.:: 2011 Car Launches Thread ::.

LOL @ F150 XD

Have to say I'm so glad they banned the hideous shark fins (although now the Audi R18 has it -_-) All the cars look great so far. Great to see the Sauber with some sponsors on it 8)

At present I have no time to do a write up on these cars given that I'm working full time now and it's almost 10pm here. I'll get to each car in turn as soon as possible.

Can I just say now that the Red Bull RB7 looks the part. The Toro Rosso STR6 looks like it will be a weaker challenger than last year. The Sauber and Lotus (the original) both look like very solid starters and should contend in the midfield. Renault Lotus are looking solid if unspectacular, I can't be certain of the cars potential. Will it have moved forward relative to last year?

.:: RED BULL RB7 ::.

The Stats
NAME: Red Bull Racing (AUT)
NUMBERS: 1, 2
DRIVERS: Sebastian Vettel (GER), Mark Webber (AUS)
TEST DRIVERS: TBA
2010 SEASON: Champions, 9 wins, 498 points.

World champion team Red Bull Racing has unveiled the car with which it will attempt to defend its titles in 2011 - the Adrian Newey-designed, Renault-powered RB7.

Pictures of the car appeared on the team's website before the official unveiling in the pitlane at Valencia this morning.

The car features a high nose, higher engine cover than its predecessor, and a different concept rear wing.

Red Bull's previous RB6 dominated the 2010 season, taking nine race wins in the hands of world champion Sebastian Vettel and third-place finisher Mark Webber, and starting from pole position at 15 of the 19 grands prix.

Vettel will be at the wheel for the car's first test later this morning.

SOURCE: Autosport

.:: TORO ROSSO STR6 ::.

The Stats
NAME: Scuderia Toro Rosso (ITA)
NUMBERS: 18, 19
DRIVERS: Sebastien Buemi (SUI), Jaime Alguersuari (ESP)
TEST DRIVERS: Daniel Ricciardo (AUS)
2010 SEASON: 9th Place, 1 x 8th place, 13 points.

Scuderia Toro Rosso became the latest team to launch its 2011 Formula 1 car when it presented the STR6 to the media at Valencia this morning.

Red Bull's junior outfit unveiled its new car shortly after its world title-winning senior sibling had launched the RB7 further up the pitlane.

The STR6 follows this year's fashion for higher-nosed designs and is the second car to be produced entirely in-house by Toro Rosso since the team's arrangement to use chassis provided by Red Bull Technologies had to be brought to an end.

Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari remain with Toro Rosso for the 2011 season, with former British Formula 3 champion Daniel Ricciardo promoted to a third driver role that will see him running in Friday practice at each grand prix.

SOURCE: Autosport

.:: MERCEDES MGP W02 ::.

The Stats
NAME: Mercedes GP Petronas F1 Team (GER)
NUMBERS: 7, 8
DRIVERS: Michael Schumacher (GER), Nico Rosberg (GER)
TEST DRIVERS: TBA
2010 SEASON: 4th place, 3 podiums, 214 points.

Mercedes has officially launched its new MGP W02 chassis at Valencia ahead of the start of official 2011 testing this morning.

The team issued a head-on 'teaser' image of the car to the media over the weekend, but has now fully taken the wraps off the new design.

Having made a disappointing start to 2010 - its first season in its new factory Mercedes guise - Ross Brawn's team opted to halt development on the W01 early and focus all its efforts on the 2011 rules package and the W02 design instead.

Notable features of the new car include changes to the airbox and sidepods, plus the higher nose that has been common on 2011 chassis so far.

The livery has also received slight adjustments for the new season, with a larger amount of green colouring for title sponsor Petronas.

Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher will both get a chance to drive the car today, with Schumacher keen to find out whether the W02 will prove better-suited to his styIe than last year's machine.

SOURCE: Autosport

.:: WILLIAMS FW33 ::.

The Stats
NAME: AT&T Williams (GBR)
NUMBERS: 11, 12
DRIVERS: Rubens Barrichello (BRZ), Pastor Maldonado (VEN)
TEST DRIVERS: Valtteri Bottas (FIN)
2010 SEASON: 6th place, 1 x 4th place, 69 points.

Williams has released images of its new Cosworth-powered FW33 2011 challenger which is set to join several other new cars when testing begins in Valencia today.

The car, painted in the team's traditional navy blue interim testing colours, follows this year's trend of high noses, detailed airboxes and scuplted sidepods.

Rubens Barrichello will give the car its maiden run today and will share the running with rookie and GP2 champion Pastor Maldonado on Wednesday, before the Venezuelan takes over duties for the final day.

SOURCE: Autosport

It appears Renault are running a trick exhaust system which blows out from in front of the sidepods. This could do one, two or all three of the following: Seal the floor in the way the sliding skirts did back in the ground effect era, helping to increase downforce by disallowing air to slip out from beneath the car before the diffuser; 2: It could energise the airflow running above and below the floor increasing the velocity of air travelling to the diffuser which will in turn allow more air to travel through it making it more effecient and increasing downforce. 3: Create vortices to help hold air to the sidepod which will run over the diffuser and the increased temperature should help it seperate the boundary layer meaning less drag.

Still.... making all that work.... DANG!

.:: McLAREN MP4-26 ::.

The Stats
NAME: Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes (GBR)
NUMBERS: 3, 4
DRIVERS: Lewis Hamilton (GBR), Jenson Button (GBR)
TEST DRIVERS: Gary Paffett (GBR)
2010 SEASON: 2nd place, 5 wins, 454 points.

Jenson Button is convinced McLaren did the right thing in waiting as long as possible to unveil its new car, as the new McLaren MP4-26 was revealed in Berlin today.

McLaren opted to wait until after the first pre-season Formula 1 test to unveil its new car, having used an interim MP4-25 to focus on tyre development and understanding in Valencia this week.

And although that decision means that the team's main rivals have had three days of running so far with their new cars, Button thinks that McLaren holds the advantage - because it has benefited from more development time with its 2011 challenger and it has been able to focus solely on getting a better grip on Pirelli tyre characteristics.

"I am sure they are saying also that they have got an advantage because they are driving the new car already, and doing set-up work, KERS work and rear wing work, but I think that for us as a team we understand KERS and that is important," he said when asked by AUTOSPORT about the benefits of having a stable platform for the first test.

"I think it was important for us to spend as much time as possible building our car and that when we get it on the circuit it is competitive.

"For us it was the best situation to go to Valencia with the old car and to drive the new Pirellis, and it is good because we can compare the tyres - and you can get lost if there is so much going on.

"We have had to limit also some set-up changes and really think about what we are doing, because you are just getting used to the tyre the whole time. But we found some really interesting things at the test and we should be happy with what we have learned."

The new McLaren features some interesting concepts - including a long flat high nose, radical, high L-shaped sidepods, and airbox tweaks. The version rolled out features a more standard exhaust layout, unlike the Renault version seen in testing at Valencia this week.

Button says he feel far more integrated with McLaren this year because he has had a whole winter of preparation.

"It has been a good year actually," he explained. "Before Christmas I spent a lot of time at the factory driving the simulator and getting fitted into the new car. And I feel a lot more at home in the car.

"I haven't driven it yet, but the position in the car I am properly in it. I feel very comfortable and I can feel the car has been built around me, and that is something that wasn't possible last year because I arrived so late.

"I am the tallest driver so I am the limiting factor, but I fit in very well and I am in a much more comfortable position, which is important.

"We have just been making steps forward in many different areas. Lewis and myself have been giving a lot of feedback and it has been a good winter of simulator work, and we have a good simulator model of this tyre which is very lucky.

"If all that set-up effort works when we put it on the car in reality we will be in a very good position already in Jerez."

Button also thinks McLaren's chances of success are boosted by the good relationship he has enjoyed with team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

"We have both achieved a lot in our careers already, but we want to achieve a hell of a lot more," he said. "We want to be beat each other, but we also want to work together because two technically minded people, rather than one, makes a big difference.

"You can throw comments out there, and really work against each other, or you can work with each other. It has really helped us learn over the year in 2010 and you will see this year we will be a lot stronger."

SOURCE: Autosport

It's a trick of the eye I think, as the nose is quite straight.

I'd love to see KA's thoughts on this car, because the sidepods are VERY radical, never seen anything like it before, and there's a slot just above where the airbox is - this is a very unique design and quite stand-out from everyone else at the moment.

I see my family and work commitments stopping me from saying much here for the next wee while. BUT MY OH MY is that McLaren radical. McLaren have pushed the envelope off the cliff and then some. We thought Renault were nuts with their front exiting exhausts and then came the MP4-26...

The whole front end of the car at present is lobbed straight from the MP4-25 which, admitedly, did have a very good front end. The front suspension has been changed back after two years of seperated steering arms and wishbones McLaren have reverted back to an old solution which should see the car being more forgiving to the weaker Pirellis for this year. 

Back from there we have the L shaped sidepods. It appears these will be ridiculously difficult to mimic for all teams bar Mercedes. This is due to the side impact structures being so low on the McLaren which allows them to run this sidepod configuration. Their sidepod solution should allow for more undisturbed airflow running back to their single deck diffuser and beam wing. This will all work together to increase the diffusers ability to produce downforce. 

Under their sidepods at present there is rear facing floor level exhausts but there is still rumblings and a potential for forward facing exhausts too and McLaren are reporting that they have 2 configurations ready for the next test. 

The MP4-26 has one of those all or nothing type feels about it. This car will either be a rocket or plagued with problems in my eyes but we shall see. Bring on more testing. 

FOR THOSE WHO ARE TRULY INTERESTED IN THE TECHNICAL SIDE OF FORMULA 1 MAY I RECOMMEND THIS WEBSITE. SCARBS IS AN F1 REPORTER FOR RACECAR ENGINEERING WHO PRODUCES MUCH FREELANCE WORK AND POSTS IT ON HIS TECHNICAL BLOG.

FORCE INDIA TO UNVEIL NEW CAR ONLINE

Force India has announced that it will unveil its new VJM04 in an online event at 14.00 GMT on Tuesday 8 February.

The team is one of several that has chosen to wait until the second winter test of 2011 to run its latest car, having used last year's VJM03 to gather benchmark data on Pirelli tyres at Valencia this week.

The launch will be broadcast online via the team's website, before the car makes its track debut when testing resumes at Jerez on 10 February.

Force India announced yesterday that it had extended its technical partnership with McLaren and Mercedes through 2012.

It has retained Adrian Sutil for this season and promoted former test driver Paul di Resta to the second race seat, replacing Tonio Liuzzi. Ex-Williams racer Nico Hulkenberg comes in as the new reserve driver.

SOURCE: Autosport

.:: MARUSSIA VIRGIN RACING MVR-02 ::.

The Stats
NAME: Marussia Virgin Racing (RUS)
NUMBERS: 24, 25
DRIVERS: Timo Glock (GER), Jerome D'Ambrosio (BEL)
TEST DRIVERS: TBA
2010 SEASON: 12th place, 2 x 14th place, 0 points.

Virgin Racing has launched its second Formula 1 car, the MVR-02, in an event at BBC Television Centre in London.

The team ran an interim car at Valencia last week to give itself extra time to work on the new design, which will make its track debut when testing resumes at Jerez on Thursday.

The car features a slightly lower nose than many of those unveiled so far in 2011, and tighter packaging at the rear end than its predecessor.

The change from 'VR' to 'MVR' in the chassis designation reflects the team's new partnership with Russian sportscar firm Marussia Motors - which has also led to a slightly revised livery for 2011.

Virgin finished at the foot of the constructors' championship table in its maiden F1 season, with early-season reliability issues costing it crucial ground in the battle against fellow newcomers Lotus and Hispania.

The Nick Wirth-led design team have stuck with the unique all-computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach for the MVR-02, a car they hope will elevate Virgin to a position where it can threaten the established midfield teams for points.

Timo Glock stays on as lead driver, with Jerome d'Ambrosio promoted to the second seat in place of Lucas di Grassi after impressing in several Friday practice appearances in late-2010 grands prix.

SOURCE: Autosport

HRT RELEASE FIRST IMAGE OF NEW CAR

HRT has unveiled the first graphic images of its new F111, and the revamped colour scheme that it will race with in 2011.

Following its battle just to get on the grid last year, team principal Colin Kolles has worked hard this winter to give the team a stable platform with which to make progress with in the season ahead.

With technical chief Geoff Willis and chief designer Paul White working hard on a new car, Kolles also brought in renowned design expert Daniel Simon to create a new corporate image.

The striking new look, which is mainly white with a chequered flag design at the rear and red flashes on the airbox and sidepods, is a total rethink on last year's grey colours.

Kolles said: "The F111 represents a significant step forward for Hispania Racing. We have made a big improvement for starting our second season in Formula 1 and what you see in our new car confirms Hispania Racing's commitment to F1."

HRT president Jose Ramon Carabante added: "We feel really proud of the car our drivers will run this forthcoming season. We are very pleased to introduce the first spec of the F111, which means a huge design-effort from our side. This is only a first step as we are planning several updates during the season."

The car features sponsor logos of Narain Karthikeyan's backers Tata, as well as spaces where other sponsors can feature their logos.

It is understood that the F111 will undergo its last mandatory FIA crash test this week before final preparations are made to get in on track at one of the pre-season F1 tests.

SOURCE: Autosport

.:: FORCE INDIA VJM04 ::.

The Stats
NAME: Force India (IND)
NUMBERS: 14, 15
DRIVERS: Adrian Sutil (GER), Paul di Resta (GBR)
TEST DRIVERS: Nico Hulkenberg (GER)
2010 SEASON: 7th place, 2 x 5th place, 68 points.

Force India unveiled its new VJM04 on Tuesday, with the team becoming the second outfit to utilise a blade-styIe roll hoop design in 2011.

The outfit opted to use its 2010 car during the first pre-season test at Valencia last week, but will give its new challenger a first run at the Jerez test that starts on Thursday.

As well as the roll hoop design, which is similar to that used on the Team Lotus car, the new car features undercut sidepods and an intricate front-wing concept.

Force India finished seventh in last year's constructors' world championship, and is hoping that the promotion of Paul di Resta as team-mate to Adrian Sutil will allow it to make solid progress.

SOURCE: Autosport

The minimum radius rule that effectively outlawed all wings, flip ups and chimneys on the car has a few areas of necessary excemption. 75mm either side of the car centreline allows for the airbox opening to exist and a regulatory exempt box lies in the same area that the sidepod openings exist. This exempt area is large enough however to allow for the podvanes to still exist and stay within the bodywork rules.

Does this answer your question?

WILLIAMS REVEALS DEFINITIVE 2011 LIVERY

The Williams team unveiled on Thursday its definitive colour scheme for the 2011 season

The Grove-based squad unveiled its 2011 challenger, the FW33, earlier this month and has been running with an interim livery during winter testing.

But its final colour scheme was only presented to the public in an event broadcast online on Thursday morning.

The most visible sponsorship on the car is from energy company Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), with which the team announced a "substantial" deal earlier this year, and from temporary employment company Randstad.

Williams's livery resembles that used by the team back in the 1990s, when it was sponsored by Rothmans.

The car will be driven by Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado and Brazilian Rubens Barrichello.

SOURCE: Autosport

HRT DELAYS NEW CAR DEBUT TO FRIDAY

Hispania Racing's new car is now expected to make its track debut at Barcelona on Friday after its maiden run was delayed.

The Spanish squad was expecting to have the car - the F111 - ready today or tomorrow, but the team confirmed to AUTOSPORT on Wednesday that it will run for the first time on Friday.

Hispania said Indian Narain Karthikeyan and another unnamed driver will be in charge of testing duties on Friday and Saturday.

The team is yet to confirm its second racing driver, although Tonio Liuzzi said on Tuesday that a deal with the team was imminent.

"There's no contract yet, but they need an experienced driver while I'm free after the Force India split, so the elements are all there," he told Autosprint.

The F111 has been designed by a group of engineers led by Geoff Willis.

SOURCE: Autosport