GPWizard F1 Forum
F1 News & Discussions => General F1 Discussion => Topic started by: vintly on December 03, 2013, 09:22:51 PM
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If this becomes reality it's laughable.
GP2 could match F1 cars' speed in 2014 - Scalabroni
2013-12-03
Dec.3 (GMM) F1 cars could be matched for pace by the single seaters of its support series next year.
That is the fear and warning of Enrico Scalabroni, a well-known name in the F1 paddock, having worked as a technical chief at teams including Williams and Ferrari.
He set up his own GP2 team last decade, and now thinks the support field of 2014 could match for pace the new-generation, V6 turbo-powered F1 cars.
As well as featuring smaller engines, next year's F1 cars will also be heavier, have less downforce due to the significant aerodynamic changes, and probably more conservatively-designed and selected Pirelli tyres.
"I hate to be alarmist," Scalabroni is quoted by Spain's El Mundo Deportivo newspaper, "but I would not be surprised if a GP2 car is as fast as a F1 (car).
"You only have to make simple calculations to see that this could occur, at least at the beginning of the development phase in F1.
"Some (people) are concerned with this possibility," he added.
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Most stuff printed in El Mundo lacks credibility in my experience, so I'd take that with a pinch of salt.
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My guess is that the GP2 car will be a little faster down the straights and significantly slower in the corners (better engine, much worse aero and harder tyres).
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F1 cars' downforce will be significantly reduced in 2014, so although they may still have more than GP2 cars, cornering speed will be impacted too. I've read they could be 3+ seconds a lap slower.
On the plus side, sometimes things have to hit rock bottom before there's a revolution!