FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[McLaren Fan]

... and we have more gurning from Ferrari.

From autosport.com:

Todt says new ECU benefits McLaren

Monday, January 7th 2008, 13:53 GMT

McLaren are at a clear advantage this year because they built the electronic system which all Formula One teams must now use, Ferrari chief executive Jean Todt said on Monday.

The SECU (Standard Electronic Control Unit) produced by McLaren Electronic Systems is a major development for the new season, which starts on March 16 in Melbourne.

"We would have preferred that the single control unit for all Formula One teams was built by another company. We must accept the fact that McLaren with Microsoft put forward the most economic proposal," Todt told reporters.

"It is clear it is a situation to monitor. But it is obvious that, at least at the start, McLaren will have an advantage in the championship," added the Frenchman, who has handed the reins of the racing team to Stefano Domenicali while he remains boss of the company.

The rivalry between the two teams was extremely heated in 2007 with the Italian outfit becoming constructors champions after McLaren were stripped of all their points for a spying scandal involving sensitive Ferrari information.

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen also beat McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso to the driver's title by one point. Alonso has since returned to Renault.

The new Ferrari F2008 car was given its first run out by Raikkonen at the team's Maranello base on Monday with the Finn managing 20 odd laps without any problems.

The track was slightly damp and provided an early challenge for Raikkonen given Formula One cars have no traction control this season.

What a bitter old fart. Here's to another fixed championship.

[darwin dali]

He is absolutely right and it's curious this hasn't been a bigger talking point yet, though others (MT, FB, e.g.) have voiced their concerns before. No, no, there is no special relationship between McLaren and the manufacturer - McLaren IS the manufacturer!!! This is the heart of engine management and they gave the production of the heart to a competing team that was caught cheating - how ridiculous!

[8-ball]

you can see his point. if ferrari built the system with microsoft you would all be complaining that its biased in favour of ferrari

[McLaren Fan]

Whilst I would have preferred the FIA didn't give it to McLaren from the outset, and that McLaren sold it on, lest there be another spying or cheating scandal, the fact is McLaren Electronic Systems and Microsoft have given all the teams the data they need, ample time to digest it, and are willing to answer any queries any team may have. If Ferrari have any questions about the SECU all they to do is ask. Ferrari and the FIA cannot be allowed to use this against McLaren for the sake of it or, half way through the season and Ferrari are being tanked by the others, suddenly claim McLaren have done something wrong, and seek to disrupt the team.

[darwin dali]

They'd have to prove it, which could be difficult...

[Jabberwocky]

I am sure whoever won the contract would of been linked to one F1 team or another

[Stephen]

I am sure whoever won the contract would of been linked to one F1 team or another

Exactly, I don't know exactly where that article is going - except to stir up more political crap ahead of 2008 (let it not be like 2007 please). Even McLaren were against the idea of the standard ECU back in November - http://www.forumula1.com/2007/f1/f1-new ... -new-ecus/

With the FIA watching McLaren the way they are, as well as the problems faced by all teams in including this new component, I can't see them having an advantage. If Ferrari were stumped by a little box of electronics, they would be out of business years ago.

[Jabberwocky]

I am sure that all the teams were given the full technical spec of the ECU, I can not see them getting them in to post one day with a post it note saying, "Here you go, Love Max" and nothing else. I am also sure that there will be some adjustment in the parameters also, I can not see it being a one chip suits all type affare

[mooker]

I wonder if this means that the new Ferrari isn't as quick as they were hoping and they're getting their excuses in early.

[racechick]

Sounds like it. Todt is a bad sportsman and doesnt care how he wins. Ferrari had a whopping advantage when the single tyres came in, didnt hear him talking about it then

[McLaren Fan]

They'd have to prove it, which could be difficult...

That wouldn't stand in the way of Ferrari or the FIA. They've shown since the late '80s that they're a law unto themselves.

I am sure that all the teams where given the full technical spec of the ECU.

They definitely were, and a long time ago at that.

Sounds like it. Todt is a bad sportsman and doesnt care how he wins. Ferrari had a whopping advantage when the single tyres came in, didnt hear him talking about it then

That sort of implies McLaren have an advantage, which they don't. None of the information is being held from teams, they've had this data for a very long time, and they can have all their queries answered. Besides, with the FIA hanging over McLaren like the grim reaper, it would insane for McLaren to try to pull a fast one.

[texasmr2]

I think if it was any other team other than McLaren these concern's would be less significant. I would expect the same concern's from McLaren if it was Ferrari who had partnered with Microsoft for the ecu. This whole thing could have been avoided by having more F1 team's involved or if it had been farmed out to an entity who is not so directly involved with F1 aka an actual team much less a front-runner.

The McLaren camp and it's supporter's can biatch all they want about Ferrari having concern's, it's something that is expected , but to biatch over a team's concern's who is a title contender? I think Ferrari's concern is justified.

[McLaren Fan]

I think if it was any other team other than McLaren these concern's would be less significant. I would expect the same concern's from McLaren if it was Ferrari who had partnered with Microsoft for the ecu. This whole thing could have been avoided by having more F1 team's involved or if it had been farmed out to an entity who is not so directly involved with F1 aka an actual team much less a front-runner.

The McLaren camp and it's supporter's can biatch all they want about Ferrari having concern's, it's something that is expected , but to biatch over a team who is a title contender? I think Ferrari's concern is justified.

Blame the FIA, again. As I've pretty much proven, McLaren have hidden nothing and would be extremely stupid to even try. The reason any concerns exist is because of the FIA going for the cheapest deal. They could have spent a small percentage more cash and got somebody who was at least slightly more independent but they decided that saving a few quid was better than protecting the sport. I could see this coming long before the spy scandal was even mentioned. Ferrari hate McLaren, McLaren hate Ferrari, and in the high pressure world of Formula One, some people need excuses for under achievement...

[7UpJordan]

I think Todt shouldn't be counting all of his chickens before they hatch, what if Ferrari go off and dominate like the did in 2002 and 2004? He won't be complaining then.

[texasmr2]

I think if it was any other team other than McLaren these concern's would be less significant. I would expect the same concern's from McLaren if it was Ferrari who had partnered with Microsoft for the ecu. This whole thing could have been avoided by having more F1 team's involved or if it had been farmed out to an entity who is not so directly involved with F1 aka an actual team much less a front-runner.

The McLaren camp and it's supporter's can biatch all they want about Ferrari having concern's, it's something that is expected , but to biatch over a team who is a title contender? I think Ferrari's concern is justified.

Blame the FIA, again. As I've pretty much proven, McLaren have hidden nothing and would be extremely stupid to even try. The reason any concerns exist is because of the FIA going for the cheapest deal. They could have spent a small percentage more cash and got somebody who was at least slightly more independent but they decided that saving a few quid was better than protecting the sport. I could see this coming long before the spy scandal was even mentioned. Ferrari hate McLaren, McLaren hate Ferrari, and in the high pressure world of Formula One, some people need excuses for under achievement...

Hmmm I see no mention of the FIA directly in my post as to the reason for McLaren being chosen?


I'll say it again incase everyone has forgotten the past 100 time's I said it, I dont hate McLaren I'm just sick and tired of the McLaren fan's incesent whining and crying.



Under achievement???? If you meant Ferrari, which I know you did, take a look at who has the WCC and WDC for 2007!


OK no more pic's !