Charlie Whiting on F1 suspension!
Discussion
I've just read that Charlie (who I have a great deal of respect for) has banned front suspension that affects Aero!! FFS how is that going to be policed and does it really matter, if one does it they will all do it!!
They really have lost the plot in F1 , just dump those stupid front wings, get rid of barge boards, go back to basics and let the engineers work round it. In no time at all the cars will be just as fast , a lot more exciting and they will be able to overtake !!
They really have lost the plot in F1 , just dump those stupid front wings, get rid of barge boards, go back to basics and let the engineers work round it. In no time at all the cars will be just as fast , a lot more exciting and they will be able to overtake !!
Actually he's banned suspension that's been designed to affect ride height when going between lock to lock i.e. through the corners, ironically the area where because of other stupid aero rules the cars need the greatest help, rather than ban the little intricacies that make F1 fascinating they should ban multi element front wings or other top surface aero that affects the car behind
The movable aerodynamic aid rules should be scrapped. In order to reduce costs overalll, computer controlled hydraulic suspension should be allowed, so that every team can run an optimal floor, at every point on the circuit. You only need to regulate how low it can be compressed so that it cannot touch the ground. Using a plank seems very last century.
Then dump the multi element front wing in favour a single adjustable flap that the driver can optimise dependent on the level of grip that he needs at a given point in the race - be it leading, gaining ground quickly, or needing to overtake. Dump the current moveable aerodynamic aid, DRS, in favour of a driver adjustable rear wing element.
When Charlie was a lad, banning movable aerodynamic devices was done for good reason. These aids are now fairly commonplace on road cars. Charlie is now a very old man.
Most money is wasted in F1 in trying to find a cheat around this rule. It needs to be stopped and I suspect Ross Brawn and his team will be looking at these sorts of things for the 2021 regs.
Then dump the multi element front wing in favour a single adjustable flap that the driver can optimise dependent on the level of grip that he needs at a given point in the race - be it leading, gaining ground quickly, or needing to overtake. Dump the current moveable aerodynamic aid, DRS, in favour of a driver adjustable rear wing element.
When Charlie was a lad, banning movable aerodynamic devices was done for good reason. These aids are now fairly commonplace on road cars. Charlie is now a very old man.
Most money is wasted in F1 in trying to find a cheat around this rule. It needs to be stopped and I suspect Ross Brawn and his team will be looking at these sorts of things for the 2021 regs.
FunkyNige said:
Is it time for Charlie Whiting to go? He seems to be making more and more bizarre decisions on a personal whim instead of going through a proper process.
Wasn't the knockout qualifying disaster his idea too?
Charlie Whiting should have gone years ago; compare him to his WEC equivalent, Eduardo Freitas....Completely night & day....Wasn't the knockout qualifying disaster his idea too?
ash73 said:
FunkyNige said:
Is it time for Charlie Whiting to go? He seems to be making more and more bizarre decisions on a personal whim instead of going through a proper process.
Wasn't the knockout qualifying disaster his idea too?
Charlie's just reacting to people having a quiet word in his ear. People wearing red.Wasn't the knockout qualifying disaster his idea too?
Presumably this is how RBR found their pace last season, eventually Ferrari figured it out and went straight to teacher.
rallycross said:
A bigger worry is that little Gallic toad Todt is being allowed to run for FIA president again and without any challengers - the silent president who globe trots around the world doing pretty much nothing for motor racing but pushing his own road safety agenda.
Mostly harmless after his predecessor though. Should a sorting president directly lead or be a more general chairman?rallycross said:
A bigger worry is that little Gallic toad Todt is being allowed to run for FIA president again and without any challengers - the silent president who globe trots around the world doing pretty much nothing for motor racing but pushing his own road safety agenda.
He's the complete opposite of Max, who was far too hands on; in fact Max thought he he was the F1 President, and not the FiA President. The WRC went down the pan, and Max didn't do anything......The only thing Jean has really done is bring back a World Championship for Sportscars; the WEC.
In its present form, I do not think that the FIA is fit for purpose.
Todt’s credentials are perfect for the job, if it was largely about motorsport. But sadly it no longer is. IMHO motorsport Vs mobility and environmental issue are diametrically opposed. You would not expect the RAC & AA to be pro cycling and rambling. They can put forward their opinions, but when it really matters, they are virtually the enemy.
Charlie was a pretty good mechanic in his day, but I seriously doubt he has the academic qualifications of a Jock Clear or Rob Smedly in the current era of F1. He certainly now has vast experience, but does not have the technical qualifications in civil engineering design to sign off its technical safety (drain covers coming loose) or objective safety barrier design (Sainz submarining below TechPro barrier).
Does he have the man-management qualities to recruit and nurture a good team to delegate these responsibilities? Understanding technical regulations is one thing but being pro-active in anticipating cheats requires a much higher level of skill in aerodynamics that were barely in their infancy when he and is brother were preparing rally cars at Brands Hatch. The role he occupies has seriously outgrown his skills.
The team that Ross Brawn has assembled are way ahead when it comes to building a current-day F1 car. It’s no longer about measuring wheel centres and wing heights.. it is time for Charlie and many of the well-meaning FIA cronies to receive their gold watches and leave with their blazers in tact.
There is no place for amateurism in the sport any more.
Todt’s credentials are perfect for the job, if it was largely about motorsport. But sadly it no longer is. IMHO motorsport Vs mobility and environmental issue are diametrically opposed. You would not expect the RAC & AA to be pro cycling and rambling. They can put forward their opinions, but when it really matters, they are virtually the enemy.
Charlie was a pretty good mechanic in his day, but I seriously doubt he has the academic qualifications of a Jock Clear or Rob Smedly in the current era of F1. He certainly now has vast experience, but does not have the technical qualifications in civil engineering design to sign off its technical safety (drain covers coming loose) or objective safety barrier design (Sainz submarining below TechPro barrier).
Does he have the man-management qualities to recruit and nurture a good team to delegate these responsibilities? Understanding technical regulations is one thing but being pro-active in anticipating cheats requires a much higher level of skill in aerodynamics that were barely in their infancy when he and is brother were preparing rally cars at Brands Hatch. The role he occupies has seriously outgrown his skills.
The team that Ross Brawn has assembled are way ahead when it comes to building a current-day F1 car. It’s no longer about measuring wheel centres and wing heights.. it is time for Charlie and many of the well-meaning FIA cronies to receive their gold watches and leave with their blazers in tact.
There is no place for amateurism in the sport any more.
janesmith1950 said:
Charlie Whiting is the boss of the department. That doesn't mean he's the one doing the analysis. Hence Red Bull and others being upset at Renault poaching one of the FIA staff in that area.
And amateurs are the last thing I'd call them 
F1 is well policed, very safe and has a good track record, if you will forgive the pun.
Charlie is still a sharp cookie and surrounds himself with smart people, within the constraints that the FIA pay very little compared to a team for top skills.
I read that some teams such as Mclaren mounted the top of the front suspension on longer arms that makes the car lower as it turns and stops braking, similar to what teams have done for 10 years to counter body roll, but it has been banned if it is just to lower ride height.
It seems to me that the design is a very nice natural mechanical mechanism that has no reason to be banned and the FIA ruling unnecessary, not safer for the drivers as teams would now have to redesign the suspension to fit a vague ruling.
It seems to me that the design is a very nice natural mechanical mechanism that has no reason to be banned and the FIA ruling unnecessary, not safer for the drivers as teams would now have to redesign the suspension to fit a vague ruling.
sparta6 said:
It's scrambled egg - and captain of the kitchen is chef Todt.
Liberty should ditch the FIA and establish it's own governing body. Easy and relatively cheap to do !
The commercial arm and the regulatory arm were separated by an EU ruling in the 90's.Liberty should ditch the FIA and establish it's own governing body. Easy and relatively cheap to do !
No chance of one company controlling both.
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