Category: Formula 1

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Formula 1 Renault

Is economy the key to F1 success?

F1 Jerez pre-season testing, February 2012

It’s widely accepted in F1 circles that the Renault engine is lacking power compared to the competition from Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari. However, what’s less discussed is the fuel economy of the major players.

Jean François Caubet, Renault’s F1 director, claims efficiency has more than made up for any lack of power.

“The Mercedes engine is about 15hp more power than ours, so too does Ferrari offer more power,” admitted Caubet to AS.

“But, as far as driveability and fuel economy go the Renault engine is out in front as we need less gas.”

According to Caubet that means double world constructors’ champions Red Bull Racing “can start races with 15 or 18 litres less fuel in the tank than their competition—and that makes the difference.”

[Source: PlanetF1 | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1

Pirelli gives insight to F1 test at Jerez

F1 pre-season testing, Jerez

Pirelli has kindly gathered a bunch of stats from the recent F1 testing in Jerez that offers a valuable insight into their role as tyre supplier. For the conservationists reading, you might want to look away now.

Over the four days of testing 23 drivers completed almost 15,000 kilometres and used a total of 724 tyres. From Pirelli’s point of view they were eager to learn if their new tyres would better retain their performance for longer periods.

Pirelli’s motorsport director Paul Hembery said: “The tyres performed exactly in line with our expectations here in Jerez, and we’ve had a very positive reaction from the drivers and teams so far, who have reported more grip at the rear, fewer ‘marbles’ and a reduced lap time difference between the compounds as well as faster overall performance – which is precisely what we wanted.

“We’re happy with the level of degradation and we had no issues, as was the case for all of last year. But as the temperatures in Jerez were very low and the teams have also concentrated on other areas than tyres, it’s too early to draw any detailed conclusions.”

Pirelli will continue the learning process when testing resumes at Barcelona next week (21–24 February).

[Pics: Pirelli Media]

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Formula 1 Video

VIDEO: Tyrrell P34 tested by Jackie Stewart

Jackie Stewart drives the Tyrrell P34

Last week we saw the emergence of the ‘platypus’ nose in Formula One. A result mainly due to a requirement forcing teams to lower the nose to meet new crash regulations. That messes with the current belief in F1 that a high nose helps contribute to optimum downforce; hence the stepped look we see today.

Of course, the ‘platypus’ is not the first oddball look we’ve seen in F1. There’s been a number over the years and few have been as out there as the six-wheeled Tyrrell P34. The P34 was first introduced in 1976 and ran four 10 inch wheels up front. The theory was the smaller wheels would offer a greater contact patch, increase braking performance and increase downforce.

The P34 and P34B (1977) ran for just two years and showed good promise. The zenith of the six-wheeler came at the 1976 Swedish Grand Prix when Jody Scheckter and Patrick Depailler finished first and second.

It’s believed the reluctance of Goodyear to continue tyre development for the smaller wheels helped contribute to the car losing its competitiveness.

As a treat for F1 fans we have a video below showing triple world champion Sir Jackie Stewart testing the P34. He retired in 1973 so was not long out of the sport. The camera angles are quite interesting too for the mid-70s and in some frames you can see the bulky rigs used to capture the footage.

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Ferrari Formula 1

Alonso quickest on Day 4 at Jerez

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F2012, Jerez

Fernando Alonso put three pretty ordinary days for Ferrari behind him by setting the fastest time on the final day of testing at Jerez. Although, it’s worth noting the time was set early in the day before a hydraulic problem in the F2012 interrupted his afternoon.

Alonso’s time of 1:18.877 was the second quickest of the 2012 cars across the four days, only behind Romain Grosjean, who yesterday drove the E20 to a best lap of 1:18.419.

F1 rookie Jean-Eric Vergne was next fastest on Day 4 in the STR7 with Sebastian Vettel close behind in the RB8. Vettel’s day started late after Red Bull were forced to overcome some electrical gremlins.

Pre-season testing returns to Barcelona in just under two weeks (21–24 February), where we will see the Mercedes GP W03 for the first time.

2012 F1 pre-season testing – Jerez (Day 4)

  1. Alonso, Ferrari – 1m18.877s (39 laps)
  2. Vergne, Toro Rosso – 1m19.597s +0.720 (80 laps)
  3. Vettel, Red Bull – 1m19.606s +0.729 (50 laps)
  4. Hamilton, McLaren – 1m19.640s +0.763 (86 laps)
  5. Grosjean, Lotus – 1m19.729s +0.852 (95 laps)
  6. Kobayashi, Sauber – 1m19.834s +0.957 (76 laps)
  7. Hulkenberg, Force India – 1m19.977s +1.100 (90 laps)
  8. Senna, Williams – 1m20.132s +1.255 (125 laps)
  9. Trulli, Caterham – 1m22.198s +3.321 (117 laps)

All Timing Unofficial

[Source: Autosport]

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Formula 1

Rosberg quickest on Day 3 at Jerez

Michael Schumacher, Mercedes GP W02, Jerez

The 2011 Mercedes W02 shapes as being the fastest car in F1 in 2012! At least that’s the conclusion after the last two days of testing with Schumacher quickest yesterday and Nico Rosberg 0.8 seconds faster than anyone else overnight.

Don’t forget the W02 has the blown exhaust to aid rear end grip. Mercedes will launch their new car at the next test in Barcelona and are using Jerez as a means to gather data about the new tyres.

Romain Grosjean was the fastest of 2012 cars and by some margin with 0.878 seconds back to Sebastien Vettel.

When Ferrari released their F2012 they said they didn’t mind if their car was ugly so long as it was quick. After a less than stellar start to testing, admitting they are “not happy”, we wonder which will be easier: to change the F2012 and make it look better, or to make it go faster?

2012 F1 pre-season testing – Jerez (Day 2)

  1. Rosberg, Mercedes* – 1m17.613s (118 laps)
  2. Grosjean, Lotus – 1m18.419s +0.806 (117 laps)
  3. Vettel, Red Bull – 1m19.297s +1.684 (96 laps)
  4. Hamilton, McLaren – 1m19.464s +1.851 (80 laps)
  5. Vergne, Toro Rosso – 1m19.734s +2.121 (79 laps)
  6. Perez, Sauber – 1m19.770s +2.157 (48 laps)
  7. Alonso, Ferrari – 1m20.412s +2.799 (67 laps)
  8. Senna, Williams – 1m21.293s +3.680 (125 laps)
  9. Van der Garde, Caterham – 1m23.324s +5.711 (74 laps)

All Timing Unofficial
*Running last year’s car

[Source: Autosport]

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Formula 1

Schumacher quickest on Day 2 at Jerez

Michael Schumacher, Mercedes GP W02, Jerez

Michael Schumacher, driving the 2011 MercedesGP W02, was six tenths quicker than anyone else on Day 2 of pre-season testing in Jerez. The 2012 W03 will debut at Barcelona (21–24 February).

Mark Webber in the RB8 was fastest of the 2012 cars with his Australian compatriot Daniel Ricciardo next in the STR7.

Perhaps in an ominous sign for the other teams, Webber declared the RB8 feels just as competitive now as last year’s car did at the same time.

2012 F1 pre-season testing – Jerez (Day 2)

  1. Michael Schumacher, Mercedes* – 1m18.561s (132 laps)
  2. Mark Webber, Red Bull – 1m19.184s +0.623 (97 laps)
  3. Daniel Ricciardo, Toro Rosso – 1m19.587s +1.026 (100 laps)
  4. Jules Bianchi, Force India – 1m20.221s +1.660 (46 laps)
  5. Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus – 1m20.239s +1.678 (117 laps)
  6. Paul di Resta, Force India – 1m20.272s +1.711 (69 laps)
  7. Felipe Massa, Ferrari – 1m20.454s +1.893 (95 laps)
  8. Jenson Button, McLaren – 1m20.688s +2.127 (85 laps)
  9. Sergio Perez, Sauber – 1m20.711s +2.150 (68 laps)
  10. Pastor Maldonado, Williams – 1m21.197s +2.636 (97 laps)
  11. Heikki Kovalainen, Caterham – 1m21.518s +2.957 (139 laps)
  12. Pedro de la Rosa, HRT* – 1m22.128s +3.567 (64 laps)

All Timing Unofficial
*Running last year’s car

[Source: Autosport]

UPDATE: We’ve added some videos from Jerez testing below. They’re even better if you speak Spanish!

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Webber ‘satisfied’ with RB8 debut

Mark Webber in the RB8, Jerez

Mark Webber got off to a delayed start in pre-seaon testing at Jerez, before recovering to post the fourth quickest time of the day (1m20.496s). The track debut of the RB8 had to be postponed while the team waited for new parts to arrive and around three hours were lost. Webber said he was satisfied with the day’s running which still yielded 53 laps.

The comeback of Kimi Raikkonen got off to a flying start with the 2007 World Champion posting the quickest time (1m19.670s) in day one of testing.

After the break you can watch a video clip from testing which includes interviews with Mark Webber, Christian Horner, Kimi Raikkonen and Paul di Resta.

Horner briefly discusses the ‘air intake’ on the RB8’s nose and says it’s simply there for ‘driver cooling’.

[Pics: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Caterham Formula 1

Caterham unveils 2012 F1 car

Caterham CT01

The Caterham F1 Team took an unorthodox approach to launching their car this year, by running an article in F1 Racing magazine. That means there hasn’t been any photos showing the car in full that we can access until today.

Here, then, are a handful of images of the CT01 as it heads out for testing at Jerez. None are available in our preferred 2000px sizing, but you can still click on the images for a closer look.

Speaking about the new car team boss Tony Fernandes said: “This car represents another step forward for us. The detail right across the whole package is light years ahead of where we were when we first started out, and we are all excited about seeing what it can do when we get on track. I’m also very pleased that we were able to show our fans the car so soon.

“Our aim has always has been to be as open and interactive as possible, allowing our fans a real look inside our team. By launching the car through F1 Racing magazine, I feel we’ve been able to give our fans a unique first look at where we’re heading and what Caterham is all about. Maybe next year I’ll tweet a picture of the car to launch it!”

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Formula 1

Williams unveils 2012 F1 car

Williams FW34

The Williams F1 Team has just shown its 2012 F1 car for the first time. And, yep, it’s down with the ‘platypus’ nose like everyone else, except McLaren. The FW34 is currently running the team’s traditional navy blue testing livery 2012 race livery.

It’s a genuinely fresh start for the team this year. For the first time in Williams’ history Patrick Head is no longer part of the race team. This year also marks a return to Renault power for Williams, with whom they have won five constructors’ championships and four drivers’ world titles.

Pastor Maldonado (pictured left) keeps his drive and will be joined by Bruno Senna, following the apparently poorly handled departure of all-round nice guy and F1 elder statesman Rubens Barichello.

In a team statement Frank Williams said: “We have a new car, new driver line up, new engine and new senior personnel. We also have a number of new partners who have joined the team in the past few months. I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome them formally and sincerely wish that they have an enjoyable and, most importantly, a valuable experience with us. The team has had a good winter at the factory and we feel ready and strong for the fight.”

Mark Gillan, Chief Operations Engineer explains the team is ready for a much improved season: “The factory has worked extremely hard over the winter to ensure that the car met its design, build and rig test targets and we start testing with the car prepared to a high standard. We’ve worked in close co-operation with all of our partners to achieve that, including Renault Sport F1. In the run-up to Australia, we will be working hard with our exciting new driver line-up to ensure that we maximise and unlock the full potential of the FW34. It is imperative that we demonstrate a continuous improvement in our performance and deliver results throughout the season.”

The first pre-season test session is now underway in Jerez and Pastor Maldonado will be at the wheel of the FW34 today and tomorrow.

UPDATE 8 February: Williams has advised via twitter that the pictures shown here have the car in its 2012 race livery.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

2012 Red Bull Racing RB8 in video

Red Bull Racing RB8

Overnight a number of video clips featuring the Red Bull Racing RB8 have been uploaded to YouTube. We’ve assembled them together here in one place for you. Also included are Q&A interviews with the team’s major players.

The image above, captured from the first video, gives one of the best looks yet at Adrian Newey’s answer to the stepped-nose phenomenon seemingly forced upon the teams by the new 2012 regulations. The question is, does that vent/intake do anything meaningful and if so, what?

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Formula 1 Toro Rosso

Scuderia Toro Rosso unveils 2012 F1 car

Scuderia Toro Rosso STR7

Overnight the covers came off the Scuderia Toro Rosso STR7. As has become the norm a ‘platypus’ style nose is featured and on the STR7 it’s one of the more elegant examples we’ve seen to date. Although it doesn’t have an intake/scoop as seen on the sister Red Bull car.

Following the fortunes of Toro Rosso takes on extra impetus this year with 22-year-old Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo securing a full time drive. He is joined by 21-year-old Frenchman Jean Eric Vergne.

The pair have raced against each other in junior categories and this intra-team duel shapes as one of the more fascinating aspects of the 2012 F1 season. It’s widely accepted that this year is essentially a job interview for the plum Red Bull Racing drive if this ends up being Mark Webber’s final year with the team.

Franz Tost, Team Principal, says, “We are looking forward to working with our rookie driver line-up of Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne, both of whom are very talented young drivers.”

Technical Director, Giorgio Ascanelli, explains one of the overlooked regulation changes this year: “One very significant change concerns the front wing. It was announced quite late in the form of an FIA technical directive: concerned by vibration and excessive deflection of the front wing, for 2012, the governing body has drastically reduced the flexibility of the front wing, allowing it to move by only 10mm instead of 20mm when a 100kg load is applied to it. The need for added stiffness means an increase in weight and so we have a large amount of weight added to the nose of the car, which can be problematic in dealing with the regulation regarding the weight distribution of the car.”

More detail can be read below in the full version of the Toro Rosso press release. Of course, there’s more pics, all accessible as 2000px super images and a brief video as well.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Racing RB8 v RB7

Red Bull Racing RB8 v RB7

Here’s a quick comparison of the last two Red Bull Racing F1 cars, the RB8 and the RB7. We don’t have a lot of comparable pics at this stage, but click on the pic above to launch a 2000px super image.

Despite a poor angle, the change in the nose design is clear to see. In 2012 the front of the nose has had to be lowered to meet new safety regulations, aimed to minimise injury with another driver in the event of a t-bone accident. It’s this which has led to the ‘platypus’ phenomenon we’ve been seeing so far this year.

You can also see the rear end of the RB8 is much neater than the car it replaces, due to changes in exhaust placement specified in this year’s regulations after exhaust blown diffusers were banned.