Official Formula 1 2012 thread

[E30Kaiser]

I love how all of us outside the teams seem to get more pissed at the drivers than those working with them.... I really dont take much stock as to what a reporter is rummored to hear,,,,,, their job is to try and publish outlandish stories that can grab your attention. Even if he is doubting the car so what. Why do I care. Schumi has pretty much already said his car couldnt win before they have even tested it... Big deal. Reminds me when Kubica was saying how BMW are not developing their car at all and how he was fustrated,,,, low and behold he is crucified for bitching about bmw, and then BMW announces they are leaving F1. I just dont understand why everyone gets so worked up over guys expressing what they are thinking.

I don't care if you express something about the team, like when Kimi says "The car is shit." It adds character to the series. But saying it all the time like Jarno about the friggin power steering just gets old and you start to see the character of a driver from the things he says.

[naplesE30]

I love how all of us outside the teams seem to get more pissed at the drivers than those working with them.... I really dont take much stock as to what a reporter is rummored to hear,,,,,, their job is to try and publish outlandish stories that can grab your attention. Even if he is doubting the car so what. Why do I care. Schumi has pretty much already said his car couldnt win before they have even tested it... Big deal. Reminds me when Kubica was saying how BMW are not developing their car at all and how he was fustrated,,,, low and behold he is crucified for bitching about bmw, and then BMW announces they are leaving F1. I just dont understand why everyone gets so worked up over guys expressing what they are thinking.

[E30Kaiser]

It must have been really private if we know about it. Classic Lewis. Blame the team before you even lose?

[Jand3rson]

Hamilton has privately expressed doubts about the direction the team took the car.

Of course he did.

[z31maniac]

Kinda figured that would happen with how presistent the rumors were........I understand the did it for the cash, but I'm not sure they couldn't have used Trulli's input on a car for another season or two.

[E30Kaiser]

Trulli is out, Petrov in at Caterham. DING DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD!

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2012/2/13023.html

[pharow]

The cars are fugly as hell this year...

[z31maniac]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97553

Quite a big step on the Mercedes car.....

Hamilton has privately expressed doubts about the direction the team took the car.

[z31maniac]

I'm curious to see where the slot in the Red Bull is actually blowing. I don't believe the front wing theory.

I'm wondering if they are taking that air and blowing it down by the barge board/sidepod area to increase the air flow, much like the Renault exhaust concept last year......or maybe sending it under the car to get more air to the diffuser?

[naplesE30]

I hope they are competitive. Just want to see Schumi on the podium one more time, to shut everyone up. He is def still capable and better than 85% of the field imho, not to mention his ability to develop a car which is where his true value comes in.

You knew Merc had something up their sleeve that they didnt want to show the field, plus I think it was a good idea to run an old car which has a known quantity to get a true evaluation the new tire compounds.

I wonder how long till the McLaren gets a nose job?

[E30Kaiser]

Mercedes just ran their new car around Silverstone doing a "film day" so you can expect it to be at the next test. Apparently it has a stepped nose as well, and they are running a blown front wing as well.

[Philo]

Interesting picture.

And I know the difference in teams and names. I'm just used to the BBC commentators saying "mercedes mclaren' or vice-versa.

[z31maniac]

http://scarbsf1.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/mp427-noses.jpg

[z31maniac]

I'm curious on the step in the nose of the RBR and Ferrari cars as well. Mercedes didn't find it necessary on their design. I do, however, think the Merc's nose is a bit lower than the others. . . .maybe lower than the regulations.

For the last few years they haven't taken the "high chassis" route that RBR inspired and many others have followed.

Those pics are a good illustration of how much lower McLaren (Mercedes is Rosberg/Schumi) mounts their suspension in the front nose.

[Jand3rson]

The step down on the RBR is definitely a different shape than the Ferrari and the Force India car, they did some different aero styling with it.

And for those waiting in the wings, the new baby is a girl, so no-go on naming him Sebastian.
Since it's a girl, I suggested to my wife we could name her whatever Seb names his car this year, but she didn't go for it.