F1 2008 Megathread

[Ponyboy]

In an effort to keep all the F1 news in a central location for resident F1 fans, welcome to the introductory NSXPrime Formula 1 thread for the 2008 season. Much of the info below was gleaned from various sites.

There are a lot of changes from what was expected this season was going to be like, a large volume of personnel shifts, still no 12th team because customer cars are not allowed, the “Minardi” team has once again changed hands, and (as of this post) for the first time in 16 years, there will not be a Schumacher driving in the field. Last season, we had every emotion possible, some caused by drivers, some caused by engineers, and others caused by the weather. After all of that, I don’t think anyone has any predictions because ’07 was just too crazy.

This seasons schedule will once again kick off in Australia, but even the ’08 schedule has been touched by the curse of the ’07 season. Some assumed that the US could have two Grand Prix’s this season with a possible road race in Las Vegas, and now, there isn’t even going to be a USGP. On top of that, who would have thought that Formula One could have a night race, and now Singapore will host the very first one, on a street circuit none the less!

The 2008 Calendar 9 months and 18 Events
March 16th -Melbourne, Australian Grand Prix
March 23rd -Sepang, Malaysian Grand Prix
April 6th -Sakhir, Grand Prix of Bahrain
April 27th -Barcelona, Spanish Grand Prix
May 11th -Istanbul, Turkish Grand Prix
May 25th -Monaco, Grand Prix of Monaco
June 8th -Montreal, Canadian Grand Prix
June 22nd -Magny-Cours, French Grand Prix
July 6th -Silverstone, British Grand Prix
July 20th -Hockenheim, German Grand Prix
August 3rd -Hungaroring, Hungarian Grand Prix
August 24th -Valencia, European Grand Prix
September 7th -Spa-Francorchamps, Belgian Grand Prix
September 14th -Monza, Italian Grand Prix
September 28th -Singapore, Singapore Grand Prix
October 12th -Fuji Speedway, Japanese Grand Prix
October 19th -Shanghai, Chinese Grand Prix
November 2nd -Interlagos, Brazilian Grand Prix

Related Sites
Formula 1 Official Website
http://www.formula1.com/
http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/
http://www.itv-f1.com
http://www.dailyf1news.com
http://www.planetf1.com
http://www.speedtv.com
http://www.f1racing.net
http://www.grandprix.com
http://www.autosport.com
http://www.fia.com/sport/Championships/F1/F1_Season_Guide/2007.html

2008 Teams (Chassis-Engine) and Drivers (In order by 2007 team ranking, * indicates Rookie)

Ferrari
-Kimi Raikkonen
-Felipe Massa
-Michael Schumacher (test driver)

BMW Sauber
-Nick Heidfeld
-Robert Kubica

Renault
-Fernando Alonso
-Nelson Piquet Jr.*

Williams-Toyota
-Nico Rosberg
-Kazuki Nakajima*

Red Bull-Renault
-David Coulthard
-Mark Webber

Toyota
-Jarno Trulli
-Timo Glock*

Toro Rosso-Ferrari
-Sebastian Bourdais*
-Sebastian Vettel

Honda
-Jensen Button
-Rubens Barrichello

Super Aguri-Honda
-Takuma Sato
-Anthony Davidson

McLaren-Mercedes
-Lewis Hamilton
-Heikki Kovalainen

Force India F1-Ferrari*
-Adrian Sutil
-Giancarlo Fisichella

Interesting 2008 Sporting and Technical Regulations
NOTE: All information regarding the following regulations were sourced from the FIA websites posted Sporting and Technical Regulations which have been previously hyperlinked above.

Some of these regulations were in fact, in place for the previous season, and as they're discovered, they will be modified to represent so. Please feel free to contact me, and help me keep these "interesting regulations for '08" accurate and understandable in all shapes and forms.

Bodywork and Dimensions
What’s the skinny?:
-Article 3.3; The overall width of the car, including complete wheels, must not exceed 1800mm (previously 2000mm) with the steered wheels in the straight ahead position. Overall width will be measured when the car is fitted with tires inflated to 1.4 bar.
-Article 3.4.1; Bodywork width ahead of the rear wheel center line must not exceed 1400mm. (previously 1600mm)
These regulations were in effect in 2007.


An effort to stop cut tires:
-Article 3.4.2; The top and forward edges of the lateral extremities of any bodywork forward of the front wheels must be at least 10mm thick with a radius of at least 5mm. Providing it is include at an angle less than 60 degrees to the car center line, the forward edge of any horizontal part of the bodywork in these areas need not comply with these requirements.
This regulation was in effect in 2007.

Effort to control the spread of debris on track:
-Article 3.4.3; The outer skins of the front wing endplates and any turning vanes in the vicinity of the front wheels (and any similarly vulnerable bodywork parts in this area), must be made predominantly from materials which are included for the specific purpose of containing debris. The FIA must be satisfied that all such parts are constructed in order to achieve the stated objective.
This regulation was in effect in 2007.

A little more skinny:
-Article 3.5.1; Overall bodywork width behind the rear wheel center line must not exceed 1000mm. (previously 2000mm!)
This regulation was in effect in 2007.


Getting short:
-Article 3.6; No part of the bodywork may be more than 950mm above the reference plane. (previously 970mm)
This regulation was in effect in 2007.


Weight
Wait a tick, I thought you were getting skinnier!:
-Article 4.1; The weight of the car must not be less than 605kg at all times during the Event. (previously 550kg)
This regulation was in effect in 2007.


Engine
Oh my, I can fix stuff!?!
-Article 5.17; The following parts are not part of the homologated engine and may be changed without penalty: Clutch, Clutch basket, Throttle actuator, hydraulics and mechanical linkage, Trumpet tray, Hydraulic pumps, Ignition coils, Injection system, Engine electronic boxes (ECU’s, power modules, control boxes), Alternators, Fuel filters, Fuel pumps, Oil filters, Oil tank systems, Oil scavenging pumps, Oil supply pumps, Oil air separators, Water pumps, Pneumatic bottles, regulators, pumps and pipes for valve actuation, Exhaust systems, Electronic sensors, Cables, Hoses, Screws related to the auxiliaries mentioned above, Electrical looms, and Spark plugs.
This regulation was in effect in 2007.

Clutch Control
Sorry Renault, no more ripping starts
-Article 9.2.4; Designs or systems which in addition to typical inherent hydraulic and mechanical properties are designed to, or have the effect of, adjusting or otherwise influencing the amount, or rate, of engagement being demanded by the FIA ECU, are not permitted.
This regulation is new for 2008.

Traction Control
Massa better hope it doesn’t rain!
-Article 9.3; No car may be equipped with a system or device which is capable of preventing the driven wheels from spinning under power or of compensating for excessive throttle demand by the driver. Any device or system which notifies the driver of the onset of wheel spin is not permitted.
This regulation is new for 2008.

Clutch Disengagement
Let’s actually get that “N” button to work:
-Article 9.4; All cars must be fitted with a means of disengaging the clutch for a minimum of fifteen minutes in the event of the car coming to rest with the engine stopped. This system must be in working order throughout the Event even if the main hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical systems on the car have failed.
This regulation was in effect in 2007.

Gearboxes
Sporting Regulation 87a: Each driver may use no more than one gearbox for four consecutive Events in which his team competes. Should a driver use a replacement gearbox he will he will drop five places on the starting grid at that Event each time a further gearbox is used.
This regulation is new for 2008.


Gear Ratios
No fancy materials or dinky little gears:
-Article 9.6.2; No forward gear ration pair may be less than 12mm wide, less than 85mm between centers, and less than 600g in weight.
-Article 9.6.3; Gear ratios must be made from steel.
These regulations are new for 2008.

Reverse Gear
Hey, I can back up!!!!
-Article 9.7; All cars must have a reverse gear operable any time during the Event by the driver when the engine is running.
This regulation was in effect in 2007.

Torque Transfer Systems
No soup for you:
-Articles 9.8.1 and 9.8.2; Don’t bother, it’s not allowed in any way, shape, or form so stop asking.
This regulation was in effect in 2007.

Brake System
Let me get this straight. Not only do you want me to put on some poundage, you want me to shrink the disks too!?!
-Article 11.3.2; All discs must have a maximum thickness of 28mm and a maximum outside diameter of 278mm. (previously 28mm / 300mm) That’s 11 inch brakes people!
This regulation was in effect in 2007.

Wheels and Tires
Oh that’s just great! You’re gonna make me fat, shrink my discs, AND shrink my wheels!?! Why don’t you just require me to haul an elephant around the track!?!
-Article 12.4.1; Complete wheel width must lie between 305 and 355mm (previously 345 and 365mm) when fitted to the front of the car and between 365 and 380mm (previously 440 and 460mm) when fitted to the rear.
This regulation was in effect in 2007.

Sittin’ on dubs
-Article 12.4.2; Complete wheel diameter must not exceed 660mm (previously 640mm) when fitted with dry-weather tires or 670mm (previously 710mm) when fitted with wet-weather tires.
This regulation was in effect in 2007.

Woohoo, look at those sidewalls!
-Article 12.4.4; Wheel bead diameter must lie between 328 and 332mm (previously 354 and 358mm)
This regulation was in effect in 2007.

Supply of Tires
Hey now, without these blankets, the tire guy’s gonna be bored!
-Article 12.5.1; All tyres must be used as supplied by the manufacturer, any modification or treatment such as cutting, grooving. This applies to dry, wet and extreme-weather tyres.
This regulation is new for 2008. Pre-heating part has been removed.


Specification of Tires
Man, you’ve got a sole supplier, why can’t we lose these hideous grooves?
-Article 12.6.2; Each front dry-weather tire, when new, must incorporate 4 grooves….furthermore, the tread width of the front tires must not exceed 270mm.
-Article 12.6.3; Each rear dry-weather tire, when new, must incorporate 4 grooves.
These regulations are new for 2008.

At least I get a say in something!
-Article 12.6.6; Tire specifications will be determined by the FIA no later than 1 September of the previous season. Once determined in this way, the specification of the tires will not be changed during the Championship season without the agreement of all competing teams.
This regulation is new for 2008.

Survival Cell Specifications
Oh I see, you made me heavier, shrunk my wheels and brakes, made my tires less grippy and smaller, because I’m gonna be surrounded by armor!
-Article 15.4.7; “Add 16 layers of Zylon and 2 layers of carbon at least 6.2mm thick after you build the cell to 2007 specs.”
This regulation was in effect in 2007.

Impact Testing
Crash dummies get to have all the fun!
-Article 16.2; Frontal test…velocity impact of 15 meters/second (previously 14m/s)….peak deceleration over the first 60kJ energy absorption will not exceed 20g, average peak deceleration will not exceed 10g (previously 5g)
This regulation was in effect in 2007.

My back and my masseuse thank you:
-Article 16.4; Rear test….velocity impact of 11 meters/second (previously 15 m/s)….peak deceleration over the first 225mm of deformation does not exceed 20g (previously average not above 40g)….maximum deceleration does not exceed 20g (previously 60g) for more than 15ms.
This regulation was in effect in 2007.

Location and fitting of camera equipment
Honda’s areo team thanks you, they need all the help they can get
-Article 20.3.1; All cars must be equipped with five positions (down from 6)
This regulation was in effect in 2007.

Ever wonder what it’s like to look in a wiggling mirror at 300kph?
-Drawing 6; Camera locations are:
1 the mirrors facing rearward
2 above the front wing on the side of the nose
3 on the left and right side of the air box level with the intake
4 the traditional spot above the air box
5 on top of the car just in front of the windscreen
This regulation was in effect in 2007.

Qualifying
Back of the grid instead of a 10 spot penalty for engine changes:
-Sporting Regulation 86c; Should a driver use a replacement engine after the qualifying practice session he will be required to start the relevant race from the back of the starting grid in accordance with Article 130.
This regulation is new for 2008.


No more fuel burn off periods in Q3:
-Sporting Regulation 115c; From 14.45 to 15.00 (Q3) the ten remaining cars will be permitted on the track.
This regulation is new for 2008.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Formula 1 [fore-myuh-lh wuhn] noun:
1. A type of international auto racing; Grand prix racing
2. The world's most expensive parade
3. Internationally recognized proving ground for lawyers

Car Launch Dates:

Ferrari - Jan 6
BMW - Jan 14
Renault - Jan 31
Williams - no official car launch
Red Bull - Jan 16
Toyota - Jan 10
Toro Rosso - TBD
Honda - Jan 29
Super Aguri - Feb 19
Force India - TBD
McLaren Jan 7

062 Days, 07 Hours, 06 Minutes, 54 Seconds until the Austrialian GP!

The above info will be revised to reflect any changes. Credit goes to Spade of HT for the vast majority of this content.

 

[NSXF1]

Excellent post! Definitely Mega info.

Can't wait to here the F1 Engines without @#$%*&^ traction control.

I hope Ross can lift Honda out of their pit.

 

[NSXDreamer2]

Wait a minute, Night Race you say?? You have more info on that?

maybe I could google it.:wink:

 

[Ponyboy]

Yup, Singapore is hosting a night race...which should be awesome.

Here's what the track will look like. And the Singapore Grand Prix linkage here.

 

[CKS Papa]

Gearboxes
Sporting Regulation 87a: Each driver may use no more than one gearbox for four consecutive Events in which his team competes. Should a driver use a replacement gearbox he will he will drop five places on the starting grid at that Event each time a further gearbox is used.
This regulation is new for 2008.

Thanks for the post!
Gearboxes are getting pretty durable these days.

Speed going to televise most of these races again this year?
Anywhere I can see the TV schedule?

 

[Ponyboy]

I don't believe the Speed Channel has confirmed which races they'll be televising but I'm sure the schedule will be similiar to previous years: the majority of races on Speed, Fox will broadcast one, etc. IIRC, NBC/ABS/CBS showed the Monaco GP.

 

[BladesNSX]

This is truly going to be an exciting year for Formula One.

Is there ANY other medium I can use to watch my F1 races other than SPEED channel:frown:

I speculated that with loss of TC and ABS the Driver becomes an even more important factor for the team. I've heard a fellow avid F1 fan make claim that Certain drivers like Hamilton and Button will shine this year with the new changes to the car (Of course, this fellow F1 fan happens to be a Brit:biggrin: ) But I'm sure his opinion was entirely objective LOL. I can't help but smile since I love both racers:tongue:

 

[Ponyboy]

Is there ANY other medium I can use to watch my F1 races other than SPEED channel:frown:

Not in the US. I think F1 is on the major networks in Canada though. If Speed is unavailable or unwanted, you can always watch live timing and commentary directly from the official F1 site. In fact, I watch both in conjunction and know data, trends, problems, before it's announced on Speed or announced at all.

When I can't catch a race due to travel etc, I just watch it via live timing.

http://www.formula1.com/services/live_timing/

 

[ISONSX]

Yup, Singapore is hosting a night race...which should be awesome.

Here's what the track will look like. And the Singapore Grand Prix linkage here.

Shawn,
I know Singapore fairly well and go there about once per year on business (just cancelled a trip there next month) Need to find an excuse to get over there in late September for this. I would LOVE to see this.

 

[Ponyboy]

Shawn, I know Singapore fairly well and go there about once per year on business (just cancelled a trip there next month) Need to find an excuse to get over there in late September for this. I would LOVE to see this.

Nothing better than watching an F1 race on your employer's dime. Bring a client and share the fun. For instance, I can be your client.

In other F1 news:

Mercedes has refused to comment on a report that it is poised to take a majority share in McLaren.

A report in German magazine Auto Motor und Sport suggested that Daimler AG intends to boost its 40 percent stake in McLaren to a majority and has already agreed the main points of a deal.

The publication cited sources close to McLaren as saying talks with Daimler's Mercedes arm had been going on since October and a deal should be announced before the season starts in mid-March.

A spokesman for Mercedes motorsport would not confirm the report.

"The status quo has not changed at all. Daimler still holds 40 percent of the McLaren Group. We ask for your understanding that we will not comment on speculation beyond this," he said.

There has been regular speculation in recent years about Mercedes, who paid an estimated $400 million for their stake in 1999, taking control of McLaren.

Last January, Dennis and Saudi business partner Mansour Ojjeh announced they were selling half their stakes in the team to Bahrain's Mumtalakat Holding Company.

That left Mercedes with 40 percent, Mumtalakat with 30 and Dennis and Ojjeh with 15 percent each.

 

[BladesNSX]

Not in the US. I think F1 is on the major networks in Canada though. If Speed is unavailable or unwanted, you can always watch live timing and commentary directly from the official F1 site. In fact, I watch both in conjunction and know data, trends, problems, before it's announced on Speed or announced at all.

When I can't catch a race due to travel etc, I just watch it via live timing.

http://www.formula1.com/services/live_timing/

Cool! I will sign up for it...Hopefully it works. However "LIVE" means I gotta be up at 7am half the season LOL, my job has effectively made me NOT a morning person working late shifts for so many years. Tivo for the computer perhaps?:redface:

 

[92 white 0650]

Re: Winter time blues

Absolutely nothing of import going on but this little bit of fun.

On MS's latest attire:

One only has to look to Michael’s latest offering to realise all the money in the world, a vast collection of shiny pots and a giant ‘schloss’ really cant buy you fashion sense.

ROFL :tongue:

 

[Ponyboy]

hahahaha...great story. Yeah, Schuey has never been known for his fashion sense.

Nando (heretofore known as "Caterpillars") looks like a certain someone from "Where's Waldo?"

Wonder if ex-DC's trade clothing advice? Or if b/c they're an ex-DC a certain lack of fashion sense entitlement exists. :wink:

 

[92 white 0650]

Re: Waldo maybe, but a hoser for sure

Many times last season when he had such a dazed look on his face, I thought, "the hoser look is coming back !!"

 

[schuey1010]

Yeah, Schuey has never been known for his fashion sense.

Schuey doesn't need to be known for his fashion statement. With the money he has, I will say he can dress any damn way he chooses. :biggrin:

Even Frentzen's ex chick will agree as well I am sure.......

 

[Ponyboy]

Tech analysis of the RA108

One of the most critical new cars was rolled out for the first time today at Valencia. The new Honda RA108 is a new start for the team, after a dismal season in 2007 with a car that was unpredictable to drive.

Initially running in a white livery, the car is a major shift in design philosophy for the team. It sports conventional bargeboards and new sidepods and engine cover, while the wings are derived from developments made late last year.

Last year the car's problems were aerodynamic related, with the ca'rs balance shifting under braking and cornering. To rectify the problems Honda recruited several key new people to the team.

Firstly Loic Bigois, the French aerodynamicist who came from Williams, then Jorg Zander the ex-Toyota and BMW designer, and lastly and most importantly Ross Brawn from Ferrari. These signings will all shape Honda's new direction, but it's the first two engineers that have had time to influence the new car.

Jorg Zander's influence can be seen in the BMW Sauber-like detail around the engine cover. While Bigois was already at work earlier last year, his influence is most likely to be in detail and the way the actual car correlates to the wind tunnel data.

Although the car exhibits some BMW influence, it is still recognisably a Honda. Despite the team's dreadful 2007 car, there are elements that did not need a completely new approach. Perhaps the most important change in aero philosophy is the bargeboard set-up.

Honda have persevered with the forward bargeboard philosophy dating back to the first cars designed by Geoff Willis. While the advantages of large or small boards used to be considered marginal, it's now believed that the larger rear bargeboards are better at managing a consistent flow under the floor.

Thus the new car refers to the late season test car, which also sported large bargeboards. The new set-up uses a large rear board, with a stepped upper edge, ala Ferrari, plus a smaller simpler vane under the front suspension. In advance of the boards is the front wing derived from the late 2007 version, sporting three elements and hung from its middle flap.

The new wing is slightly different in its trailing edge shape and the tips being raised slightly. Unlike many 2008 designs. Honda have kept the nose tip very high, this makes packaging a bridge wing difficult, so it will be interesting to see Honda now take on the extra upper wing element.

Although the underside of the nose cone appears drooped, it is actually near horizontal. This is confused by the black paint on the noses underside.

The front suspension appears to be heavily revised, with the lower wishbone attached nearer the sides of the monocoque than underneath and the upper wishbone apparently spaced out from the side of the tub, both aiming to improve the geometry.

Around the middle, the sidepods bear little resemblance to the outgoing RA108, the fronts are deeply under cut and the pod wings are much smaller. Unlike last year the pod winsg are no longer connected to the chimneys and sport a slot in the endplate.

The chimney itself is smaller and carries a simple T-wing. It's cooling function is supplemented by a row of louvers, over what appears to be repositioned radiators, now angled facing up rather than sideways.

Along the sidepos the flip-up is in a higher, more conventional position and the exhausts have been re-sited backwards to exit over the gearbox as BMW have adopted for several years.

Also apeing BMW-Sauber design is the engine cover fin, which is taller than the rules demand, nearly reaching the rear wing at its rear edge.

The new car is a logical direction change for the team. At this stage the car will be underdeveloped compared to other teams, who have years to optimise the flow structures created by this format of aerodynamics.

 

[areout]

Um...I like white but thats too much of white.

 

[NSXLuvr]

Great Thread. Should be a great F1 season!!

Schuey is a test driver?? - wow how did I miss that. Good to see Davidson getting a ride and also to see Bourdais try to compete against some big dogs.

 

[92 white 0650]

Um...I like white but thats too much of white.

I liked it on my NSX with white wheels, but for those who don't, a modified earth livery will be back. When's the unveiling, next week?

As for the earth livery, something that different takes a while to get used to, so maybe if they are midpack and moving up this year, some of us might start to like it. Everything looks better when you're collecting points. :tongue:

 

[92 white 0650]

Re: How 'bout a little Honda chuckle

Gotta love Fake Ferrari news. Here's the Honda comments from today's wrap up of testing.

Down at Honda things were not looking too happy or good looking either for that matter. After enduring a dismal 2007 campaign with an excessively temperamental car, hopes were initially high within the team that things would indeed be better for 2008.

The RA108 was subsequently launched on track on Wednesday, and thus far seems to be just as much off the pace as its predecessor. With Jenson Button careering around in it 2.5 seconds per lap behind the pacesetters during the final day of testing.

Team-mate Rubens Barrichello struggled to put a positive spin on things when talking to the media, suggesting there wasn’t much to say about the new car as yet (which we take to mean nothing that can be reported without the use of some rather candid language). Rubens adding that the small problems they were encountering were relatively normal when shaking down a cat (According to Autosport). Yes, you read that correctly.

Which probably explains a few things, because we presume cats don’t like being shaken down at the best of times, and usually the only time you can get one to go fast is if you put a large dog on its tail threatening to eat it. The rest of the time they just sit there and snore their heads off.

Ross Brawn did say he liked a challenge. Will he finally manage to rid Honda of their strange animal fixation? First it was elephant ears…now its cats…whatever next armadillo’s, pot-bellied pigs, sloths? And will Honda finally manage to save up enough pocket money to actually pay for a paint-job before the season starts?

Only time will tell…

 

[Ponyboy]

Um...I like white but thats too much of white.

White, and/or black, have traditionally been the Honda testing colors. A modified version of the Earth livery is planned for the 08 season.

 

[polar]

Wait a minute, Night Race you say?? You have more info on that?

maybe I could google it.:wink:

Me and Jackson were consider going.... but now I realize it's on the weekend of NSXPO

 

[BladesNSX]

White, and/or black, have traditionally been the Honda testing colors. A modified version of the Earth livery is planned for the 08 season.

Really?:frown: I don't care for the "Earth" paint job. I miss the Red/White/Black scheme. Sigh...is it March Yet!?!? I want some F1:biggrin:

 

[CKS Papa]

The RA108 will appear at the team’s own Brackley, UK headquarters. It is believed the car will no longer carry the “Earth” livery that adorned this year’s disastrous RA107.

From this article from Speedtv. Don't know if it's old news?

 

[92 white 0650]

Re: What's 'revised' mean?

"It is believed the car will no longer carry the “Earth” livery that adorned this year’s disastrous RA107.
From this article from Speedtv. Don't know if it's old news?"

Hmmm, interesting. RealHondaF1 said this:

"The car will also sport a revised livery, very much retaining a 'green' theme and developing the famous earth imagery further."

http://www.f1network.net/main/s169/st124837.htm

Next Tuesday is not far off, so I guess we can wait and see.