German GP 2008

[donskar]

Axle, I saw that on PlanetF1.com's forum, where several posters were making quite a big thing of it.

At least one poster there said this was the first and only engine to be checked this year. (I don't know if that is true.)

Also, much is being made of the traction control aspect of McLaren's multi-paddle system.

I'm NOT a McL fan, but this would not be the first time they stretched the rules (but, then, Ferrari does, too!)

[shotzski]

I just hate people comments on PF1 forum. I know it's they're right to share their semtiments, but they are just timid and very unjustified. One person argued about Dennis pushing the radio button to Heikki and giving team orders.

I have two points:

1st, how sure was he that Dennis was talking to Heikki, when the camera guy focusing on the button, on live tv, couldn't make up of the letters on the button. It sure ain't Kovalainen written all over it.

2nd, what's wrong with Dennis switching tactics on Sunday? They're fighting a championship. Heikki couldn't push, so let Lewis do the pushing. Remember BMW in Canada? Heidfeld was leading, then suddenly Kubica was all over his back, and lets him past. Like it or not, team orders are there to stay. Teams just found a loophole implementing them.

Btw, people were disgusted at Mclaren last year in losing the championship because they let their drivers bash into one another. Now that Mclaren are playing more tactics, people are still disgusted. Whats next should they be disgusted about? Letting Lewis pit first than Heikki? Just my two cents. Cheers!

[MattF1]

1st, how sure was he that Dennis was talking to Heikki, when the camera guy focusing on the button, on live tv, couldn't make up of the letters on the button. It sure ain't Kovalainen written all over it.

I thought it said "Pit Wall" on the button.

[axle]

1st, how sure was he that Dennis was talking to Heikki, when the camera guy focusing on the button, on live tv, couldn't make up of the letters on the button. It sure ain't Kovalainen written all over it.

I thought it said "Pit Wall" on the button.

It did...still what they hey - those that want it to read Heikki will just say it did even if the proof it there in front of their eyes.

[nae]

does ron have a button for massa and piquest ?

[shotzski]

Will it be okay if I post/quote some of the unjustified comments of people from sunday's race? Thanks!

[ben_watkins]

BBC report on Glock's crash says that a fault with the right-rear toelink/trackrod was to blame..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsp ... 521130.stm

[Spencifer_Murphy]

Sorry to go a little bit off topic, somebody mentioned Mclaren's 6 paddle system as if it was some sort of TC system which stretches the rules. I was under the impression that the 5th & 6th paddles were to switch between the different engine mapping settings? If so I don't understand how this is a form of TC (I do get how a specific "Launch" map can be programmed, but how is it that these paddles suddenly make it a form of TC and the buttons or dials that everybody else uses aren't a frm of TC?

Have I misunderstood how this system works?

[bazanaius]

I don't think this does anything that the dials on steering wheels don't do. It simply changes to a different engine map - the way the engine behaves relative to throttle input.
This wheel based idea simply means the driver does not have to remove his hands from the wheel to change the engine map; this means he is free to do it every time he changes gear, whereas some drivers might only change it once or twice a lap.

I'd imagine that the second paddle used not only means it doesn't contravene the rules, but also means engine maps can be selected independant of gear if required (for example setting a launch map before the start).

[timbo]

Question is how often is it allowed to change engine mapping. There was interview earlier this year about possibility of a special mapping for a start procedure and it was said that although it is legal to have it, it should work for a period of time before driver can activate another map. So tuning it too much for the start would sacrifice performance over first lap.

[bazanaius]

From what peopl have said on this thread, it was mentioned (I've certainly heard it said) but no one can find it in the rules...

Or the driver only hits the top paddle for the first lap, making the launch map stay engaged for 90s.

[mx_tifoso]

If you guys, or anyone for that matter, want to discuss the new McLaren steering wheel paddles, there is a dedicated thread just for that...

F1Technical- McLaren paddle shift

Otherwise please stick to discussing the events of the German GP.

Thanks

[the stig]

Here is my video edit of these weekend. Let me know what you think.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fy7lUfsKys[/youtube]

[Conceptual]

Here is my video edit of these weekend. Let me know what you think.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fy7lUfsKys[/youtube]

AWESOME! I love how you edited out the radio call from Dennis to Kovalainen to let Hamilton pass.

Maybe there is a job in the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes media spin department? You already seem well versed in Ronspeak.

Other than that, it was almost as good as the vid on the Formula1.com site, so great job!

Chris

[twoshots]

Nice work stig.

The Hamilton passes people have been talking about are interesting. If you watch the stig's vid montage you'll see Vettel stick Glock off the circuit, Kovaleinen stick Heidfeld wide, but he sensibly backs off. All these at the same corner. I think I saw on or two other as well, but perhaps they were in the early melee. Hamilton's pass on Piquet was good, can't have any complains really, half a car length up before he slides out on the racing line. The pass on Massa is a bit dicey, but Massa went in far too wide and just found Hamilton's car in the way. In Massa's defence I think he didn't realise just how close Hamilton was. Perhaps that's got something to do with those silly Ferrari mirrors. If he knew he was there, even with fading brakes he could have held the inside line and made Hamilton go the long way round, and stick him over the curb for being a cheeky young squirt.

1st, how sure was he that Dennis was talking to Heikki, when the camera guy focusing on the button, on live tv, couldn't make up of the letters on the button. It sure ain't Kovalainen written all over it.

I thought it said "Pit Wall" on the button.

Yep, 'Pit Wall'.

AWESOME! I love how you edited out the radio call from Dennis to Kovalainen to let Hamilton pass.

But, honestly, I didn't hear it either.