[size=14pt]Calling all F1 buffs[/size]

Hey people! Its another season of gasoline induced high entertainment.  Come tickle your octane gee-spot, as the teams are roll out new super high tech wheeled missiles!

F1 buffs, petrol heads, technical guru's. . . Its the 2012 F1 season, answer the call of greased lightening!!!

Caterham (formerly Lotus) have released their 2012 car.
Damn! The thing is as ugly as something the cat shat on!

2012 Car Launch Timetable

Jan 26th: Caterham (done, pure fuckry )
Feb 1st: McLaren
Feb 3rd: Ferrari, Force India
Feb 5th: Lotus (formerly Renault)
Feb 6th: Red Bull, Sauber
Feb 7th: Toro Rosso
Feb 21st: Marussia

TBA: Mercedes, Williams, HRT

2012 Winter Testing Timetable

F1 circus kicks of the 2012 season in Jerez on Feb. 7.

Jerez, Spain - February 7, 8, 9, 10

Catalunya, Spain - February 21, 22, 23, 24

Catalunya, Spain - March 1, 2, 3, 4

Mugello, Italy - May 1, 2, 3 (in-season testing)

Waheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyyy!!

New colours, new challenges from Pirelli
Amid the copious information handed out by F1 tyre supplier Pirelli at its pre-season 'launch' this week were details of how it expects its range to perform in 2012 - and how the watching public will be able to identify the various compounds.

Pirelli is changing all of its slick tyres for the 2012 world championship, and introducing a modified version of the wet tyre which, this year will go under the revived Cinturato brand. Only the intermediate tyre – the Cinturato Green – remains unaltered from last season, Pirelli's first back in the top flight after replacing previous supplier Bridgestone.

The characteristics of the tyres requested by the teams for 2012 are in line with expectations from last year, namely tyres that help to provide entertaining competition, with at least two pit-stops per race and a wide variety of strategies.

The new design of Pirelli tyres takes into account the change in the rules from the FIA regarding blown exhausts, while also becoming 'square' in profile to improve the wear rate, particularly on the all-important shoulder of the tyre. The new front and rear profiles have been designed to distribute the stresses more evenly across the contact patch. This modification, regularising the demands and temperatures over the entire surface of the tyre, has been designed to reduce the risk of blistering and spread the tyre wear over a wider area of the footprint. This extends the amount of time during which the tyre can operate at peak performance, but does not affect the durability of the tyre in terms of the number of laps that it can cover.

The new tyres have also been designed to provide more grip at the rear, compensating for the reduction in aerodynamic downforce caused by the latest rule changes introduced by the FIA. With the exception of the supersoft, where only the profile has changed, the tyres will generally become softer, with some entirely new compounds being readied for the 2012 campaign.

The objective is to reduce the performance gap between the different compounds as, throughout the 2011 season, there was a gap of around 1.2-1.8secs per lap between the different tyre nominations for each race. This year, the objective is to bring that gap down to less than a second, and between six- to eight-tenths on average.

However, by going softer, the tyres will be less conservative than last year. The way that the teams rapidly came to understand how the tyres would perform and behave paved the way for some more extreme solutions in the second half of 2011, which were capable of generating increased grip. These characteristics, together with a smaller gap in lap times and a distinct degradation curve between the different compounds, should allow the teams to adopt a variety of strategies during the races.

The innovations for 2012 also include a couple of new colours to help fans and commentators alike identify the various tyres. The two wet weather compounds, which will both adopt the Cinturato name last used by the likes of Juan Manuel Fangio, will be recognised by blue markings for the full wet and green for the intermediate. The four slick compounds, which will be continue to be called P Zero, maintain their colours from last year, namely silver for the hard, white for the medium, yellow for the soft and red for the supersoft - despite complaints that it was sometimes hard to distinguish between the white and silver markings. Pirelli has confirmed that that problem should be partly addressed by bigger markings on the sidewalls.

The P Zero 'Red', used primarily for street circuits is the only compound to remain unchanged from the 2011 season, having showed itself to be particularly versatile by offering high peaks of performance over slow and twisty circuits characterised by slippery asphalt and low lateral loadings.

The P Zero 'Yellow' should be softer than previously, but with less blistering. The new soft tyre is well suited to circuits with low tyre wear, and should offer a high level of grip coupled with a significant amount of degradation, resulting in a comparatively short lifespan that will give the teams a greater number of options with pit-stop strategy. Compared to the equivalent tyre in 2011, the new soft offers greater thermal resistance to reduce the risk of blistering.

Tested for the first time during free practice at last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the new soft tyre is set to be one of the most frequent nominations in 2012, together with the new medium tyre, the P Zero 'White'.

The extremely versatile 'White' is expected to adapt well to all sorts of track conditions, particularly when asphalt and circuit characteristics are variable. The brand new P Zero White is intended as the 'option' tyre on tracks with high temperatures or abrasive surfaces and as the 'prime' tyre on tracks that are less severe with fewer demands on the tyres.

The new medium compound was tried out last year during free practice at the German Grand Prix and made another appearance during the 'Young Driver' test in Abu Dhabi.

The P Zero 'Silver' remains Pirelli's hardest tyre, which guarantees maximum durability and the least degradation, together with optimal resistance to the most extreme conditions. However, it is not as hard as the equivalent tyre last year, and should be suited to longer runs and circuits with abrasive asphalt, big lateral forces and high temperatures. The 'Silver' was tested in the Barcelona by official test driver Lucas di Grassi, and is the only one of the new compounds that the regular drivers have not yet experienced.

While intermediate compound remains unchanged from 2011, the Cinturato 'Blue' has been significantly altered. The changes relate to the rear tyres, which use a different profile in order to optimise the dispersal of water in case of aquaplaning and guarantee a greater degree of driving precision.

To collect data during both testing and races, Pirelli has developed a new integrated computer system - the Racing Tyre System - unique to F1. Its comprehensive functionality will keep the company's engineers in constant in touch with the cars, the teams and Formula One Management personnel, and allows the engineers to monitor the performance, wear and evolution of each tyre on track, while linking the cars, team engineers' computer screens and a tablet carried by each of Pirelli's tyre engineers with a central server based in the company's Milan headquarters.

FOM, which helps the system to run by providing precise lap times for every driver, also receives data in real time from Pirelli, such as which compounds are fitted to which car. The organisation then sends this information out to accredited television channels, helping to provide comprehensive media coverage.

Will d past is d past. For all those who were insisting Vettel has driving a bugatti and d others were riding donkeys, hence he isn't a great driver e.t.c. From d mouth of Mclaren

McGrath added that beating qualifying master Sebastian Vettel will be crucial if McLaren is to be successful in 2012, particularly as its analysis indicated that the raw pace of last year's MP4-26 was superior towards the end of the season despite Red Bull and Vettel's run of poles.

"He must be a brilliant driver, because by the end of last season we definitely had the best car and he was still whupping us," McGrath said.

"We're trying to figure out exactly what he's doing that's so good. How does he pull out that fast qualifying lap every time? We think it's driver skill. There's no trickery on the cars, he just gets more out of it than we do."

But keep insisting Seb didn't have a truly special and almost flawless season that he will probably never replicate. It was all d car and Vettel is average. Yeah right.

McLaren MP4-27 and MP4-26 compared

McLaren MP4-27 and MP4-26 compared

It looks like another car that would be following Vettel round the circuit until we reach Silverstone!!

In the meantime, Pirelli is misfiring in entertaining ways
After mad Max, I just wonder when all of F1 would become sophisticated and above board:

[size=14pt]Pirelli boss denies 2012 tyres to help Ferrari[/size]

Jan.30 (GMM) Pirelli has denied it works too closely in Formula 1 with fellow Italian marque Ferrari in the build up to the 2012 season.

“Nonsense,” [/b]the tyre supplier’s chief executive Marco Tronchetti Provera is quoted by La Repubblica newspaper.

The question was put to him after Pirelli decided to soften the hardest compounds of its tyres ahead of the 2012 season.

Last year, Ferrari struggled on Pirelli’s harder tyres.

“It was a choice we made in accordance with all the teams and drivers,” insisted Tronchetti Provera.

“These (2012) tyres are for 2012, not the cars of last year,” he is quoted by Spain’s AS newspaper.

[b]He admitted however to wanting to see Ferrari succeed.

“Naturally. If you’re Italian your dream is for Ferrari to win, if you’re English then it is McLaren. Everyone’s heart is where it is.”

And with Europe in crisis, a Pirelli-shod Ferrari victory would be meaningful for Italy.

“There are Italian companies with the right approach in terms of competitiveness, technology, quality of the people.

“They can offer a great contribution to restoring confidence in the country,” he admitted.

During his conversation with reporters, Tronchetti Provera answered his phone.

“Luchino!” he beamed, admitting the call was from Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.

“Now everybody is going to say I have a special relationship with Ferrari,” he laughed, before pausing: “He (Montezemolo) says it isn’t true!”

Tronchetti Provera also insisted he would be happy to see a tyre war in F1.

“Alone or with a competitor, it’s ok either way,” he said. “F1 decided that the tyres should be the same for everyone, but we do not care.

http://totalf1.com/full_story/view/405316/Pirelli_boss_denies_2012_tyres_to_help_Ferrari/

omar22:

McLaren MP4-27 and MP4-26 compared

Something tells me that is not the real deal, it looks too much like last seasons car. Maybe they need a chassis to road test a couple of concepts. Another thing, it seems way too high off the ground. Lets wait for the last practice and see if it changes radically from the current design.

On a lighter note though, thanks to McLaren, we know the 2012 season cars don't have to be so damn ugly, unlike Caterhams that looks like an eerie creature that could spring to life in the dead of night and terrify innocent kids.
As a McLaren fan, I wish beauty meant speed. . . Fingers crossed.

Wow d season hasn't even  begun and Lewis is back to his old tricks making enemies of fellow drivers  . Somethings never change. 

"Lewis is a coward. I do not want to be friends with someone like that," Sutil, who had previously counted on Hamilton as one of his closest friends in the paddock after being team mates in the junior Formula Three Euroseries, told Bild newspaper.

Lewis is lucky he patched things up Massa and Sutil's F1 career could well be over, or he would have 2 separate drivers ready to push him into a ditch at their own expense. 

Lewis is a coward. I do not want to be friends with someone like that," Sutil, who had previously counted on Hamilton as one of his closest friends in the paddock after being team mates in the junior Formula Three Euroseries, told Bild newspaper.

thank God he didnt turn up and would had have to lie for Sutil who cut someone with Glass,

montelik:

Wow d season hasn't even  begun and Lewis is back to his old tricks making enemies of fellow drivers  . Somethings never change. 

Lewis is lucky he patched things up Massa and Sutil's F1 career could well be over, or he would have 2 separate drivers ready to push him into a ditch at their own expense. 

You mean he should have gone to defend Sutils stabbing of another person from a rival team? What if there had been loss of life as it was a neck wound? Nobody wants a potential murderer as a friend.
Lets not start the season with these low stories, abeg. This is the exciting part of pre-season cars are being released and speculation is a full circus; I don't wanna miss my ticket and a front seat. . . Ferrari and Force India reveal their steeds tomorrow.

Unveiled Cars

God! Please help us!
When will the parade of ugliness come to an end. Its now a contest between Caterham, Ferrari and Force India for the ugliest car.
I'm really praying now that Mercedes and Red Bull buck the reptilian trend like McLaren.

Lotus E20.
Yet another ugly one is born!



[img]http://www.f1talks.pl/wp-content/gallery/lotus_e20/e20_17.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.f1talks.pl/wp-content/gallery/lotus_e20/e20_09.jpg[/img]

I wanna bet that both Red Bull and Mercedes will be the only other teams outside McLaren to feature good looking, smooth nosed cars.
The Red Bull launch is later today, so not long to wait. I pray that Drian Newey too doesn't travel the ugly route.

D prelims are over, time for d main event. D unveiling of 2012's winning car. Over to you Red Bull.

Release the KRAKAN!!!!

Red Bull RB8.  

[flash=560,315]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nws7nEvOI7k?version=3&hl=en_US" type="[/flash]

Adrian Newey, chief technical designer for Red Bull Racing has voiced his frustration towards the new regulation changes in Formula One.

Red Bull announced the RB8 on 6 February and as part of the event Newey said that preventing teams from using exhaust gases to create extra downforce - a trick that worked incredibly well for Red Bull in 2011 - is frustrating.


restrictions like the lost exhaust are a bit frustrating in truth, because they are exactly that, they are restrictions, they're not giving new opportunities or revenues particularly, they're just closing a door."

Newey added: "Regulation changes I enjoy, regulation restrictions I rather lament."

Last year's Red Bull fed exhaust gases through the rear diffuser, increasing the airflow through the crucial aero device and strengthening the downforce, and therefore grip, in highspeed corners.

Newey continued: "RB7 [the 2011 car] was designed around the exhaust, this year knowing that the exhaust position from last year would be taken away, we've had to go back and look at how we developed the car [with the older] side exhaust system."


The RB8 also features a lower rear ride height than the 2010 car, as last year's exhaust meant that a higher ride height could be achieved.

Another regulation change for 2012 means that teams must design cars with lower noses. While the maximum height remains at 65 centimeters immediately in front of the cockpit, the height of the nose must drop to 55 centimeters within a space of 15 centimetres just after the front suspension.

The regulation change has led to teams designing stepped noses, where the nose drops abruptly. McLaren is, so far, the only team to not use this stepped nose design. Interestingly, Red Bull has included what appears to be a vent into the step, unlike any other team.

Isn't she a beauty?

Sauba 2012

I thought its car racing?


Whats all these space-ship looking stuff,

and

The more I see other cars front end, the more I worry for McLaren!!!

Is Macca missing something here?

Buncha fugly rides!

baby-boy:

The more I see other cars front end, the more I worry for McLaren!!!

Is Macca missing something here?

They've taken a risk that will either pay off real big or see them fighting for position with Virgin and Marutsia. Lol!
I've been doing some technical reading on Macca though, and it seems they've got some pretty neat tricks up their sleeves with the design. They and Mercedes are rumoured to have an interlinked suspension (for active ride height maintainance); an interlinked suspension balances the cars ride height and weight distribution during breaking and acceleration. Such a system would directly complement a very low nose (check the image below) and direct-wheel blowing - which is considered to have greater pay-off than diffuser blowing, but is more erratic. If Macca have tamed that beast and the gameplan is direct-wheel blowing, we could see outright domination (and cries of fowl-play).

Another team to watch out for is Mercedes.

Read more analysis and comments on the best F1 blog ever:
http://scarbsf1./2012/02/02/launch-analysis-mclaren-mercedes-mp4-27/

[img]http://scarbsf1.files./2012/02/mp427-noses.jpg[/img]

Damn ugly

[size=14pt]Jerez 1st test times[/size]
Kimi was quickest in the first test. The iceman ain't slacking!

Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m19.670s 50
2. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m19.772s 52
3. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m20.219s 56
4. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m20.694s 40
5. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m21.474s 8
6. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m21.534s 29
7. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m22.402s 22
8. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m23.056s 51
9. Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 1m23.178s 32
10. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m23.371s 23
11. Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 1m24.322s 16