James Allen's website (www.jamesallenonf1.com) features a live Twitter feed from selected contributors, including us!
It's an interesting read, and relays information, rumours and opinions from Motorsport fans from all over the World!
Check it out HERE.
To follow us, visit www.Twitter.com and search for @F1Predict
Attempting To Predict The Results Of Every Race Of The 2011 Formula 1 Season
Showing posts with label James Allen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James Allen. Show all posts
Saturday, 5 March 2011
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Has Formula One Become Too Complicated?
Formula One drivers no longer have to simply drive their car. There is so much else they have to do at the same time.
For example, it is not considered unreasonable to expect a driver to use the KERS 'boost' button, the adjustable rear wing and to make other adjustments to the car on the same straight.
On occasions last season, Fernando Alonso was seen to operate his 'F-Duct' with his left hand and adjust some settings on his steering wheel with his right hand, effectively travelling at up to 200mph with no hands on the wheel!
Although F-Ducts are banned for 2011, the additional performance enhancers do raise a question of safety, as drivers should be fully focussed on the track ahead and the other drivers they share the track with. This has led some drivers to question the necessity of all the different driver assists.
After his first test session in the 2011 spec Williams, Rubens Barrichello commented:
"The only drawback from the day is that the number of buttons on the steering wheel can distract you from the driving"
"I don't think it's a danger, but I think it's a concern. In terms of execution, the additional controls are obviously necessary, but people have different steering wheels, so drivers may therefore be able to reach some buttons easier than others."
"The problem is you are taking your eye off the road. There is not a single straight where I don't press a button and change gear. In my role in the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) we will keep talking about this, but I think the FIA will let us practice a little more. I think the strong comments will come now but will lessen as people get used to things."
(For this story in full visit ESPN.com)
Any drivers who struggle to utilise all the new tools at their disposal may find they miss out on valuable time, as Nico Rosberg explained:
"Sometimes its very complicated out there because my mind is concentrating on testing something, at the same time, I have someone shouting in my ear You forgot KERS, you forgot KERS!"
"Once you forget it, youre in a mess. Its quite confusing sometimes."
(For this story in full visit F1live.net)
To give you an idea of how much more technical the sport has become in recent years, here is a YouTube video - onboard with Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill in 1994.
For comparison, here is a 2011 Team Lotus steering wheel, which was loaned to BBC F1 presenter Jake Humphrey for a charity event (@jakehumphreyf1 on Twitter.com) and this is from a team who don't have KERS!
Hopefully, with one more test still to go before the new season, the drivers will have enough time to become fully familiar with their cars.
Alternatively, F1 journalist James Allen has suggested that now is the time to really encourage teams to employ female drivers, due to their superior multi-tasking abilities! (To read his full article, visit www.jamesallenonf1.com)
For example, it is not considered unreasonable to expect a driver to use the KERS 'boost' button, the adjustable rear wing and to make other adjustments to the car on the same straight.
On occasions last season, Fernando Alonso was seen to operate his 'F-Duct' with his left hand and adjust some settings on his steering wheel with his right hand, effectively travelling at up to 200mph with no hands on the wheel!
Although F-Ducts are banned for 2011, the additional performance enhancers do raise a question of safety, as drivers should be fully focussed on the track ahead and the other drivers they share the track with. This has led some drivers to question the necessity of all the different driver assists.
After his first test session in the 2011 spec Williams, Rubens Barrichello commented:
"The only drawback from the day is that the number of buttons on the steering wheel can distract you from the driving"
"I don't think it's a danger, but I think it's a concern. In terms of execution, the additional controls are obviously necessary, but people have different steering wheels, so drivers may therefore be able to reach some buttons easier than others."
"The problem is you are taking your eye off the road. There is not a single straight where I don't press a button and change gear. In my role in the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) we will keep talking about this, but I think the FIA will let us practice a little more. I think the strong comments will come now but will lessen as people get used to things."
(For this story in full visit ESPN.com)
Any drivers who struggle to utilise all the new tools at their disposal may find they miss out on valuable time, as Nico Rosberg explained:
"Sometimes its very complicated out there because my mind is concentrating on testing something, at the same time, I have someone shouting in my ear You forgot KERS, you forgot KERS!"
"Once you forget it, youre in a mess. Its quite confusing sometimes."
(For this story in full visit F1live.net)
To give you an idea of how much more technical the sport has become in recent years, here is a YouTube video - onboard with Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill in 1994.
For comparison, here is a 2011 Team Lotus steering wheel, which was loaned to BBC F1 presenter Jake Humphrey for a charity event (@jakehumphreyf1 on Twitter.com) and this is from a team who don't have KERS!
Hopefully, with one more test still to go before the new season, the drivers will have enough time to become fully familiar with their cars.
Alternatively, F1 journalist James Allen has suggested that now is the time to really encourage teams to employ female drivers, due to their superior multi-tasking abilities! (To read his full article, visit www.jamesallenonf1.com)
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
The Effect Of Tyre Wear
Several drivers and teams have expressed concerns with the effects of the wear-rate of the new Pirelli tyres, with Team Lotus driver Jarno Trulli stating "I think something is still missing in the development, because the tyres aren't balanced yet". (For this story in full, see www.autosport.com)
It is claimed that the tyres degrade much quicker than last year's Bridgestone tyres - and F1 correspondent James Allen can prove this! His website now shows graphs showing lap times from 2010 tests, and compares the times to the 2011 tests.
To view the graphs and read the full story, see www.jamesallenonf1.com
However, increased tyre wear may not be entirely negative, from a viewer's point of view at least, as BBC F1 commentator Martin Brundle - @MBrundleF1 - explained on his Twitter page:
"Drivers will bitch like crazy bt I'm really liking what I'm seeing out on track. They are really having to drive the cars, loads of mistakes"
"Mercedes has poor traction, McLaren looks shocking as if on cold tyres, Red Bull+Ferrari+Renault Lotus Lada+Williams all pounding round"
"Torro Rosso looks solid, Buemi is chasing the throttle as hard as anybody. Watching cars it's definitely going to be a wild+variable season"
Let us know what you think by commenting below!
It is claimed that the tyres degrade much quicker than last year's Bridgestone tyres - and F1 correspondent James Allen can prove this! His website now shows graphs showing lap times from 2010 tests, and compares the times to the 2011 tests.
To view the graphs and read the full story, see www.jamesallenonf1.com
However, increased tyre wear may not be entirely negative, from a viewer's point of view at least, as BBC F1 commentator Martin Brundle - @MBrundleF1 - explained on his Twitter page:
"Drivers will bitch like crazy bt I'm really liking what I'm seeing out on track. They are really having to drive the cars, loads of mistakes"
"Mercedes has poor traction, McLaren looks shocking as if on cold tyres, Red Bull+Ferrari+Renault Lotus Lada+Williams all pounding round"
"Torro Rosso looks solid, Buemi is chasing the throttle as hard as anybody. Watching cars it's definitely going to be a wild+variable season"
Let us know what you think by commenting below!
Sunday, 30 January 2011
Motor Racing Twitter Feeds
Formula One expert James Allen has updated his website to include a list of interesting twitter feeds from many motorsport enthusiasts.
Take a look, here: http://twitter.jamesallenonf1.com/
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