2021 Formula 1 Thread

[DLSTR]

Formula 1's budget cap was introduced to make the championship more sustainable and keep the big teams under control, but Mercedes believes the financial constraints can actually help it improve.

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/ho...t-cap/5604296/


Along with sustainability a key aim of Formula 1’s budget cap is to rein in the performance of the top teams by levelling the playing field.

And yet in typical glass-full style Mercedes boss Toto Wolff sees the cap not as a hurdle for the Brackley team, but an opportunity to become even stronger.

F1 has long been about spending power. It’s no coincidence that the teams that have dominated have had the biggest budgets, and until now, there has been no official limit to what they’ve been allowed to pump in.

The 2021 FIA financial regulations, headlined by a budget cap of $145m, have changed all that. Many areas are excluded from that number, but it still represents a huge change of approach for Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari.

All three have been busy shuffling staff into non-F1 projects, which explains why Ferrari has committed to a sportscar programme, and why Mercedes has been busy seeking customers for its Applied Science division.

Given that extra cash is a benefit in all areas it’s obvious that reducing spend will impact competitiveness. However, there’s another key outcome – the disruption caused by the necessary reorganisation and downsizing.


Erstwhile midfield teams hope they can benefit from problems for F1's big-spending teams. In its previous guises Aston Martin made a virtue of being lean, mean and efficient, and the budget cap had landed in just right the spot, and thus the team hasn’t had to dramatically adjust its way of working. It’s a similar situation at Alpine.

“It's all about getting the car to go quicker, but also efficiency,” says Alpine executive director Marcin Budkowski. “We are working a lot on the efficiency of the team, working better, working smarter with the resources we have.

“Luckily, we've never been the best funded team. We've always been known as an efficient team, and we are probably in a better position than the top teams for the cost cap, so we obviously want to capitalise on this in the future.”

The regulations show to what level of detail the discussions extended when they were being finalised – there is mention of subjects like how to allocate maternity leave, sick pay and the salaries of mechanics whose main role is preparing historic or demo cars. Teams now have to dig into every pound, euro or dollar they spend that falls under the cap.

The process of going back to basics, tracking and justifying from scratch all spending in each department of a company, is known as zero-based budgeting.

“My experience in my personal business life was that sometimes going through a zero-budgeting approach shows you how much you have actually left on the table,” says Wolff.



“And how much you have carried over from year to year, that was cost of what could have been avoided by simply streamlining processes and the organisation overall.

“Performing in the F1 world is not only down to money. You can have the most money, but not perform how you should. And we have seen examples of that in the past.”

One of the key advantages of spending power is in R&D, and the ability to put groups of people onto special projects that might not pay dividends on track for a year or two.

Aero testing restrictions have to some extent already levelled the playing field in that teams are no longer able to run 24/7 in more than one windtunnel, as was the case a few years ago.

However, the wealthier teams could still bring more bodywork iterations to the track more often, because they had the production resources. Meanwhile on the mechanical side there have been no restrictions, allowing the big teams to pursue innovations.

Now all teams have to have the discipline to spend where they believe it will count – they can no longer afford to pursue multiple solutions to the same problem, and then to eventually discard those that don’t work. They have to be smarter, and make calls on what direction to go before too much time and effort has been spent.

“We have never wasted [resources],” says Wolff. “Because for us prioritising has always been key to how we function, rather than to trying to do A, or A and B. We have always approached with A and/or B, because you simply put more emphasis on what you think will bring you more performance.

“But the cost cap has brought that to a new level, because we were not operating before within a regulatory cost constraint. And that means you need to understand your processes.


“Every single item is costed down, or evaluated [as to] what the costs are. And you need to trim how you operate. But we believe that this is a performance advantage, because it has obliged us to rethink what we do, and how we do it.

“And it will mean that there's even more emphasis and focus on the areas that, we believe, bring the best performance.”

Crucial to all this is that the budget cap has landed in the very year that teams have to race and develop their 2021 cars while honing brand new concepts for 2022.

Until 31st December they could work without financial restriction on both, at least on the mechanical side, as aero research was banned until 1st January. That helped the bigger teams to get a head start on 2022, simply because they had more people available to look at the long term.

That window of opportunity has closed, and teams now have to split precious funds between racing this season and developing for 2022, just as they have to make a call on how to divide up windtunnel time and CFD usage.

“This is a question you need to find solutions for every single year,” says Wolff. “How do you balance the current car and the development time you want to give it versus next year's car?

“And for 2022 it becomes an even more critical topic, because of the scope of changes. And there will be teams that will very much focus on 2022 from early on, and other teams that will see great opportunity for the 2021 World Championship.

“And for us, it will be crucial to take the right view on how we want to balance development for next year. It is subject to discussions every week.”


A spending limit isn’t just about R&D - it impacts every area of going racing. Mercedes technical director James Allison revealed at the launch of W12 that the team is cost-cutting by simply reducing how many parts it has to produce.

“[There are] developments to try to make it so that the bits underneath can live longer,” he said. “So that we don't have to replace them so often, so that in a budget cap we can operate more efficiently.”

With the dual projects underway 2021 is clearly a difficult season for the top teams. However they will also have to adjust to a budget cap drop from $145m to $140m in 2022, and then to $135m in 2023, which is sure to mean further cuts in head counts.

Can the usual frontrunners adjust to the new world of limited spending and remain a step ahead of the rest? Wolff is confident that his team at least is on the right path.

“The budget cap is extremely important in my opinion,” he says. “Because the costs were escalating over the last 10-15 years, and it became unsustainable.

“And in that way, we are now operating in the same financial framework. And it becomes exciting, because there will not be many differences in terms of spending between the teams.

“We love the challenge. We have taken it on, and it is at times very painful because all your processes need to be adapted in the end to achieve more efficiency.

“We found out during the process that actually efficiency means performance. The group that has worked around the project did a fantastic job. And I believe we're in a good in a good position to extract the most from the limited resource that is available.”

[axmea?]

Not a fan of Jalopnik but they're spot on on this one.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/jalopni...1846421487/amp

[DLSTR]

Consensus is he is NOT able to handle more over-steer. This has been assessed over and over including how Ricci soundly defeated him in a car that was no 'planted' LOL. I guess he knows the truth???

Vettel's driving style not as extreme as Perez, says Aston Martin
By: Luke Smith
Mar 8, 2021, 8:21 AM

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/ve...perez/5635536/

Aston Martin has no concerns it can get its 2021 Formula 1 car to suit Sebastian Vettel, believing he has a less extreme driving style than Sergio Perez.

Four-time F1 world champion Vettel has joined the rebranded Aston Martin team for 2021 following a difficult final season with Ferrari, replacing Perez.

Vettel finished a lowly 13th in the championship for Ferrari, scoring just one podium and barely one-third of team-mate Charles Leclerc's points total.

Recurring errors by Vettel in recent years led to questions about how much Ferrari's cars suited his driving style, which has been said to be dependent on a stable rear end.

But Aston Martin technical director Andrew Green said there were zero concerns about accommodating Vettel with its new AMR21 car, believing his driving style is not as extreme as that of Perez.

"Yes, [Vettel] does have his own personal driving style, but that's no different to the driving styles that we've seen from other drivers," Green said.

"I'd say [it's] not as extreme as the driver he is replacing, who had a very extreme driving style which was very difficult to get right at all tracks. It shone at certain tracks and didn't at others.

"I think Seb's style is a lot less extreme. And we have the tools and capability to tune the car to suit him for sure.

"We've already started working on that. We've been working on that for the last month in the simulator. And he seems very happy with the directions that we've taken. So, yeah, no problems there."


Vettel got his first taste of his new Aston Martin F1 car during a brief shakedown at Silverstone last week, with his maiden extended outing scheduled later this week at the start of pre-season testing in Bahrain.

While Vettel was curious to get an idea of the car concept Aston Martin has following a long spell at Ferrari, he moved to dispel the myth surrounding his need for a stable rear end.

"I think the whole rear end thing has got a little bit out of hand," Vettel said.

"If you look at the cars that I had when I was at Red Bull, or the beginning of Ferrari, I think there's always been times where the rear was nervous, and that's OK.

"I don't think I'm more vulnerable than the others in this regard. If anything, I don't like when the car is really just understeery, because at least with the oversteer, you can do plenty of things.

"With the understeer, as well there's some driving techniques, but your hands are a bit more tied or a bit more limited. So actually, I prefer when the car is a bit more loose, that really helps you to rotate, and so on.

"Obviously, if it gets too much, then you lose a lot of time. And then nobody likes that because it's slow.

"But coming back on the philosophy, I think it is interesting. By the sounds of it is very different. I hope it's coming my way. We'll see how it goes."

[DLSTR]

Testing tomorrow!!!!!!!!!! -- https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/wh...-2021/5656010/

The effect of F1’s coronavirus cost-saving measure has been seen throughout this year’s launch season, with the car designs largely carried over. At teams where no livery change has been made, the resemblances are particularly striking. This approach also meant a reduction in testing overall, with this week’s event the only chance the teams have to fully trial their 2021 challengers ahead of the first race.

The knock-ons keep coming. As there is only one 2021 pre-season test, many teams opted to hide various important elements of the cars during their launches – a subterfuge aimed at reducing the scope for rivals to copy neat solutions (particularly regarding the new rear floor requirements) in time for the Bahrain race in two weeks’ time.

Mercedes’ technical director James Allison openly stated that the world champion squad has already spent its two allotted design development tokens, but openly said it “won't reveal how we used them just yet”. Red Bull held a filming day at Silverstone after its 2021 launch, but only released images of its 2019 car running on track. So, the question is, what are F1’s leading team’s hiding?
Mercedes W12 F1 team launch


The token restriction requirements suggest that a double diffuser-like gamechanger is unlikely, but as the changes to the floors are aimed at cutting downforce levels by 10%, any team that has found a clever solution to negate or overcome that impact stands to gain significantly. Therefore, expect plenty of camera lenses pointed at the backs of the W12 and RB16B when they emerge from their respective garages on day one of testing.

Mercedes has outlined how the changes to the floor rules, although minor compared to the regulation overhaul now coming for 2022, could turn into a major problem for teams that don’t adapt successfully.

It’s unlikely that any squad will openly admit to getting this wrong once testing has been completed – Red Bull insisted that the succession of spins its drivers suffered in testing last year was about finding the limit, an explanation that later became an inherent aerodynamic issue a few races into the delayed 2020 season – but it will be worth listening to the drivers describe the rear handling characteristics of their latest cars for clues regarding the squads that may have lost out.

While the changes under the various car skins will be naturally covered up, several teams have already stated their intention to introduce early aerodynamic updates this year

Sergio Perez has joined Red Bull to replace Alex Albon, who could not match team-mate Max Verstappen’s pace and results with the recalcitrant RB16. Now the RB16B, it will be worth paying close attention to Perez’s fortunes over the test, as the limited scope for design changes suggest the updated version will still be tough to tame.

Perez has already said Red Bull’s car concept is “quite different” to what he has previously experienced and its worth recalling how Pierre Gasly had a massive testing crash two years ago as his short-lived Red Bull tenure began to unfold. That’s not to say Perez will encounter such problems, but he has been hired to close the gap to Verstappen and this test will give Red Bull its first indications of his full suitability for the job.


Just like last year, anyone following testing will want to keep a close eye on the speed trap figures.

These will provide an early indication of how successful Honda’s ambition to leave F1 on a championship-winning high may be, while also stimulating/deflating hopes at several other squads, namely those running Ferrari engines.

In 2020, the Scuderia’s dramatic downfall in the power stakes was eventually explained by its design “settlement” with the FIA, but just how much it was losing was evident from early in testing. The power deficit meant Alfa Romeo and Haas took significant steps back last year, so there will be plenty of people hoping that Ferrari’s cautious recent optimism about its redesigned engine translates into real-world gains.

Engine performance is also a theme to watch at Mercedes, particularly regarding the health of the W12’s powerplants. Last month, Mercedes’ engine boss Hywel Thomas said the manufacturer had “got some issues with the power units”, although he then explained the steps Mercedes had taken to fix these – including changing the engine block alloy and tweaking the Energy Recovery System – when the W12 was launched.

But, again, last year Mercedes made similar noises about its engine, which then encountered a series of reliability problems across the pre-season (at both the works squad and at Williams) and it subsequently emerged that the problems were severe enough that they could’ve wreaked havoc on Mercedes’ results had the 2020 campaign started on time and it took the time afforded by the initial pandemic lockdowns to address the issues.

While the changes under the various car skins will be naturally covered up, several teams have already stated their intention to introduce early aerodynamic updates this year. That’s not unusual for the big squads, but, with the 2022 reset looming large, many teams are intending to apply developments during the initial races then quickly shift resources.

Alfa Romeo is among the teams set to conduct early performance evaluations with an eye to switching focus early, with testing the first step in these trials, while Williams has “a range of parts that we’ll get on the car” in testing, per team principal Simon Roberts, which could become a “first race upgrade”.

It’s always vital to avoid unnecessary accidents, but this year, with pre-season track time reduced by 50%, it will be even more critical that drivers don’t crash their new cars.

Staying on the road will be particularly important for the rookies at AlphaTauri and Haas, as well as the drivers making new starts (Perez, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr, Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren and Sebastian Vettel at Aston Martin, plus Fernando Alonso’s return to what is now Alpine).

The times will ultimately be meaningless this weekend, but pre-season testing means racing is just around the corner

Alonso, who missed Alpine’s team launch due to the current COVID travel restrictions for UK arrivals and has been recovering from his cycling accident last month, is never one to shy away from making his views known publicly, so it will be worth listening to his thoughts on the state of play at the former Renault squad.

Additionally, expect the drivers to have gripes relating to the new tyres (because some things in F1 never change!) and be asked about the ongoing discussion on Saturday sprint races, where opinions are split.

The times will ultimately be meaningless this weekend, but pre-season testing means racing is just around the corner. After a long, hard winter for so many, that alone is a reason to get excited.

[danegrey]

watching testing and the amount of blowing sand all over the place WOW,
Merc's have had transmission problems in the morning, HAAS too..
Ferrari had a mechanical issue at the end of the morning..

[DLSTR]

Originally Posted by danegrey

watching testing and the amount of blowing sand all over the place WOW,
Merc's have had transmission problems in the morning, HAAS too..
Ferrari had a mechanical issue at the end of the morning..

Testing was crazy today lol. Nice its not in Spain so good change!!

Via BBC F1--
What went wrong at Mercedes?

World Champions Mercedes' day started badly when Bottas suffered a gearbox problem after just one lap.

Mercedes decided to change the gearbox and investigate the problem later, but that cost the Finn nearly all his first day's running and he managed only a further five laps before handing over to Hamilton for the afternoon.

Team principal Toto Wolff said:"It wasn't a good start because we had a gearbox issue that came out of nowhere that we haven't yet been able to identify and understand."

When Hamilton went out at the start of the afternoon session, conditions were at their worst, the Sakhir track enveloped in a sand cloud and conditions on track treacherous, the cars throwing up plumes of sand.

Hamilton found the car's balance to be poor and returned to the pits for set-up changes.

When he returned to the track, the team concentrated on long runs with high fuel loads and used only the hard 'C2' tyres while others explored the faster and grippier C3s and C4s.

Still the car did not look comfortable, though, with Hamilton clearly struggling for grip and having a number of 'moments' where he struggled to keep control, ran wide or locked a wheel.

[danegrey]

it will be interesting to see what happens on Saturday, the other odd thing to me, is how little HAAS ran for 8 hours... no sure what HAAS is up too, but as of right now, expect them to finish dead last

[ZCanadian]

Originally Posted by danegrey

it will be interesting to see what happens on Saturday, the other odd thing to me, is how little HAAS ran for 8 hours... no sure what HAAS is up too, but as of right now, expect them to finish dead last

I already was expecting that!

[DLSTR]

Originally Posted by ZCanadian

I already was expecting that!

Thats perfect for the little Russian Troll and the team. By default its his team lol

[DLSTR]

One can see testing on SKY F1 here - use this weekend if you have no normal viewing options.



https://cricfree.sc/watch/live/aramc...live-streaming

Use Link 1 under 'Others'

[DLSTR]

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12...claren-impress

[alcheng]

https://www.planetf1.com/news/murray...-away-aged-97/


RIP Mr. Walker, you will be remembered forever.

[DLSTR]

Originally Posted by alcheng

https://www.planetf1.com/news/murray...-away-aged-97/


RIP Mr. Walker, you will be remembered forever.

Very well said!! All the best for his family!

[danegrey]

my thoughts from testing
-- red bull might have gotten it right
-- Tsunoda, should give gasly a run, will be interesting
-- Riccardo and Norris will be another fun team battle
-- Williams looks super reliable with Russel turning 157 laps
-- dittio for alfa
-- if either Haas driver can get into the points it will show driver skill and not car
-- AMR a bit concern
-- Mercedes well if they are not on par, might have an interesting championship this year

[axmea?]

Has anyone used the F1TV Pro app here in the States? Interested but not available on Amazon Fire Stick / TV. Any other comments or feedback about it? I read somewhere that live TV but no commentaries.