FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

Mosley says grooves could stay in F1

By Jonathan Noble Thursday, December 13th 2007, 11:02 GMT


FIA president Max Mosley has warned teams that unless planned new aerodynamic rules for 2009 do dramatically cut cornering speeds then a return to slick tyres will be abandoned.

Slick tyres are pencilled in to replace grooved rubber from the start of 2009, when new rules that should drastically cut downforce are also due to come into force.

But Mosley has made it clear that if the 2009 aero rules are not a success in making cars slower, then the FIA will simply stick with grooved rubber.

"The theory is: much less downforce and more mechanical grip should improve the racing and overtaking," Mosley told Autosport.

"If it turns out that the promised reduction in downforce hasn't happened and the cornering speeds go up, we'll just put the grooves back in.

"We don't want to do that, but sometimes we've been promised by the aerodynamicists a 50 percent reduction in downforce and it doesn't materialize. Then the speeds rocket up again. We've got the answer if we have to."

Formula One teams tried out slick tyres during last week's test at Jerez, with drivers pretty happy with their experience of the experimental Bridgestone rubber.

Quelle Surprise!

[deMuRe]

Another business decision ruining the racing!

Sponsors don't want blood on their hands so they have to slow the cars down...

[texasmr2]

Quelle Surprise!

+ 1000000000000000000 !

[8-ball]

i'm not to concerned with speed if it increases overtaking and i think that is what is trying to be acconplished with these slicks.

[Martin]

From autosport.com:

Mosley says grooves could stay in F1

By Jonathan Noble Thursday, December 13th 2007, 11:02 GMT


FIA president Max Mosley has warned teams that unless planned new aerodynamic rules for 2009 do dramatically cut cornering speeds then a return to slick tyres will be abandoned.

Slick tyres are pencilled in to replace grooved rubber from the start of 2009, when new rules that should drastically cut downforce are also due to come into force.

But Mosley has made it clear that if the 2009 aero rules are not a success in making cars slower, then the FIA will simply stick with grooved rubber.

"The theory is: much less downforce and more mechanical grip should improve the racing and overtaking," Mosley told Autosport.

"If it turns out that the promised reduction in downforce hasn't happened and the cornering speeds go up, we'll just put the grooves back in.

"We don't want to do that, but sometimes we've been promised by the aerodynamicists a 50 percent reduction in downforce and it doesn't materialize. Then the speeds rocket up again. We've got the answer if we have to."

Formula One teams tried out slick tyres during last week's test at Jerez, with drivers pretty happy with their experience of the experimental Bridgestone rubber.

Quelle Surprise!

If the aero rules don't work then change the aero rules - not the tyres. Slicks will definitely be an improvement and lower down force will reduce dirty air. If the aerodynamocists find a way to increase down force under the new rules, which is their job after all, then the rules will need to be changed. High down force, however achieved, does increase dirty air, so the new rules must be well written to start with.
More overtaking opportunities is good for everyone in the sport (except those being overtaken I suppose!! )

[deMuRe]

Agreed Martin, did anyone catch Martin Brundle say a few years ago on ITV that a few Airforce engineers have approached the FIA and showed them countless ways to reduce downforce on an F1 car? Apparently it can be done quite easily.

The ideas were thrown out the window because it would reduce advertising space too much...

[Martin]

Agreed Martin, did anyone catch Martin Brundle say a few years ago on ITV that a few Airforce engineers have approached the FIA and showed them countless ways to reduce downforce on an F1 car? Apparently it can be done quite easily.

The ideas were thrown out the window because it would reduce advertising space too much...

I didn't see it but I read about it. Surely, much of the downforce comes from the wings doesn't it? There is not much advertising on a wing is there? If the main bodywork produces too much down force maybe a compulsory 'wing' that pushes some air under the car. There must be a way, advertising is important but must not dominate the sport to this extent.

[deMuRe]

Agreed Martin, did anyone catch Martin Brundle say a few years ago on ITV that a few Airforce engineers have approached the FIA and showed them countless ways to reduce downforce on an F1 car? Apparently it can be done quite easily.

The ideas were thrown out the window because it would reduce advertising space too much...

I didn't see it but I read about it. Surely, much of the downforce comes from the wings doesn't it? There is not much advertising on a wing is there? If the main bodywork produces too much down force maybe a compulsory 'wing' that pushes some air under the car. There must be a way, advertising is important but must not dominate the sport to this extent.

You're speaking a lot of sense...

[McLaren Fan]

I think the solution to the problem is very simple: remove all the satellite aerials, solar panels and other contraptions strapped to the side of the cars, leaving only a front and rear wing and barge boards. That would severely chop levels of downforce, make the cars more attractive and reduce the amount of dirty air behind the cars. Bringing back slicks will put the focus on mechanical grip. Together these will be a big help. As ever with the FIA, there has to be red tape and a total lack of common sense.

[texasmr2]

I think the solution to the problem is very simple: remove all the satellite aerials, solar panels and other contraptions strapped to the side of the cars, leaving only a front and rear wing and barge boards. That would severely chop levels of downforce, make the cars more attractive and reduce the amount of dirty air behind the cars. Bringing back slicks will put the focus on mechanical grip. Together these will be a big help. As ever with the FIA, there has to be red tape and a total lack of common sense.

Just like the good old day's, I'm all for that idea.

[7UpJordan]

Well I'm hardly surprised Mad Max has come out and said he'd rather stick with the grooved tyres. What an IDIOT!!

[vegas]

Well I'm hardly surprised Mad Max has come out and said he'd rather stick with the grooved tyres. What an IDIOT!!

Thats not what he said at all, he said "We don't want to do that" They want slicks but with less down force on the cars to "improve the racing and overtaking". I'm all for his theory.

[bud]

Mechanical grip is where F1 will see more overtaking. aero is killing f1. big slicks little wings = happy fan

[piledriver]

That would be nice. The grooved tires they use now are already almost slicks imo.