[Team] The 2012 F1 CAR LAUNCH THREAD

[broadrun96]

I was referring the the HRT, better to hire a stylist than an engineer. Might be money better spent that way too.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

I was referring the the HRT, better to hire a stylist than an engineer. Might be money better spent that way too.

Maybe.

Looking at some 2011 pictures of the HRT car, it looks like they haven't really done anything at all to the one in the photos above! (maybe nose tip slightly modded)



Although it must have passed the relevant crash tests in order to be able to take part in testing.

I'm already thinking that there 'full on' 2012 car will look somewhat akin to other cars that have been unveiled.

[broadrun96]

Are there any changes that HRT would have to make to modify their chassis to meet the 2012 regs from the 2011 version?

[Sodemo]

Whats the thinking behind the forced lower noses by the FIA?

[Alfaholic]

Originally Posted by Marbot

The opening on the Red Bull car would suggest that it is doing more than just replacing the hole at the tip of the nose on last seasons cars. It also appears to have been built into the actual tub, on the Red Bull car.

Wasn't it Mercedes last year experimenting with an air pressure operated inlet that directed airflow through the front wing pillars and out through slots in the front wing to create additional downforce? That operated like an f-duct but didn't require driver input.

Perhaps Red Bull are trying something similar.

[m1fcf]

Originally Posted by Alfaholic

Wasn't it Mercedes last year experimenting with an air pressure operated inlet that directed airflow through the front wing pillars and out through slots in the front wing to create additional downforce? That operated like an f-duct but didn't require driver input.

Perhaps Red Bull are trying something similar.

Possible, but from there, i struggle to think where it might exit. Too far back to back down to the front wing, Too far forwards for it to work with rear wing. just right to blow down and out under the car somewhere (thinking blown exhausts) to aid the flow under the vehicle?

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Whats the thinking behind the forced lower noses by the FIA?

The noses were at a height where they could go over the top of the crash structures and endanger the drivers. The lowering of the noses ensures that they will be at the right height when they hit another car under normal circumstances.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Are there any changes that HRT would have to make to modify their chassis to meet the 2012 regs from the 2011 version?

They would have to pass the crash tests, which they must have done in order to test the car, so maybe a little bit of strengthening going on there.

They never had a blown diffuser, so they're OK there.

The nose is definitely not too high, and maybe they put the exhaust pipes in the correct place as well (no photos to indicate as such).

So they can pretty much use their 2011 car in 2012 with just a few modifications. But, by all accounts, they have a completely new car waiting in the wings.

EDIT: Surely Mr Ascanelli is taking the p**s?

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97366

[broadrun96]

Could the Red Bull be running air over the nose, through the opening, around the monocoque and onto the floor? And have we seen pictures or just drawings of the RB8, I couldn't really tell how the opening related to the floor beneath it.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Could the Red Bull be running air over the nose, through the opening, around the monocoque and onto the floor? And have we seen pictures or just drawings of the RB8, I couldn't really tell how the opening related to the floor beneath it.

Apparently it is used to increase front wing downforce! Sauber also have a similar system on their car which is not immediately obvious until you look closely.

But here it is in all of its glory!



And more radical solutions are also in the pipeline.

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by Marbot

It's HRT, and it'll most likely be (relatively) slow.

Good I will be able to wave to Pedro as he pushes it around COTA..

[Oran Park Forever]

It's both funny & sad to read the comments like "we'll get used to the look of them in time"......or "It looks good from this or that angle"

We all know what that really means! May as well add in "maybe it's got a really nice personality!"
With the exception of Lotus (black is conceiling as we all know!) & McLaren, the rest are simply hideuos!

No wonder the rise in popularity of Historic racing, where you can go & just simply drool over stunning machinery.

Yes there were some ugly ducklings in the past...............but there were always ones who's sight & sound made you weak at the knees!


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[Morris Dancer]

The current crop of ugly F1 cars is yet more evidence of how clueless the FIA is when it comes to rulemaking.

If the FIA really wants to avoid drivers being decaptiated in T-bone shunts, then the rules should mandate soft foam rubber noses - on the cars, not the drivers!

[steve nielsen]

and here the new Williams:

[MJones94]

Originally Posted by steve nielsen

and here the new Williams:

Looks quite a lot like the interim liveries they run but I like the simplicity. The nose isn't too dramatic but I must say I was wincing with apprehension before seeing it! ("Oh no not another platypus!")

[steve nielsen]

[SJA]

Originally Posted by steve nielsen

and here the new Williams:

Can we please PLEASE start some sort of petition to get Williams to get those god awful numbers off of the sidepods. They think it looks retro? It just looks plain amateur! Would be much cleaner, sleeker, professional and more fitting of modern F1 if they were just done away with and left plain.

[rpolinski]

Originally Posted by SJA

Can we please PLEASE start some sort of petition to get Williams to get those god awful numbers off of the sidepods. They think it looks retro? It just looks plain amateur! Would be much cleaner, sleeker, professional and more fitting of modern F1 if they were just done away with and left plain.

Or better still, make them mandatory so you can tell which driver is which

[Oran Park Forever]

and here's a stunning Lotus!



sorry, just had to do this before I threw up over my keyboard!!


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[rpolinski]

After seeing this picture of the Williams, I realised the worst thing about these ugly noses is that it takes away from the fact that some of these cars are beautifully sculptured over the rest of the car.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Morris Dancer

The current crop of ugly F1 cars is yet more evidence of how clueless the FIA is when it comes to rulemaking.

Maybe. A simple minimum height restriction half way along the nose could have alleviated a lot of moaning.

Note: Actually, it's the teams that come up with solutions to the FIA's requests.

[luke g28]

Those pictures miss out the most interesting part of the new williams...

Look at the front wing pylons.

[Marbot]

Yeah. That's definitely on the outer limits of being 'rigidly mounted'!

[Grandpa_Rob]

So disappointed, waited up for the unveiling of the RB8 in the hope it would be the black sheep but no there it was a Red Bull with a dogs hind leg stuck on the front............ disappointed .

[Sodemo]

They need to go back to the ultra wide rear tyres.