[Official] Round 11: German Grand Prix

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Andrew2001

Guys, what depressed me was the helicopter shot going down the old track...the grass and bush that is growing in place of where it is, but you can still see where the track was ,the chicanes, so depressing.

I noticed that, a real shame.

I heard that the on going deficit of €5.3 million per race had to be covered by local taxes, making it likely the contract between Hockenheim and FOM would not be extended after the 2010 GP.

However, it transpires the contract for the circuit to hold the German GP has been extended to 2018, with FOA agreeing to cover any losses the event incurs.

[MCWB]

Originally Posted by phoenix

It looks like Sutil, rather than Glock, who has been given a grid penalty.....

Why not both? Sutil got a 5-placer, Glock got two 5-placers.

[Rgms320]

Originally Posted by E.B

Haven't they got their 'afterburner technology' that ensures continuity of airflow from exhaust when off throttle, thus not losing the downforce as they lift off in the corner.

So we can look forward to a couple of blown engines from Ferrari, then.

Actually, I thought this was a necessary mode of operation when running a blown diffuser, and I would guess that all the teams running them are operating their engines in this manner.

Originally Posted by Fox89

Well they've had good pace since Valencia, they've just wasted it. My gut tells me one driver from each of the top three teams on the podium tomorrow, although I wouldn't dream of guessing at the order!

Good point. But it seems to me they've found something extra this weekend.

Many thanks for the responses, folks!

Tom

[Rgms320]

Originally Posted by E.B

Haven't they got their 'afterburner technology' that ensures continuity of airflow from exhaust when off throttle, thus not losing the downforce as they lift off in the corner.

By golly, I think you've put your finger on it. I did some looking around and found the following article that confirms this is the first weekend Ferrari has run the new engine management system:

http://en.espnf1.com/ferrari/motorsp...ory/24089.html

And doing a Google search on 'blown diffuser engine management' returns a number of citations discussing this.

Many thanks!

Tom

[fourWheelDrift]

Originally Posted by Rgms320

By golly, I think you've put your finger on it. I did some looking around and found the following article that confirms this is the first weekend Ferrari has run the new engine management system:

http://en.espnf1.com/ferrari/motorsp...ory/24089.html

And doing a Google search on 'blown diffuser engine management' returns a number of citations discussing this.

Many thanks!

Tom

My understanding is that while it's great for qualifying the special engine map uses too much fuel and creates too much heat to run in the race so in race trim the driver has to learn to drive around the loss of downforce when he lifts off the throttle while still making the best of the extra downforce when it is available. This might also explain why RBR have often been even stronger in qually than in the race this year.

[Rgms320]

Originally Posted by fourWheelDrift

My understanding is that while it's great for qualifying the special engine map uses too much fuel and creates too much heat to run in the race so in race trim the driver has to learn to drive around the loss of downforce when he lifts off the throttle while still making the best of the extra downforce when it is available. This might also explain why RBR have often been even stronger in qually than in the race this year.

That makes a lot of sense.

I read an article on this not too long ago (can't find it for the life of me) that discussed the exhaust valve and head overtemp problem. It didn't mention excessive fuel consumption, but that occurred to me, too.

I didn't think about them running this qually-only. It will be interesting to see their race pace.

Well, it would be interesting to see their race pace if this wasn't another )(*&)(*%*&^%^ tape delay! Grrrrrrr....

Thanks!

Tom

[Marbot]

Has anyone one else noticed that the Hockenheim circuit layout is shaped like a watering can?

[Knowlesy]

It is an OK track. There will always be the sadness of that unique old circuit, but it does hold some good races and the stadium section remains excellent.

I only wish they were scrabbling round those last few corners with low downforce again!

[Fox89]

It is an OK track. There will always be the sadness of that unique old circuit, but it does hold some good races and the stadium section remains excellent

If they'd just put some greenery around the new version it would be a brilliant track!

[SSbaby]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

It is an OK track. There will always be the sadness of that unique old circuit, but it does hold some good races and the stadium section remains excellent.

I only wish they were scrabbling round those last few corners with low downforce again!

I always love Martin Brundle's technical analysis (as distinct from his personal biases )... in which he described the new layout as more a driver's circuit than a car circuit i.e. driver with the best power, aero and brakes usually dominated at Hockenheim. The corners introduced, place more emphasis on driver control and car set-up.

Another point from Brundle, I noticed during the BBC coverage, was the feedback to the engineers from qualifying, from Sutil... which was quite underwhelming (Brundle's frank opinion). He related the comments to Schumacher's assessment in which he'd normally identify the corner, the type of imbalance, and thereby dissect the corner into 4 parts and explain how the car behaves in each part. I guess that's the difference between a great driver and just a quick driver.

Can't wait for the race tonight. Should be a fantastic duel b/w RBR and Ferrari's now that the Ferrari's on the pace... with both McLaren's snapping at their heels. Bring it on!!!

[strider]

Why is EJ wearing two watches? One bloody enormous one and another that looks like a girl's. I think we should be told.

[frostie]

Originally Posted by SSbaby

Can't wait for the race tonight. Should be a fantastic duel b/w RBR and Ferrari's now that the Ferrari's on the pace... with both McLaren's snapping at their heels. Bring it on!!!

Qualli was great yesterday and the race should be a fantastic battle, Alonso has had pace lately-Canada and Valencia especially-so hopefully he can keep himself out of trouble and battle Vettel for the win

[Pingguest]

The first lap could give us firework with all those F-ducts and the hairpin.

[Lancsbreaker]

Wait for it!

[bjohnsonsmith]

Ferrari 1&2

[ralf fan]

That was naughty from Vettel. Sending Alonso to the wall and costing himself 2 spots instead of 1.

[manwell]

Once again Vettel worries too much about blocking the driver beside him that he loses more places. If he had have gone straight at the start he would have been in 2nd not 3rd.
Unfortunately this seems to be a familiar trait with Vettel.
No wonder Webber is RBR's No.1

[bjohnsonsmith]

Webber got the bum steer on the pit stop.

[broadrun96]

Anybody have a good justin.tv link for the race today? Not getting a good feed from a different site here.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Nice driving from Masa, showing Alonso how it's done.

[Sodemo]

Massa V Alonso, nice little fight.

[strider]

If Alonso allows himself to get frustrated now, he'll blow it.

[Super Hans]

Fascinating struggle at the front, not just for the lead, but for supremacy at the scuderia.

[Bononi]

What did Alonso say on the radio ???

[ralf fan]

Rob Smedley is back on. Massa will win.