Motorsports: 2014 Formula1 season opener brings Lots of Changes

2014 mercedes amg patronas f1

The 2014 F1 season opener in Melbourne, Australia shows off new engines, new aerodynamics, and forces teams to show their hand.   There are lots of changes and most notable is that you will not find the four-time F1 World Champion in the top ten after today’s qualifying.  Sebastian Vettel had many problems controlling the new car.  And the rain did not help the reduced amount of downforce on the 2014 racers.

All drivers must make due with 30% less fuel.  There are also regulations that control the shape and the safety of the car.  The constructors responded with new turbocharged V6 engine and a redesigned electric drive system (ERS) which doubles the power output of the electric motor from last year.  The combined hybrid system provides around 760 hp and lots of low-end electrically assisted torque.  The transmission gets an extra gear for a total of eight.  There are too many new rule changes to list, and it makes this 2014 season of F1 the most technologically challenging and one of the most unpredictable to date.

Vettel’s new teammate – Daniel Ricciardo – had a much better day and qualified second on the grid.  Lewis Hamilton edged him out for pole position in his Mercedes.  Nico Rosberg took third, and McLaren rookie – Kevin Magnussen  – showed lots of promise with the forth position.  Fernando Alonso brought his Ferrari into fifth.  Kimi Raikkonen (now back with Ferrari) and Sebastian Vettel ended up twelfth and thirteenth respectively.

Checkout TFLcar experience from the 2013 US GP:

Learn more about 2014 Formula1 regulations from the friends from RedBull F1:

Check out this overview of the new for 2014 Mercedes-Benz AMG Petronas F1 V6: