First (?) endurance (!) 2004 F1 engine - BMW

[Adam43]

Now, what about some discussion about something that has actually happened?

BMW's 2004 engine has hit the dyno for the first time. Possibly the first 2004 engine to do so (although these things are never as straight forward, due to evolutions etc...). Apparently it went well.

Interestingly Theissen makes a point of mentioning the different constraints that have to be taken into account with the new engine rules that come in next year (almost forgot about those!).

So with nearly nine months to go to Melbourne 2004, it looks like BMW have at least started well...

Read the full story here: http://www.autosport.com/newsitem.asp?id=24010&s=5

[esorniloc]

Williams were the first team to test the 98 car specs in 97 and that car was a dog, so I don't think it means anything being first to test. Better to get the job done properly than rush it out!

[Knowlesy]

Yes, but Williams weren't exactly naming their car a triumph in that test. Jacques Villeneuves comments on it were, shall we say, very low on the pH scale!

[Stephen Green]

Surely to get the job done as you say, means to test?

[neilap]

BMW is so good at PR. Who cares who tests first? Lets see what happens when the lights go out in Australia.

[Inigo Montoya]

I'd have to say that given the apparently bulletproof reliability of the Ferrari over the past few seasons, they will have the upper hand. Of course, this is a tifoso talking...

[Adam43]

Originally posted by neilap
Who cares who tests first? Lets see what happens when the lights go out in Australia.

Oh, of course, but it is interesting to hear, perhaps, some of the priorities they have with the new engine (increased life, etc...). It'll be the same for everyone, but I wonder what, if any, siginficant changes it brings to the engines. Increased weight, different characteristics, different materials, etc...?

[neilap]

I think you just about summed it up . I hope it does not lessen the spectacle. I doubt it though. The motors may not be as powerful as they are now but the difference should not be too obvious.

[Dutton]

So it has begun.

Bloody endurance regulations. Grummpphh.

Anyway, no point in brooding on the matter: it is happening, so get on with it I guess....

The situation with regards the trade-off between beginning the testing process and concentrating on the R&D more is the same as with anything else, I would have thought.... Perhaps I am missing something.

I would have thought that mayhaps it would be better to leave it a bit later, but then what in the hell do I know? I am, after all, only a somewhat obssesive fan of the sport - this, sadly, gives no qualification to really know how things are.

I guess if Williams and BMW believe it is time to get their designs on the dyno, then it is time: they know their programmes, after all.

Certainly, it'll be interesting to see who does the best jobs of the compromises come next year.

Hrrrmmmm.

Okay, I'll add more later.

[Bononi]

Originally posted by neilap
BMW is so good at PR. Who cares who tests first? Lets see what happens when the lights go out in Australia.

Wouldn't it be at China ?????

[Glen]

Originally posted by Dutton
So it has begun.

Bloody endurance regulations. Grummpphh.

Well, reducing number of engines per weekend by 33% hasn't made the season any worse - if anything engine reliability is better and fewer races are spoiled this year. So going to one engine is perfectly feasible and unlikely to spoil our fun.

[spearce]

Yes, despite all the regulation changes, including the 'park farm', the reliability in F1 seems to keep improving - 17 finishers at Silvers. Not sure that Ferrari need a 'long life' unit - their existing unit seems to hold together well enough. I did notice some very slow laps in the 'warm up' though - is this to conserve engs ?

[Logrence]

They have a special low-fuel warm up type procedure apparently - was reading in auto motor sport where they were testing it at Fiorano...

[spearce]

Talking of longlife engs - did I read the DTM regs right - only one spare engine per team (2 cars) per season. If so this seems to work quite well ???