Formula 1 2012

[TheAdmiral]

Looks like Barrichello might have found a new home...

http://www.indycar.com/news/show/55-izod-indycar-series/51121-barrichello-ovals-not-a-deal-breaker/

SEBRING, Fla. -- There will be quite the conversation in Portuguese between Rubens Barrichello and his wife Silvana on the flight from Orlando, Fla., to Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The Formula One veteran left Sebring International Raceway, following two days of testing the new Dallara DW12 chassis powered by Chevrolet’s 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 engine, with a sense of accomplishment in providing feedback for longtime friend Tony Kanaan and the KV Racing Technology team. He left with positive thoughts about the car, the atmosphere of the IZOD IndyCar Series and his abilities after a four-month layoff.

He left with an invitation to compete in the series in 2012, and with options. Racing on ovals (there presently are four on the schedule, with the Indianapolis 500 on May 27 the first after four road/street course events) isn’t a deal-breaker. A statement to that effect was made without consideration of ever competing in the IZOD IndyCar Series.

 

[Petra]

I admit that I mostly like him because I was a HUGE fan of his uncle (Ayrton), but what do the fans here think of Bruno Senna? I don't expect him to set the world on fire (especially in the Williams), but I think in a stable environment, he's better than what many think. Hamilton is still my main guy. But is anyone else cheering for Bruno? :dunno:

I like Senna. He's green, no doubt about that but I think he's a fairly consistent driver and I'm glad someone took him up.

While I'm a Button/Hamilton type gal, I really like Kobayashi. I think a few more years and a top end car will give us some fantastic driving since that boy has zero fear. He's like Hamilton on crack.

Looks like Barrichello might have found a new home...

http://www.indycar.com/news/show/55-izod-indycar-series/51121-barrichello-ovals-not-a-deal-breaker/

Good place for him. Lets be honest, he's getting way too old for the intensity of F1, so Indycar is a good compromise.

 

[ArsErotika]

I really like Kobayashi. I think a few more years and a top end car will give us some fantastic driving since that boy has zero fear. He's like Hamilton on crack.

Yeah, I'm a huge fan too. He somehow manages to be fearless and daring and taking huge risks without being an asshole. Being competitive is one thing, but being stupid and arrogant and bullying one's way around a track are not my idea of good racing fireworks. I really hope that Kobayashi stays a good sportsman while he claws his way up in experience and hopefully into better equipment. He will be one helluva racer when he can put it all together.

 

[TheAdmiral]

The McLaren MP4-27 was launched today:
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2012/2/12967.html

Photos:
http://www.facebook.com/vodafonemcl...a.10150627464586413.442447.12254981412&type=1
http://www.formula1.com/gallery/launches/2012/661.html
http://www.facebook.com/f1backstage#!/media/set/?set=a.316121888422990.68891.121350964566751&type=1
http://www.facebook.com/formula1fan....10151224695395494.803517.229883015493&type=1

 

[Petra]

So evidently we won't be seeing the Ferrari on account of snow...I'm curious to see what they did to their nose. I wonder if it'll be just as ugly as the Caterham car.

Now, the McLaren is just beautiful. I'm wondering if RedBull took the same strategy or they're going with the more square nose like the others.

 

[TheAdmiral]

http://formula1fanpage.blogspot.com/2012/02/ferrari-cancels-launch-ceremony.html

Ferrari has cancelled the launch ceremony for its 2012 car due to the weather conditions at Maranello.

The car was due to be launched at the team's headquarters in Northern Italy on Friday morning, with a track run also planned in the afternoon or on Saturday for promotional purposes. However, with heavy snowfall and cold temperatures affecting much of Europe, Ferrari has been forced to cancel the event.
As a result the team has announced that it will still launch the car on Friday via its website, following the likes of Red Bull and Lotus who have also chosen to launch online.
"It is still snowing heavily here in Maranello," Ferrari said via its Twitter account. "Therefore, the launch ceremony of the new F1 car has been cancelled. Pictures, interviews and technical analysis of the new car will be available tomorrow [online]."

Force India will also launch on February 3

 

[TheAdmiral]

Ferrari launch:
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2012/2/12972.html

http://formula1fanpage.blogspot.com/2012/02/ferrari-launched-2012-car.html

Ferrari has launched its new car - the F2012 - via an online presentation from its base in Maranello.

The 2012 car is visually different from last year's car and the new McLaren MP4-27 in that it features an aggressive Caterham-style stepped nose. The car also has heavily sculpted sidepods and a double air-intake like the 2011 McLaren. Ferrari will hope that the ban on off-throttle blown diffusers will mean that the car is more competitive than in 2011, when the team only won one grand prix. Felipe Massa said that he hoped the risks taken in the car's design would help the team be successful.

Photos:
http://www.facebook.com/Ferrari#!/media/set/?set=a.10150632393366970.440038.24712846969&type=1
http://www.formula1.com/gallery/launches/2012/663.html

 

[TheAdmiral]

Force India:
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2012/2/12973.html
http://formula1fanpage.blogspot.com/2012/02/force-india-unveils-vjm05.html

Force India's VJM05 has been unveiled at a launch event at the Silverstone circuit near the team's headquarters.

The new car - which will be driven by Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg this season - features a stepped nose similar to that seen on the new Ferrari and Caterham cars, along with slim sidepods. Di Resta said that the aim with the car would be to overtake Lotus and finish fifth in the constructors' championship having missed out by four points in 2011.

Photos:
http://www.formula1.com/gallery/launches/2012/662.html
http://www.facebook.com/forceindiaf1#!/media/set/?set=a.10150560691137936.398185.292141847935&type=1

In an unrelated matter, HRT has announced Narain Karthikeyan as its second driver

 

[Rey C.]

Great additions, TheAdmiral! :thumbsup:

BTW, are you going to try to attend the Austin race this year?

 

[TheAdmiral]

I'd like to, but I dont know if I would be able to. I'm actually closer to Montreal

 

[Rey C.]

Well, if they are able to pull it off, there's always the Grand Prix of Joysey! Snooki and the gang might even be the grand marshals!

I love the city of Montreal. But I've never been there during GP weekend.

 

[Supafly]

Fascinating new cars, I am curious how things will go.

But seriously, please don't let Vettel rule the game again!

 

[TheAdmiral]

Lotus launches the E20:
The Lotus E20 breaks cover
http://formula1fanpage.blogspot.com/2012/02/lotus-launched-e20.html

Kimi Raikkonen brushed aside suggestions he will struggle for motivation on his return to Formula One after a two-year lay-off.
"There's always talk about my motivation, written by people who don't know me and couldn't have an idea on how strong my motivation is," Raikkonen told the media at the unveiling of the Lotus car for 2012.

Kimi Raikkonen Q&A: I've missed Formula 1\
Technical Q&A - Lotus's James Ellison on the E20

Photos:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.318956578139521.69252.121350964566751&type=1
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.318956578139521.69252.121350964566751&type=1
http://www.formula1.com/gallery/launches/2012/664.html

 

[TheAdmiral]

Sauber and Red Bull have launched their cars today

Edit: Toro Rosso had its unveiling too

 

[saschaxx]

I really loooove Kimi to come back to F 1 , he´s my favorite driver. And what a shame that Kubica was not able yet to get back to the circus .
Anyway, if the rest did NOT make their home-works, Vettel will rule the games again.

 

[Petra]

So, now that testing starts today, the question is:

Is McLaren on to something with their nose and less air coming under the car or did they completely miss the mark as they're the only car that went for that design.

I really hope that this isn't going to hurt the mcLaren boys because I really don't want to see another season of Vettle dominating the podium. Hell, at this point, I'd be happy to support Alonso if it meant Vettle doesn't win.

 

[Petra]

I really loooove Kimi to come back to F 1 , he´s my favorite driver. And what a shame that Kubica was not able yet to get back to the circus .
Anyway, if the rest did NOT make their home-works, Vettel will rule the games again.

I swear Kubica just can't get a break.

 

[TheAdmiral]

Defence of the realm - the Red Bull RB8 revealed

The car with which reigning world champions Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull will defend their titles was revealed to the world on Monday. The Adrian Newey-designed RB8 is the eighth Formula One car produced by the team.

Its predecessor, the RB7, dominated the 2011 season, winning 12 Grands Prix in the hands of Vettel and team mate Mark Webber, and powering the Milton Keynes-based squad to their second championship double in as many years.

Toro Rosso present the STR7 in Jerez pit lane

Toro Rosso followed in the footsteps of Sauber and unveiled the car with which they will contest the 2012 FIA Formula One World Championship at Jerez on Monday afternoon. The Ferrari-engined STR7 will make its on-track debut on Tuesday morning, when this week’s opening pre-season test gets underway at the Spanish track.

The Italian team’s 2012-spec line-up, Australian Daniel Ricciardo and Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne, were in attendance at the pit-lane launch. Toro Rosso hope the new car - and new signings - will help them establish a firmer foothold in the midfield, after they finished eighth in the 2011 standings.

Toro Rosso Launch Gallery:
http://www.formula1.com/gallery/launches/2012/666.html

Revolution meets evolution: Sauber take wraps off the C31

Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez unveiled the new Sauber in Jerez on Monday. The Ferrari-engined C31 will take to the Spanish track later in the day for some promotional filming, ahead of the start of the first multi-team test of the winter on Tuesday.

“We’re aiming to start the new season as strongly as we did in 2011, but then also to maintain this level of performance throughout the year,” explained team principal Peter Sauber, whose team were seventh in the 2011 standings.

Sauber Launch Gallery:
http://www.formula1.com/gallery/launches/2012/665.html

 

[larss]

Petra[/URL][/B], post: 6450261, member: 114093"]I swear Kubica just can't get a break.

He did.

His leg. That's the problem. :angels:

 

[Petra]

He did.

His leg. That's the problem. :angels:

har har.