Are 2017 cars the fastest in F1 yet?

[Dr Z]

Posted this in the GP thread.

I said:

I found it intriguing that the total race time yesterday of 1hr 24min 11.672s is the fastest GP recorded for the Melbourne track, won at an average speed of ~215 km/h. The fastest ever before this was in 2004: 1hr 24min 15.757. The lap record for the 2004 race is still some way off the fastest lap yesterday, however going into my lap time archive, it looks like Schumacher 3-stopped his way to winning the race, which would explain why he could run close to the car's ultimate pace through the race (plus refuelling). There was one less race lap yesterday, and the average speed for the 2004 race winning time was ~219 km/h. It's unbelievable that these new cars are so close to the 2004 car while not doing refuelling and on a 1-stop.

There's your answer. Vettel's Ferrari would have completed the full race distance in around 1hr 25min 40.4s (assuming average speed of 215.4 km/h), finishing 7th probably a lap down on Schumacher's Ferrari. These cars are knocking on the 2004 cars right out of the box.

[eps]

Vocal Minority said:

Good shout - for the 2007 season apparently. I guessed it could have been earlier

Edited by Vocal Minority on Saturday 25th March 22:16

Yep - I just checked on the wiki (so it must be true...)

"
Redevelopment for 2007 season
With a new financial backer, the renovation started on 6 November 2006 and finished in May 2007, costing around €19 million.[16]

Formula 1 returned to Spa for 2007, with a modified track layout. The Bus Stop chicane was moved back towards Blanchimont and the La Source hairpin moved forward. This allowed more space for the new pit lane. The modifications gave a longer start/finish straight.

Modifications
New asphalt runoff was added to the inside and outside of Les Combes for the 2010 race, in line with the prevailing trends at other Formula One circuits.

Prior to the 2013 race, drainage grooves were cut into the asphalt on the start-finish straight, underneath the first 11 grid slots. Drivers were initially concerned that this would affect grip at the start.
"

[Vocal Minority]

Also, they mucked about with the second last corner at Barcelona since 2004 didn't they?

[E65Ross]

Dr Z said:

Posted this in the GP thread.

I said:

I found it intriguing that the total race time yesterday of 1hr 24min 11.672s is the fastest GP recorded for the Melbourne track, won at an average speed of ~215 km/h. The fastest ever before this was in 2004: 1hr 24min 15.757. The lap record for the 2004 race is still some way off the fastest lap yesterday, however going into my lap time archive, it looks like Schumacher 3-stopped his way to winning the race, which would explain why he could run close to the car's ultimate pace through the race (plus refuelling). There was one less race lap yesterday, and the average speed for the 2004 race winning time was ~219 km/h. It's unbelievable that these new cars are so close to the 2004 car while not doing refuelling and on a 1-stop.

There's your answer. Vettel's Ferrari would have completed the full race distance in around 1hr 25min 40.4s (assuming average speed of 215.4 km/h), finishing 7th probably a lap down on Schumacher's Ferrari. These cars are knocking on the 2004 cars right out of the box.

So they aren't quite as fast then? 4km/h is a reasonable amount slower....

[Dr Z]

E65Ross said:

So they aren't quite as fast then? 4km/h is a reasonable amount slower....

Yes, in pure numbers they are slower. Given the number of important variables that are different between the two cars, it's a bit like saying a cucumber is not as sweet as an apple...must keep in mind that the current cars don't have traction control and carry the full fuel load for the entire race. The 2004 cars are the most developed for that set of regulations after which overall downforce and cornering speeds were curbed. The cars that competed last weekend are very very early in their development curve, so a lot of time to be found yet.

Vocal Minority said:

Also, they mucked about with the second last corner at Barcelona since 2004 didn't they?

Yep, it's slower now than then. Also, Sepang was completely resurfaced last year which made it not so hard on the tyres.

[GroundEffect]

Vocal Minority said:

eps said:

not forgetting that a lot of the circuits have been slowed down as well...

I thought of that.

I reckon the following are the same as 2004 (off the top of my head)

Albert Park Yes
Shanghai Yes
Bahrain Yes
Sepang No - Resurfaced and last corner reprofiled significantly
...maybe Monaco?
Monza No - Variante Retefillio is now gone
Spa No - Bus Stop changed completely
Montreal Maybe - resurfaced
Barcelona No - Last 3 corners changed significantly
Red Bull Ring/Speilberg Maybe - resurfaced
Hungaroring Yes
Suzuka No - Resurfaced
Interlagos No - Resurfaced

Not quite.

[Vaud]

Even so, there are still too many variables to compare year on year speed with accuracy. Track temp, air temp, how green the surface is, partial resurfacing, etc?

The good news this year is they look fast and are faster than the last few years. Personally I'm not bothered by exactly how much or how it compares to previous years.