Ferrari Mailing List: Re: 2015 playing field

[Stephen L Sherman (stephensherman44]

Good post Rick, tend to agree with most of you observations. 
Seb's development skill will be tested at Ferrari, I don't feel he has the 
skills Michael had.
Of course Michael didn't do it alone, and I don't see any one that stands out 
in the Ferrari organization.
The FIA's stance about Honda shows a glimmer of hope.
I write this while re watching Abu Dhabi, cleaning up my DVR to make room for 
2015 F1 season.

Stephen 
Sent from my iPad

> On Jan 17, 2015, at 7:12 AM, Rick Lindsay <richardolindsay [at] gmail.com> 
> wrote:
> 
> Hello,
> 
> Just read that the FIA has agreed to allow Honda in-season engine 
> development. Could this be the first sane FIA decision in recent years? The 
> article didn't say specifically if Honda would be afforded the same 
> development opportunities as the other teams. Only that they had won their 
> appeal with the FIA. That alone is a quantum change!
> 
> What are your thoughts regarding the 2015 season? I know some of you, like 
> many in the general public, feel that F1 is living on borrowed time. I too 
> have noticed the half-empty grandstands and the increased frequency of TV 
> commercials, in the States anyway. But it seems that the message may have 
> gotten through to the organizers. Healthy changes may be coming. Often it 
> takes a bit of time plus a significant financial hit, to overcome an owner's 
> arrogance. Only then do they learn that one can't just force feed their 
> customers silliness for very long before those customers are no longer 
> customers!
> 
> Counter to trend, I expect McLaren to come on strong and stay strong. The 
> chassis last year, wasn't bad. And this isn't Honda's first rodeo. Jensen is 
> a very smooth driver. As such, he doesn't add a lot of 'noise' to the data 
> stream coming off of the car. Same with tires. One might even view his drives 
> as in-season testing, while still capable of gathering up points. And of 
> course, Fred is good.
> 
> I hope to see Williams continue the progress they showed in the later half of 
> 2014. They too can be strong. Massa may have lost that chip from his shoulder 
> by now, so the whining may subside. I hope so. He's a good driver but I fear 
> his championship aspirations are behind him. Still, good for points.
> 
> I believe Ferrari's public statements about hoping to win two races this 
> season, is an 'under promise, over deliver' scheme. That psychological 
> approach rallies the fans around the underdog. But, "Have no fear, Underdog 
> is here!" Below are my thoughts on the 2015 season for the red cars.
> 
> Kimi will just keep on doing whatever he does. But, what will Seb do in a red 
> fire suit? Personally, I care very little about the drivers. I like the cars 
> - but you know that. What I do follow is how the driver influences car 
> development.
> 
> Seb's self-described driving style is 'point-n-squirt'. That works great in a 
> chassis that handles the rest of the issues. Witness the earlier Red Bulls. 
> But make the chassis a pig to drive, like most of the cars last last season, 
> and that go-kart style of driving doesn't work. One has to actually drive the 
> car from braking point through to exit, rather than just ride it out. The big 
> question in my mind remains: Even if Ferrari can build enough power into the 
> hybred abortion energy system (or whatever politically correct name chosen), 
> can they build a chassis, within the current formula, that fits Seb's 
> point-n-squirt driving style? That, my friends, is what will define Ferrari's 
> performance in 2015. Remember, Adrian Newey couldn't do it last year and he 
> is arguably the preeminent designer. That said, I feel that the key element 
> in the instability is that stupid rear brake-by-wire, not aerodynamics. 
> 
> Mercedes will be strong, no doubt. The chassis is a work of art and the 
> engine is excellent. But this season, it may not stand out so far above the 
> crowd. What they made work is the braking. That let them take full advantage 
> of the power available.
> 
> And the other teams? Predicting their performance is as reliable as 
> predicting roulette. Well, except perhaps for Lotus. They may bring some nice 
> surprises for us.
> 
> Personally, I want Minardi and the innovative offerings of Ken Tyrrell back. 
> But alas...
> 
> -rick
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