Formula1 2013 thread

[busydude]

F1 2013 season kicks off today with the launch of 2013 Lotus F1.

https://www.youtube.com/lotusf1team

Event starting at 1:15 PM CST.

Also, here is the list of all the date for car launches.

Team Date Venue
Lotus January 28 Enstone, UK
McLaren January 31 Woking, UK
Ferrari February 1 Maranello, Italy
Force India February 1 Silverstone, UK
Sauber February 2 Hinwil, Switzerland
Red Bull February 3 Milton Keynes, UK
Mercedes February 4 Jerez, Spain
Toro Rosso February 4 Jerez, Spain
Caterham February 5 Jerez, Spain
Williams February 19 Barcelona, Spain

[_Rick_]

Soooo: Sutil vs Bianchi
and Petrov vs. Kovaleinen vs. anyone bringing a few tens of millions to the table.

What are your expectations on who will sit on the grid in Australia?
I'm thinking Sutil is not going to make it, even so I'd like him to have another go, and I have some doubts that Kovaleinen will get a seat.

Also, where will the secret surprise race be held?

[Imported]

Kimi's steering wheel.

[satyajitmenon]

Originally Posted by Imported

Kimi's steering wheel.

Awesome.

I want one.

[The Boston Dangler]

i had thought enstone were dropping the lotus name after getting stiffed on payment, and were forbidden from changing it once the 2012 season started. maybe lotus finally paid up?

[busydude]

Originally Posted by The Boston Dangler

i had thought enstone were dropping the lotus name after getting stiffed on payment, and were forbidden from changing it once the 2012 season started. maybe lotus finally paid up?

They can use the name until 2017.

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/04/0...e-sponsorship/

[busydude]

Originally Posted by _Rick_

What are your expectations on who will sit on the grid in Australia?

I'd like to see Sutil given an other go, but rumors are that they are interested in Ferrari engines for 2014, so that may make FI pick up Bianchi.

Catherham F1 may look into Van der Garde as he can get them some cash. Marussia are clearly looking for someone who can also bring some sponsorship after they let go Glock(who is not a pay driver.)

[busydude]

Marussia has picked up Luiz Razia as their second driver.

MP4-28 was launched today morning, here are some screen shots in comparison with last year's MP4-27. The exhaust of MP4-28 is left incomplete.

[busydude]

[punjabiplaya]

Originally Posted by Imported

Kimi's steering wheel.

The Jenson button took me longer than I care to admit to laugh at.

[_Rick_]

All the launched cars are not finished yet, according to the comments I have heard and will still change a bit over the coming 6 weeks.
But I guess the monocoque won't change substantially.
Lets see what this year's Ferrari will look like.
Odds on modesty plate?

[RiDE]

Having never gotten used to the stepped noses from last year...I love it. I'd prefer less white on the livery but it'll do. I hope it's fast.



EDIT: Here's a vid. It's a photoshoot though but it's better than Ferrari's crappy stream right now.

http://youtu.be/v0ZQaa1ENoM

[_Rick_]

Can't tell if it's modesty plated, or whether they lowered the entire nose section...

[busydude]

Originally Posted by _Rick_

Can't tell if it's modesty plated, or whether they lowered the entire nose section...

It's due the modesty panel. Here is the side by side comparison,

[busydude]

Caterham has announced Van Der Garde will be their second driver. Kinda disappointed as there are much better drivers than him currently in lower tiers.

Also, FI also launched their car. It also has a modesty panel and looks pretty good.

[boomhower]

I'm exited! I've got some time to burn up so I'm taking the opening weekend off of work.

[astroidea]

Pardon the noob question, but why do sporty road cars have low profile tires to improve handling characteristics, but F1 cars have the fat meaty ones?

[busydude]

Originally Posted by astroidea

Pardon the noob question, but why do sporty road cars have low profile tires to improve handling characteristics, but F1 cars have the fat meaty ones?

I am no expect but I'll try to chime in. Please anyone correct me if I am wrong.

LP tires are sturdier and cause less roll which makes the car relatively stable during cornering(at the expense of having a stiffer ride quality). This is true for normal cars with traditional suspensions. In road cars suspension plays a major role than tires in how a car handles.

F1 cars have totally different suspensions and the cars don't pitch and roll as much as normal cars. Both the chassis and the suspension is stiffer when compared to normal cars.

Not to forget the rules play a huge role in how the tires look and perform.

[JulesMaximus]

Originally Posted by astroidea

Pardon the noob question, but why do sporty road cars have low profile tires to improve handling characteristics, but F1 cars have the fat meaty ones?

Regulations. They run very stiff springs to counteract the flex in the tires.

Weight is another reason. Smaller wheels are lighter than larger ones.

[busydude]

Today we saw the launch of Sauber C32.

Here are a few pics and comparison to C31. The livery is pretty sweet and the car looks good. 2013 seems to have a lot nicer looking cars than last season.

[satyajitmenon]

Originally Posted by busydude

Today we saw the launch of Sauber C32.

Here are a few pics and comparison to C31. The livery is pretty sweet and the car looks good. 2013 seems to have a lot nicer looking cars than last season.

Damn. That looks sexy as fu(k

[Imported]

Always thought the Saubers were one of the better looking ones.. the 2013 looks amazing.

[boomhower]

Originally Posted by JulesMaximus

Regulations. They run very stiff springs to counteract the flex in the tires.

Weight is another reason. Smaller wheels are lighter than larger ones.

Another is breaks. The braking power and cost is already nuts. Turn them loose with much larger wheels and the are going to start breaking HANS devices getting into corners.

[LTC8K6]

Originally Posted by astroidea

Pardon the noob question, but why do sporty road cars have low profile tires to improve handling characteristics, but F1 cars have the fat meaty ones?

You can't read PIRELLI on a low profile tire...

[busydude]

Originally Posted by LTC8K6

You can't read PIRELLI on a low profile tire...

AHAHAHAAHAHA. I honestly didn't think of that.