I thought downforce was being done in 2009 or 2010, because the teams were talking about it when they tested the slicks tyres. The idea is they go back to more mechanical grip than aero grip, so the slicks and aero changes will come in at the same time I think.
The only thing that justifies LFS having a new/updated BF1 is if they get another deal with Intel or similar. They don't just go and make the updated model as they please.
I highly doubt we will ever see LFS used again so it can score another deal, since it requires Intel or the-like to have another gaming competition or promotion.
So the 2 year old, poor gripped, grooved tyred, plain looking, 200mph r/c sounding BMW F1.06 in LFS will remain as is, no doubt about that. Unless they can find a better deal to scrap the F1.06 alltogether.... and I'd take a 2009+ era slick tyred F1 car any day.
Yes, you are correct. Aero regs didn't change significantly at all for this season. If they had been, the cars wouldn't look like evolved versions of the cars of the past two years.
I'm anxious for new liveries as well. However, I'm not impressed with the new looks so far. I expected more. I like the front wing of the BMW, but the rest (ESP. THE NOSECONE) IMO isn't all that great looking. The lines around it fits strangely as well. Funyn to see how the front sections of the new cars are much more round and pointy compared to the last years. Anyone seeing a trend to an older style?
Yes. All the teams which are running their new cars at Jerez are running the standard ECU which disallows traction control and greatly reduces the effectiveness of engine braking among other things.
The teams which haven't launched their new cars are running last year's models with this year's ECU installed.
From the jerez clip on youtube you can really see the cars becoming more lively in the "traction momemnts", and really shows the differences between drivers on leveling the car and keeping the rear end planted.
Only because of engine brake reduction systems, although I don't know the details of them. I think the throttle is partially opened whilst braking to reduce it (amongst other techniques) to avoid locking rears.
Looking at the Mclaren, i think they might want to add something to the front wing. Sure it looks good, but i bet they will be adding the unibrow(or the regular eyebrows) to the nose again.