F1 Lotus Racing Team Presentation

A video from the presentation of the new F1 Lotus T128!!

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Lotus Renault GP 2011 R31 Presentation (HD)

The new F1 Lotus-Renault R31 presented in Valencia!!

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F1 - Sauber 2011 C30 Presentation! (HD)

A video from the New F1 Sauber C33 presentation with Kobayashi and Perez!!

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Kobayashi and Perez unveil the new Sauber C30!!

31/1/11,

Sauber’s 2011 race line-up of Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez were on hand at the Valencia circuit in Spain on Monday to unveil the team’s new car, ahead of its track debut in testing on Tuesday.

After the upheavals of 2010, with their metamorphosis from a works to a private team, Sauber hope the Ferrari-powered C30 will form the basis of a more stable 2011 campaign and help them better last year’s eighth place in the constructors’ standings.

“We want to finish in the points regularly and clearly improve our position,” said team principal Peter Sauber ahead of his squad’s 19th F1 season. “2010 marked the 41st year of our company history and one of the most difficult. But we managed to overcome these difficulties in the second half of the season.

Sauber’s aim is for the C30 not just to prove more reliable than its predecessor; there were a number of other weaknesses to be banished as well. One of the team’s overriding targets is to improve aerodynamic efficiency, low-speed cornering, mechanical grip and to gain more flexibility in suspension tuning.

The striking visual features of the Sauber C30 are a raised front, slender waist, compact rear, new rollhoop and downward-sloping engine cover. Propelling the car as before is the Ferrari 056 engine, while power delivery is courtesy of a new Ferrari transmission. Its KERS system also comes from the Maranello factory.

The new technical regulations presented Sauber’s engineers with a tricky assignment, since the ban on double diffusers fundamentally alters the car’s aerodynamic concept. Another tough challenge was the switch to Pirelli tyres, which meant the engineers had to make decisions during the concept phase before the teams had a chance to test the tyres out on track. 

“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,” added Keys.

After completing a few installation laps on Monday, the C30 will begin a full test schedule alongside its rivals on Tuesday at the start of a development programme that will see it fitted with a new aerodynamic package before 2011’s season-opening Grand Prix in Bahrain on March 13.

Renault uncovers the new R31 in Valencia!!

31/1/11,

Hot on the heels of rivals Lotus and Sauber, Renault have become the latest team to reveal their 2011 car. The R31, bedecked in the iconic black and gold colours associated with backers Group Lotus, was presented to the media in the pit lane of the Valencia track, ahead of the first pre-season test of the year which will begin on Tuesday at the Spanish circuit.

Race drivers Robert Kubica and Vitaly Petrov were on hand to unveil the new machine, alongside technical director James Allison, team principal Eric Boullier and chairman Gerard Lopez. For Allison, the long months of hard work have paid off and the engineer is confident that the R31 will present a tangible step forward from its predecessor, the R30, which powered the team to fifth in the 2010 constructors’ standings. 

“Words like ‘aggressive’ and ‘innovative’ are very much in vogue in Formula One at the moment, but where the R31 is concerned we feel those adjectives are appropriate,” he said. “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.”

Team principal Boullier was just as optimistic, thanks to the new car’s strengths, as well as the Enstone team’s growing efficiency.

“All the hard work over the winter has been focused on delivering a big improvement for 2011,” he said. “The result is a car with more than 92 percent new parts compared to the R30. But technical innovation isn’t the only key to performance. Since last year, we have reviewed all our internal processes and our overall efficiency has now improved by 15 percent. That means we should be more competitive than last year, on the track and at the factory.”

Petrov, who gleaned 27 points from his debut season in 2010, will be in charge of the R31 when it makes its on-track debut on Tuesday, and for the Russian it’s a thrilling opportunity.

“It feels exciting to be starting my second year of Formula One and I can’t wait to try this beautiful car for the first time tomorrow,” hesaid. “Now that I have a year of F1 experience behind me, I feel more confident and ready to deliver. I’m determined to do well and fight hard for this team.”

Petrov's more experienced team mate Kubica will take over the car for the remaining two days’ of testing from Wednesday. The Polish driver, who scored 136 points and three podium finishes in 2010, is also targeting a much more productive 2011.

“After a long winter break you always feel ready to jump back in the car,” he added. “At the moment it’s difficult to know just how competitive our package will be, but the engineers have decided to go for an innovative design, which is good.”

Renault also presented their new third drivers Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean at the event, whilst the team’s reserve drivers (and members of their young driver academy) were confirmed as Jan Charouz, Ho-Pin Tung and Fairuz Fauzy, who was unable to attend the launch due to his GP2 commitments.

Lotus reveals the new Renault-powered T128!!

31/1/11,

Team Lotus have unveiled their 2011 challenger online ahead of its track debut later this week. The UK-based team hope the T128 will make them midfield contenders and bring them their first world championship points.

After contesting their 2010 debut season with the deliberately conservative, Cosworth-powered T127, Lotus have taken a more aggressive approach with the new car, which uses Renault power and Red Bull transmission systems.

“This year’s car is a much more contemporary design,” said chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne. “The car really will be a midfield runner. It’s a modern F1 car. I’m very confident it is a big step up and it’s the start of a process that takes Team Lotus back to the front of the grid.”

"T128 takes Team Lotus in exactly the right direction,” added team CEO Riad Asmat. “We have said since day one of the Team Lotus dream that the plan for our second year was to take the fight to the midfield, and with this car we are all confident that is what we will be able to do."

Team principal Tony Fernandes commented: "There has been so much focus off-track it's a thrill to be able to get back to talking about racing. The launch of the T128 is a big step forward for Team Lotus and I want to thank the whole team for the amount of hard work that has already gone into the car, and I want to thank Renault and Red Bull Technology for their tremendous support in helping us make this step forward and for being such great team partners."

The T128 is expected to make its track debut on Wednesday, in the second day of this week’s official F1 test session at Valencia in Spain. The team's driver line-up remains unchanged for 2011, with Finland's Heikki Kovalainen and Italy's Jarno Trulli at the wheel.

Sebastian Vettel takes the Mario Andretti trophy!!

Sebastian Vettel receiving the Mark Andretti trophy!!

30/1/11,

Sebastian was presented with another trophy this week – this one of special significance as it was handed over by the man whose name that trophy bears: former F1 champion and Nascar racer Mario Andretti.

The racer flew from his home in the States especially to give Seb the award, it’s the first time a non-American has been honoured. And there was a special reason why.

Andretti said: “I follow F1 very closely. At one point, Sebastian was almost out of the championship running, but he didn't give up; he fought until the end. I watched him with respect and admiration - greatly appreciating what he was doing. He was at the top of his game. It took concentration that was all-consuming. It took fierce determination and tenacity.

“At the world class level, it truly is mind over muscle, mind over competition, mind over everything. That's why nobody deserves this trophy more than him. He is a perfect example of what this award is about. It's about someone who perseveres.”

As well as handing over the trophy in Milton Keynes in front of our mechanics, Mario had the chance to tour our Factory and then take a turn on the team simulator. The track he drove was Barcelona – not one he’d ever raced at, but demonstrated that, though it was some years since he had raced in anger, he was determined as ever to master the circuit."

Sebastian said: "Receiving this award is an honour in itself but being handed it by Mario made it even more special. He’s one of the greatest racing drivers of all time and is a real legend in the United States."

The Mario Andretti Trophy is awarded on the recommendation of a panel which includes former racers Andretti himself, Dan Gurney and Sir Stirling Moss to the racer who puts a premium on winning races, shines on motorsports’ biggest stages and does it all with a measure of sportsmanship and class.

Seb gets to keep the bronze trophy which features eight cars, including six of the most important in Mario’s spectacular racing career.

30/1/11,

Here is a picture from the new F1 Mercedes W02!! Looks nice!! Enjoy!!

The new Mercedes W02!!

Ferrari 2011 F1 car launch - first run

Here is the video from the first Ferrari F150 launch at Fiorano(Italy)!!

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Ferrari 2011 F1 car launch - first run!!

29/1/11,

Alonso lapping with his Ferrari F150!!

Fresh from its launch, Ferrari’s 2011 car hit the track for the very first time in Italy on Friday afternoon, for promotional filming purposes. The honour of putting the F150 through its debut paces at the Italian team’s Fiorano test circuit was bestowed on Fernando Alonso. 

The car was presented to the world’s media during a glitzy launch at Ferrari's Maranello factory on Friday morning. Alonso was in attendance, alongside team mate Felipe Massa, team principal Stefano Domenicali, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemelo and numerous other Maranello dignitaries. 

Alonso leaving the pit!!

Alonso and Ferrari F150!!

Alonso flying through his first lap!!

Alonso will hand over the F150 to Massa on Saturday, who will take a turn in front of members of the team’s fan club. Debut runs over, the real test work will then begin in Spain next week, with both the Brazilian and the Spaniard expected in action during the first official pre-season session of the year at Valencia from February 1-3. 

- 2010 Season Montage Review [HD]

A small review of the 2010 Formula 1 season!!

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F1 2011 Ferrari F150 Team Presentation!!

Here is a small part of the new F1 Ferrari F150 car presentation!!

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F1 - The new Ferrari F150 - Fly around the car!!

Here is the new F1 Ferrari F150 car with all the changes that are made ready for action!!

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The new Ferrari F150 launched in Maranello!!

28/1/11,

Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso revealing the new Ferrari F150 !!

Ferrari became the first team to launch their 2011 challenger on Friday, as Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa took the wraps of the F150. Ferrari hope the new car - named to mark the 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification - will return the Scuderia to championship glory after they missed out on both 2010 titles.

The new F150!!

The design of the F150 incorporates the numerous 2011 regulation changes, including an adjustable rear wing and the return of KERS, as well as the removal of items now banned, such as F-ducts and double diffusers.

“The major aspects with the most impact on the project were connected to the aerodynamic development,” explained technical director Aldo Costa. “The double diffuser, the F-duct, is gone. The driver can’t change the car’s aerodynamic set up anymore. The underbody won’t have any ‘holes’ in the central part anymore. This is a fundamental change. 

“The rear wing will be movable, so that the driver can overtake the car in front of him and use it in the qualifying according to his needs. The KERS is back. Although we’ve improved its size, it’s still quite big. Therefore the technicians had to redesign the car’s layout.”

The front part of the F150 monocoque appears higher than its F10 predecessor’s and the openings for the side air intakes have been reduced in size. The rear suspension features a new design, while that at the front has been modified, following changes to the front part of the chassis. The exhaust system layout is similar to that adopted by Ferrari for the second half of last season and the cooling system has had to take into account the return of KERS and the new air exit ducts. The braking system has also been completely redesigned.

In front of the new F150!!

The F150 will begin its on-track testing programme alongside its rivals at Valencia in Spain next week and, as is the norm, Ferrari expect much to change - at least aerodynamically - on the car before it races for the first time at March’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

“The car’s evolution has been planned with two big stages: one during the winter tests, where we will mainly develop the area of the mechanics, which means that the car’s structure, the chassis, the gearbox and the suspension will remain the same for the first couple of races,” said Costa. “The aerodynamics is simplified and temporary for the first tests, waiting for the real aerodynamic development for the first race.”

Ferrari finished third in the 2010 constructors’ championship behind Red Bull and McLaren, while Alonso was narrowly beaten to the drivers’ title by Sebastian Vettel. After that experience, it’s not just Ferrari’s car that’s new for 2011. There have also been management changes within the team.

And regarding his driver line-up, Domenicali insisted both Alonso and Massa are ready to put the disappointments of 2010 behind them, as the Spaniard enters his second season racing for the team and the Brazilian his sixth.

Behind the new F150, with the Italian flag!!

The next teams to reveal their new cars will be Lotus, Sauber and Renault next Monday.

The 2011 Drivers and Teams in F1!!

22/1/11,


Red Bull Racing-Renault
Race drivers
1. Sebastian Vettel (has 2011 contract)

2. Mark Webber (has 2011 contract) 

Test drivers

Brendon Hartley (2010 driver) 

Daniel Ricciardo (2010 driver) 

                                                  McLaren-Mercedes

                                                           Race drivers

                                                            3. Lewis Hamilton (has 2011 contract) 

                                                          4. Jenson Button (has 2011 contract) 

                                                          Test drivers

                                                                                Gary Paffett (2010 driver)  

Scuderia Ferrari

Race drivers

5. Fernando Alonso (has 2011 contract) 

6. Felipe Massa (has 2011 contract) 

Test drivers

Jules Bianchi (has 2011 contract) 

Giancarlo Fisichella (2010 driver) 

Marc Gené (2010 driver) | biography 

  

 Mercedes Grand Prix

 Race drivers

  7. Michael Schumacher (has 2011 contract) 

 8. Nico Rosberg (has 2011 contract) 

Test drivers

Nick Heidfeld (2010 driver) 

Renault F1 Team

Race drivers

9. Robert Kubica (has 2011 contract)
10. Vitaly Petrov (has 2011 contract) 

Test drivers

Jan Charouz (2010 driver)
Ho-Pin Tung (2010 driver)
Jerome D’Ambrosio (2010 driver) 

Williams-Cosworth

Race drivers

11. Rubens Barrichello (has 2011 contract) 

12. Pastor Maldonado (has 2011 contract) 

Test drivers

Valltteri Bottas (has 2011 contract) 

Force India F1 Team-Mercedes

Race drivers

14. Adrian Sutil (2010 driver) 

15. Vitantonio Liuzzi (2010 driver)  

Test drivers

Paul di Resta (2010 driver) 

BMW Sauber-Ferrari

Race drivers

16. Kamui Kobayashi (has 2011 contract) 

17. Sergio Perez (has 2011 contract) 

Test drivers

Esteban Gutierrez (has 2011 contract) 

Scuderia Toro Rosso-Ferrari

Race drivers

18. Sebastien Buemi (has 2011 contract)
19. Jaime Alguersuari (has 2011 contract)

Test drivers

Daniel Ricciardo (has 2011 contract) 

Lotus-Renault

Race drivers

20. Jarno Trulli (according to FIA entry list) 

21. Heikki Kovalainen (according to FIA entry list) 

Test drivers

Fairuz Fauzy (2010 driver) 

HRT-Cosworth

Race drivers

22. Narain Karthikeyan (has 2011 contract) 

23. TBC

Test drivers

Sakon Yamamoto (2010 driver) 

Karun Chandhok (2010 drivers) 

Virgin Racing-Cosworth

Race drivers

24. Timo Glock (has 2011 contract) 

25. Jerome d’Ambrosio (has 2011 contract)

Enjoy!! 

Virgin at London!

 21/1/11,

Whilst most of their rivals are opting for low-key launches at the forthcoming pre-season tests, Virgin have decided to unveil their 2011 car at a special event in London. The wraps will come off the Cosworth-powered MVR-02 on Monday, February 7 at a yet to be disclosed location in the UK capital.

Jerome D’Ambrosio

The digitally-designed car will be driven by newly-signed Belgian driver Jerome D’Ambrosio and Timo Glock, who stays for a second season. The team will be hoping the MVR-02 and revised line-up boosts their fortunes in 2011, after their debut season was hampered by poor reliability and an undersized fuel tank. They finished last in the standings. 

It is not yet know whether Virgin will field an interim car at the forthcoming Valencia test, which will take place at the Spanish circuit from February 1-3. The MVR-02 is expected to make its on-track debut a few days after its launch at the second pre-season test at Jerez from February 10-13.

Hamilton with the new McLaren MP4-26!!

20/1/11,

Lewis Hamilton inside the McLaren MP4-26!!

McLaren have revealed Lewis Hamilton will be at the wheel of their 2011 car when it makes its track debut at Jerez on February 10. Hamilton will sample the MP4-26 on the first day of the test before handing the car over to team mate Jenson Button for the second day of running at the Spanish circuit. 

Unlike most of their rivals, McLaren are to field an interim car during the opening pre-season test at Valencia from February 1-3. Hamilton, Button and tester Gary Paffett are all expected to drive the MP4-25 during the three-day session, as they try out the new Pirelli tyres with a familiar set-up. 

Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton standing in front of the MP4-26!! 

Hamilton driving the MP4-26!! 
The team will continue the journey to Germany to unveil their 2011 challenger at a special event in Berlin on February 4, ahead of the four-day Jerez test a week later.

A view from an engineer's helmet when performing a pit-stop!!

The new Red-Bull car ready at Valencia for the first tests!!

20/1/11,

Mark Webber inside the new Red Bull RB7!!

Reigning world champions Red Bull have become the latest in a long line of teams to firm up launch plans for their 2011 car. The Austrian-owned team will unveil the RB7 in the pit lane at Valencia on the morning of February 1, just before the first pre-season test of the year gets underway. 

The new car's predecessor, the RB6, took 15 poles, nine wins, and six fastest laps on its way to clinching the 2010 constructors’ championship and powering Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel to the drivers’ title. The team’s line-up for the new season remains unchanged with Vettel once again paired with Mark Webber. 

Sebastian Vettel driving the Red Bull RB7 inside the cocpits!!

Dec.29 (GMM) 2010 contractors champion’s Red Bull's 2011 car will be an evolution of the RB6 rather than a radical new design, according to chief designer Adrian Newey. Since new policies were introduced in 2009, Red Bull has produced race-winning cars and finished both seasons with the fastest chassis. In 2011 double diffusers will be banned, the car's weight distribution will be set by the FIA and teams will have to accommodate bulky KERS units in the chassis, but Newey said the RB7 won't need a radical rethink.
 
"It is a further evolution of the current series," he told laola1.at. "The DNA of the car is the same. The RB6 was basically an evolution of the last car; one basically turned into the next."
Asked if Red Bull's rivals will therefore once again spend the season complaining about the legality of his car, Newey answered: "I hope so! Because that would mean we have done a good job again. If you're out the front in F1, everyone always thinks you are cheating."
Looking to the next major regulation changes in 2013, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said he was not ruling out the possibility of the team switching its engine supplier or even producing its own engines. In 2013 Formula One will use 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged engines and Red Bull team owner Dietrch Mateschitz recently hinted at a major change.

"We are on stand-by for an interesting partnership," he said. "And even the idea of developing our own engine, I think, is no longer so absurd."
In a more recent interview with laola1.at, Horner added: "It is important to keep all the options open. This is one of Mr Mateschitz's great strengths."
An F1 engine deal with car giant Volkswagen, however, might be considered more likely.

"With Didi's vision, anything is possible," Horner acknowledged. 

The new Ferrari's car ready for action!!

20/1/11,


Ferrari will launch their 2011 F1 car on January 28th.

The team will reveal the successor to the F10 live on their official website.

This is the earliest launch of a 2011 F1 car announced so far. Ferrari were also the first team to launch their 2010 car, exactly one year earlier.

Felipe Massa, confident ahead season of 2011!!

20/1/11

Ferrari’s Felipe Massa is confident he will be a title contender again this season after a disappointing 2010. While team mate Fernando Alonso won five Grands Prix, Massa failed to secure a single victory and finished the year four places and 112 points behind the Spaniard in the standings.

“I was never comfortable with the tyres, in particular the front ones,” said Massa, explaining the cause of his difficulties last season.