F1 car at the Ring
Discussion
freedman said:
Its a publicity stunt, I guess lotsbof stop starts along the way, dont see him trying for the record
I don't think he'll need to try for the record in order to break 6.11. If they can fund a decent soft setup, it'll need no special effort to achieve it.
I imagine he won't get airborne, he'll have so much downforce. Viewing the film would be interesting, as would the data chart of revs/brakes/steering/speed.
There would be some logistics involved if they were to have to change the circuit from VLN configuration (NS plus upper half of GP) to NS only.
Putting that to one side, I'd guess that Nick could break 6 minutes but not break a sweat. In light of how different a modern F1 car is from everything else that runs on the NS, one could understand, however, why Nick might want a few practice laps beforehand, and perhaps the need for that would make a timed run infeasible.
Putting that to one side, I'd guess that Nick could break 6 minutes but not break a sweat. In light of how different a modern F1 car is from everything else that runs on the NS, one could understand, however, why Nick might want a few practice laps beforehand, and perhaps the need for that would make a timed run infeasible.
Laprecord pros according to Yeti logic :
- because they can
- The demonstration is scheduled to last an hour
- Heidfeld seems to have a personal affection for the Nordschleife
Laprecord cons
- Demonstration starts 30 minutes after programmed race finish, this hardly seems enough time to get the track in topcondition required for record run.
And hard to predict what will happen with schedule in case of red flag as happens regularly.
- tracklayout needs to be changed.
This needs to be done for TF anyway but it is hard to imagine they would leave the F1 grandstands and pitlane in the cold.
Regardless the Yeti will be in the trackside bushes with his camera
- because they can
- The demonstration is scheduled to last an hour
- Heidfeld seems to have a personal affection for the Nordschleife
Laprecord cons
- Demonstration starts 30 minutes after programmed race finish, this hardly seems enough time to get the track in topcondition required for record run.
And hard to predict what will happen with schedule in case of red flag as happens regularly.
- tracklayout needs to be changed.
This needs to be done for TF anyway but it is hard to imagine they would leave the F1 grandstands and pitlane in the cold.
Regardless the Yeti will be in the trackside bushes with his camera
MrKipling43 said:
2priestsferrari said:
I don't think he'll go for the record...too much to loose for BMW if it goes all pear shaped!!!
Yeah a confettied F1 car at a publicity stunt is not great for the ol' corporate image!
I reckon a canoed one is more likely to get onto the evening news!
From autosport.com:
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Nick Heidfeld admits he is disappointed he will not be allowed to show his speed when he tackles Nurburgring's legendary Nordschleife circuit next Saturday.
The BMW Sauber driver will be the man in charge of driving a Formula One car for the first time in 31 years around the 22-km historic track, in an event organised by BMW Motorsport.
Heidfeld will use this year's F1.07 car, but fitted with Bridgestone demonstration tyres, which are about 10 seconds slower than those used in the races.
The German admits he feels sorry he will not be allowed to go for it.
"BMW doesn't want me to go that fast they are a bit worried about the circuit," said Heidfeld. "But I am a racing driver - I cannot go slow! I'm looking forward to it but I'm disappointed I have to use Bridgestone demonstration tyres.
"When we ran them in Melbourne, they were about 10 seconds a lap slower than regular tyres. Obviously, there's no grip.
"I don't know the track well but I know it. I've driven it a few times in a normal road car and I've played it a bit on the computer. I never did a race there so I'm not an expert at all.
"I'm really looking forward to it it's going to be fantastic. But again, I would like to have normal tyres."
Despite knowing he will not be allowed to drive as fast as he can, Heidfeld says he is really eager to enjoy the experience.
"I just like the idea of driving on such a fantastic track, he added. "And I like driving in strange places I drove on ice over the
winter. So it's fun to do something different. The Pitlane Park is pretty cool.
"And sometimes we do pitstop demos on the street. I just like the idea of going to strange places with a Formula One car."
---
Nick Heidfeld admits he is disappointed he will not be allowed to show his speed when he tackles Nurburgring's legendary Nordschleife circuit next Saturday.
The BMW Sauber driver will be the man in charge of driving a Formula One car for the first time in 31 years around the 22-km historic track, in an event organised by BMW Motorsport.
Heidfeld will use this year's F1.07 car, but fitted with Bridgestone demonstration tyres, which are about 10 seconds slower than those used in the races.
The German admits he feels sorry he will not be allowed to go for it.
"BMW doesn't want me to go that fast they are a bit worried about the circuit," said Heidfeld. "But I am a racing driver - I cannot go slow! I'm looking forward to it but I'm disappointed I have to use Bridgestone demonstration tyres.
"When we ran them in Melbourne, they were about 10 seconds a lap slower than regular tyres. Obviously, there's no grip.
"I don't know the track well but I know it. I've driven it a few times in a normal road car and I've played it a bit on the computer. I never did a race there so I'm not an expert at all.
"I'm really looking forward to it it's going to be fantastic. But again, I would like to have normal tyres."
Despite knowing he will not be allowed to drive as fast as he can, Heidfeld says he is really eager to enjoy the experience.
"I just like the idea of driving on such a fantastic track, he added. "And I like driving in strange places I drove on ice over the
winter. So it's fun to do something different. The Pitlane Park is pretty cool.
"And sometimes we do pitstop demos on the street. I just like the idea of going to strange places with a Formula One car."
Heidfeld said:
But I am a racing driver - I cannot go slow!
Classic! 
Good to see he has the spirit of the classic F1 era. Why doesn't BMW give him last year's car, proper tyres, and let him go as fast as he wants? A cool cockpit video of a modern F1 car gunning it around the Nord will surely boost their corporate image? I'm not worried about Heidfield smashing it - you don't get to be an F1 driver if you aren't good enough to do a demo lap in one piece, no matter the circuit.
Edited by Jungles on Friday 27th April 13:12
Despite unusually hard demonstration tyres and short transmission ratio, Heidfeld notched up a top speed of 275 km/h on the long straight called the "Döttinger Höhe". The second lap was his fastest lap and took 8:34 minutes. A camera car took shots of the 29-year-old on some sections of all three laps and Heidfeld slowed down for the photo calls.
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