Formula 1 Steering Wheel Picture and Guide

This Formula 1 steering wheel from BMW shows how much input a Formula 1 driver deals with on race day.  The steering wheels have an amazing amount of functionality, from setting the differential, to having a drink to even confirming the tire choice at the upcoming pit stop.

Formula 1 steering wheels are hand made and cost around $30,000 each. They weigh less than three pounds and are made from carbon fiber and electrical components. Although it would be a great addition to any motorsport-loving guy or gal’s vehicle, good luck trying to find a steering wheel cover that fits it.

Source: auto123.com

‘KERS Not Relevant to Road Cars According to Mercedes Engineer

KERS - Kinetic Energy Recovery System

McLaren-Mercedes is the only Formula 1 team that has run KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) on both of its cars in every race this season. McLaren has developed two different KERS. One system is electric and uses batteries to store power, while the other is mechanical and uses a flywheel to store power.

A source inside the engineering department has stated that neither KERS system currently has an application for road vehicles at this time. McLaren managing director Anthony Sheriff recently said, “What’s important is that it’s pushing the envelope of battery technology to its limits and that has got to be good news.”

Source: Autoblog

Formula 1 to Make Return to North America?

The only Formula 1 Grand Prix in North America last year was the Canadian Grand Prix, and in case you haven’t checked this year’s schedule yet, North America has been excluded completely.

Canadian officials have confirmed that they have been talking to Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone to bring Formula 1 back to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. The Canadians are hoping to come to a more reasonable agreement with Bernie in order to secure another Formula 1 stint in Canada. While bringing back the Canadian Grand Prix would be the easiest solution for North America, other projects are in the works.

A track near Niagara Falls, Ontario is rumored to be built which would include a 1 mile oval track for NASCAR (yawn) and a 2.5 miles road track. Seating for the venue to reported to be at 100,000. Other projects which are supposedly in the works include a track in upstate New York and near Detriot.

Source: Autoblog.com

BMW Tries to Lighten Load to Accommodate KERS for Kubica

KERS - Kinetic Energy Recovery System

BMW Sauber is attempting to launch a lighter version of its F1.09 in time for the Spanish Grand Prix to increase the chances of Robert Kubica being able to use KERS in his car. Kubica hasn’t been able to use KERS yet due to the extra weight it adds. The extra weight hurts the handling and increase the tire degradation.

Nick Heidfeld, Kubica’s BMW teammate has been able to use the KERS since he is weighs much less than Kubica.

Source: Autosport.com

BMW is confident that KERS provides an advantage on the track, which is why they are making such an effort to equip Kubica’s car.

Caught On Tape: FIA Official Crashes Renault R28

U.A.E. F1 representative Mohammed bin Sulayem crashed a Renault R28 Formula 1 car during the Renault Roadshow at the Dubai Autodrome. He was drag racing another car when the Renault suddenly veered to the right and crashed into the concert barrier. Bin Sulayem was not hurt in the accident.

Brawn Reigns Supreme in Melbourne F1 Debut

The Brawn GP debut in Melbourne, Australia couldn’t have been any better. The team finished the race taking the top two spots with Rubens Barrichello finishing 2nd and Jenson Button winning the race from pole. There is still a great deal of controversy regarding the diffusers used by the Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota teams. Ferrari, Red Bull and Renault protested the use of the diffusers stating they were illegal. The race stewards dismissed these claims and decided the diffusers were acceptable according to FIA regulation. It is believed that the protesting teams will follow up with their previous complaint claiming that while the diffusers are technically legal according to the regulations, they violate the “spirit” of the rule.

Nico Rosberg Fastest in First Melbourne Practice Round

Nico Rosberg of Williams-Toyota had the fastest lap in the first 90 minute practice session. His fastest lap was set at 1:26.687. Teammate Kazuki Nakajima had the second fastest lap of 1:26.736, which was 0.049 seconds behind Rosberg. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen finished 3rd with a time of 1:26.750. Brawn GP team driver Rubens Barrichello had the 4th fastest lap at 1:27.226. The pre-race favorite, Jenson Button, also of Brawn GP, maintained the 6th best lap with 1:27.467.

Mark Webber: Red Bull Will Be Passed by in Melbourne

Australia’s only Formula 1 driver, Mark Webber, has stated the Red Bull F1 cars are not going to be competitive at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix. He has stated that the Red Bull cars don’t feel bad, but the other team’s cars are just performing much better. Webber also said that the car setup favors the driving style of new Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel more than his own. The favorites to the win the Aussie Grand Prix include Williams, Ferrari, and BMW according to Webber.

Webber has also joined in on criticizing the FIA’s new scoring system which would crown the champion based on which driver wins the most amount of races as opposed to the previous points system. The FIA has since postponed this new rule due to the outcry from teams and drivers.

Source: smh.com.au

Ferrari President and Shumacher Sound Off on Formula 1 Rule Changes

The President of Ferrai, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, has lashed out against Formula One’s new scoring system calling it “dangerous” and “absurd”. The FIA’s new scoring system will name the champion based on who wins the most races as opposed to the previous points system. If this system was in place last year the championship would have been handed to Felipe Massa instead of Lewis Hamilton.

“I find it really absurd, serious and dangerous that one week before the start of the season we have created a situation of this nature which is very negative for our credibility, the teams, the constructors, the supporters, the journalists and the sponsors,” said Montezemolo. “I would like this climate to become more responsible, the teams have already reduced their costs by 50 percent. It’s important to create a more serene climate and to avoid continuously changing the rules, things that provoke trouble and worries for those doing the work.”

7-time World Champion Michael Schumacher has also recently expressed his disagreement of the new rules the FIA has imposed on Formula 1, especially the new scoring system.

“I cannot imagine those changes to help F1, especially regarding the new system to find the champion,”Schumacher said.

“I cannot see how it makes sense to eventually have a world champion who has less points than the driver coming in second, even if I think it is a good move to strengthen the winner’s position.”

The Formula 1 season resumes on March 29th in Melbourne, Australia.

Source: AFP, CNN

Will BMW Sauber have KERS for Australia Opener?

KERS - Kinetic Energy Recovery System

Nick Heidfeld has said that BMW Sauber has yet to make a decision on whether the or not they will be using a kinetic energy recovery system for the opening race in Melbourne, Australia.

Williams and Toyota have stated that they will not have cars with KERS on the starting grid. Red Bull has announced that they might postpone the introduction of their KERS system.

BMW Sauber is believed to have one of the most advanced kinectic energy recovery systems and has been one of the biggest supporters of the technology in Formula 1. The precise benefits gained by using the KERS is still not known. While the system delivers an instant horsepower boost at the driver’s command, the system adds an additional 40 kg of weight to the car, changes the weight distribution, raises the center of gravity, needs more cooling, and affects stability in braking. And then there is also the question of reliability.

“Reliability seems quite good and we are testing it quite often, not all the time, but on and off to understand the benefits that we will hopefully have,” Heidfeld stated on the Formula 1 website.

Read More About KERS

Source: AP