The F1 2012 Car Launch Thread

Williams livery looks a little primitive, especially on the drivers suits:

http://photos.gpupdate.net/large/192113.jpg

Let's hope the car is a step forward for them.

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Originally Posted by RS

Williams livery looks a little primitive, especially on the drivers suits:

http://photos.gpupdate.net/large/192113.jpg

Let's hope the car is a step forward for them.

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I'd say old school. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jens

McLaren did their 'own thing' last year too - with the sidepods. In the end it didn't turn out to be the best car, but was still pretty good, even if they were having troubles in testing. Had McLaren gone with conventional sidepods in 2011, is there a reason to think the season would have been notably different?

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There was nothing wrong with McLaren's sidepods. Their problems last year was due to the complexity of the octopus exhaust layout which was crap, not to mention rear downforce via the floor and rake.

If U-shaped sidepods were so crap then why on earth has it influenced this year's car which has a sloping angle?

http://scarbsf1.files.wordpress.com/...epodfronts.jpg

Quote:

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ScarbsF1: Can you tell us about why the concept’s changed, why you don’t feel that was a benefit this year?

Tim Goss: Last year’s U-shaped side-pod worked very well with what we were trying to achieve last year with the exhaust layout, it was all intended at creating more down wash to the rear end, and it performed particularly well last year. This year at a fairly early stage we set about a different approach to both the external and the internal aerodynamics of the car, and then once the exhaust regulations started to become a little bit clearer then it was quite obvious to us that the U-shaped side-pod no longer fitted in with both the internal aerodynamics and some of the external aerodynamics that we pursued early on. So it works, it worked very well last year, but it’s actually just not suited to what we’re trying to achieve this year.”

Launch Analysis: McLaren Mercedes MP4-27 | Scarbsf1's Blog

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*double take* the pillars on the new Williams barely supporting the front wing!

http://a.yfrog.com/img877/8528/uk0g.png

Sauber have slot vent just behind its step.

http://s1-02.twitpicproxy.com/photos.../511621230.jpg

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Originally Posted by wedge

If U-shaped sidepods were so crap then why on earth has it influenced this year's car which has a sloping angle?

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And the Ferrari too.

The U shaped sidepods were a development aimed specifically at complimenting the EBD. With that avenue now closed off, a different philosophy has to be pursued, and the new exhaust regs make a severe U shape nigh on impossible to achieve.

Mercedes has released a teaser of the W03.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net...65723723_n.jpg

I hope they are competitive at the pointy end of the races. I'd like to see Britney get his first win. I'd also like to see Mike duking it out at the front as well, but I'm not holding my breath on either one.

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The new Mercedes W03 broke cover for the first time at Silverstone on Thursday, completing its first run ahead of its maiden test at Barcelona next week.

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First picture of new Mercedes as W03 runs at Silverstone - F1 news - AUTOSPORT.com

The gyroscopic camera view made me sea sick. Could someone pass me the scopolamine :p


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzJqTxaF_iM

I'm probably wrong, but I seriously doubt this is the car we will see next tuesday in Barcelona.

Here is another image
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-conten...w03_2012_2.jpg

and another one in high resolution:

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-conten...ere_2012-1.jpg
Left click to zoom.