The F1 Thread 2012 Season

Chrisjn_ · 6th February 2012, 15:35

I think people are goin a bit over the top, I don't kind it.

vanthaman · 6th February 2012, 17:09

STR front picture

WeasteDevil · 6th February 2012, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisjn_

I think people are goin a bit over the top, I don't kind it.

I do, they look like my nose.

Ubik · 6th February 2012, 19:05

I'd actually thought that Lotus had done quite a good job of masking their broken nose after seeing their launch photos, but it turns out that wasn't really their new car, and they've got one of the worst noses of the bunch:

Rams · 6th February 2012, 19:59

McClaren are the only ones not to have based their car on Weaste's face. So they'll either be the fastest or the slowest car on the grid, non?

iSparky · 7th February 2012, 11:52

Testing this morning, first two pictures of the Mclaren ready to go out

WeasteDevil · 7th February 2012, 13:18

Who's doing this test, Button?

iSparky · 7th February 2012, 13:22

Yep button is in the car for McLaren, Webber in the red bull, Massa in the Ferrari. Mercedes are using the 2011 car as the 2012 car is still not ready. A lot of talk about this "vent" on the nose of the red bull.

Every team apart from Marussia (formerly Virgin) are testing today most of them are on a 4 day plan however HRT are only doing 2 days

ArmchairCritic · 7th February 2012, 20:53

RDCR07 · 7th February 2012, 23:28

So all the cars have that dip in their nose except McClaren?

Chrisjn_ · 7th February 2012, 23:43

Yes.

R_Kelly · 7th February 2012, 23:50

The McLaren is certainly a good looking race car.

Leg-End · 8th February 2012, 00:03

I thought it might just be the 2012 nose syndrome that made the McLaren look better but it holds up even matched against past contendors for me. It's a stunning looking car thats only real bad point is the exhaust exits but they are styled so well you hardly notice them.

I think its the best looking car we have had post-Brawn GP.

Already interesting to hear about the exhaust solutions the teams have come up with, the Ferrari poke job, the McLaren slit and Red Bull off throttle funny sound.

pauldyson1uk · 10th February 2012, 07:54

Would not mind seeing pre-season testing on TV , maybe something Sky could look at for next season.

iSparky · 16th February 2012, 12:58

BBC Sport - Ecclestone backs Bahrain GP to go ahead despite violent clashes

Really really dont think we should be going to Bahrain this year in F1. Clearly still pretty tense out there

Leg-End · 16th February 2012, 13:07

It will probably go up to near the race before they decide, wouldn't suprise me if the teams boycott it.

iSparky · 16th February 2012, 13:54

I just think it would be wrong to have drivers on the podium celebrating with champagne given all the tension and violence in the region.

pauldyson1uk · 16th February 2012, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by iSparky

I just think it would be wrong to have drivers on the podium celebrating with champagne given all the tension and violence in the region.

I agree , if it goes ahead you just know somebody is going to do something.
Can you just imagine the carnage if somebody go on the track at the first corner.

pauldyson1uk · 16th February 2012, 17:50

Pirelli has announced its tyre allocations for the first three rounds of the new season, which kicks off in Australia next month.

The Italian tyre manufacturer is introducing a revised range of compounds for 2012, with only the super-soft surviving in its 2011 form from the end of last season.

All three of the new slick compounds will make an appearance across the opening trio of flyaway races, with the soft tyre to be the 'option' and the medium tyre the 'prime' at the season-opener in Australia and then also at the third round in China.

RDCR07 · 16th February 2012, 20:01

They better have good tires this year, Pirelli.

F-Red · 16th February 2012, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDCR07

They better have good tires this year, Pirelli.

Because they didn't last year?

pauldyson1uk · 16th February 2012, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDCR07

They better have good tires this year, Pirelli.

nothing wrong with last years rubber.

R_Kelly · 17th February 2012, 20:26

So Trulli is gone, eh?

No Italian driver in F1 for the first time since '69, but even more sad; no more Trulli train

mariachi-19 · 18th February 2012, 14:59

Pirelli have gone to a more stable compound. Last years tyre was far too inconsistent at tracks one tyre was fine, but at the next the same tyre was rubbish.

Apparently Michael has said it handles alot more like the bridgestones he raced from 02-04 grip and consistency wise. Obviously the life of the tyre is different, but you can actually run it flat out for longer periods of time without the fear of the massive drop off so quickly. The drop off is there, but comes more steadily.

I'm also really glad they've taken away the blown diffusers. It takes so much more skill away from driving then even TC did. Schumi is one example of a driver that use to have a bit of throttle during braking to control the car and you couldn't do that last year as the device wouldn't work.

gormless · 18th February 2012, 16:19

Quite sad that they've changed the tyres, it was always quite exciting knowing somebody was about to fall off the "cliff" e.g. Vettel in Monaco before the Red Flag. I thought Pirelli did a fantastic job last year.

As for Trulli, sad to see him go, he was damn near impossible to overtake when he was at Toyota, and was probably a better driver than the Lotus let him showcase. Gonna be weird having a F1 season without him and Barrichello (who has been testing for IndyCar if anybody cares).

F-Red · 18th February 2012, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by gormless

Gonna be weird having a F1 season without him and Barrichello (who has been testing for IndyCar if anybody cares).

I can't wait, i was bored of the nostalgic names as the back runners not offering much. Some new names now will come through & start to make a name for themselves.

gormless · 18th February 2012, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by F-Red

I can't wait, i was bored of the nostalgic names as the back runners not offering much. Some new names now will come through & start to make a name for themselves.

I'd be all for scrapping the old drivers running around at the back if it meant that talented new drivers were coming through. However, what it actually results in is talentless pay drivers coming through because, as a random example, the Venezuelan government is sponsoring them, looking at nobody in particular. I'd much rather keep Trulli, Barichello and even Fisichella etc. rather than Pastor Maldonado and Petrov. The pay driver situation in itself is a bit of a worry to be honest, its getting ridiculous. And yes, I'm aware Schumi and Alonso started out as pay drivers

Leg-End · 18th February 2012, 19:42

I don't know how legit this is but gives you an idea of why some teams opt for pay drivers

Spoiler

Serious scratch that guy brings.

R_Kelly · 18th February 2012, 19:44

Daaaaaaaaaaaayum!

gormless · 18th February 2012, 21:52

Meh, 80% of an Andy Carroll.

Jesus Christ, thats incredible. I'd even take Piquet for that

RDCR07 · 21st February 2012, 22:23

Formula 1 | Lotus withdraw from testing | ESPNSTAR.com

Quote:

Lotus team principal Eric Boullier has taken the decision of pulling his marque out of the remainder of this week's second Formula One pre-season test in Barcelona.
Running an upgraded chassis on Tuesday from the first test in Jerez earlier this month, Lotus were forced to call an early halt to the first of the four-day session at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Romain Grosjean, who had been quickest of the 2012 cars in Jerez, almost immediately noticed an issue with the car, bringing the curtain down on the team's plans after just seven laps.

Lotus swiftly opted to fly out the initial chassis used in Jerez, however have now aborted that idea in order to give them enough time to rectify the situation.
Lotus chiefs have refused to be drawn on the exact nature of the issue, although it is clearly serious given they will now not run for the remaining three days of this week in Barcelona.

Boullier said: "Not running this week has been a tough decision to take, but we feel our choice is the right one.
"On the positive side, we have quickly identified the issue with the chassis and our design office has already devised a solution.
"We draw faith from the fact the E20 was quick out of the box in Jerez and showed its reliability there.
"We have a lot of work ahead of us over the next week, but everyone at Enstone is ready for this challenge."

Boullier has confirmed the team will be on track when the third and final four-day test gets under way in Barcelona from March 1.
Although the car passed all FIA crash tests, mandatory from this season before testing began, Tuesday's few laps seemingly highlighted some defect.

Technical director James Allison explained: "Before we were due to fly out chassis E20-01 (used in Jerez) we ran a series of simulations at the factory based on the data provided by our brief running on track today.

"As a result, we were able to identify an area which requires some additional work.
"It will be more productive for us to carry out these modifications to both chassis at Enstone rather than send E20-01 out to this week's test.
"We'll put the right measures in place and we will be able to fix the problem before next week."

The lack of track time lost this week, however, puts a serious dent in Lotus' preparations, and that of drivers Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen, ahead of the season-opening race in Australia from March 16-18.

RDCR07 · 23rd February 2012, 23:23

Formula 1 | Ecclestone: McLaren could cut Hamilton | ESPNSTAR.com

ArmchairCritic · 23rd February 2012, 23:30

Bernie's a funny guy. Lewis had his worst season last year but still won as many races as Jenson IIRC.

R_Kelly · 23rd February 2012, 23:52

They both won 3 races but I don't think even the most ardent Hamilton fan would argue against the fact that Button outperformed him massively over the course of the season in 2011.

That doesn't make Bernie's suggestion that McLaren might get rid of him any less daft, though.

Leg-End · 24th February 2012, 00:10

I never take anything Bernie says serious, the guy is a promoter.

Hamilton was poor last season without question, I think the change in management didn't help and whatever he was going on in his personal life too, no excuses and I think he knows that. I also believe out of the top drivers himself and Webber didn't adjust to the Pirelli's as well as the others.

I think that season might have done him some good though, being beaten by Button might have knocked him down a peg or two and make him knuckle down.

As always the car is key and for my own sanity I really hope the Red Bull is atleast beatable this year.

R_Kelly · 24th February 2012, 00:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leg-End

I never take anything Bernie says serious, the guy is a promoter.

Hamilton was poor last season without question, I think the change in management didn't help and whatever he was going on in his personal life too, no excuses and I think he knows that. I also believe out of the top drivers himself and Webber didn't adjust to the Pirelli's as well as the others.

I think that season might have done him some good though, being beaten by Button might have knocked him down a peg or two and make him knuckle down.

As always the car is key and for my own sanity I really hope the Red Bull is atleast beatable this year.

Tend to agree with that.

I don't like the guy, at all, but I suspect him having been beaten by his team mate for the first time may bring back the real Hamilton. It'll be good for the sport to have him driving we know he can, I just hope Button can stay on top of him again.

Ubik · 24th February 2012, 01:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leg-End

I never take anything Bernie says serious, the guy is a promoter.

Hamilton was poor last season without question, I think the change in management didn't help and whatever he was going on in his personal life too, no excuses and I think he knows that. I also believe out of the top drivers himself and Webber didn't adjust to the Pirelli's as well as the others.

I think that season might have done him some good though, being beaten by Button might have knocked him down a peg or two and make him knuckle down.

As always the car is key and for my own sanity I really hope the Red Bull is atleast beatable this year.

I think that may have been a part of it last year too, the Red Bull was untouchable in the long run and his eye drifted far off the ball, particularly when his personal crap started mounting up.

Touch wood the McLaren looks decent thus far...

pauldyson1uk · 24th February 2012, 10:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDCR07

Formula 1 | Ecclestone: McLaren could cut Hamilton | ESPNSTAR.com

There maybe some truth in this story
There is only one team he would go go , Red Bull.
The question is would Vettel and Hamilton work together has a team , both would be challenging for the title , could you see either driver letting the other one pass for a win , I cant.

Rams · 24th February 2012, 19:13

Hamilton would kick Vettel's arse.. McClaren have the two quickest drivest on the grid. There, I've said it! Now for the car..

Ubik · 24th February 2012, 19:29

Have to say, despite being a McLaren fan, if Red Bull are going to dominate I'd rather he go there and actually give Vettel some competition. Any more repeats of last season would numb my brain to beginning of the last decade levels.

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6th February 2012, 15:35	#201 (permalink)
Chrisjn_ First Team Sub Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 6,599	I think people are goin a bit over the top, I don't kind it.

6th February 2012, 17:09	#202 (permalink)
vanthaman Winner of the KIA Cup July 2009, Winner of the RedCafe Mickey Mouse Cup 2006 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Worthing, West Sussex Posts: 19,806	STR front picture

6th February 2012, 19:05	#204 (permalink)
Ubik Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,368	I'd actually thought that Lotus had done quite a good job of masking their broken nose after seeing their launch photos, but it turns out that wasn't really their new car, and they've got one of the worst noses of the bunch:

6th February 2012, 19:59	#205 (permalink)
Rams extremely handsome, intelligent, gay and talented poster Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: midtable anonymity Posts: 33,867	McClaren are the only ones not to have based their car on Weaste's face. So they'll either be the fastest or the slowest car on the grid, non?

7th February 2012, 11:52	#206 (permalink)
iSparky No longer iBender Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 36,350	Testing this morning, first two pictures of the Mclaren ready to go out

7th February 2012, 13:18	#207 (permalink)
WeasteDevil Observant Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: MG was wearing a lovely dress and I talked her out of it! Posts: 93,066	Who's doing this test, Button?

7th February 2012, 13:22	#208 (permalink)
iSparky No longer iBender Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 36,350	Yep button is in the car for McLaren, Webber in the red bull, Massa in the Ferrari. Mercedes are using the 2011 car as the 2012 car is still not ready. A lot of talk about this "vent" on the nose of the red bull. Every team apart from Marussia (formerly Virgin) are testing today most of them are on a 4 day plan however HRT are only doing 2 days

7th February 2012, 20:53	#209 (permalink)
ArmchairCritic First Team Sub Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: I am not a liberator. Liberators do not exist. The people liberate themselves. Posts: 6,389

7th February 2012, 23:28	#210 (permalink)
RDCR07 Not a bad guy (Whale Killer) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Special One on the Great One: "I don't call him Alex or Sir or Mister. I call him Boss!" Posts: 11,317	So all the cars have that dip in their nose except McClaren?

7th February 2012, 23:43	#211 (permalink)
Chrisjn_ First Team Sub Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 6,599	Yes.

7th February 2012, 23:50	#212 (permalink)
R_Kelly No Lifer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: How do you expect to run with the wolves come night, when you spend all day sparring with the puppies? Posts: 38,658	The McLaren is certainly a good looking race car.

8th February 2012, 00:03	#213 (permalink)
Leg-End First Team Sub Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: "SAF - you're an old dick - but I respect you." Posts: 8,770	I thought it might just be the 2012 nose syndrome that made the McLaren look better but it holds up even matched against past contendors for me. It's a stunning looking car thats only real bad point is the exhaust exits but they are styled so well you hardly notice them. I think its the best looking car we have had post-Brawn GP. Already interesting to hear about the exhaust solutions the teams have come up with, the Ferrari poke job, the McLaren slit and Red Bull off throttle funny sound.

10th February 2012, 07:54	#214 (permalink)
pauldyson1uk First Team Regular Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 14,149	Would not mind seeing pre-season testing on TV , maybe something Sky could look at for next season.

16th February 2012, 12:58	#215 (permalink)
iSparky No longer iBender Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 36,350	BBC Sport - Ecclestone backs Bahrain GP to go ahead despite violent clashes Really really dont think we should be going to Bahrain this year in F1. Clearly still pretty tense out there

16th February 2012, 13:07	#216 (permalink)
Leg-End First Team Sub Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: "SAF - you're an old dick - but I respect you." Posts: 8,770	It will probably go up to near the race before they decide, wouldn't suprise me if the teams boycott it.

16th February 2012, 13:54	#217 (permalink)
iSparky No longer iBender Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 36,350	I just think it would be wrong to have drivers on the podium celebrating with champagne given all the tension and violence in the region.

16th February 2012, 17:50	#219 (permalink)
pauldyson1uk First Team Regular Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 14,149	Pirelli has announced its tyre allocations for the first three rounds of the new season, which kicks off in Australia next month. The Italian tyre manufacturer is introducing a revised range of compounds for 2012, with only the super-soft surviving in its 2011 form from the end of last season. All three of the new slick compounds will make an appearance across the opening trio of flyaway races, with the soft tyre to be the 'option' and the medium tyre the 'prime' at the season-opener in Australia and then also at the third round in China.

16th February 2012, 20:01	#220 (permalink)
RDCR07 Not a bad guy (Whale Killer) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Special One on the Great One: "I don't call him Alex or Sir or Mister. I call him Boss!" Posts: 11,317	They better have good tires this year, Pirelli.

17th February 2012, 20:26	#223 (permalink)
R_Kelly No Lifer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: How do you expect to run with the wolves come night, when you spend all day sparring with the puppies? Posts: 38,658	So Trulli is gone, eh? No Italian driver in F1 for the first time since '69, but even more sad; no more Trulli train

18th February 2012, 14:59	#224 (permalink)
mariachi-19 First Team Regular Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: I may be the devil, but i'm not a monster Posts: 12,593	Pirelli have gone to a more stable compound. Last years tyre was far too inconsistent at tracks one tyre was fine, but at the next the same tyre was rubbish. Apparently Michael has said it handles alot more like the bridgestones he raced from 02-04 grip and consistency wise. Obviously the life of the tyre is different, but you can actually run it flat out for longer periods of time without the fear of the massive drop off so quickly. The drop off is there, but comes more steadily. I'm also really glad they've taken away the blown diffusers. It takes so much more skill away from driving then even TC did. Schumi is one example of a driver that use to have a bit of throttle during braking to control the car and you couldn't do that last year as the device wouldn't work.

18th February 2012, 16:19	#225 (permalink)
gormless Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: comfortable and settled in my rut Posts: 3,278	Quite sad that they've changed the tyres, it was always quite exciting knowing somebody was about to fall off the "cliff" e.g. Vettel in Monaco before the Red Flag. I thought Pirelli did a fantastic job last year. As for Trulli, sad to see him go, he was damn near impossible to overtake when he was at Toyota, and was probably a better driver than the Lotus let him showcase. Gonna be weird having a F1 season without him and Barrichello (who has been testing for IndyCar if anybody cares).

18th February 2012, 19:42	#228 (permalink)
Leg-End First Team Sub Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: "SAF - you're an old dick - but I respect you." Posts: 8,770	I don't know how legit this is but gives you an idea of why some teams opt for pay drivers Spoiler Serious scratch that guy brings.

18th February 2012, 19:44	#229 (permalink)
R_Kelly No Lifer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: How do you expect to run with the wolves come night, when you spend all day sparring with the puppies? Posts: 38,658	Daaaaaaaaaaaayum!

18th February 2012, 21:52	#230 (permalink)
gormless Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: comfortable and settled in my rut Posts: 3,278	Meh, 80% of an Andy Carroll. Jesus Christ, thats incredible. I'd even take Piquet for that

23rd February 2012, 23:23	#232 (permalink)
RDCR07 Not a bad guy (Whale Killer) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Special One on the Great One: "I don't call him Alex or Sir or Mister. I call him Boss!" Posts: 11,317	Formula 1 \| Ecclestone: McLaren could cut Hamilton \| ESPNSTAR.com

23rd February 2012, 23:30	#233 (permalink)
ArmchairCritic First Team Sub Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: I am not a liberator. Liberators do not exist. The people liberate themselves. Posts: 6,389	Bernie's a funny guy. Lewis had his worst season last year but still won as many races as Jenson IIRC.

23rd February 2012, 23:52	#234 (permalink)
R_Kelly No Lifer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: How do you expect to run with the wolves come night, when you spend all day sparring with the puppies? Posts: 38,658	They both won 3 races but I don't think even the most ardent Hamilton fan would argue against the fact that Button outperformed him massively over the course of the season in 2011. That doesn't make Bernie's suggestion that McLaren might get rid of him any less daft, though.

24th February 2012, 00:10	#235 (permalink)
Leg-End First Team Sub Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: "SAF - you're an old dick - but I respect you." Posts: 8,770	I never take anything Bernie says serious, the guy is a promoter. Hamilton was poor last season without question, I think the change in management didn't help and whatever he was going on in his personal life too, no excuses and I think he knows that. I also believe out of the top drivers himself and Webber didn't adjust to the Pirelli's as well as the others. I think that season might have done him some good though, being beaten by Button might have knocked him down a peg or two and make him knuckle down. As always the car is key and for my own sanity I really hope the Red Bull is atleast beatable this year.

24th February 2012, 19:13	#239 (permalink)
Rams extremely handsome, intelligent, gay and talented poster Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: midtable anonymity Posts: 33,867	Hamilton would kick Vettel's arse.. McClaren have the two quickest drivest on the grid. There, I've said it! Now for the car..

24th February 2012, 19:29	#240 (permalink)
Ubik Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,368	Have to say, despite being a McLaren fan, if Red Bull are going to dominate I'd rather he go there and actually give Vettel some competition. Any more repeats of last season would numb my brain to beginning of the last decade levels.