IndyCar 2012 - the ICONIC Project

[Captain Hammer]

Okay, so I know this is a Formula 1-related forum, but the Indy Racing League have released their plans for the 2012 season under the new ICONIC project and I find it a rather fascinating format: Dallara will build and supply each team with a core chassis. This largely consists of a moncoque, survival cell and engine bay with suspension and basic wheelbase. The teams are then free to develop their own wings and bodywork or swap out one developed by another company. Any aerodynamic package that is developed for the series must be made available to all of the teams (and possibly individual drivers) at a minimum cost (basically, it will cost less than $500,000 to put together a car). There's a full story on it here that explains it better than I ever could. Tony Purnell, the boss of the League, has even put to call out to individual car manufacturers and even aerospace companies like Lockheed Martin and Boeing to develop something for the 2012 series. Lotus (who sponsor Takuma Sato, no less) have already expressed interest in getting involved, and the concept has generally been pretty well-received (unlike the DeltaWing proposal).

And this got me wondering: could Formula 1 develop a similar system? I mean, let's face it - it's probably never going to happen - but what if? Could we see a future where teams have the option of building a car from the ground up or buying a srandard central chassis and either developing their own bodywork or buying designs from another team?

[Salamander]

Personally, I think this is a brilliant idea. It might work in F1, but perhaps it would be better to run it in F2 to test it out, and then, if it works out well, adapt it to F1.

[Jordan192]

It seems good, but there's always the chance that everyone will end up running the same bodywork - or the kit with the most people running it will get most mileage and thus gradually improve itself further and further ahead of the others. I'm not going to prejudge though, It's well worth trying, at the very least.

[Captain Hammer]

Well, the IRL are capping the number of changes that can be made to the kit by both the teams (ie how many different packages they run throughout a season) and by the developers (ie how many changes they make to the actual components).

[muttley]

Well, that's what March was doing in the 70s after all: selling customer chassis that teams could customize with their own aerodynamic appendages -- like the awful Eifelland.

Interestingly, FIA under Mosley (who used to be in March) tried to stop this. But I can't understand why.

[IdeFan]

Interestingly, FIA under Mosley (who used to be in March) tried to stop this. But I can't understand why.

Thats because Ferrari, with their huge budget, strong design team and private test track would never have allowed it.

Not sure what to make of this really, I am worried that the freedom to buy anyone's aero spec will result in the majority of the field gravitating towards the best setup, leaving smaller manufacturers short of funds with which to bridge the gap. You only need to look at F3 to see a series which is technically open to all comers but effectively a spec series.

I think for it to work we need a big team to go its own way like Penske did in the early 90s rather than everyone going down the cheaper customer route.

[Debaser]

Tony Purnell did a good job when he ran Jaguar, and I remember he used to do a column for F1 Racing where he was always erudite and full of common sense. Not surprised he's got this IRL gig now, he seems like a good guy and I like this idea, its innovative and strikes a balance between cutting costs and letting teams develop their own packages. It will still reward the bigger and richer teams, but I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, every formula needs a pecking order of sorts to make it interesting. I like the idea, might even force me to have 1/16th of an eye on the IRL from 2012 onwards.

[ADx_Wales]

My god, you've been suckered in, every, single, one of you.

http://audio.mpix.org.uk/mwm2010/mwm5-31.mp3

Listen to this, it will not only clear things up, but it will also make you wish Peter Windsor came up with the idea.

[Captain Hammer]

Sorry, but I completely disagree with that.

[DemocalypseNow]

Penske-Ferrari for F1 2013.

You heard it here first

[TomWazzleshaw]

Penske-Ferrari for F1 2013.

You heard it here first

Wait does that mean they're buying out STR?
There goes my attempt to start rumours that Citroen might buy out STR

[ADx_Wales]

More opinion...
http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ ... r-thunder/

[coops]

More opinion...
http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ ... r-thunder/

Wheres your avatar?

[DemocalypseNow]

More opinion...
http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ ... r-thunder/

Wheres your avatar?

Carlos burned it.

[TomWazzleshaw]

More opinion...
http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ ... r-thunder/

Wheres your avatar?

Carlos burned it.

Quote of the month me thinks

[CarlosFerreira]

More opinion...
http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ ... r-thunder/

Wheres your avatar?

Carlos burned it.

I only too it to the cleaners'.

[DemocalypseNow]

Wheres your avatar?

Carlos burned it.

I only too it to the cleaners'.

Yes, but in the metaphorical sense rather than the literal.

[Row Man Gross-Gene]

I think it would be a terrible idea for F1. It might be fine for IRL. Even without the negatives of the additional requirements that are being talked about in IRL, requiring even 1 major component to be uniform seems like it would stifle creativity and technical competition in what is supposed to be the pinnacle of motor racing (F1). No thank you.

[AndreaModa]

I think it would be a terrible idea for F1. It might be fine for IRL. Even without the negatives of the additional requirements that are being talked about in IRL, requiring even 1 major component to be uniform seems like it would stifle creativity and technical competition in what is supposed to be the pinnacle of motor racing (F1). No thank you.

But in reality F1 is like that now anyway. The tubs can't be modified once they've been homologated, we're running with engines that have seen no significant development for a good 3 years, and aerodynamic regulations effectively force designers down pre-determined paths ensuring that cars look relatively similar.

If anything, the amount of leeway that new designs in the IRL will have will ensure a much more varied grid than F1 has ever been since the early 1980s.

[Row Man Gross-Gene]

I think it would be a terrible idea for F1. It might be fine for IRL. Even without the negatives of the additional requirements that are being talked about in IRL, requiring even 1 major component to be uniform seems like it would stifle creativity and technical competition in what is supposed to be the pinnacle of motor racing (F1). No thank you.

But in reality F1 is like that now anyway. The tubs can't be modified once they've been homologated, we're running with engines that have seen no significant development for a good 3 years, and aerodynamic regulations effectively force designers down pre-determined paths ensuring that cars look relatively similar.

If anything, the amount of leeway that new designs in the IRL will have will ensure a much more varied grid than F1 has ever been since the early 1980s.

I hear what you're saying and definitely more needs to be done in this area in F1. But prior to homologation design can take its course. In the IRL setup, there wouldn't be any time prior to homologation. And good design seems to be able to shine through in F1 (even if not as often as it should). Just look at the quality of the Red Bull cars compared to everyone else. Whether through luck, hard work, genius, or some combination thereof, RBR has distanced themselves from the pack (at least in terms of the car).

[captainhappy]

COST was the driver.

I really think ICONIC delivered a pretty smart solution, given the need to draw manufactures and slash team budgets.

If Audi or Mazda want to run in the series, one engine spec will fit any car on the grid. While there might be some competition from aero manufacturers to lure teams into their program.

I just hope the poor fans win and we see multiple different designs on track to spark the imagination. Who will build the turbine car in our generation???????

Please don't burn my avatar.

[ADx_Wales]

More reaction on Wednesday, Midweek Motorsport have got Randy Barnard, Gil De Ferran and Tony Purnell to chat and answer questions about the 2012 chassis, http://www.radiolemans.com/ and listen live at 8pm UK (3pm Eastern USA/12noon Pacific, which also means VERY early for the Aussies, but do not fear it will be podcasted by the end of the week).

John Hindhaugh presents alongside former F1 pit bloke Nick Daman and his USF1 cartoon co-creator Declan Brennan.

It is likely that they will have pre recorded the interviews, but will also discuss the news in the build up to the German GP, the lack of news regarding giving Carl Edwarsds a race ban after yet another NASCAR menace at his favourite victim Brad Keselowski.

[shinji]

More reaction on Wednesday, Midweek Motorsport have got Randy Barnard, Gil De Ferran and Tony Purnell to chat and answer questions about the 2012 chassis, http://www.radiolemans.com/ and listen live at 8pm UK (3pm Eastern USA/12noon Pacific, which also means VERY early for the Aussies, but do not fear it will be podcasted by the end of the week).

John Hindhaugh presents alongside former F1 pit bloke Nick Daman and his USF1 cartoon co-creator Declan Brennan.

It is likely that they will have pre recorded the interviews, but will also discuss the news in the build up to the German GP, the lack of news regarding giving Carl Edwarsds a race ban after yet another NASCAR menace at his favourite victim Brad Keselowski.

Community Podcast not good enough for you ay? For shame.

[ADx_Wales]

I have no idea what you are trying to convey Shinji

By the way, that IS my avatar.

[shinji]

I have no idea what you are trying to convey Shinji

By the way, that IS my avatar.

You just seem to keep linking to other podcasts. Thought this one is relevant at least.


You do know your avatar just shows up as 'User avatar' rather than the proud Welsh flag it once was?

[ADx_Wales]

Its a link to the same show the only podcast I have been linking to, yes I do tend to pay attention more to this one because its not just F1, and its probably the only live radio / podcast that has and will [prodigy]pay close attention[/prodigy] to things such as this.

Yes I did have the welsh flag, but somehow its dissappeared again, and I thought a lack of an avatar looked rejectful enough, so it has stayed

[shinji]

Its a link to the same show the only podcast I have been linking to, yes I do tend to pay attention more to this one because its not just F1, and its probably the only live radio / podcast that has and will [prodigy]pay close attention[/prodigy] to things such as this.

Yes I did have the welsh flag, but somehow its dissappeared again, and I thought a lack of an avatar looked rejectful enough, so it has stayed

Fair enough to both. I'm just tired is all.

[ADx_Wales]

Kind of slightly old news:

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ ... -2012-car/

...7 people may have chosen the future of indycar, but the teams dont want it.

It's formula elaborate bluff all over again. (Ok Dan, which one are you , show yourself )

[TomWazzleshaw]

Is it just me or does the proposed car have "Le Mans" written all over it?