BlueElephant From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2006, 1765 posts, RR: 8 Posted (3 months 3 weeks 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 3308 times:
I could have sworm that there was a Part 1 thread, but I cannot seem to find it.
The new season is just a month and a half away!
This year we should have a new race in the U.S. (I want to go but don't know yet if i'll make it!)
Both Caterham (Lotus) and McLaren have released images of their 2012 challengers so far, All other teams aside from Mercedes, Marussia and HRT should be unveiled before the first test on Tuesday.
Commenting on the McLaren - I'm thinking here that we're not seeing the complete story here. It looks rather ordinary. I assume there will be another couple noses, and some hidden engineering marvels that increase its speed.
zckls04 From United States of America, joined Dec 2011, 245 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (3 months 3 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 3286 times:
Quoting BlueElephant (Thread starter): Commenting on the McLaren - I'm thinking here that we're not seeing the complete story here. It looks rather ordinary. I assume there will be another couple noses, and some hidden engineering marvels that increase its speed.
According to McLaren themselves they are expecting questions to be asked by the other teams over the cars legality. They claim they have been too conservative in the past and are pushing the boundaries a lot more this time.
Seems an odd thing to say though- they'd have to be pretty sure it was legit to be inviting scrutiny from other teams. Maybe trying to avoid the problem that most of the teams seem to have from time to time where Charlie OK's something after a casual enquiry, and then changes his mind mid-season after presumably being overruled by the Feds.
In any case, they need a fast start for once. If they get one it could be pretty interesting seeing if we get some intra-team fireworks.
Bill142 From Australia, joined Aug 2004, 8143 posts, RR: 11 Reply 2, posted (3 months 3 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 3254 times:
Quoting zckls04 (Reply 1): Seems an odd thing to say though- they'd have to be pretty sure it was legit to be inviting scrutiny from other teams. Maybe trying to avoid the problem that most of the teams seem to have from time to time where Charlie OK's something after a casual enquiry, and then changes his mind mid-season after presumably being overruled by the Feds.
That's probably what they're expecting to happen.
Quoting BlueElephant (Thread starter): Commenting on the McLaren - I'm thinking here that we're not seeing the complete story here. It looks rather ordinary. I assume there will be another couple noses, and some hidden engineering marvels that increase its speed.
What's been launched is probably different to whats going to be in testing next week.
MadameConcorde From San Marino, joined Feb 2007, 9224 posts, RR: 50 Reply 3, posted (3 months 3 weeks 1 day ago) and read 3187 times:
McLaren was the first team to present their new car for the 2012 season - the MP4-27.
The launch of the new McLaren is the official start of the F1 2012 season.
Monocoque: McLaren-moulded carbonfibre composite incorporating front and side impact structures
Front suspension: Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
Rear suspension: Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pullrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
Electronics: McLaren Electronic Systems. Including chassis control, engine control, data acquisition, dashboard, alternator, sensors, data analysis and telemetry.
Bodywork: Carbon-fibre composite. Separate engine cover, sidepods and floor. Structural nose with integral front wing.
Driver-operated drag reduction system
Tyres: Pirelli P Zero
Radio: Kenwood
Race wheels: Enkei
Brake callipers: Akebono
Master cylinders: Akebono
Batteries: GS Yuasa Corporation
Steering: McLaren power-assisted
Instruments: McLaren Electronic Systems
Paint solutions: AkzoNobel Car Refinishes using Sikkens products
Engine
Type: Mercedes-Benz FO 108Z
Capacity: 2.4 litres
Cylinders: 8
Maximum rpm: 18,000
Bank angle: 90°
Piston bore maximum: 98mm
Number of valves: 32
Fuel: ExxonMobil High Performance Unleaded (5.75% bio fuel)
Spark plugs: NGK racing spark plugs specially designed for Formula 1
Lubricants: Mobil 1 - combining greater performance, protection and cooling with increased economy and lower emissions
Weight: 95kg (minimum FIA regulation weight)
KERS Hybrid
Type: Mercedes-Benz
e-Motor: Engine-mounted electrical motor/generator
ESS: Integrated energy storage cells and power electronics
Power: 60 kW
Transmission
Gearbox: McLaren-moulded carbon-fibre composite.
Integral rear impact structure
Gears: Seven forward and one reverse
Gear selection: McLaren seamless shift, hand-operated
Clutch: Carbon/carbon, hand-operated
Lubricants: Mobil
See the pictures of the new MP4-27 at the launch ceremony
I hope Lewis will give up his showbiz aspirations and friends and he will fully concentrate on his future in Formula 1. This year could be his last chance as there are many talented young drivers waiting for his seat.
As for Jenson, I am sure he will do very well again in 2012 up to his best as usual. He has got the right environment and talent to succeed.
Good luck McLaren Mercedes. Give us a great 2012 season!
There was a better way to fly it was called Concorde
There is a really nice article about the new F-2012 launch in today's La Gazzetta dello Sport with the two Ferrari drivers comments and impressions, also Stefano Domenicali and the big boss, Luca di Montezemolo.
GrahamHill From France, joined Mar 2007, 2235 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (3 months 3 weeks 18 hours ago) and read 3133 times:
When they wrote the new rules, I hope the FIA did not have that kind of design in mind. Those noses are ugly. The look like a boxer's nose, completely bended because of punches...
[Edited 2012-02-03 07:40:17]
"A learned fool is more foolish than an ignorant one" - Moliere
MadameConcorde From San Marino, joined Feb 2007, 9224 posts, RR: 50 Reply 11, posted (3 months 3 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 3103 times:
I just saw this on BBC News
Sauber's technical director James Key has left the Swiss team to take up a new role in the UK.
Key, who has been with Sauber for two years, did not reveal what the new role was or whether it was in Formula 1.
...
Sauber said that Key's responsibilities would be shared by the heads of the four engineering departments.
The team's new car will be launched on Monday 6 February, ahead of the start of pre-season testing on 7 February in Jerez, Spain.
sudden From Sweden, joined Jul 2001, 3955 posts, RR: 7 Reply 14, posted (3 months 2 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 2996 times:
Quoting MadameConcorde (Reply 6): Looking at the new F-2012 seems that the new McLaren's nose may not be legit?
It's very legit as stated already by Bill142. There will more designs that differs from Ferrari and Force India, but this does not mean that they are not legit. Just different approaches by the teams.
Quoting Bill142 (Reply 12): Looks like they'll be off to a slow start since they've lost their Key.
Maybe they can get a spare Key that actually works now.
MadameConcorde From San Marino, joined Feb 2007, 9224 posts, RR: 50 Reply 16, posted (3 months 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 2964 times:
Quoting sudden (Reply 15): The new Sauber has been launched......
Thank you for the link. I had the launch date wrong as I thought it was tomorrow!
I am not really enthused by the way they mixed the colours on the car but this has no real importance.
Sergio is no longer a F1 newbie this year. We will see how well him and Kamui will do this season.
I hope the tech team can manage well without the Key.
There will be Schumi, Kamui, Kimi, but still no Kubi.
The 2012 season will be highly competitive with 6 World Champions on the grid.
There was a better way to fly it was called Concorde
DiamondFlyer From United States of America, joined Oct 2008, 1107 posts, RR: 3 Reply 23, posted (3 months 2 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 2883 times:
Any idea on why Caterham and Lotus went with the different style nose bump than the rest of the cars released so far (sans the McLaren)?
B747forever From Sweden, joined May 2007, 16091 posts, RR: 12 Reply 24, posted (3 months 2 weeks 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 2858 times:
Quoting KiwiRob (Reply 19): This years crop of F1 cars are about the ugliest to date.
That nose section looks awful!
Work Hard, Fly Right
25 Dano1977: I wondering what those airducts on the nose hump are for on the Red Bull? Some kind of device that sends air flow to the bottom of the car to add down
26 GrahamHill: Not sure what it is. Am I optimistic by saying that it might be another brainwave from Newey that will put the RBR on top for another year?
27 CXB77L: Here's the new Williams Renault FW34: Unfortunately, it has that ugly stepped noes like all other cars released so far, bar the McLaren. I wonder if M
28 KiwiRob: Looks like Williams have the same arrangement.
29 scbriml: Adrian Newey says it's ony for driver cooling.
30 Acheron: There is equally a chance of them being the ones who missed the boat. Particularly if Newey went for a stepped nose.
31 MadameConcorde: Kimi is back and he wants everybody to know about it! Kimi Raikkonen sets fastest pre-season testing time on F1 return By Andrew Benson Chief F1 write
32 sudden: Would not surpise me one bit. hahahaha.....now that's funny.
33 sudden: Gary Anderson clarifies a few things that might put some discussions here to rest.... http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/16864721
34 MadameConcorde: Looks like the 2012 Bahrain F1 Grand Prix will be cancelled. Formula 1 has been urged to call off the Bahrain Grand Prix by a group of leading British
35 Bill142: Now I understand what the rule change was that made all those dropped noses.
36 sudden: I think it's cool that Gary Anderson joins as he will be able to feed us with valuable info from the technical point of view. A strong trio they have
37 sudden: Finally Trulli has been replaced! Petrov got his drive......... http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97552 If there is one driver I wont miss i
38 Acheron: I'm sure I'll miss the Trulli Train, though :-P
39 BlueElephant: Me too, but for what it's worth i think we have a very interesting line up this year. The likes of Hulkenburg being back and Ricciardo and Vergne who
41 stealthz: I thought Sauber had the deal to make the Ferrari look good.. seems I was wrong, Mercedes have been severely slapped with the ugly stick!! I wonder i
42 zak: The logic behind the high nose is this: The higher the nose the more mass-flow of air can be under the Nose. That air is the air that can be used to
43 MadameConcorde: As a former Bahrain race regular I received the email with the discounted tickets offer. For as much as I would like to go back to the Kingdom it seem
44 KiwiRob: Which is good because the event was crap, held on a horrible boring circuit in a country which really couldn't give a crap about F1.
45 MadameConcorde: This is Kamui's new bilingual Japanese/English web site with some really nice graphics. http://www.kamui-kobayashi.com/
46 sudden: Well, If you are a midfield driver I guess you need to have a site that shines the more. That probably covers it.
47 MadameConcorde: Sadly there are no more Italian drivers in Formula 1. Drivers coming from countries with such great automobile history and great constructors like Fe
48 KiwiRob: When was the last time we actually had an Italian behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car that was any good, could win races and challenge for the F1 Driv
49 sudden: Just because Italy has a great history in car manufacturing, doesn't automatically mean that they have good race drivers. Look how good Badoer nursed
50 KiwiRob: It wouldn't surprise me if one of the Tata group companies had a crack at LeMan's, after all Jaguar is owned by Tata, they have a fine history in spo
51 MadameConcorde: It is quite clear that you have a grudge against the humble sushi boy driving talent and his capability to make it to the F1 circuit. You would be ov
52 KiwiRob: I don't think Ferrari have had a lightweight like Kamui in one of their cars for decades.
53 GrahamHill: I agree with that. Though I am sad to see that no Italian driver will take part of the next championship, it's not going to prevent me from slepping
54 MadameConcorde: Never mind. It will be another Red Bull year with a Seb 3rd time world title. He would still have to go a long way to beat Schumi with 7 titles.
55 zckls04: Pay drivers are, and always have been, an integral part of Formula One at the back of the field. It always amazes me how many people forget the bad o
56 sudden: He's simply overrated. He made it to the track, but he will never make it to any of the top teams. I use him a reference cause that might make you un
57 Bill142: Not true. They've both driven for Sauber at some point during their career.
58 sudden: I stand corrected. At least Massa got somewhere (read Ferrari).
59 Dano1977: Probably the worst pay driver of all was Pedro Diniz He had mummy and daddies millions to shoe horn him into an F1 car (Forti, Ligier,Arrows and Saub
60 sudden: If I recall correct he paid 50 million for his ticket in to F1.
61 MadameConcorde: You are really a Kamui hater. Looking at the 2011 WDC standings, he is not in the tops, but he is not in the bottom either. He is a good middle, taki
62 Bill142: There were worse. Pedro Diniz at least had super licence. There was a stage where you could plonk down your cash and get a gig. Particularly during t
63 sudden: How about Ide who got his Super License withdrawn completely. That count as worse in my books.
64 BlueElephant: The Tabloids are reporting Lewis Hamilton is back in a relationship with his squeeze Nicole. Which could be both positive and negative. He also mentio
65 MadameConcorde: The two are inseparable. They are really the other one's best match. Let's hope it will be for the better. Sweet: F1 Fan makes Red Bull RB8 out of ca
66 MadameConcorde: Thursday, February 23, 2012 Circuit de Catalunya: Testing Day Three Times Driver Car Time Laps 1. Pastor Maldonado Williams FW34 1:22.391 106 2. Micha
67 MadameConcorde: Friday, February 24, 2012 Circuit de Catalunya: Testing Day Four Times Driver Car Time Laps 1. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber C31 1:22.312 145 2. Pastor Maldo
68 stealthz: I know the first real indication of a teams speed will be approx 18:00 March 17th or even more meanigful, a bit before 19:00 Sun 18/03. But .9 sec to
69 na: The bent noses are a joke. I cant remember uglier F1-car fronts since the times of the hideous Tyrrells or Ligiers back in the 70s. I wonder why rules
70 MadameConcorde: This F1 replica team from Germany have built their own full size replicas of 2010 cars, the Red Bull RB6 and the Mercedes W01. http://www.youtube.com/
71 rfields5421: I prefer to remember the 'good old days' I'm watching Grand Prix on TCM right now.
72 MadameConcorde: Sky Sports F1 2012 :: Are you ready? Extended version of the 'F1 like never before' promotional trailer for Sky's 'dedicated' Formula 1 HD Channel lau
73 mad99: Frank Williams steps down. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97786
74 af1624: And Kimi Raikkonen will be appearing in Top Gear as the star in a reasonably priced car on next week's episode. Will he beat Barichello's time ? http:
75 CXB77L: Well, kind of. He's stepping down from his position on the board. He'll still be Team Principal and majority stakeholder in the Williams team. But it
76 mad99: Agreed. Williams need to do something to turn things around.
77 MadameConcorde: Bernie Ecclestone, big money, Italian castles and la dolce vita ... Bernie Ecclestone has somehow squeezed a lifetime of extraordinary success from me
78 mad99: Kimi goes fasted at the the end of testing. Nice the see the Toleman team doing well! Can't wait for the first race of 2012!
79 sudden: Ferrari has hired Salo as their test driver. The translation is a bit funny, but you still get it. I guess we are just as surprised as Salo himself. h
80 stealthz: We would be if there was anything at all to indicate he had been hired as their F1 Test driver. Although looking at their pre-season form there maybe
81 MadameConcorde: This Japanese F1 intro is absolute genius. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CwWekNOyPc8#! Here's to Kimi's return to F1 and
82 B747forever: I cannot believe that there is less than a week until the first race weekend of 2012. I am sure that this year will be fantastic. Unfortunately I will
83 BlueElephant: Hamilton takes Twitter questions. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/17311228 Only 1 week left.
84 MadameConcorde: I can hardly wait. Kimi is back albeit with a lesser car. Me thinks the battle this year will be between Seb and Jenson. I don't expect any miracles
85 sudden: Can't wait for this season to get under way. One reason being Raikkonens return. I think he will be able to spice things up in the midfield. To be see
86 MadameConcorde: The free practices will run middle of the night for us here in Europe with qualifyings early Saturday morning. Race will be on Sunday 7.00 AM CET. I
87 B747forever: Though I would much rather see him in a Ferrari. But hopefully he will manage to be competitive even though he is not driving for one of the top team
88 MadameConcorde: This is for you. Kimi Raikkonen on Top Gear 2012 Series 18, Episode 7 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35f4rd5qWA0&feature=youtu.be
89 sudden: Lotus joined partner ship with Microsoft Dynamics http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98015 Doesn't seem to be a bad deal for Lotus.
90 AF1624: So sad to see this disappointing performance by Kimi on Top Gear. Granted the track was wet, but still... I was expecting a lot more than that. The in
91 sudden: Painful? Raikkonen is simply short on words and I think Clarkson knows that by now.
92 BlueElephant: F1 2012: Australia! (by BlueElephant Mar 14 2012 in Non Aviation) New thread for first race.
93 mad99: Anyone up for predictions? I reckon the first race will be more of the same. 1) Vettel 2) Hamilton 3) Alonso I would love to see Kimi on the podium.
94 MadameConcorde: Vettel named his car Abbey. Go figure...
Sponsor Message: 
From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2006, 1765 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Dec 2011, 245 posts, 
From Australia, joined Aug 2004, 8143 posts, 
From San Marino, joined Feb 2007, 9224 posts, 
From British Indian Ocean Territory, joined Jun 2008, 283 posts, 
From France, joined Mar 2007, 2235 posts, 
From Sweden, joined Jul 2001, 3955 posts, 
From New Zealand, joined Jun 2005, 3628 posts, 
From Spain, joined Sep 2005, 1233 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
