Indian GP 2012 - Preview

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Four races left and they’ll be as intense as 4 Championship finals.

We are going to second edition of the Indian GP at the Buddh circuit. From the new generation of Tilke-design ‘artificial’ tracks this is actually one of the most interesting; challenging for drivers and engineers, it’s wide (20 mts)with fast corners, and with  one particular section  (corners 10-11) that is unique in that there’s no ideal line and can destroy the tyres in only a few slip-ups. Disappointingly last year there were only 6 on-track overtakes during the race, so the FIA decided to increase the second DRS zone by 80 meters between corners 3 and 4 as well as keeping the full length of the start-finish straight for the first DRS zone.

Both Alonso and Vettel are looking for their third World Championships but the momentum is shifting to the German with 3 wins in a row. The new found advantage by Adrian Newey’s Red Bull  is coming from their ‘double DRS system’ – a  sidepod layout that allows more downforce and more diffuser stall- that is worth ‘a couple of tenths...’ In Formula 1 that difference translates into comfortable wins as we saw in Korea. But there’s more to it: that extra downforce on the rear wheels allows the driver to transfer the brake bias to the front to make the car more stable under braking and very critically preventing the front tyres from lock-ups. Just notice how the Red Bulls have less tyre smoke from the fronts under braking thus avoiding flats spots, vibration and early degradation.

Ferrari is reacting by introducing in Alonso’s car the same exhaust tested by Massa’s in Korea that made the Brazilian’s F2012 much faster during the race. They are bringing other key new components for this weekend:  front, rear wings and revised floor panel. All these elements specifically designed to improve qualifying, the area they had been hurting most all year.

Prompted by Santi’s analysis of last CFA season (see CFA last season's review by Santiago in 'Comments') I would like to compare our performance to this year’s. At this stage in 2011 Lou & Manbos were tied  first with 161 points, one ahead of eventual winner Ian. Among the 3 of them there was only one victory all season long! (Ian in Hungary)- consistency was the name of the game and it seems the same applies to this season: leader Rocco has only one GP victory (117 points);  Fernando, without a win, is tied with Joe and Uwe at 108 points but these 2 have 2 wins each. The difference in total points between the two seasons is shocking as you can see (161 v 117), a perfect account of the amazing season we’d been enjoying so far.

So let’s get ready starting tomorrow with the first round of practice sessions.

Cheers

Cato

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