[2008]F1 Season

[live_n_let_live99]

This was coming

Australia may lose F1 race after 2010: Report*-*News*-*News & Features*-*Indiatimes Racing

[jainz84]

What a season its going to be.
with 1 point separating the top 3 last time, lets hope this season is equally thrilling, if not more.

Force India on the F1 circuit is certainly a refreshing thing to see. Thanks to Big Boss Mallya, we are now here to stay. Though in all honesty, I don't see the Force India team scoring any point this season. Its still a level-3 car. The focus should firmly be on finishing as many races as possible and garner the maximum amount of experience. Its only the first year, and that too from a commercial team (vis-a-vis contructors tems like ferrari, BMW et al). It would be good to see them score above Toro Rossos and Super Aguris. Fisichella is a great driver to have for a team which should be focusing on learning...as he is quite reliable even with a not-too-perfect car.

F1 in india in 2010?? That would be grand. Again, on a personal note, I don't see that happening so soon. Even though the track may get ready, the supporting infrastructure will take time. 4500 hotel rooms, out of that 1500 5 star and the rest at least 3 star. Dedicated 6 lane freeway from the International airport to the Circuit, Airport capacity to handle truckloads of cargo, and personnel security. Roadblocks are many, and I'm positive to see an F1 race in India...but not in 2010. I hope i eat my words !!

Drivers to watch out for in my opinion:

Kimi Raikkonen - Go Kimi Go!! Go like the wind !!

Lewis Hamilton: Not because he was so good last season, but because I want to see how good he is without traction control.

Heikki Kovalainen: Now this guy has a good competitive car. I get a feeling he's gonna shine.

Adrian Sutil: Do well in Monaco my lad!! Let them see you and grab you the next season.

[neena_772]

Where did the Old F1 thread go?

Anyway, not too long for the season to start. Still cheering for Kimi! After last season, I think most of the fans are so relieved that he finally won! And there will definitely be more to come.

On other fronts, theres a story which claims that Mercedes are so angry at Dennis, that he might have to step down! News - Planet-F1 News - from planet-f1.com Any thoughts?

[accenture07]

Unfortunately i was not able to participate in the last year thread.Count me in for this season.
As someone has pointed out about ESPN super selector's F1 league, its a great fun.I was a part of my college's league for World Cup.It would be fun if we participate in the league and side by side we can do our discussion here.
Lets join the league as soon as possible.

Long Live Raikkonen Long live alonso

Cheers

-accenture07

[k_s_arvind]

This season is definitely gonna be more fun, and its gonna be a close fight to the title. with the driving aids removed, more crashes, and better display of driving skill.. the best driver is gonna win.

[jainz84]

Originally Posted by k_s_arvind

This season is definitely gonna be more fun, and its gonna be a close fight to the title. with the driving aids removed, more crashes, and better display of driving skill.. the best driver is gonna win.

Correctomundo!!

Plenty of rule changes, both technical and non technical will bring enthusiasts like me closer to the joy of raw racing. I was never a big fan of traction control. One thing I missed last season is Michelin. With healthy competition among the tyre manufacturers, things used to get just a little more fun, albeit controversial.

1. Well the car reliability will also be a factor. Apart from the rule where you need to use the same engine for 2 races, a new rule now says that you have to use the same gearbox for FOUR consecutive races. If you replace a gearbox due to a technical snag (and not because you blow it), the driver loses 5 positions on the grid.

2. And on the same engine 2 races rule, there is a slight amendment. You are allowed one free change in the season. That means, a car will not be penalised for the first engine change of the season. However, the catch here is that this free engine change cannot happen in the last round of the season.

3. Along with traction control removal, clutch control at the time of startup has also been outlawed. So we can brace ourselves for more thrilling starts and more overtaking as cars are more likely to make mistakes now. The cars will become more unstable because of lack of EBS (Engine Braking System).

Hamilton has a tough task ahead. But I think he can live up to the challenge.

[forgiven]

here is a comprehensive list of rules for the F1 2008 season,so F1 freaks register them in ur mind and let the RACES begin!!
2008 season changes

A number of changes to both the Sporting and Technical Regulations have been made by the FIA for the 2008 Formula One season.

Traction and launch control
Traction control - systems which prevent the rear wheels spinning if a driver applies too much power - are no longer permitted. This will place more emphasis on driver skill and should lead to more overtaking, as drivers are more likely to make mistakes. Similarly, systems that help the driver hold the clutch at a specific point to ensure an optimal getaway at the race start, have been outlawed.

Electronic Control Units (ECUs)
From 2008, all teams must use a standardised, FIA-approved ECU to control their cars' electronics. AS well as providing a more level playing field in this area of development, the new ECU - which must run FIA-approved software - will allow the FIA to monitor the cars' performance more closely.

Engine changes
As in 2007, drivers must use the same engine for two consecutive events. If that engine fails in final practice or qualifying and has to be changed ahead of the race, the driver will be given a grid penalty - 10 places if the change was made before qualifying, or the back of the grid if it was made following qualifying.

However, in an amendment for 2008, each driver is allowed one ‘free’ change per season, unless that change takes place at the final round. In other words, he will not incur a penalty for his first engine failure of the year, as long it is not at the last event.

Gearboxes
In a bid to further improve reliability and cut costs, gearboxes must now last for four consecutive Grand Prix meetings. Every unscheduled gearbox change will require the relevant driver to drop five places on the grid at that meeting. If a driver fails to finish a race, he may start the next meeting with a new gearbox without incurring a penalty.

Qualifying
In a very slight tweak to the familiar knockout qualifying format, the duration of Q1 has been increased from 15 to 20 minutes, while that of Q3 has been cut from 15 to 10. Q2 remains 15-minutes long. Furthermore, cars participating in Q3 will no longer get back the fuel used in that session - they must now start the race with whatever fuel was left in the car at the end of qualifying, thus eliminating the need for the infamous 'fuel-burning' phase at the start of Q3.

Cockpit safety
One of the slightly more visible differences to the cars this season will be an increase in the height of the cockpit padding - and hence the cockpit sides - on either side of the driver’s helmet, a change that has been implemented to further increase head protection in the event of an impact.

Biofuel
As part of moves to make Formula One racing ever more environmentally friendly, the FIA has introduced a new rule governing fuel. From 2008, at least 5.75 percent of all fuel must contain biomatter and, as a result, all cars must be designed to be biofuel compliant.

[kunalgupta]

hey i m new to this thread...better late than never....hope the season is full of surprises as the last one was....to call the last season amazing wud be an understatement....lets hope for the same this season as well....kimi rocks


here is a list of various Rule changes in 2008 season:

• Bridgestone will be the official tyre supplier for the 2008-2010 seasons.
• A standard Electronic Control Unit (ECU) supplied by McLaren Electronic Systems
• Gearboxes to last 4 Grands Prix , 5 place grid penalty for a gear box change.
• Restrictions on the ability of the teams to change their engines during and between the season(s).
• Rev-limited engines, Limited to 19,000 RPM as per sporting code 5.1.2.
• Traction control banned along with several other electronic aids including engine braking – though this has been protested against by some drivers for safety reasons.
• Improved cockpit protection.
• First part of qualifying lengthened to 20 minutes, and final part of qualifying shortened to 10 minutes, to eliminate 'fuel-burn' phase, and teams taking part in Q3 will no longer be allowed to add fuel back to the car after qualifying.
• The first unscheduled engine change of the season for each car will not lead to the usual 10 place grid penalty.
• Fuel of the cars must be made up of at least 5.75% biological materials, for cars to comply with the European law on fuel composition.

[jainz84]

Originally Posted by accenture07

Long Live Raikkonen Long live alonso

Cheers

-accenture07

Nahi Chalega Nahi Chalega.

Pick one dude. ya to Raikkonen ya phir Alonso...you can't go with both given that they are fierce competitors.

I mean we'll need to fight after every race...you can't change sides conveniently. So you need to pick your favourite right now .

Jaldi se pick one and tell us. Better be Raikkonen.

And yeah, Welcome to this year's thread. May the best man win. My first time into PG F1 thread too. Hope its fun.

[kunalgupta]

Driver changes

• Sebastian Vettel replaced Scott Speed from the 2007 Hungarian Grand Prix onwards at Scuderia Toro Rosso and was confirmed as driver for 2008. Team-mate Vitantonio Liuzzi is to be replaced by Champ Car World Series four time world champion Sébastien Bourdais for 2008.
• On October 1, Ralf Schumacher announced that he would leave Toyota at the end of the 2007 season.
• On October 7, it was reported that Alexander Wurz had decided to retire from racing. He is staying on as test driver for Honda.
• On November 2, Fernando Alonso and McLaren announced that both parties agreed to a ‘mutual parting of ways’.
• On November 7, 2007, Williams announced that Kazuki Nakajima would partner Nico Rosberg for the 2008 season.
• On November 19, 2007, Timo Glock was confirmed as the replacement driver for Ralf Schumacher by Toyota.
• On December 7, 2007, After testing for Force India, Ralf Schumacher says it is unlikely he will return to Formula One.
• On December 10, 2007, Renault has confirmed that Fernando Alonso will drive for them next season. He will be partnered by rookie Nelson Piquet Jr.
• On December 14, 2007, McLaren confirmed Heikki Kovalainen will partner Lewis Hamilton as second driver.
• On January 10, 2008, Force India confirmed Giancarlo Fisichella as first driver and Vitantonio Liuzzi as a test driver. Adrian Sutil had already been confirmed as the team's second driver.
• On January 10, 2008, Alexander Wurz was announced as the reserve driver for Honda after leaving Williams just before the Brazil GP.
• On February 2, 2008, BMW announced that Christian Klien has been contracted as their test and reserve driver for the 2008 season. He will work alongside Marko Asmer who will become the team’s junior tester.
• On February 4, 2008, Renault signed Japanese driver Sakon Yamamoto as a test development driver for the 2008 season.