Ferrari set for 'deep analysis' after Germany.

Ferrari are on the way down dramatically now. The harder they try and catch Mclaren the further back they go!
Kimi isnt bothered and really doesnt care anymore.
Massa is mediocre and that is a compliment to him!
Mclaren will get more in front every race!

looks like the situation is pretty much the same as last year

Still missing Schumi !!!

lee i think ferrari are on the way down BIG style and i will say that massa is bothered the problem he has is he is never consistent from one gp to the next so you never know how his day is going to turn out.

I dont know why but his race pace is always a long way off his qualifying pace for some reason he never seems to get on it in the race, so if he does win it, it is down to luck and kimi just is not bothered either way like you said.

Are those new McLaren torque adjustment paddle shifters illegal? They give a huge advantadge through the corners.

Ferrari was in the same situation last year but they seemed to have bounced back on the last few races of the season. You win some, you lose some. But if it's still going downhill for them by the time they get to Monza, I'd be expecting a press conference regarding a new driver line-up for 2009. Just don't know who's getting the axe though.

The McLaren torque paddles are not illegal as they aren't adjusted by the same input as the gear. Advantage or not, they are legal. Supposedly Renault are using one and Nelson Piquet Junior had it last race. Someone in Maranello is probably cooking up a similar device as we speak for Hungary ...

All parts on the car must be passed by the FIA before being used.

Therefore, no part can ever be illegal, unless it is added/modified after the FIA pass it.

However, a part can 'become' illegal over time - e.g. Renault Mass Dampers

Well put Grumpy. If D_T is right, but they fail to get a working one, expect the FIA to rule out torque adjusters soon (probably on grounds of cost saving).

Ferrari have a number of problems, half-there drivers being only one. Their capacity for race strategy is shot to pieces too. After Ross went on sabattical, the Italians started believing their own hype. I'm surprised Rob Smedley is still there: he could command a high price in the market, and I'm sure Honda would stump up for him if no-one else did. They've rested on their laurels, and last year did nothing to shake them out of their complacency.

Good point Robsy. However if I were McLaren I would NOT rest on my laurels just yet. Ferrari can still come back.

it would appear that the torque control paddles effectively act as a form of traction control, and whereas they are probably legal, it is likely that FIA will deem them to be traction control, and ban them. another apparent loophole exploited by mclaren is with their over-wing. due to flexing, a support is needed at centre. mclaren use a cantilevered support which still alows the wing to flex (see slo-mos) whereas others, toyota etc, use a solid upright support, with no flexing.

here we go again hes on his high horse

Richard give it a rest it is not traction control as the drivers choose the setting not the computer. It is no different to what all the teams use to start the grand prix, they all start on a lower power setting for half the first lap. So with what you are saying they are all using traction control.

barry and cunny. this is a DISCUSSION forum. i did not say that the torque paddles ARE traction rcontrol, but that it appear to be "a form of TC". i also said that it is PROBABLY legal. it is up to the rule makers to decide!! start control is different, but any way to modulate the power to the wheels by electronic means, other than by throttle or approved engine mapping, PROBABLY falls under the FIA description of TC. if it is legal, others will develop it and the playing field will be(sort of) levelled again.

rich ard if the FIA deems the torque paddles to be illegal they will say so. Right now they haven't.

precisely, arcuid. if they are legal, ok, if they are not, also ok. but the details have only just been disclosed, so i presume that the matter is being debated and a particular decision will be made.