All-purpose open-wheel (F1, IRL) racing thread

The temperature was 91 degrees in Indianapolis that day; nine drivers were treated for heat-related illness. Driver Pat Flaherty suffered minor injuries when he fainted and crashed into a wall later in the race. The track temperature reached 130 degrees. – WIKI

 

I’m watching the Monte Carlo Grand Prix. There’s no stick or clutch. They are driving using a big XBox console. Push button shifting is for kids at an arcade.
My god, I drive a 6 speed manual

 

This could be the opposite/parallel to 1992, when it was so cold (52 degrees/39 wind chill) that new, unheated tires had no adhesion and there were crashes on nearly every start and restart. High temperatures will not only bring all the oil and slick stuff to the track surface, it'll make these cars extremely aero-sensitive, meaning massive push/understeer/tight in dirty air. The driver who wins today will be the best at driving on what may be as slippery as ice, because there won't be a whole lot of adjustments they can make once they reach the limits of downforce and mechanical grip.

Unlike 1953, the engines are at least in the rear -- although because of aerodynamics very little air gets into the cockpit. Back then, not only did they have ambient heat and front engine cars, but the red-hot exhaust pipes ran within inches of the driver's right arm. Vukovich won without the benefit of a relief driver. Helps to grow up in Fresno, where 91 degrees in late May feels like a cold front.

 

Sorry for hogging the conversation, but one other thing to consider: Higher temperatures adversely affect horsepower, so it may be doubly difficult to get a run on anyone today, even with a draft/tow. Plus we may see more than the usual mechanical issues, although the current engines have proven to be pretty much bullet-proof.

 

Keep the insights coming please, @maumann

 

Just heard the new cars have 200-300 less pounds of downforce, which helps fuel economy. But the tire degredation is way up. You might be able to make 30 laps on a full fuel load, but do you want to be out there on worn-out tires? At least six stops, probably seven. Perhaps the winner will be one who rolls the dice on economy -- and the number of yellows.

 

Race laps at 220-221 for the leaders. That's about 4-5 mph slower than Monday's practice. Not surprised, but good clean racing right now in the first few laps.

 

Everybody just hanging on until they can make first pit stops and hopefully work on the balance. Kanaan, Graham Rahal and Rossi made some large leaps in this first stint. Danica's got a handful (watch your rude thoughts).

 

Several cars went 33 laps, but this is all about tires rather than fuel. Carpenter is so much faster on new tires. As is Kanaan, up to second.

EDIT: I don't think you can win this race on fuel economy, unless you pull a Rossi if there's a yellow right around Lap 165. You certainly aren't going to be able to make five stops instead of six, if the difference in tire wear kills your speed.

 

In case you're wondering, Bill Homeier's 74 laps run in 1954 is still the record for 33rd finisher. I thought they might actually have a shot at that today, except Davison's rolling chicane caught up Sato.

UPDATE: And Claman De Melo tried an alternate strategy, staying out on older tires and hoping to stretch his fuel mileage. But now he's screwed after Ed Jones belts the wall.

UPDATE: HA! Danica Patrick whacks the wall and suddenly Claman De Melo looks like a hero.

 

Newgarden went off strategy that time, along with Wickens, Rahal, Hildebrand and Munoz. But Kanaan's turning laps at 217 out front and they're doing 213 in dirty air on fresher tires. We'll see if that backfires. Leaders are due in soon (just past 200-mile mark).

UPDATE: Past the 300-mile mark. Kanaan's day wrecked by a flat right rear, just two laps after his routine pit stop. He's barely keeping Will Power at bay from going a lap down. We've been green since Patrick.