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Formula 1 Lotus

F1 tyres: 18-inch or 13-inch?

F1 tyres 18-inch tyres compared with 13-inch

Following yesterday’s test of 18-inch wheels and tyres on the Lotus E22, here’s a pictorial comparison of the two wheel and tyre setups. Given the change to a larger diameter format would be done purely because it looks better we’d like to know what you think.

Do you prefer the new 18-inch tyres or the more traditional 13-inch sizing?

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Formula 1 Lotus

Lotus F1 Team trials 18-inch tyres

Lotus E22 on 18 wheels and tyres

At the Formula 1 in-season testing held at Silverstone overnight Lotus ran part of the day on 18-inch wheels and tyres, instead of the usual 13-inch setup. The test was done purely to judge the aesthetics of the larger wheel setup. Although, of course, with such a reduction in sidewall height there will be handling changes too.

Charles Pic was at the wheel of the Lotus E22 and completed 14 fairly sedate laps. His official comments can be read below, but of more value is the feedback he gave to Autosport.

“If we go with this type of tyre one day, it will be a big challenge,” Pic said. “For the teams, because they will have to build a completely new car around it because the philosophy is completely different, and also for the drivers because they are completely different.

“The overall grip was very low, I think it was five or six seconds off the pace, mainly for the reason that the rest of the car was made for the normal tyre, not the prototype.

“It is true that they are more reactive and nervous, and then on top of that you lose a lot of aero.”

Pirelli’s current contract runs out at the end of the 2016 season, so 2017 would be the most likely year the larger wheels would be introduced. Although, Paul Hembery, Pirelli’s motorsport boss, says with enough notice they could be brought in for 2016 and that he has a preference for 19 or 20-inch tyres.

“The regulations are talking about 2017 at the moment but we feel ready for 2016 if they wanted to bring it forward a year,” said Hembery. “The priority today was to show people what a current F1 car would look like with a change in rim.

“We said many years ago that the larger diameter rims were something we would always go along with, but we have also said we will do what the sport wants and that is the over-riding factor.

“It is about aesthetics. Does it make F1 more relevant for road cars and is it a direction the sport wants to take? The 18-inch tyre is one solution, but going forward I think 19-inch or 20-inch tyres are the direction you want to go.”

What do you think of the look of an F1 car running 18-inch wheels? Would 19s or 20s look better or worse?

Click on the image above to view in 2000px sizing. The images after the break are not available in larger sizes.

[Pics: Lotus F1 Team]

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Quick reference guide to the 2014 F1 season

We’re just a couple of sleeps away from the start to the most unpredictable Formula 1 season in recent memory. Is anyone else excited?!

Judging by pre-season testing form we’ll be lucky if half of the 22 cars entered in Melbourne finish the race. Remember, too, there’s just five complete power units available per driver all year, so we suspect reliability will have a big say in the outcome of both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.

After the break you’ll find a full calendar with start Australian Eastern start times, a list of all the drivers and their new permanent numbers along with links to all of the new cars for 2104.

Right now it looks like the Mercedes power unit is the weapon of choice, with Renault proving the least reliable. Let’s see what happens between now and 23 November when double points are up for grabs at the final race in Abu Dhabi.

For easy reference be sure to save this link: ausm.tv/f1guide2014

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F1 winter testing: Bahrain I in pictures

The design of the latest crop of Formula 1 cars, in response to new aero and crash regulations, has certainly encouraged plenty of discussion. The twin-tusk nose of the Lotus E22 (above) is certainly one of the most bizarre design solutions in the history of the sport.

Once the racing starts the novelty gawking at these god awful designs should ease and we can focus on what we love most, and that’s racing. In the meantime we bring you a gallery of 66 images from the recent pre-season test in Bahrain, six photos each of all 11 cars, that show you the class of 2014 in their best and worst angles.

A small pat on the back, too, goes to Eric Gandelin, the man responsible for the Sauber C33. We think that’s the best looking car of 2014. Although, a nod of appreciation also goes to the Williams FW36.

Those responsible for the horrors of the Caterham CT05 and Force India VJM07 should hang their heads in shame. As for the rest, a good hard look at themselves wouldn’t hurt!

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Formula 1

Who is to blame for ugly F1 cars?

2014 Caterham CT05

Aside from the reliability concerns facing teams this year, especially those with Renault power, the big story from Formula 1 pre-season has been the ugliness of the cars. While the variety of designs is welcome, the results are, in the main, just terrible to look at.

The teams say it’s a result of the regulations, which has made us think a few times why on earth would the FIA sign-off on regs that result in such comedy? Either they have no foresight, or the current crop of designers is way too pragmatic, putting performance ahead of aesthetics and the sport in general.

In an article for Autosport+ (subscription required) Peter Stevens, designer of the McLaren F1 and Jaguar XJR-15, shares his thoughts on the matter.

Stevens starts by pointing his finger at the FIA, stating: “well-paid rule-makers seem to have been unable to foresee the consequences of their mandates“.

Yet, it’s the engineers from the teams who have been dealt the most savage criticism. In the past, Stevens explains, an F1 car was drawn on paper and then a trained pattern maker was engaged to transform the drawing into three-dimensional form. There was, of course, a skill in that process which required the maker to interpret and understand body surfacing.

Now that most everything design-related in F1 these days is handled by engineers and CAD systems Stevens sees the weak point, in what he describes as: “the work of under-trained or insensitive engineers”.

More blunty he concludes: “We are expected to endure 2014 shapes defined by an engineering CAD programme with limited surface development capabilities in the hands of pure rationalists. This is simply not good enough.”

Hear, hear.

[Source: Autosport+ (subscription)]

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Formula 1 Lotus

2014 Lotus E22 revealed

2014 Lotus E22

The Lotus F1 Team usually presents itself as the media tarts of F1’s pit lane. They take a less serious and often irreverent approach with their communications. But they’ve taken low key to a whole new level with the reveal of its 2014 car, the E22.

In the team’s media archive we’ve got a total of 11 pics to choose from, only five of which feature the car itself. And as for a press release telling us how wonderful the E22, with that I am the Walrus goo goo goo joob nose, is going to be?

Nothing.

It’s all a little bit odd from where we’re sitting, some 15,000km away. Nevertheless we’ve got those five pics for you and the team’s press release after a disappointing first day of testing in Bahrain.

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Formula 1 Lotus

2014 Lotus E22 previewed

2014 Lotus E22

Lotus has thrown its toys out of the cot and spent a fair portion of the time McLaren was launching its new car by publishing a series of childish tweets (see below). The episode reached a climax when the team released this teaser image of its 2014 F1 car, the E22.

Of course, Lotus is pissed off at McLaren for what appears to be the certain poaching of its Team Principal Eric Boullier. We have to question, though, are schoolyard antics and name calling the correct response for what is supposed to be a professional F1 team, albeit one who does like to communicate with a very informal voice?

Anyway, that’s the side show, the main event is that two-pronged nose on the E22. The car won’t make its debut until the second week of pre-season testing in Bahrain (19–22 February).

[Source: Twitter]

UPDATE: Lotus has revealed a new photo from above, clearly showing the uneven twin forks on the nose of the E22.