Wait'll they get a load of... the 2009 F1 cars
What you see above is a shot of BMW's Formula 1 racer built to 2009 specs. Slicks are back for mechanical grip, but to reduce downforce and speeds -- and supposedly increase passing -- the rear wing has been trimmed down so much that it looks like a shelf from IKEA. The front wing on the car is also larger and wider, and extras like flip-ups and winglets on the front wing, nosecone and bodywork are prohibited next year. BMW has also been testing its KERS hybrid system, where other teams are using ballast while they sort out when they'll introduce their own systems. Frankly, that system could be just as shocking as the car itself. If the on-track action gets better, then we're all for it. But for now, these cars remind us of ugly things.[Source: F1 Live]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Dunc 1:03PM (11/19/2008)
F1 is all about building the car that can lap a track as fast as possible. If you can't afford it then get out.
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why not the LS2LS7? 1:07PM (11/19/2008)
I see you are only slightly less responsive to the needs of the racing teams in your series than Bernie is.
When you are the one opening your checkbook for this stuff, then you can talk some smack.
Dunc 1:12PM (11/19/2008)
I see what you are saying, but ultimately F1 is about entertainment; it's a sport. I personally enjoy F1 because I like seeing just how fast the cars can go. Those teams should consider racing in the CART class or something less expensive, instead of making F1 cars go slower.
why not the LS2LS7? 1:15PM (11/19/2008)
You want to see the fastest cars, go to a drag race. I'd prefer to see racing.
The Champ Car series (formerly CART) went away last year.
In the end, F1 is trying to avoid exactly what you describe, that is, the teams going to another series due to costs. F1 would be a lot less fun if there were only 4 cars out there.
Dunc 1:18PM (11/19/2008)
Well judging by what you are saying there isn't much of a choice, but I still think that it takes the fun out of it.
Drag racing is cool for about 5 minutes. I enjoy seeing a car go around a sweeping turn at 150 mph it makes me feel tingly inside. Without that I will be lost...
Joe K. 2:16PM (11/19/2008)
There's always IRL for going slower on a smaller budget. The world needs a series where money-be-damned cars are built to compete with the best drivers and innovation is the key to victory. Otherwise we have a NASCAR like homologation where the only difference between cars is the headlight stickers.
why not the LS2LS7? 7:16PM (11/19/2008)
Engines and suspensions are not spec in NASCAR. If you want to talk pure spec series, IRL is a good example, or GP1.
tom 1:03PM (11/19/2008)
Not the prettiest. I wonder if BMW will be the top car next year considering how advanced their KERS is already.
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Stingers 2:50PM (11/19/2008)
The old cars are works of art (old being '08). This is uglier than old (90s) Indy cars!
f1tifoso 6:20PM (11/22/2008)
Understatement of the year award ---^
They are UGLY - so much for the complete innovation of the sport -
mechanical advancement through the engine - OUT THE DOOR -
aero advancement through the body - OUT THE DOOR -
Point of the Formula now? NONE!
why not the LS2LS7? 1:05PM (11/19/2008)
I'm all for removing all the nonsense from the front end, like the antlers and stuff.
But the rear wing looks really weird.
Glad to see slicks back.
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TJ 1:05PM (11/19/2008)
"Last month, Credit Suisse delivered a downbeat outlook for the rest of the year as big losses in trading added to further write-downs on its leveraged-loan and structured-products businesses. The bank reported a third-quarter net loss of more than $1 billion."
But they can pay to put their name on a car....
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rsfourever 1:11PM (11/19/2008)
it's called a contract. and if you break the contract before the end of the term, it's called "breach of contract." and when you have breach of contract, you get sued. Credit Suisse is in no position to be paying lawyers fees trying to protect itself from the few millions it's paying BMW for branding.
gino 1:06PM (11/19/2008)
Ah, c'mon. What's wrong with powered soap box derby racers?
This is right in line with Bernie's drive to reward podium finhers with gold, silver and bronze medals instead of points, which he says all drivers would like to see.
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John Johnson 1:06PM (11/19/2008)
Yay, let's reduce downforce, that'll make things much more fun!
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rsfourever 1:11PM (11/19/2008)
it would actually be pretty cool if we started seeing cars lifting off the ground...
why not the LS2LS7? 1:13PM (11/19/2008)
Well, let's see. Passing happens under braking and during cornering. But with the current downforce levels, braking zones are incredibly short and time spent in corners is way down too due to the high cornering speeds.
Lengthening braking zones and increasing time spent cornering might actually cause more passing. So yeah, it might make things more fun.
imirk 1:13PM (11/19/2008)
actually go watch the VW TDI cup, no down force loads of fun, at least the early races were.
John Johnson 1:14PM (11/19/2008)
I thought F1 was pushing for safety. It's great to see overtaking, but not because one guy is flying off the track.
John Johnson 1:15PM (11/19/2008)
I must have missed the parts where those TDIs run 180MPH into a corner :D