Maybe what Vettel tested in the simulator during pre-season wasn't what it turned out to be in the end?
AMuS quoted Ricciardo admitting in Malaysia that Vettel had the measure of him in the medium speed corners and he would have to learn from him, so Vettel is still happy and is doing strong with medium speed corners regardless of the EBD being gone. Braking stability and traction, (Horner and Helmut) all software and mapping preference for the new power units, it will be interesting on how much it has been costing him when he is happy for a change...
What Anderson had to say (aero wise): Red Bull has been the class of the field in recent years. Watching trackside, I have to say that it still is. At least, it is in Daniel Ricciardo's hands.He is so precise and consistent with his lines. As for Sebastian Vettel, he is still trying to drive a car with the exhaust-blown diffuser. With that design, at the corner exit it was all about getting the throttle open and getting the extra rear grip the exhaust gases offered. In 2013, he was the master of this and the Red Bull had the best system. But that is all gone now and he needs to change his driving style to suit the current specification cars. Something is clearly up with Vettel, well something is not to his liking anyway. Whether it is to do with Vettel having to adapt to not having a glued rear end, or whether it really was a chassis issue I guess only time will tell. Ricciardo is coping so in theory theres a way around whatever the problem is. I don't believe he's gone all 'Button' on us as some are suggesting, he's never seemed lost with setup before?
When did Anderson become an expert in driving styles and how cars should be driven? No seriously when did he become an expert? His analysis on cars are at least eractic at best with regards to Ferrari and McLaren for example so god knows how bad his observation on driving styles are like. Even I saw a clearer pecking order with pre season testing than him, he was saying Ferrari were the dark horse while I was saying Williams and Force India were clearly faster and more stable than Ferrari and Manny thought that it was a brave call but I knew I was right.
The accuracy of what some of what Anderson comes out with is rightly sometimes questioned, but either way something is going wrong for Vettel. He's both slower than his team mate yet going through the tyres quicker. China despite its long straight is not much of a power circuit, and I believe its also a front limited one. Barcelona is majorly rear limited so the tyre issue might be all changed when we get there, but, what ever is going on for Vettel there is definitely something making him appear scruffy. A driving characteristic or car characteristic which is hurting Vettel yet not affecting (visibly) Ricciardo at all.
Reports that Force India are on the brink of changing hands as well. Smirnoff are of course owned by London based Diageo, who have already acquired 25.00% of Mallya’s United Spirits company in 2013, and demoted the Indian ex-billionaire from his control of the company. United spirits own the Vladivar brand of vodka, which symbolically has been replaced by Diageo’s internationally well known brand, Smirnoff. Diageo have further forced Mallya to drop from the car the logo of another United Spirit’s brand, namely that of Whyte and MacKay. This of course is a competitor of Diageo’s own number one global brand of whisky – Johnnie Walker – who have had a partnership with McLaren since 2005. These events are not merely cosmetic commercial arrangements being re-prioritised. There is a changing of the guard behind the scenes in the Mallya empire, and TJ13 has learned it will not be long before a changing of shareholder arrangements will be announced for the Silverstone based Formula 1 team.
Noise boosting solutions to be tried in Spain Formula 1 looks set for a noiser future from the Canadian Grand Prix onwards as multiple solutions to turn up the volume will be trialled during the post-Spanish GP test. During a meeting in China a fortnight ago and then a follow-up meeting this week, the three engine manufacturers presented several ideas which could increase the noise from the power unit. It comes as some fans, circuit bosses and Bernie Ecclestone lashed out against the new quieter V6 units which, because of the turbocharger, sound much quieter than before. In an effort to change that, the FIA agreed to find a solution and put it to the suppliers: Mercedes; Renault and Ferrari, to come up with ideas to be tested in Spain before their likely introduction ahead of the Canadian GP in June. According to Mercedes' Toto Wolff, the ideas centre around the exhaust, and whilst they've yet to agree on the best approach, he isn't happy with the idea of widening the exit like a 'megaphone'. "We discussed what solutions there might be, and us at Mercedes also have our approaches and proposals," he is quoted as saying by Speed Week. "We have some highly complex solutions within the exhaust system and also one like a 'megaphone' that simply opens up at the end. "I do not know if the latter is what we should be doing in F1, but nevertheless we will come with our suggestions and approaches. We will try them out on the car in Barcelona and see if they have the effect that we are looking for," he added. So I expect several solutions that each somehow help that engine manufacturer go faster.....
related Drivers need to 'respect' team orders - Ricciardo Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo says team orders must be respected - unless truly outlandish - because the team know best how things will eventually play out during the race. The Australian's comments come after his own team-mate, Sebastian Vettel, ignored an order to move aside during the Chinese Grand Prix. Vettel simply replied "tough luck" when his engineer explained that Ricciardo was quicker and needed to get past. The Australian, who's managed to outqualify Vettel three in four times, says it's their responsibility to obey the teams demands even if it's 'frustrating'. "We throw up different [team-order] scenarios and discuss it, discuss it between drivers and between principals and engineers," Ricciardo told The West Australian newspaper. "It is our responsibility to obey it, unless it's completely out of order and then we can obviously try and put up a fight and give our reasons. "But the team are doing all the calculations on pit wall during the race and you have to respect what they're saying. "It's not always nice if you are being told to move over. It's not nice being that slower car, it's frustrating." That 'respect' must extend not only to the team, but to each other too, and Ricciardo says no matter the outcome on-track, he will give Vettel "the credit he deserves". "I want to race the best version of Seb and he wants to race the best version of me. At the end of the day I think we'll both respect whoever's done a better job. "Deep, deep down none of us like losing. If Seb's done a better job this year, I won't like it, but I'll definitely respect him for it and give him the credit he deserves."
Ooooooooooo, this is interesting. Or maybe it's bollocks, who knows? http://www.racingfanatic.net/2014/05/ferrari-insider-says-ross-brawn-spotted.html
