.