Mercedes Is Owning This Formula 1 Season

mikeash wrote: post #3

edoloughlin wrote: post #2

Interesting article. Depressing to see the word 'boffins' still in use.

I wasn't aware there was anything wrong with that word. Is it derogatory?

From the description on Wikipedia, it doesn't seem to be a pejorative.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boffin

Re: Mercedes Is Owning This Formula 1 Season

#5

Post by Theodores » Sun, Apr 06, 2014, 4:37 PM UTC

The Mercedes F1 team appears to be one team that makes cars with engines that they also supply to other teams. However it is not quite like that. The engines part of the business has been going for a long time with McLaren since the mid 90's and before that they were 'Ilmor'.

Then, five years or so, Mercedes bought what was the Honda/Braun constructor team. Both the engine business and the car constructor part of the empire are in the UK albeit geographically separate.

It would be unsporting for Mercedes to supply their on-track rivals with lesser engines, particularly since they pay top money for them. So the official PR story for this is that the separate constructor part of the business came up with this innovation all on their own for packaging reasons, i.e. a more aerodynamic car.

Re: Mercedes Is Owning This Formula 1 Season

#6

Post by nutjob123 » Sun, Apr 06, 2014, 4:40 PM UTC

mikeash wrote: post #3

edoloughlin wrote: post #2

Interesting article. Depressing to see the word 'boffins' still in use.

I wasn't aware there was anything wrong with that word. Is it derogatory?

It has a slightly negative connotation.

Re: Mercedes Is Owning This Formula 1 Season

#7

Post by ntkachov » Sun, Apr 06, 2014, 4:49 PM UTC

I'm loving the direction F1 is going. Sure, for the hardcore fans, the noise just isn't the same, and the cars aren't going as fast anymore, but I love that they are trying to force the manufacturers to improve their lower spec engines. Maybe the next rule change we'll have CVT as a requirement instead of a gear box.

Re: Mercedes Is Owning This Formula 1 Season

#8

Post by simonwalton » Sun, Apr 06, 2014, 4:55 PM UTC

nutjob123 wrote: post #6

mikeash wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wasn't aware there was anything wrong with that word. Is it derogatory?

It has a slightly negative connotation.

Indeed. Especially so for children. In British schools in the 80's/90's at least, it was commonly used if you enjoyed class a little too much.

Re: Mercedes Is Owning This Formula 1 Season

#9

Post by FatalLogic » Sun, Apr 06, 2014, 4:58 PM UTC

mikeash wrote: post #3

edoloughlin wrote: post #2

Interesting article. Depressing to see the word 'boffins' still in use.

I wasn't aware there was anything wrong with that word. Is it derogatory?

It's generally used by non-scientists to refer to scientists. People don't tend to use it to refer to themselves (though a few might, in a humorously self-deprecating fashion).

It might have a dismissive or mocking connotation, depending on the intention of the person using it. I guess in the worst case, its use could be described as 'othering'

https://google.com/search?q=define%3A+othering

Re: Mercedes Is Owning This Formula 1 Season

#10

Post by johnwyles » Sun, Apr 06, 2014, 5:10 PM UTC

ntkachov wrote: post #7

I'm loving the direction F1 is going. Sure, for the hardcore fans, the noise just isn't the same, and the cars aren't going as fast anymore, but I love that they are trying to force the manufacturers to improve their lower spec engines. Maybe the next rule change we'll have CVT as a requirement instead of a gear box.

Also keep in mind that Formula E debuts this year; it will be the sport we all eventually follow (not sure how I feel about the passing cars sounding more like aircraft than cars): http://www.fiaformulae.com/