Read between the dotted lines- The Red Bull Traction Control Saga

The canadian Grand Prix as everyone knows was a race which  was maybe a bit too quiet after the Pirelli Tyre war had simmered down, the politics in Formula One remained almost unheard of and it was a great week of racing. Until now that is..


Mark Webber is the latest driver to be at the centre of suspicion as videos and images arise of apparent traction control use following the incident with Van Der Garde. The images and the video show after the Aussie pulls away out of the hairpin, two lines appear which then slowly dot away due to wheelspin. The question here is was this down to bumps on the circuit or have Red Bull tried to implement a very subtle traction control system which may not have been subtle enough?


One key thing to consider is if the Red Bull's have been using Traction Control wouldn't it be more apparent at earlier circuits in which the car carries less downforce or will struggle for grip? The Monaco circuit for example would be a more noticeable circuit for sure but did the Red Bull gain any kind of advantage there? No is the answer however they did pull off a solid second and third place. 

Catalunya, another venue in which the use of the device would have been clear. The final sector has always been tricky since the inclusion of the chicane and many cars have had minor moments and full spins in the past. Surely it would have given them a much bigger advantage and the Red Bull's would have gained a considerable amount of time each lap.

 But in Canada where the so called Traction Control has been noticed, winner Sebastian Vettel gained an incredible 2.5 second advantage on Lewis Hamilton by the end of the first lap alone. So has the reason for the RB9's speed been found?

 Traction Control as we all know is banned by the FIA but most teams have tried to master the art of engine mapping with all having different results. Engineers may intentionally reduce the amount of torque available in the mid RPM range, or where a driver's RPM will most likely max out when exiting a corner. By reducing the torque when the driver is on full throttle exiting a corner, the car does not max out and experience oversteer or anything similar, thus creating a similar effect. But if all teams use it and it isn't illegal does this put the argument to rest?

The FIA have searched but found nothing suspicious on the RB9 to date. So the question is what was creating those lines as Webber exited the corner? Was it just generated by wheel spin? Were there bumps on the track caused by debris or was it degrading rubber?The answer remains unclear, but what are your thoughts? Was it something as simple as a bump in the tarmac or are Red Bull going to be crossed off Santa's list this year? Leave your opinions below.

Read More

The Jenkins Judgement- Endurance Racing

14th April 2013, the day that my eyes were opened properly to a brand new form of Motorsport. Now like many motorsport fans I tune in to Le Mans when possible but was never a die hard endurance racing fan. I preferred the shorter sprint races like you see in the BTCC or Formula 3. But Simraceway had organised for me to go up to Silverstone for the opening round of the World Endurance Championship. 

  I was extremely excited as not only would this be my first time at the home of British Motorsport but I was also able to meet the Radio Le Mans team and one of my commentary inspirations John Hindhaugh along with Jonny Palmer who I had previously worked with on the BARC finals at Thruxton. This was an amazing experience as I was allowed inside the booth whilst the live broadcast was taking place, seeing just how much work goes into it.

Me interviewing Anthony Davidson at Silverstone

That accompanied with the chance to conduct an interview with Anthony Davidson meant that this was one of the best weekends I had ever had. But on to the racing.

I don't think anything quite matched the adrenaline and tension of seeing over 30 cars slowly leave their grid slots to begin the formation lap. 6 hours of hard and strategic racing were about to get underway and I couldn't wait. The roar of the crowd and the silence of the mechanics as they nervously await the start of the race and hearing the roar of the engines slowly get louder as the cars circulated their way to the Club chicane. This is the World Endurance Championship.The sound was just remarkable as the green flag flew and the four categories of sports cars separated out and began their individual race.

One factor that makes these races so tense is traffic. A term used frequently in Formula One to describe slower cars more than a lap down who have to yield to the leaders. The World Endurance Championship makes Formula One look like a lonely country road when it comes to traffic. After just four laps or so the LMP1's were already navigating their way past the GTE-AM's and it was just incredible. With the class still fiercely competing and fighting for positions the LMP1 drivers had to be so nimble when overtaking.

The sheer distance of the event is also what makes it stand out. 6 hours of racing means that you get such a different driving style to what you would perhaps see in Formula One or a similar open wheel series. It's very close and competitive but also conservative. You don't see drivers going for moves unless they are absolutely sure they can make it stick.

Strategy is also crucial when it comes to the WEC. Tires that can last more than one stint with a single driver provide a major advantage to the team that equips them. However with each driver having a different driving style and attacking corners in sometimes a completely unique way it truly is a gamble to make these tires

last if the second driver is on worn tires. They could give at any moment and punctures are seen quite often. Another factor which makes endurance racing truly spectacular to watch.

It's no wonder that car manufacturers such as Audi take such pride in their victories throughout the several endurance series they compete in and of course multiple Le Mans wins. Where a team finish is as much down to the driver as it is to the car. If you are pushing a car to its absolute limits for 6 hours with a few pit stop breaks it needs to be the best it can be. If a car can be better than every other competing manufacturer out there and avoid mechanical problems then it truly deserves its spot at the top of the podium. "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday" is an old saying that certainly backs up this point as Audi have had Mr McNish voice a few adverts regarding new technology in their road cars.

Another reason why I enjoyed it so much is down to the fact that I took a shine to the LMP1 team Rebellion Racing. Not only did the car sound so incredible it sent chills down my spine every time it accelerated down the main straight but it is a pure underdog team. It isn't a manufacturer like Audi or Toyota they are a privateer team. Meaning that they don't have the funds or technology to compete with the Manufacturer teams.

Bearing that in mind, they were only a couple of seconds off of the pace that the two leading LMP1 teams were setting which is a remarkable feat. Both cars finished behind one another and achieved the same result at the 6 hours of Spa this past weekend with the gap if anything a little closer to the big boys. As many of you will know I am a massive Lotus F1 fan and have been since a young age (although back then it was because Benneton had a nice livery) so I have followed them through all of the highs and lows. The Lotus powered Lola counterpart in the WEC could be another reason as to why I like them. The livery is almost identical and one of their drivers is German Ex-F1 star Nick Heidfeld who ironically used to drive for Lotus.

The team also have a “big announcement” to make that has been delayed. Now this could be anything from a new driver to a car upgrade or something as simple as Gary the mechanic is celebrating his 32^nd birthday, who knows!

Needless to say I was very impressed with the World Endurance Championship and everything about it. It takes all of the emotion and excitement from the shorter races and adds factors like unpredictable weather which could turn a race upside down, the sense of despair when a mechanical breakdown occurs or when your favourite driver spins into the gravel. Not to mention the tension of not knowing what is going to happen as the law of physics take their toll on some of the greatest sports cars this generation.

Not only that but to seal the deal, a 6 hour race came down to the final few laps with Allan McNish storming to victory in his Audi. The British fans went crazy and it really was an amazing feeling to be part of such a passionate fanbase on an occasion that truly deserved to be celebrated.

 I was very impressed with the opening two rounds of the World Endurance Championship and really cannot wait for the 24 Hours Of Le Mans. If you haven't watched an endurance race yet due not having the time or being skeptical

I would highly recommend you to do so, you will not be disappointed.

Read More