Category: Formula 1

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Formula 1 McLaren

McLaren unveils 2011 F1 car

McLaren MP4-26

McLaren chose the Potsdamer Platz in central Berlin as the location for their reveal of the MP4-26. The team used the first test at Valencia earlier this week to focus on gathering tyre data and the real test for the 2011 will begin in earnest at Jerez next week.

More studio pics are available below including selected material from McLaren’s press releases.

Of note is the comment on the design of the MP4-26 from Tim Goss, Director or Engineering, “I think there are some novel features on the car—the long wheelbase and U-shaped sidepods are probably the most obvious examples.

“The thinking behind that is to feed as much good-quality air as possible to the rear-lower mainplane and the floor of the car. We want to get the rear-end working as well as possible following the loss of performance caused by the banning of the double-diffuser.”

[Source: McLaren]

UPDATE 6 February: HERE is an interesting take on McLaren’s launch from Peter Windsor.

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Formula 1

Watch the Sauber C30 moveable rear wing in action

This is the rear wing of the new Sauber C30. Revised aero regulations are one of the biggest changes in the regulations from 2010 to 2011. Chief among those is the moveable rear wing concept, which, in theory will allow for more overtaking opportunities. At least, by lifting the rear wing on straight sections of track, where downforce is not crucial, a driver can go faster by reducing drag.

As with most things Formula One the regulations covering the use of adjustable bodywork are complex. Here’s the relevant text from the Technical Regulations as issued by the FIA:

The adjustable bodywork may be activated by the driver at any time prior to the start of the race and, for the sole purpose of improving overtaking opportunities during the race, after the driver has completed a minimum of two laps after the race start or following a safety car period.

The driver may only activate the adjustable bodywork in the race when he has been notified via the control electronics (see Article 8.2) that it is enabled. It will only be enabled if the driver is less than one second behind another at any of the pre-determined positions around each circuit. The system will be disabled by the control electronics the first time the driver uses the brakes after he has activated the system.

The FIA may, after consulting all competitors, adjust the above time proximity in order to ensure the stated purpose of the adjustable bodywork is met.

Will this work, both in theory and practice? Until proper racing kicks off in Bahrain we won’t know for sure. For now, just watch the clip and see an example of what a moveable rear wing looks like in action.

[via motorcentral]

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Formula 1

Toro Rosso unveils 2011 F1 car

Toro Rosso STR6 launch

Toro Rosso has also joined in the fun at Valencia today by showing off its new STR6. Obvious pant scheme differences aside, the STR6 doesn’t seem to share too much with its RB7 cross-garage cousin.

More pics and tech specs after the break. The 2011 Toro Rosso press kit is available HERE (864kb PDF).

[Pics: Toro Rosso/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes GP unveils 2011 F1 car

Mercedes GP W02

The wraps have come of the new Mercedes GP W02, although, for now, this is the only pic we have. From the cars we have seen so far the W02 has the least conventional front nose, while still being quite high like the others.

Last year was a less than optimum performance from what was essentially the reigning Constructors’ champion. This year, though, Ross Brawn is hopeful they will enjoy better days in 2011, “The concept development for the MGP W02 started early and we have set challenging targets for the design, combined with a robust plan to ensure that the pace of development can continue throughout the long 2011 season.

“We have two excellent drivers in Michael and Nico, both of whom capable of winning races in a good car, and we look forward to seeing them push each other and the development of the new Silver Arrow during the season.

“We want to be setting the standard right from the start but if we are not, we will respond very strongly to get ourselves into the game. Everyone is excitedly waiting to see what the new season will reveal.”

UPDATE: New pics added below.

[Pics: Mercedes GP & Daimler AG]

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Formula 1

Williams unveils 2011 F1 car

Williams FW33 preview

Williams F1 will be running at Valencia later today with an interim livery. Under those temporary clothes, though, will be the new FW33, which you see here.

There’s been no firm date given for the new livery reveal, or a reason as to why it has been held back. No doubt it will be tied to a sponsorship arrangement.

More details when available.

UPDATE: Details on the FW33 launch are now available on the Williams F1 website. Tech specs have been added below.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Racing unveils 2011 F1 car

Red Bull Racing RB7 preview

Red Bull Racing has just unveiled its new RB7 racecar at Valencia. For now, there’s just a few studio pics. Once their media portal has been updated with images from Valencia and press releases we’ll have the material here for you.

For now, you can view the above image as a 4000px mega image, while the following pics can be viewed at 2000px. Simply click on the images to launch the larger sizing.

UPDATE: Launch pics and RB7 tech specs have been added below. The 2011 Red Bull Racing press pack can be downloaded HERE (4mb PDF).

[Pics: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Racing shows how to make a modern F1 car

Images of the new Red Bull Racing RB7 aren’t too far away now. While you’re waiting check out this lighthearted video from Red Bull explaining how they go, go, go about making a Formula One car.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes GP previews the W02

MercedesGP W02

First filed 31 January.

Mercedes GP has released this teaser image of its new W02 Formula One car ahead of the official launch. The MGP W02 will be revealed ahead of tomorrow’s first day of winter testing at Valencia.

This pic follows the release of the Ferrari F150, the only other F1 car shown to date, and it looks like a high nose cone is the new black for F1 cars in 2011. Especially when you compare the digital image above with pics of last year’s MGP W01.

More when it comes to hand.

UPDATE 1 February: You can now access the above image in 2000px sizing. The full reveal of the W02 isn’t too far away, so stay tuned tonight for further updates.

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Formula 1 News

Senna movie wins award at Sundance Film Festival

Senna: The movie

The feature-length documentary about Ayrton Senna has won the World Cinema Audience Award (Documentary) at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.

The doco has been earning rave reviews from fans of F1 around the globe. Jonathon Noble, F1 writer for Autosport said in his review of the film, “Sitting there transfixed, I experienced almost every emotion under the sun and was left mentally shattered by the end. From laughter and smiling at one moment, I went on a journey that pushed me through intense pride, excitement, fear and also sadness.”

After hearing news of the award Manish Pandey, one of the film’s writers, had this to say on twitter, “Thanks for all your support for Senna film. We’ve made so many friends along the way and all the kind words created good karma!”

An Australian release date for the documentary is yet to be confirmed, although we suspect it won’t be until the latter half of the year. If that changes we shall let you know.

In the meantime you can find out more by visiting the film’s official website. An international trailer of the movie can also be seen after the break.

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Formula 1 Renault

Lotus Renault GP unveils 2011 F1 car

Lotus Renault GP R31

The newly branded Lotus Renault GP team was the third outfit to show off its 2011 car at Valencia on the eve of official testing. The R31 was presented to the media throng by drivers Robert Kubica and Vitaly Petrov.

Full quotes and press texts are available after the break. However, with the new adjustable rear wings being such an integral feature of the 2011 cars, we thought it pertinent to highlight some quotes from Lotus Renault GP Technical Director, James Allison:

“It’s true to say that the car has been designed in an ambitious manner and a quick glance at the layout will confirm that its entire concept differs considerably, not just from last year’s car, but from any car this team has ever produced. Those changes represent our attempt to extract the absolute maximum aerodynamic performance from the regulations, which have changed quite significantly for this year, and to further develop the concept of using the exhausts to blow the floor.

“Every team will be looking for a wing that delivers the optimum compromise of downforce in the corners, while shedding the maximum drag down the straights – the better your wing can do that, the better your lap time will be in qualifying and the more competitive you will be in racing conditions. In terms of how powerful it is, the gains from adjusting the rear wing will be more significant than the gains we saw last year using f-ducts. But, like the f-duct, it’s far from straightforward aerodynamically and we’ve spent a great deal of time in CFD and the wind tunnel to make sure our concept delivers the best compromise.”

More after the break.

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Formula 1

Sauber unveils 2011 F1 car

Sauber C30

Sauber Motorsports has just unveiled its C30 Formula One car in Valencia ahead of tomorrow’s opening test day. On hand for the ceremonial cover removing duties were Team Principal, Peter Sauber and drivers Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez.

After the withdrawal of BMW’s support before the 2010 season last year was a lean one for Sauber. However, with Ferrari power the potential is there for solid results. Something Peter Sauber is hoping for in 2011, “We want to finish in the points regularly and clearly improve our position.

“We implemented some well-considered structural changes. The appointment of James Key as technical director already bore fruit last season, and he is now in charge of development of the Sauber C30-Ferrari. At the same time, we have managed to secure our business foundation for the 2011 season. In these economically straitened times that is something we can be proud of too.”

Indeed, the C30 has a lot more sponsorship on its predominantly white shell that the C29 did. There’s still plenty of real estate left, though.

As for all teams, the switch to Pirelli tyres and dramatic changes to the aerodynamic regulations, bring with it some extra challenges this season. James Key explains, “Since some of the changes decreed by the regulations – particularly regarding the tyres – can only be analysed out on track, it was important for us to build, firstly, a fundamentally predictable car and, secondly, one that would provide sufficient flexibility to respond to ongoing findings at the track and during further development stages.”

There’s more pics after the break, including some nice detail shots.

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Formula 1 Lotus

Team Lotus reveals 2011 F1 car

Team Lotus T128

Team Lotus (formerly Lotus Racing) has taken a rather unconventional approach to unveiling their new F1 car. It was first revealed in the launch issue of Team Lotus Notes, the team’s new magazine (hmm, do we sense another copyright drama ahead).

You can see a few pics of the car right here (there’s more after the break) but we would encourage you to check out the Team Lotus website and download the newsletter for yourself.

The T128 (or the TL11, it seems we can take our pick) will source its engine from Renault and its transmission from Red Bull Technologies. Chief Technical Officer, Mike Gascoyne, reckons this will help them move up the grid in 2011, “I think that basically this car looks like a front-running car in every area. We said very clearly that we want to start challenging the established teams and I think that’s very achievable.”

Remembering the whole Team Lotus v Lotus Group kerfuffle, things have been made even more confusing by Team Lotus listing the tech specs of this car (available after the break) under the heading Lotus Renault T128.

In case you were wondering, the other Lotus Renault will be revealed later today as well.

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