With the first test of 2014 less than two weeks away, it’s
time to get excited about the prospects of the forthcoming season. So much
change in the regulations has meant that this year is like a reset, Red Bull
will not instantly be thought of as the winners, although no doubt they will be
one of the favourites while Adrian Newey continues to design their cars.
For the first time since 1988, Turbo engines are back with
us. Many are complaining that the noise isn’t quite the same but like much in
F1, it’s something we will get used to. Perhaps what will take some time to
acquaint ourselves with is the effect some of the new rules have had on the
look of the cars. The noses are meant to look a bit like anteaters. For the
fastest cars on earth, perhaps they could have thought more about the aesthetic
appeal, tigers rather than lolloping ant addicted beasts.
The new power units are 15,000 rpm limited 1.6 litre V6
Turbo units. The Power will be supplemented by two ERS (Energy Recovery Systems)
units, one from kinetic energy and the other from heat which will add 161bhp
for 33 seconds per lap to bring the total power to around 750bhp which is a
similar level to what the old units generated. They believe the increase in
torque will mean that drivers will have to be especially careful how they apply
the power.
Their will only be five power units available down from
eight, with reliability anticipated to be a crucial factor in determining the
winner in the opening rounds as the manufacturers hone their product. Also a
maximum of 100kg of fuel, down from 150kg, will be allowed to start the race
with, meaning fuel efficiency will also be a major element of races and how
well the drivers can attack while also looking after their fuel load.
With the advent of these new power units gear boxes have
increased to eight gears with the ratios fixed, while the chassis has had some
notable modifications. The front wing width has decreased by 150mm to 1650mm
while the nose height has been restricted to 185mm meaning the high nose we
have been used to for over two decade will be a thing of the past, this is
mainly in the name of safety to prevent accidents which might push the car into
the air. Other modifications include the rear wing and the chassis being lowered.
The final main element of change is a central exhaust exit
rather than at the sides of the car. This eliminates any more exhaust blown
diffuser effects, taking away one of Red Bull’s main advantages over the
previous years. Downforce will be massively reduced but I'm sure the teams will claim most of it back as the season goes on.
So those are the main technical changes along with some of
the sporting changes like permanent numbers and the stupid final race double
points rule which I’m still hoping will be dropped before racing gets underway
What will these
changes mean for the races?
Well I think reliability will certainly be a major talking
point in the opening events. I’ll especially be interested to see how Red Bull
handle the new power units. They have always had problems with their KERS
units, now with these systems integrated into the engine will they still have
recurring problems? 
Will Adrian Newey allow his cars to breathe? I’m sure it
goes without saying he’ll already have thought about this but then again he had
four years to think about it previously and there were still problems by the
end of 2013.
The new efficiency Formula with the fuel means that races
will play out slightly differently. All teams had a general handle on how to
deal with it, but this is so much less, so to be quick while still saving fuel
and looking after the tyres will require a certain technique with the driving
style as well as how efficient their partners power units are. As mentioned the
increase in torque will also mean the tyres are under more pressure especially
on the more technical circuits, so anyone who was hoping the tyres may play a
less significant role this year will be disappointed.
Strategy will obviously have an increased role and the
relationship between engineer and driver will be ever more crucial as they plan
when to attack and when to manage which could see moments when drivers are not
able to attack at all which isn’t great but could mix up the races. I’m sure
music to the ears of the likes of Lewis Hamilton this will not be.
Which drivers will
this give an advantage to?
Well Sebastian Vettel has proven he can adapt brilliant to
an entirely counter-intuitive driving style with the blown diffuser, and I see
no reason why he won’t maintain a starring role. Although, it will be
interesting to see how it plays out, because when the blown diffuser wasn’t
maximised at Red Bull he did drop into the pack occasionally.
If McLaren can produce a good car, I expect Jenson Button to
be big gainer, while Fernando Alonso will always be up there, as I expect Kimi
Raikkonen to be also. I think this could be the year Nico Rosberg really comes
to the fore. He’s a driver who really gets involved with the technical side and
I believe he could well edge Lewis Hamilton this year.
On pure pace I don’t see it happening, Hamilton is still
probably the quickest out there, but his application continues to be questioned
and everyone knows he just wants to go flat out, something these regulations
just won’t allow anyone to do anymore, those days are long gone.
In a way it’s a shame that you can’t but it does add
variable elements and to protect Formula 1’s long term future going down the
efficiency route is definitely the way to go. Lewis is capable of anything
anyone else can do, but sometimes it feels like his attitude holds him back.
Other drivers I expect to benefit from this are Sergio
Perez, while Nico Hulkenberg I think will continue to shine, while if Lotus
have the money and an engine (only team not to confirm their supplier and so
far only team to say they won’t be at the first test) then I think Romain
Grosjean will stay on his upward curve and could grab a win this year.
Any early front
runners?
It seems like about halfway through 2013 people were tipping
Mercedes to be a 2014 title challenger. Those rumours are still consistently
there, but nothing has hit the track as yet so nobody will know really until we
get to Melbourne. With all the brilliant people they have at Mercedes, surely
2014 is their chance to shine. The power unit is meant to be leading the way so
far, but will the loss of Ross Brawn hold them back? Losing Brawn, the figure
head of the team and a master organiser could well throw their 2014 potential
away, but I hope this team do come to the fore. Just as much as I hope Brawn
isn’t finished with F1 just yet.
Williams are stocking up on technical talent at the moment,
but has that come too late to affect their 2014 plans? McLaren could be in for
a transitional year, I’m sure Mercedes will give them a quality supply of
engines but with Honda joining force with the Woking team from 2015, they’re
not going to be the closest of partners this year. I do think McLaren will be a
lot better than last year though, but that’s not hard. I fear Lotus could
struggle this year, the loss of James Allison to Ferrari will be felt, despite
a strong technical team there, but their money struggles and failure to
announce an engine partner is a cause for concern.
Again, the full loss of blown diffusers will have affected
Red Bull the most, they had perfected their system more than anyone, so will
this send them back in the pack? I can’t believe they’ll be anything other than
challengers but dominant? I don’t think so.
Interestingly so the rumours go, Ferrari are not looking
strong with their power units. For their sake I hope they improve quickly
otherwise I think a certain Spaniard will be looking to jump ship especially as
he’s comfortably into his 30s now. All will not be revealed in a few weeks, but
some answers may start to form, not long now.
all photo's taken from autosport.com
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