Sir Stirling Moss at the Concours d'Elegance
(Credit: Nathan Lang)Formula 1 has long been considered the pinnacle of automotive and motorsport technology. Many advancements on road cars, including paddle shifters, traction control and improved tire technology, have come out of the development of these engineering marvels.
Sir Stirling Moss, who drove in 66 Grand Prix races between 1955 and 1961, was an honorary judge at this year's Concours d'Elegance at Pebble Beach. While he was carefully studying the lines and mechanics of this year's competitors, we had a chance to ask Moss, now 77, a few questions about his role in racing and how today's cars have changed.
For one, the sheer number of races in a season was far greater when Sir Moss was racing. In the 1955 season, there were 7 races that counted toward the world championship title, and 16 non-championship races. In Moss' final year, there were 8 championship and 36 non-championship races. Today, F1 drivers only have to compete in 17 races per season.
"Back then we had many more races a year," Moss said. "And we still had time to chase pretty girls."
Current Formula 1 cars are some of the fastest in the world. The 2.4 liter, naturally-aspirated V8 engines are mandated to rev at 19,000 rpm (although they're capable of more) and can reach speeds of nearly 220 miles per hour. But being on the forefront of technology doesn't come cheap. Today's teams spend between $57 million and nearly $420 million on the sport annually.
So what does Moss think of these contemporary carbon-fiber speed demons?
"I think they're just staggering," Sir Moss said. "In the old days, you'd just buckle yourself in. It's quite different now."
RM 011 Flyback Chronograph
(Credit: Richard Mille)Richard Mille is to watches what Frank Buchwald is becoming to lamps.
His latest functional art masterpiece is the RM011 Flyback Chronograph, a descendent of the RM 09 developed for F1 driver Felipe Massa, created with Formula 1 racing in mind. And with an estimated price between $60,000 and $80,000, it will fit right in with your pricey F1 mouse mats and Ferrari cell phone.
Richard Mille Automatic RM 016
(Credit: Richard Mille)Gear Live and Watchismo seem to have got the scoop on the RM011 watch, which was officially due for unveiling later in March, according to Kronos Blog.
For those of you who know about watches, the RM 011 has a Vaucher base (the movement parts) with a Dubois Dépraz module (the chronograph parts).
In addition to the RM011, and perhaps even lovelier, is the automatic winding and titanium Richard Mille Automatic RM016. It will be the flattest and only rectangular watch in his collection so far.
(Credit:
Formula 1)
Continuing today's theme of ridiculous luxury items is, of all things, a high-performance mouse pad. In what could easily be a parody, BornRich says the English-made "Formula 1 Mouse Mat" was designed with "state-of-the-art automotive 3D modeling software." The carbon-fiber pad has inlaid leather with Italian suede backing and, of course, a prominently embossed "F1" logo. The price for a racetrack-grade mouse pad? It lists for 260 pounds, or about $525. But it comes wrapped in F1 tissue paper, so it's not overpriced or anything.
Formula 1 Carbon Mouse Mat
(Credit: Formula 1)How much is too much for a mousepad?
Anything that's not free? $20? $512?
Formula 1 offers a wide variety of overpriced memorabilia on its F1 store and we have seen our share of fashion and sport mice, but never have I seen something so ridiculous.
For a mere $491 you can buy a polished carbon fiber mousepad--excuse me "mouse mat"--with the Formula 1 logo. As if that alone were not outrageous enough, the mousepad will not work with optical mice. You need to shell out $512 for the carbon and leather version if you want a mousepad that works with both track-ball and optical mice.
Formula 1 Carbon/Leather Mouse Mat
(Credit: Formula 1)So, who's running over right now to their site to buy it? Massa? Alonso?
Would the fact that it is "hand-made in England" or designed using "state of the art automotive 3D modeling software" bring you any closer to changing you mind about that?
We didn't think so.
Ferrari's new Formula 1 car, the F2007, made its track debut at the Fiorano Test Track, in northern Italy, on Monday.
The car, which will compete in this year's Formula 1 World Championship, was tested by Felipe Massa. Massa took the F2007 for a run of 39 laps throughout the day over Fiorano's long course (2.976 kilometers, or about 1.845 miles). His quickest lap time: 58.360 seconds.
(And you thought I had a cool job.)
(Credit:
Ferrari)
The F2007, wet and with driver, weighs about 1,323 pounds (600kg), according to Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro's specs. (Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro is the Formula 1 team in Ferrari's racing division.)
Compliance with Formula 1's more stringent crash tests and requirements for greater driver protection from lateral impact have resulted in the addition of composite material to the sides. Also among the requirements: new Bridgestone tires.
(Credit:
Ferrari)
The rear of the car is narrower, and Ferrari seems to be bragging about the front suspension, which it implies will reduce drag. The rear of the car also tapers down to a carbon fiber gearbox. But as they do with most Formula 1 refinements like these, the racing design teams are chasing hundredths of a second. There is nothing like like Brabham BT46B Fan car to be found here.
The car's driving angle has changed and the new Bridgestone 2007 tires (mandated by Formula 1) offer less grip--slight changes that Massa and the team will have to work on during the season, according to Massa's statements at the Fiorano press conference.
(Credit:
Ferrari)
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