This week's Grapevine brings you information fresh from the paddock on: Benefiting from Digital TV 2003 Review - Part One

Benefiting from Digital TV

The use of computers in television to provide extra information for viewers above and beyond what the camera sees holds the potential to considerably enhance the viewing experience for the public. They also hold the key to improving game-play for Formula One console fans seeking to emulate their favourite drivers, as they can follow the actual racing lines that the driver used during a Grand Prix qualifying session.

For some years, the technology has existed to show a lap for one car, with the equivalent lap from another superimposed. It makes it easy for the lay viewer to compare two driver's laps - showing who gains, where, and how much, whilst highlighting difference in their lines or mistakes on a lap. Give or take a minor software licensing issue, and a perception that the viewing public is sophisticated enough to appreciate it, and public demand, it can be put in to use over a race weekend in short order.

Other gimmicks available now include the ability to shade the track - for example, to indicate 'yellow' zones - and draw lines on the surface. Very useful, for example, to illustrate where two cars brake for a corner, or where the same car started braking on different laps.

Of interest in the commercial sector, games writers are able to make the most of digitising the television images. They can take the qualifying sessions, and analyse the picture to build up both a detailed layout of the track and lines each of the drivers use to get around it. The best of the next generation of Formula One games, continuing the quest for realism, are to have their emulated drivers follow these alternative lines, rather than all sit on the same theoretical racing line.

Naturally, whether or not these make it in to the public domain, the really interesting end is what the teams are doing. They have access to these images too, and the main players are now supposed to be in the process of improving their own models, based on digital analysis of the real thing. The feedback into the simulation systems used to optimise the cars should ensure these teams start their weekend close to the final set-up of the car. And should also have a corresponding knock on with the gaming systems used to emulate full race weekends, as they will be based on more accurate data of how rival teams are performing.

2003 Review - Part One

A look back at some of the stories doing the rounds though the last off-season:

Jordan: Balancing the Books

At a time when Jordan were widely rumoured to be lacking the budget to complete the 2003 season, we reported that they had secured the funding to put together a car and attend all the races, but they did not have the budget to develop an interim car for the off-season, and there was little chance of improving the funding situation sufficiently to put in any meaningful testing and development. So it proved, as Jordan struggled all year, though the Heathrow Agreement helped provide the team a new revenue stream, as local youngsters paid to attend the Friday sessions.

Testing Again!

As Renault's hybrid car was putting in occasional stunning laps in testing, the paddock muttered "underweight," anticipating a return to service as normal at the start of the year. However, their test program was no sham, and the times were real - as part of a very serious program that rigorously tested the reliability of the engine, transmission and rear suspension. It also provided confirmation that Minardi's 2003 car was essentially no different to its predecessor.

Renault Follow the Plan

More news on Renault - in this case, revealing that despite the apparent similarities between the original and revised aero solutions, the latter was the result of a redesign from first principles. Similarly, the rear suspension was completely rethought, and the already impressive traction control system was set for an overhaul.

Raising the BAR

All the politics and noise around Jacques Villeneuve's continued presence in the team - fulfilling his contract - took the spotlight off Geoff Willis, and the first car he completely designed for the team. Predictions that the drivers would take a long time to work out the ideal way to dial the car into a circuit, but that it should have podium potential, looking well founded until Jenson Button's engine gave out at the US GP!

Mercedes on the Offensive

Having decided to focus on winning individual events, rather than the Championship, Mercedes were able to focus on developing more power, at the expected cost of reliability. Over the new season, the revised engine was not quite on a par with Ferrari or BMW, but it provided McLaren with a workhorse that at least brought the gap down to a respectable margin. Of course, when races were won, and it looked like the team stood a chance of taking a Championship, the risk-taking ethos was reversed.

Flavour of the Month

Whilst the paddock wondered at Renault's decision to sign up to the Heathrow Agreement and do Friday testing, limiting their days over the year, a closer look revealed that the two extra hours on the circuit allowed the team to considerably improve the balance of the cars, which in turn improved qualifying performances. In hindsight, most of the other midfield teams were caught on the hop, as the Renault was often well enough tuned to run the 'option' tyre when the other Michelin runners were stuck with 'prime'.

Da Matta Feeling the Pressure

Fortunately for the ex-CART man, rumours of his pending departure from the sport eventually proved unfounded, as the driver got on with the job of pounding out the test miles. It became clear fairly early on that his considerable efforts would bring him up to speed, but leave a question mark over whether he or Olivier Panis would be quicker.

Cosworth Making Tracks

With the confusion following Niki Lauda's departure continuing to make a mockery of the upper echelons of Jaguar's management structure, Cosworth were quietly getting on with the job of developing a powerful, new engine for the team, and it lived up to expectations. Unfortunately, they were also producing older specification engines under the Ford banner for Jordan and Minardi: although Ford's marketing department were able to celebrate a surprise Jordan win, it was not to be a good year otherwise, as both teams struggled badly and featured mostly as also-rans.

The Ferrari Gauntlet Goes Down

Ferrari's F2003-GA comfortably lived up to early predictions, and beat the Fiorano track record on its first time out. Signs and portents were read, and the car went on to win - if not with quite the dominance predicted after this test!