Mercedes W02 rendering revealed

 Mercedes W02 rendering, 2011Mercedes have published a rendering of their new 2011 F1 car, the W02.The image shows the team have adopted a wide, flat nose similar to that seen on the Red Bull RB6 last year.They have reverted to a conventional air intake in place of the radical split airbox used on the W01 from the Spanish Grand Prix last year.But as with many of the car launches expect the car’s aerodynamic package to be revised before the first race of the year in Bahrain.The image first appeared on the website of German newspaper Bild.The W02 is due to be run for the first time on Tuesday...

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Lotus T128 launch – first pictures

31 January 2011 by Keith Collantine Lotus have revealed the first images of their 2011 F1 car which is now called the T128.The car was originally supposed to be called the TL11 which, according to the team, was to “simplify what could have been another point of contention” with Renault over the use of the name ‘Lotus’.When asked by F1 Fanatic on Twitter about the change of name Tony Fernandes said:Because we are continuing with history. We are a new dynasty but tradition continues.Tony FernandesOne of the most striking features on the car is the use of a ‘blade’ roll hoop with a split air...

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Sauber C30 – Launch Detail and Analysis

Now simply known as Sauber Motorsport the Team are embarking on their second as a born-again independent. Their new car, the C30 has been completed under the technical leadership of Ex-Force India TD James Key. James bring his experience from the budget conscious FIF1 team and its forebears Jordan\Midland\Spyker.  Aiding key are two Long term Sauber staff, as Christoph Zimmerman as Chief Designer and Seamus Mullarkey leading the aero dept.Development was held back last year as the team focussed its resources on the new car, which first hit the wing tunnel in May. This switch...

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Renault R31 – Launch Details and Analysis

What was formerly the Renault F1 Team and now Lotus Renault GP (I’ll use the term LRGP for this article) have unveiled their new car the R31. It seems some critical details are not fitted to the car for its unveiling, indeed the car was shown only briefly to the press before it was covered back up and returned to the garage. Despite the mystery surrounding the cars exhaust exit location, its clear this is a very new design for the team. In creating this the team were given a mandate to take risks, which probably explains the very different front and rear end treatments. But in packaging...

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Ferrari F150 – Launch detail & Analysis

Ferrari launched their F150 today in Maranello. While the car sports some interesting features, overall it must be seen as a conventional and literal approach to the new rules and carries the influence of the team’s two previous cars. This approach seems to suit Ferrari who has not worked well with extreme innovation in the past. They keep the car simple and gain the most potential from it. We can expect more extreme concept cars from several teams next week.Firstly the front wing is last years; it even has the driver adjustable mechanism which is no longer allowed in 2011. However the...

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FERRARI 599 GTO (2011)

Click Thumbnail to download (size 1600 x 1200 pixels) Now available are the first photos and information on the new Ferrari 599 GTO, an extreme V12 berlinetta developed to a specific performance-oriented brief. The Ferrari 599 GTO is, in fact, the company's fastest ever road car. It is an exclusive limited edition special which, in true Ferrari tradition, is a completely new concept, albeit inspired by a production car. In fact the Ferrari 599 GTO is based on the 599XX, the advanced experimental track car, and can be considered almost a road-going version. The Ferrari 599 GTO is...

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FERRARI 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE (2010)

Click Thumbnail to download (size 1600 x 1200 pixels) When it first debuted, the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano set a new standard in terms of performance that remains a benchmark for new sports car development to this day. Now Ferrari is introducing the new Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE (Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione) package for the model to further underscore its sportiness and handling.The package includes a modified set-up with stiffer springs and rear anti-roll bar as well as new calibration settings for the magnetorheological shock absorbers when the manettino is at its sportier...

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FERRARI 599 GTB HY-KERS Concept (2010)

Click Thumbnail to download (size 1600 x 1200 pixels) Ferrari at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show gives the public its first glimpse of the HY-KERS vettura laboratorio which can reduce CO2 emissions by 35 per cent on the combined cycle (ECE + EUDC). The HY-KERS is based on the 599 GTB Fiorano but importantly, the technology may one day be fitted to all future Ferraris, 8- and 12-cylinders alike, regardless of their engine position. Thanks to ongoing research combined with experience gained in Formula 1, the new technology developed at Maranello actually accentuates the cars' sporty character...

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