Formula One news

Spanish GP engine preview

Barcelona is not generally thought of as an engine circuit as the engine is not under particular stress at any point. There are relatively few hard accelerations from low revs, even taking into account the new chicane, and the main priority is for the power delivery to be progressive and driveable in order to maintain the best handling balance, and limit tyre wear. The chicane has also reduced the time spent at full throttle, which now equates to around 64% of the lap.

Given the length of the main straight at this circuit, the choice of gear ratios can prove difficult. The wind direction is quite changeable, and usually provides either a headwind or a tailwind on the main straight. This means that the choice of final drive is important, because while over-revving is no longer a possibility under the 2007 regulations, spending too much time on the rev limiter owing to a poorly calibrated final drive will certainly cost overall lap-time. Selecting the correct final drive is an important part of the work during the practice sessions.

more news

• 05 Jul.
  • Coulthard disappointed with eleventh
  • Fisichella missed out on Q2
  • Difficult qualifying session for Williams
  • Webber surprised to be in front row
  • Toyota missed out on top ten
  • Maiden pole position for Kovalainen
  • Live: British Grand Prix 1st free practice
  • Frank Williams glad British Grand Prix is saved
  • Alonso fastest at drying track
  • Photos: Saturday at Silverstone
• 04 Jul.
  • Alonso's engine problem didn't surprise the team
  • Photos: Friday at Silverstone
  • McLaren drivers happy with first day at Silverstone
  • Mixed day for Williams drivers
  • Clutch problems for Glock, new rear wing for Trulli
  • Steady start for Red Bull drivers
  • Donington pleased with F1 contract
  • Kovalainen fastest in the afternoon
  • British Grand Prix moves to Donington
  • Fastest time and heavy crash for Massa
  • British drivers will miss Coulthard
  • Batmobile challenges Glock at Silverstone
• 03 Jul.
  • Webber extends Red Bull contract
  • Horner will miss good friend and gentleman Coulthard
  • Coulthard to retire at end of season
  • New at GPUpdate.net: Live reports
  • Photos: Thursday at Silverstone
  • Massa targets British podium
  • Raikkonen to use new engine
  • Ecclestone leaves door open for British Grand Prix
• 02 Jul.
  • Singapore Grand Prix to build 1,600 extra seats
  • Webber: We cannot afford to lose Silverstone too
  • Sutil expects step forward
• 01 Jul.
  • Fisichella doing fine after heavy crash
  • Toro Rosso happy with its current drivers
  • Toyota joins forces with Batman
  • Coulthard optimistic for second half of the year
  • Rosberg expects better performance at Silverstone
  • Paul Ricard boss steps down
  • Silverstone Tech File

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