F1 using "world's first overtaking sim" for track designs
Formula 1 has created "the world's first overtaking simulation" in a bid to design circuits that feature more entertaining racing, according to Pat Symonds.
F1 bosses have commissioned a series of working groups evaluating several ways to improve the quality of grand prix racing, and one of those is the Vehicle Performance Group that operates under Symonds' direction.
Speaking at the 2019 Autosport International Show, Symonds revealed that using simulation to influence circuit design is "an idea that is flying" and is already being used to impact the layout of the Hanoi circuit for the inaugural Vietnam race in 2020.
The tool is also being used to evaluate potential changes to existing tracks like Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina circuit, where racing has traditionally been poor.
"We've produced what I think is the world's first overtaking simulation," ex-Benetton, Renault and Williams technical chief Symonds claimed.
"It's been extremely complex to do. To run a lap takes several hours.
"It's a very, very complex simulation but it has a proper wake model of the cars, it looks at the surface and the tyre characteristics and all these sort of things.
"We're now using that to design our new circuits and to look at some modifications.
"Vietnam, which is the first circuit we've really been involved with, I think that we have really been able to understand what it will take to make good racing there.
"I think Vietnam is going to be a superb circuit. It's got some great features and it's going to have some close racing at it."
Symonds was responding to a question regarding 2016/17 Formula E champion Lucas di Grassi's latest Autosport Engineering column.
In his column, di Grassi argued that more effort should be made to ensure circuit designs promote the use of different ways around a corner instead of a conventional racing line.
Symonds added: "What Lucas is saying is correct, there are many aspects to it, but again I emphasis we've got to have science behind it, we've got to have the evidence.
"I've heard so many theories how to make cars overtake – everyone saying give them mechanical grip, you hear that one time and time again.
"The evidence is actually that in a wet race, where you've got less grip, you get much better racing. So, we're putting the science into it now."
Brundle: "Things weren't right" at Ferrari under Arrivabene
McLaren says it won't be lost without Alonso benchmark
Alpine: Ocon has what it takes to lead the F1 team in 2023
Alpine Formula 1 boss Otmar Szafnauer believes that Esteban Ocon has what it takes to lead the team following Fernando Alonso’s departure at the end of this season.
Why few would blame Leclerc if he leaves Ferrari in future
OPINION: Ferrari's numerous strategy blunders, as well as some of his own mistakes, have cost Charles Leclerc dearly in the 2022 Formula 1 title battle in the first half of the season. Though he is locked into a deal with Ferrari, few could blame Leclerc if he ultimately wanted to look elsewhere - just as Lewis Hamilton did with McLaren 10 years prior.
How Honda F1 missed a two-week window to sign Vettel
Sebastian Vettel may have enjoyed the greatest success of his Formula 1 career with Red Bull, winning four world titles - but he could have ended up with Honda instead.
Hamilton hopes Vettel showed F1 is "about something far bigger"
Lewis Hamilton hopes Sebastian Vettel's efforts to highlight issues outside of Formula 1 will set an example to young drivers to use their platform for "something far, far bigger."
Why few would blame Leclerc if he leaves Ferrari in future
OPINION: Ferrari's numerous strategy blunders, as well as some of his own mistakes, have cost Charles Leclerc dearly in the 2022 Formula 1 title battle in the first half of the season. Though he is locked into a deal with Ferrari, few could blame Leclerc if he ultimately wanted to look elsewhere - just as Lewis Hamilton did with McLaren 10 years prior.
The other McLaren exile hoping to follow Perez's path to a top F1 seat
After being ditched by McLaren earlier in his F1 career Sergio Perez fought his way back into a seat with a leading team. BEN EDWARDS thinks the same could be happening to another member of the current grid
How studying Schumacher helped make Coulthard a McLaren F1 mainstay
Winner of 13 grands prix including Monaco and survivor of a life-changing plane crash, David Coulthard could be forgiven for having eased into a quiet retirement – but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, in fact he’s busier than ever, running an award-winning media company and championing diversity in motor racing. Not bad for someone who, by his own admission, wasn’t quite the fastest driver of his generation…
Could F1 move to a future beyond carbon fibre?
Formula 1 has ambitious goals for improving its carbon footprint, but could this include banishing its favoured composite material? Pat Symonds considers the alternatives to carbon fibre and what use, if any, those materials have in a Formula 1 setting
The traits that fuelled Alonso's unexpected Aston Martin F1 move
Fernando Alonso’s bombshell switch to Aston Martin sent shockwaves through Formula 1, not least at Alpine that finds itself tangled in a contract standoff with Oscar Piastri. Not shy of a bold career move and with a CV punctuated by them, there were numerous hints that trouble was brewing.
The elements Ferrari must resolve to first save face, then win championships
OPINION: Ferrari's Formula 1 title hopes look all but over after another strategic blunder in last week's Hungarian Grand Prix denied Charles Leclerc the chance to fight for victory, while handing it to chief rival Max Verstappen. The Scuderia now faces intense scrutiny over what it must now do to finally become a genuine factor in championship battles
The clues about Hamilton’s F1 retirement plans after Vettel decision
OPINION: Sebastian Vettel is set to leave Formula 1 at the end of 2022 and will, rather shockingly, be replaced by Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin. But what about the final chapter of the other driver that defined the post-Michael Schumacher era? In Hungary, Lewis Hamilton spoke about his future in the context of Vettel’s upcoming departure, which offered clues on how long it will last.
Why all signs point to F1’s Monaco special relationship continuing
OPINION: With more potential venues than there are slots in future calendars, rumours have been circulating that the Monaco Grand Prix could be a casualty of F1’s expansion into new markets. But Mark Gallagher thinks this is highly unlikely.