2020 F1 News and Prediction Tournament

[PeteC]

Mercedes steering device to be banned by FIA from 2021 . ( See above related story)

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/51584557

A one season window. Let's see if any other teams decide to use it, and if it really is a benefit proven by upcoming races.

[sateeb]

A taster to the upcoming F1 season.

A no holds barred look inside the teams and drivers. Season 2 drops on Netflix on Friday

[PeteC]

Mercedes say new car is 'a big step forward' from 2019 edition

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/51607740

[PeteC]

This one may be far from over.....

Formula 1: Ferrari engine investigation sparks 'anger' from rivals

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/51688538

Formula 1 teams are considering next steps after some were left "shocked" and "angry" by the conclusion to last year's Ferrari engine controversy.

Governing body the FIA said it had "reached a settlement" with Ferrari after an investigation into their 2019 engine.

Teams have expressed their unhappiness at what they see as an unsatisfactory and opaque decision.

They are considering their responses to the verdict.

No teams were prepared to express their views on the record, but some did so on condition of anonymity.

They are concerned that the FIA's attempt to draw a line under the matter does not make it clear whether Ferrari's engine was legal at all times last year or not.

A FIA statement issued on Friday said it had concluded a "thorough technical investigation" into the Ferrari engine and that "the specifics of the agreement (reached) remain between the parties".

The statement added that "the FIA and Scuderia Ferrari have agreed to a number of technical commitments that will improve the monitoring of all Formula 1 power-units for forthcoming championship seasons".

Teams believe fundamental questions are raised by the way the FIA has chosen to end the Ferrari investigation:

- Does the lack of punitive action against Ferrari mean that the car was legal at all times in 2019?

- If so, why not say so? Why the need for a "settlement", and what was that settlement?

- What confidence can teams have in F1 if the FIA is not able to conclude a technical investigation without saying whether the car in question was legal or not?

Ferrari declined to comment beyond the specifics of the FIA statement. The FIA was not immediately available for further comment.

The issue arose during last season when rivals - particularly Red Bull and Mercedes - began to have doubts about the level of superiority of the Ferrari car in straight-line speed.

Discontent rumbled throughout much of the season and the issue came to a head at the US Grand Prix in October when the FIA issued a rules clarification in response to a detailed series of questions from Red Bull.

These centred on whether it was possible to interfere with the mandatory fuel-flow meter in ways that made it bypass the regulation limit of 100kg per hour.

The FIA clarification made it clear that any intervention with the mandatory fuel-flow meter that could lead it to exceed the maximum permitted fuel flow would be against the rules.

In F1's complex turbo-hybrid engines, the fuel-flow limit works to promote efficiency and is effectively a ceiling on the amount of power an engine can produce.

It means teams cannot increase power simply by increasing the rate of fuel flow through the engine, and must do so instead via efficiency savings, in other words increasing the amount of power extracted from the available fuel by advances in the engine/hybrid system.

The FIA clarification was issued on the morning of qualifying in Austin, and later that day a run of six consecutive Ferrari pole positions came to an end. The team did not set a pole position in any of the remaining two races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi either.

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said the two matters were not related, and that apparent differences in the car's straight-line performance seen by rivals were caused by the team changing the way they ran it and adding more downforce and therefore drag.

[PeteC]

Seven teams write to FIA over Ferrari engine controversy

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/51762454

[pharvey]

Seven teams write to FIA over Ferrari engine controversy

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/51762454

This is a big one - and Ferrari have got away with too much for too long IMHO. Admittedly they are the "long termers" and have been with F1 from day one - however the preferential treatment goes a little too far.

[PeteC]

Bahrain Grand Prix: Fans banned because of coronavirus

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/51789298

[pharvey]

Totally forgot the 2020 F1 Competition kicks off this weekend.....

[PeteC]

Yes, reminder emails from Superbru should be arriving on Thursday. Normal schedule as far as I'm aware; practice 1-2 on Friday, practice 3 and qualifying on Saturday, race on Sunday.

[pharvey]

Yes, reminder emails from Superbru should be arriving on Thursday. Normal schedule as far as I'm aware; practice 1-2 on Friday, practice 3 and qualifying on Saturday, race on Sunday.

Maybe not....

"Three Formula One team members have been placed into isolation amid concerns they may have contracted the coronavirus, as the decision to go ahead with the Australian Grand Prix comes under renewed fire. One member from McLaren and two from the Haas teams were evaluated at the circuit’s isolation unit, established by F1, after showing fever symptoms at the track.

The team members have been tested for the virus and placed under self-isolation at their hotels. There will be significant concern if their tests return positive as they have been mixing in the paddock while carrying the virus, potentially seriously escalating the threat of the coronavirus preventing the grand prix taking place."

Full Story: - https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/ ... irus-fears

[pharvey]

Further, on the above what would be the cost implications of cancelling this event? Or for that matter continuing behind closed doors?

Personally, I think figures would be mind-blowing. What does it cost an F1 Team to transport cars, equipment, personnel? Huge loss in revenue for the venue itself, loss in revenue for local businesses.... Will local businesses (i.e. hotels) give any refunds? What if you booked a package tour for the event - any refunds or is this classed as an "Act of God" (as insurance companies love to use).......

A little off subject, but worth the mention.

[Big Boy]

Will local businesses (i.e. hotels) give any refunds? What if you booked a package tour for the event - any refunds or is this classed as an "Act of God" (as insurance companies love to use).......

A little off subject, but worth the mention.

Staying off subject, but we've just been involved in something similar here in Thailand. We were due to travel with some of my son's athletes to the Thailand Youth Games held in Trat later this month. 25,000 athletes plus hangers on were due to travel for the 2 week festival. Of course it has been cancelled. I would hope in the current crisis, everybody booked their accommodation as we did with free cancellation, which has been honoured. The economic knock on to the town is unthinkable. Likewise I imagine a similar situation with the Moto GP in Buriram. This is going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

[sateeb]

Coronavirus: McLaren out of Australian Grand Prix after team member tests positive

McLaren have withdrawn from this weekend's season-opening Australian Grand Prix after a team member tested positive for coronavirus.

McLaren said the infected team member was now self-isolating in Australia.

The manufacturer added its choice to withdraw was "based on a duty of care" to F1 stakeholders.

The coronavirus outbreak, now declared a pandemic, has led to widespread disruption of sporting fixtures around the world.

Full story at BBC Sport

[sateeb]

Coronavirus: Australian Grand Prix called off!!

The Australian Grand Prix has been called off, two senior Formula 1 sources have told BBC Sport.

There has been no official confirmation from F1 or governing body the FIA but the news follows a McLaren team member testing positive for coronavirus.

The situation rapidly developed throughout Thursday night in Melbourne and an announcement that the race will not take place is now expected.

The decision throws into doubt the rest of the Formula 1 season.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/51849163

[PeteC]

This virus is sucking the life out of people in more ways than one!

Any further announcements from Superbru going forward about future races I'll post here.