F1 cars to gain unprecedented 4 seconds a lap by season end

[John S]

60 points of downforce will also be found - JAonF1. 

Not bad from highly proscriptive bodywork/wing regs and the so called 'Mini Motors' eh. 

Can we expect the racing to get much closer in the second half of the season?  I do hope so. 

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2014/06/f1-cars-gaining-speed-in-unprecedented-push-for-development/

[lkjohnson1950]

Renault has already said there is no way they can catch up to Merc until next year. They feel they need a bigger turbo.

[J.Clark]

Bigger turbo?
With all of the other regs, is the size of the turbo left up to the engine makers, or teams?

[cosworth151]

I think the size of the air intake on the turbo is regulated. That would effectively limit the size of the turbo.

[lkjohnson1950]

Not sure where the air is regulated, but Penske found years ago that a really big turbo overpowered the pop-off valve and allowed more boost. The article I read (sorry can't find the link) said Merc's turbo is larger and Rernault saying wait until next year suggests the problem is hardware which can't be changed mid season.

 

[John S]

Yeah and Ferrari have already admitted it's turbo ain't big enough, Lonny. 

[Monty]

Ferrari have already admitted it's turbo ain't big enough

and there I was trying to convince myself that size doesn't matter!

I think James Allen is on another planet (or drugs) if he thinks cars will find 4seconds a lap under the current regulations. It would defy the laws of aerodynanics if this type of gain could be achieved without more power.
Obviously it is possible for slower cars to find 4seconds because this would only bring them up to Mercedes but I cannot believe Mercedes can find another 4 seconds.

[John S]

You're probably right about Mercedes Monty, however there are still gains to be made from the energy recovery and storage systems use - especially for Renault and Ferrari teams.

James' tech man also makes clear at least half the gain, 2 secs, is expected to come from areo as the teams learn more about how their bodywork lives with the new power units. That's why I'm hoping the racing gets closer - seems to be going that way from Canada and Austria results.

 

[Jericoke]

Ferrari have already admitted it's turbo ain't big enough

and there I was trying to convince myself that size doesn't matter!

I think James Allen is on another planet (or drugs) if he thinks cars will find 4seconds a lap under the current regulations. It would defy the laws of aerodynanics if this type of gain could be achieved without more power.
Obviously it is possible for slower cars to find 4seconds because this would only bring them up to Mercedes but I cannot believe Mercedes can find another 4 seconds.

Wasn't the word at the start of the season to go easy on the 'power units' until it was clear how much abuse they could take?

Last race of the season they can push the units as hard as they want.  That has got to be good for a second or two!