New F1 Cars Are Too Bloody Quiet

Australian V8 Supercars, Formula 1, Spultured

F1

After never attending a Formula 1 race, I was more than excited to hear the roaring sound and ear-piercing ring of what people had explained a Formula 1 car to be… Unfortunately this year, they sounded flatter than a lawnmower on a Saturday morning.

Not only were fans disappointed with the new V6 Turbo-charged power-train, but so was the Australian Grand Prix Coordination’s (AGPC) organiser Andrew Westacott, who said the new cars took away the fascinating spectacle of Formula 1 racing.

“One aspect of it was just a little bit duller than it’s ever been before and that’s part of the mix and the chemistry that they’re going to have to get right,” Westacott told Fairfax radio.

Westacott also mentioned that AGPC chairman Ron Walker told Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone that the new sound may have breached race contracts with Formula 1 management.

“Ron spoke to [Ecclestone] after the race and said fans don’t like it in the venue.

“We pay for a product, we’ve got contracts in place, we are looking at those very, very seriously because we reckon there has probably been some breaches.”

Not only were the big bosses disappointed with the sound of the new cars—the fans and racing drivers were in disbelief with the V6-turbo sound, including NSW Formula Ford Driver, Daniel Holihan.

“They should definitely bring back the V8 or even the V10 and V12 engine, it’s the fans that come to hear the high pitch roar of a Formula 1 around the city of Melbourne,” Holihan said.

“I was getting more of a thrill watching the rolling starts of the V8 Supercars.”

Although the cars were not as loud — the racing spoke for itself, with the drivers battling for position throughout the whole race, while trying to not break down.

The competition level was high and the winner was unpredictable before the race had even started, with reliability also playing a big part during the first race in Australia.

“I loved the action, the race was very entertaining because it was a complete fresh start for every team and there was a lot of passing going on,” Holihan said.

Not only did the race deliver great action and unpredictability, it also saw controversy unfold as Australian young gun Daniel Ricciardo was disqualified after a fuel-flow sensor error.

Ricciardo’s team at Red Bull have appealed the decision, with the answer expected to take a few weeks to be decided.

Nico Rosberg was the eventual winner of the race, with McLaren rookie driver Kevin Magnussen replacing Ricciardo for second on his Formula 1 debut, with McLaren teammate Jenson Button rounding out the top three.

Formula 1 management are yet to comment on the hybrid-generation cars.

Hear for yourself, what do you think?

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Maxwell Impresses in Darwin Finishing Second at States

Sprint Karting, Thomas Maxwell
Thomas Maxwell leading the way in Darwin

Thomas Maxwell leading the way in Darwin

15-YEAR-OLD Thomas Maxwell has achieved his career best result to date in sprint karting, finishing second at the Open State Titles in Junior National Light at his home circuit at Hidden Valley.

The Dino Kart driver impressed from day one, qualifying pole position in both sessions by nearly two-tenths to his Australian champion rival.

Maxwell backed up his speed and set the fastest lap both heats, winning comfortably in heat one.

Heat two saw Maxwell race hard with Bryce Fullwood, passing Fullwood with two-laps to go and taking his second win for the weekend.

Maxwell once again had a tight battle with Fullwood, making a spectacular finish in the pre-final crossing the line in second by one-tenth of a second.

With the racing being close throughout the whole weekend, Maxwell started second for the final. At the start Maxwell was pushed back to fifth, but fought back passing his opponents one-by-one.

The teenager then managed to regain second position, hunting down his rival and pulling away from the rest of the field.

As the laps went on, Maxwell started to catch the Australian champion by nearly one-tenth a lap.

After lap 9, the kart started to go off after making the wrong technical change to the kart, allowing the times to drop a tenth a lap, allowing Fullwood to maintain the margin.

Thomas Maxwell finished in second place in the final to Bryce Fullwood, with the gap back to third over two-seconds.

“I was extremely happy with our results over the weekend,” said Maxwell.

“Being able to break through for my maiden pole position and podium really shows that all our hard work over the last few weeks has really paid off.

“The Dino kart showed great pace throughout the whole weekend setting numerous fastest laps throughout the races and I look forward to the next title.”

Maxwell’s next race meeting is at Darwin, then will head to Melbourne in a few weeks time to back-up his great results and race at the City of Melbourne event.

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