[Mgs] OT - F1 (besides, its too quiet here

[Rick Lindsay]

Hello Friends,

In the quiet hours of this morning,  I have chosen to share some OT thoughts. Please delete now if you find this offensive. I promise it won't happen often. But if you also follow Formula1, please read on.

I just read that the FIA has agreed to allow Honda in-season engine development for the 2015 F1 season. Could this be the first sane FIA decision in recent years? The article didn't say specifically if Honda would be afforded the same development opportunities as the other teams. Only that they had won their appeal with the FIA. That alone is a quantum change!

What are your thoughts regarding the 2015 season? I know some of you, like many in the general public, feel that F1 is living on borrowed time. I too have noticed the half-empty grandstands and the increased frequency of TV commercials, in the States anyway. But it seems that the message may have gotten through to the organizers. Healthy changes may be coming. Often it takes a bit of time, plus a significant financial hit, to overcome an owner's arrogance. Only then do they learn that one can't just force feed their customers silliness for very long before those customers are no longer customers!

Counter to trend, I expect McLaren to come on strong and stay strong. The chassis last year, wasn't bad. And this isn't Honda's first rodeo. Jensen is a very smooth driver. As such, he doesn't add a lot of 'noise' to the data stream coming off of the car. Same with tires. One might even view his drives as in-season testing, while still capable of gathering up points. And of course, Fred is good.

I hope to see Williams continue the progress they showed in the later half of 2014. They too can be strong. Massa may have lost that chip from his shoulder by now, so the whining may subside. I hope so. He's a good driver but I fear his championship aspirations are behind him. Still, good for points.

I believe Ferrari's public statements about hoping to win two races this season, is an 'under promise, over deliver' scheme. That psychological approach rallies the fans around the underdog. But, "Have no fear, Underdog is here!" Below are my thoughts on the 2015 season for the red cars.

Kimi will just keep on doing whatever he does. But, what will Seb do in a red fire suit? Personally, I care very little about the drivers. I like the cars - but you may know that. What I do follow is how the driver influences car development.

Seb's self-described driving style is 'point-n-squirt'. That works great in a chassis that handles the rest of the issues. Witness the earlier Red Bulls. But make the chassis a pig to drive, like most of the cars last last season, and that go-kart style of driving doesn't work. One has to actually drive the car from braking point through to exit, rather than just ride it out. The big question in my mind remains: Even if Ferrari can build enough power into the hybrid abortion energy system (or whatever politically correct name chosen), can they build a chassis, within the current formula, that fits Seb's point-n-squirt driving style? That, my friends, is what will define Ferrari's performance in 2015. Remember, Adrian Newey couldn't do it last year and he is arguably the preeminent designer. That said, I feel that the key element in the instability is that stupid rear brake-by-wire, not aerodynamics. 

Mercedes will be strong, no doubt. The chassis is a work of art and the engine is excellent. But this season, it may not stand out so far above the crowd. What they made work is the braking. That let them take full advantage of the power available.

And the other teams? Predicting their performance is as reliable as predicting roulette. Well, except perhaps for Lotus. They may bring some nice surprises for us. I'd love to see them gather a bunch of constructor points, perhaps even a few wins!

Personally, I want Minardi and the innovative offerings of Ken Tyrrell back. But alas...

Thanks for sharing my aside,

-rick
PS: Reassembly of the until-now stalled TD, resumes this week! Woohoo!
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