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The Official Formula 1 2010/2011 Off-Season Thread

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Leunam

Member
jey_16 said:
the V-nose is much less aggressive but i remember reading some where that they were banned,

I don't think so. In fact, it may become the standard. I forgot what interview I read it in but it seems more teams are going to adopt it. That might even include McLaren.
 

jey_16

Banned
Leunam said:
I don't think so. In fact, it may become the standard. I forgot what interview I read it in but it seems more teams are going to adopt it. That might even include McLaren.
Hmmm...they limited how high the front of the chasis can go so the v noses can't be as pronounced


One by-product of the new rules restricting front chassis height is that a V-nose might not be desirable. As the height of the dash and front bulkheads are limited to a maximum height, the “V” nose might be inefficient. V-noses allowed more flow under the car without putting too much heavy structure high up. Now to maximise space under the nose we might see a return to the simpler rectangular chassis cross section, with the top edge at the 670mm limit, which creates the most space underneath.

http://scarbsf1.wordpress.com/
 

Leunam

Member
So they may still be around just not as elaborate as last year. I'm curious how much of a benefit it was.

Also, I added the car unveil dates to the OP.
 

navanman

Crown Prince of Custom Firmware
Great work on the OP, Leuman.

Next week is going to be crazy. So many lanuches next week and the first cars on track and arguing over the speed of the cars based on first tests.
 
Makes sense for the car to be more of an evolution of the F10 than a revolutionary design. The F10 was very adaptable with the upgrades last year so the F150 should be pretty similar.

F10 was the jack of all trades car in 2010. It was slower than the RB's in twisting sections but faster than the Mclaren. It was slower on the long straights than the Mclaren and Renault but faster than the RB's. They were also competitive in all types of tracks unlike the RB and the Mclaren which suited one type of track over the other.
 

DrM

Redmond's Baby
navanman said:
Great work on the OP, Leuman.

Next week is going to be crazy. So many lanuches next week and the first cars on track and arguing over the speed of the cars based on first tests.
Cant wait to read season prognosis after first two tests :D

Interesting dates :
31. 1 = Lotus, Renault, Sauber
1.2 = Mercedes, RBS, STR, Williams (First test will begin, weather forecast is looking quite bad)
4.2 = Mclaren
7.2 = Virgin
? = Force India, HRT
 

navanman

Crown Prince of Custom Firmware
Interesting news coming out from Maranello today also.

Ferrari have been using the Toyota wind tunnel in Germany over the winter. Very smart move and totally legal.
As part of the cost cutting rules, you can spend more money on development if you out-source any of it.
 

Leunam

Member
Now that Sauber has a Mexican driver and a Mexican reserve, Jose Cuervo has thrown their backing behind the team

With the outfit bringing rookie Sergio Perez into Formula 1, Jose Cuervo has elected to enter the sport too - with its logos set to adorn the sidepods and nose of the new Sauber C30.

Juan Domingo Beckmann, CEO of Jose Cuervo, said: "When we found out a Mexican driver had secured a seat with the Sauber F1 Team it all clicked for Jose Cuervo to support him and the team.

Maybe I'll celebrate with a shot of tequila for every points paying position!
 

DrM

Redmond's Baby
Bild.de on new Silver Arrow.

They will use 'two car' testing strategy - one for first two tests (tyre evaluation) and another one for last two tests (new aero parts). Also, their KERS is very compact and light.

First spy shots of Renault Lotus GP
Lada1.jpg

Lada2.jpg


Or we should say Lotus Lada Rover Renault GP ?
 

navanman

Crown Prince of Custom Firmware
The things to be gotten from that terribad Google translate of the Bild article is that the KERS system Mercedes is using is very light and compact and will not change the car balance too much.
Like Ferrari, they are starting of testing with last years front wing to get an idea of how the Pirelli tyres work.
 

S. L.

Member
Britprog said:
Wow really looking forward to testing.

BTW who is organising fantasy F1, same as last year?
last year was subzero, which isn't really an option this year i guess.
but the racemanagersite is still in last years configuration, so no hurry on that one.
 

Igo

Member
I missed all the post season discussion. What's the consensus on Lewis' season? Could he have won the title had he played it safe and not crashed out in those 2 consecutive races?
 

S. L.

Member
Igo said:
I missed all the post season discussion. What's the consensus on Lewis' season? Could he have won the title had he played it safe and not crashed out in those 2 consecutive races?
maybe, maybe not. the car just wasn't fast enough. look where button ended up who played it safe. hammy pushed it hard, which of course led to more mistakes.
/shrug
 
DrM said:
MGP W02 digital rendering
974_medium.jpg

Seems not to match the official 'tease' image in a few areas, so I'm guessing it's either a rendering done by the paper, or is an intermediate graphic from Mercedes' press office that doesn't reflect the 2011 design.

The livery is certainly an improvement though, if genuine.

edit: Seems it is genuine afterall. Hi-res version.
 

Leunam

Member
I want to see a profile view to get a better shot of the horns. Wonder if they're blunt like the RB6 or sharp like the Toro Rosso.
 
Somtaaw said:
the new lotus is up.
http://hunnylander.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/tl11-a.jpg[IMG][/QUOTE]
I like the paint job more than the one on the actual Lotus. Probably because there's no stupid distraction (red sponsor) and it fits perfectly with the tires. Can't wait to see how it looks on track.
 

Shaneus

Member
Fucking hot. Definitely my B team to root for this year.

Edit: Is that the same Lotus that had the similar livery last year? I'm fucking confused :/
 

navanman

Crown Prince of Custom Firmware
The Lotus design team is confident that the T128 is a massive step forward over its predecessor, the relatively conservative T127 that the squad used to take unofficial 'top new team' honours in 2010.

Head of R&D and vehicle dynamics Elliot Dason-Barber said the new car's suspension arrangement is an area where Lotus has made particular gains.

"The area that intrigues me the most is the front suspension, and the rear as well actually," he said. "We've tried to push the boundaries with a few things to make it a bit lighter and more efficient."

The team's aerodynamic chief Marianne Hinson feels the design is visually more aggressive than last year's car, which was created in a very short timespan after Lotus was awarded a Formula 1 entry at the second time of asking following BMW's withdrawal.

"I can't give away too many secrets, but I think the front half of the car is quite a big step away from the 2010 car," she said. "Last year's car was a bit blocky in the sidepod area, but this one looks a lot racier - it's a lot smoother and curvier around the sidepods."

Chief designer Lewis Butler said a lot of effort has gone into improving the packaging of the car to allow the aerodynamics to be more advanced.

"That was the biggest design challenge, actually - just trying to package everything a bit smaller," he said. "We were trying to get that area around the driver really tight so the aerodynamicists were happy with it."

The T128 will make its track debut at Valencia on Wednesday, joining the other teams for the second and third days of winter testing before holding a private filming session at the Spanish circuit on Friday.
Autosport
 

Articate

Banned
navanman said:
Blade roll-over hoop and split air-intake like Mercedes last year.

Could've sworn I read those were banned when I read the rule changes months ago. Maybe the interpretation was wrong, because it explained that this was like Mercedes had last year. Oh, well! I really can't wait for tomorrow!

EDIT: Oh!
15.2.4 The principal roll structure must have a minimum enclosed structural cross section of 10000mm², in vertical projection, across a horizontal plane 50mm below its highest point. The area thus established must not exceed 200mm in length or width and may not be less than 10000mm2 below this point.
So they just made one that's within the rules
 

navanman

Crown Prince of Custom Firmware
Only 3 cars launched and already I can guess the buzzword or talking point for the whole season is going to be "innovative" suspension.
Every team so far has mentioned this in some capacity.
 

navanman

Crown Prince of Custom Firmware
Sauber C30 unveiled has blown diffuser;diffuser split under crash structure, rearwing endplates extended down with single mount like Ferrari, undercut roll-over hoop & adjustable rear wing.

2whp0me.jpg


ka4684.jpg


28lw121.jpg
 

navanman

Crown Prince of Custom Firmware
Sauber has unveiled the new C30 that it hopes will bring it a step forward in pace and deliver the improved reliability that it needs to become a more regular points scorer.

The Swiss outfit pulled the covers off its Ferrari-powered car at the Valencia circuit on Monday morning - with the car featuring what is now a standard high nose in F1 and a more slender rear end compared to last year's challenger.

Technical director James Key said: "Our aim in the development of the Sauber C30-Ferrari has been to build on the strengths of the C29 and to eliminate its weak points.

"In addition, it is also important for us to go into winter testing with a car we understand, and we have worked hard on ensuring the characteristics of the car are heading in a direction we believe in. There will be much to learn about the new Pirelli tyres and in this respect we want to ensure there are no surprises with the way the car is handling."

Key said that one of the primary targets for the outfit was to have a car that would be predictable from the start - because there remains so much uncertainty about how the new Pirelli tyres will fare.

"In order to take a step forward in 2011, we were already systematically tackling the C29's weaknesses over the last season – and we've made progress. The insights we gleaned were taken into account when the concept for the new C30 was being drawn up.

"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."

The new C30 features a fully integrated blown diffuser, and the team has been able to sculpt the sidepods more aggressively through fitting its radiators more vertically.

Sauber has also opted to use a single mounting for its rear-wing, rather than the twin-mounting arrangement it used on the C29.

Team principal Peter Sauber said he hoped the C30 would help the team make progress in the areas where it was lacking last year.

"We want to finish in the points regularly and clearly improve our position in the FIA Formula 1 constructors' world championship," he said. "2010 marked the 41st year of our company history and one of the most difficult.

"Never before had we faced such reliability problems, but we managed to overcome them in the second half of the season. We implemented some well-considered structural changes. The appointment of James Key as Technical Director already bore fruit last season, and he is now in charge of development of the Sauber C30-Ferrari.

"At the same time, we have managed to secure our business foundation for the 2011 season. In these economically straitened times that is something we can be proud of too."

Sauber has confirmed that the KERS units it will use in 2011 will be provided by Ferrari.
Autosport

Sauber on its push-rod suspension design & decisions:

Autosport
 

Articate

Banned
navanman said:
Only 3 cars launched and already I can guess the buzzword or talking point for the whole season is going to be "innovative" suspension.
Every team so far has mentioned this in some capacity.

With the new tyres comes some mandetory rethinking of suspension. I think we'll see cars running a bit softer suspension this year, but we'll know when we see how the new tyres act soon! It also seems to be the next logical step. This year they locked down a lot of the aero-dynamic loop-holes in the rules, so people will be looking at what else to start using to the max.
 

S. L.

Member
Somtaaw said:
the new lotus is up.
http://hunnylander.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/tl11-a.jpg[IMG][/QUOTE]
looks a lot better than the RenaultLotus

also Sauber uses Ferrari Engine, KERS, Gearbox and Hydraulics. Also Pushrod suspension like Ferrari, but it's their own design.
 

Scipius

Member
brotkasten said:
I like the paint job more than the one on the actual Lotus.

For now, the green car is the actual Lotus. The other car is a Renault.

Deadman said:
They are Sponsored by more than burger king this year, high five to sauber.

Claro is a mobile phone company from the Americas, but their logo on a white background is absolutely perfect for a team with a promising Japanese driver. Well done.
 

Adamm

Member
Eugh, i hate the new (old?) livery on the lotus renault(the black one) - it just doesnt suit the new F1 cars.

Bring back the yellow & black!
 

Scipius

Member
brotkasten said:
I thought it was 1Malaysia Racing Team or something like that.

That was at the start of last year. They now own the Team Lotus rights and use that as the basis to call themselves "Lotus", i.e. the chassis name will remain Lotus, as it was last year.

Renault is only sponsored by Group Lotus and the chassis name will remain Renault for the forseeable future.

The courtcase that will hopefully resolve the convoluted Lotus issue is planned for March, but only after the first race. But at that race we will likely have a Renault car with Lotus branding all over it and a Lotus-Renault car that is not directly related to either Group Lotus or Renault.

rogue_pigeon said:
Interestingly, as far as I can see, the only Lotus branding on the 'Team Lotus' Lotus, other than the colour, is the small badge on the front of the nose.

There is another visible on the headrest in the last pic. They're probably not allowed to use more, given that they do not have any links to Group Lotus any more, so even the name "Lotus" could be iffy legally.
 

navanman

Crown Prince of Custom Firmware
Big news on twitter and tech blogs in the last while on the Renault R31 and what exactly have Renault done with the exhausts.
On the BBC F1 site you can see a top down view of the car and no exhausts are visible at all.
The rumour are that the are feeding the exhausts under the car into the front of the diffuser to generate downforce basically negating the loss of the double-deck diffuser from last year.

Lotus Renault #R31 Confirmed: Marrelli KERS, Battery under the fuel tank, clever RW DCS adjuster, Ti gearbox. But no ones found the exhaust

The exhausts are not at the back of the car, I was stood there at the launch, I'm think they're at the front

Images of Lotus Renault GP’s R31 are all over the internet now, and people analysing the images have noticed that the exhaust exits are nowhere to be seen.

I’m hearing that the car is running an incredibly innovative exhaust system. Rather than routing the exhausts to the rear, the exhaust exits the car at the front, blowing over a front-mounted diffuser to generate additional downforce. If this is true, it would certainly explain the disappearance of the exhaust exits from the expected locations, and would be a major innovation in F1.

More to come.
 

NHale

Member
Last year Renault livery was a masterpiece compared to this year.

Deadman said:
They are Sponsored by more than burger king this year, high five to sauber.

Sergio Perez is one of the Sauber drivers for a reason. What I still can't understand is the lack of Japanese sponsors. Is there a reason for that? I would think Kobayashin is a famous driver in Japan even more after his brilliant performance in Suzuka last year.
 

Leunam

Member
Sauber got some nice one time sponsors for Suzuka last season. Compare the livery for that race with the livery during the rest of the season.
 

Dead Man

Member
navanman said:
Big news on twitter and tech blogs in the last while on the Renault R31 and what exactly have Renault done with the exhausts.
On the BBC F1 site you can see a top down view of the car and no exhausts are visible at all.
The rumour are that the are feeding the exhausts under the car into the front of the diffuser to generate downforce basically negating the loss of the double-deck diffuser from last year.
Interesting. I give it 2 races before it's banned though.
 
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