Now that i have watched all the testing sessions, it’s obvious all the drivers will just have to relearn how to get the best from the cars. One very big thing that i think will be an issue for all the drivers though is the start of a race. Going to grid line up for the start after the formation lap, all the cars will have different levels of power available as well as tyres not always being at their optimum for a start. This almost certainly will involve some not getting off the line, i can also see a few starting grid rear end shunts. I would hope we don’t see any fatalities coming from this. I’m not shure how this will be resolved, but i can see rule changes for the start of a race and i can see that happening very early on in the season.
I would have assumed that batteries would be fully charged by the team before they drive to the grid, maybe even charged on the grid (not sure if that is feasible), the warm up lap would be done using good old fashioned fossil fuel leaving the drivers with a full charge for the start of the race. As for tyres I don’t think that they will be much different from last few seasons.
The opening races will be a good indication of how drivers are getting to grips with the new cars and regulations.
Currently, the rules state that at the start of the race electric power can’t be used by the car until it reaches 50 KPH.
That said, I am a bit confused about this fuss over the start. I remember the days of the original turbos; the drivers managed to floor the throttle and spin up the turbo for the start. I am sure this generation of drivers can learn to do this, so they have enough boost when the red lights go out.
There was good reason back in the day for his unofficial title The Professor - very often he appeared to think well ahead and adapt tactics to his race advantage.
Managed to bag a Festival of Speed poster for 2025 with image of his car. Goodwood had arranged a limited run of prints with original signatures by Prost and Lord March. (The standard run was sold out!).
Peter
I wonder if there will be discussions about a rolling start for the first race, if the practice start last week is not improved upon this week?
I had some time, this morning, to watch the new F1 cars during testing. Looking a lot different from last year. Smaller, racy, more ground clearance, active front- and rear wings. Looks good. Interesting to see how the new cars are going to do in actual races.
It looks like the new start sequence works better than the old one. A blue light for 10 seconds before the red start lights come on. This gives all the drivers plenty of time to spin up the turbos. Lewis absolutely nailed this at both practice starts today.
Two April GPs may have to come off the calander.
I have seen a few reports about the calendar potentially being disrupted, Pirelli has already cancelled the tyre test in Bahrain. Compared to what many people are currently going through, this is a pretty minor concern for me.
Oh dear:
" Aston Martin team principal Adrian Newey says vibrations from their Honda engine are risking permanent nerve damage for their drivers within 25 laps of running.". BBC.
It’s very unlikely that Aston Martin will even qualify within the 107% rule. Even if they do though, i can see both cars being pulled out of the race well before lap 10.
in some dutch F1 websites it is mentioned that they might retire after formation lap.
Is the 107% rule still in play, I ask as over the last few seasons we have had the occasional driver failing to set a time in Q1 and then starting from the pit lane I assumed it had been dropped.
Yes it is. Like you, i thought it was removed but it is still in place. Under the rule, if a driver does not set a time they can start from the pit lane. But only if all the other teams agree to the driver starting. The race director consults with the other teams to get that agreement.
From all the negativity about the Aston Martin chassis & Honda engine, almost exclusively coming from Aston Martin & Honda, I am confidently predicting an Aston Martin one two on Sunday with the other ten teams caught in complete surprise…..
It is in place but even if a team/car does not meet the 107% of Q1 fastest time the stewards may still allow them to race if the practice pace has been “sufficient”. The rule does not apply in wet/wet track conditions.
I am from Montréal (like the Strolls) and I dislike them.
Lance has no business being in F1.
Lawrence has one of those obnoxious faces not even a mother would love.
I am not saddened by their problems. I do feel bad for poor Alonso.
Honda again!. Alonso will probably walk before mid season.
The story of Fernando and Honda is very interesting.
On the bright side of the life, it can not be worse than in 2015.
And right after this comment I heared (in my sick mind) Alonso’s boardradio “no power, lawnmower engine”..