Hi Racers
Thanks for stopping by.
I love everything Formula 1, from the drivers, the engineering, the tactics and strategy and the sheer excitement of the racing itself.
Please leave a comment or get in touch and dont forget to SUBSCRIBE so you dont miss any of the action.
Keep Racing
Vroom Vroom x
My friend Stacey and I (I’m on the left) on main straight
Hi Racers
Just a quick mobile blog to let you all know that I haven’t forgotten you. I’ll be doing a nice big blog update tommorow once I get home from Melbourne.
The trip was amazing! I managed to fit as much in as I possibly could do am now knackered!
I fly home this afternoon so stay tuned 🙂
Keep Revving
Vroom Vroom
Mark saying hi at the exclusive evening I attended. Apologies for the photo quality – flash at same time as clicking
Ok Racers,
The time has FINALLY arrived. I’m hopping on a plane in about 9 hours to head to Melbourne for the opener of the 2012 Formula 1 season at the Qantas Australian Grand Prix.
Excited? YES!!!
I, of course, went all out and am lucky enough to be enjoying a pitlane walk and pitlane breakfast on Thursday. Autographs with the drivers and numerous other incredible experiences INCLUDING attending a very special cocktail party with Mark Webber as the special guest.
He will be mingling, answering fan/supporter club member questions and enjoying the F1 atmosphere at the Crown Casino.
I’ll be sure to get lots of photos, one or two with Mark and plenty of track action.
I’ll be walking the track on Sunday before the race too.
Be sure to check in and see where I’m at!
Set your alarms for qualifying & race and keep the revs high.
The season has begun!
Go Webber 🙂
Vroom Vroom
Only 21 days until the Australian 2012 Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne.
I am lucky enough to be attending AND will be involved in an exclusive Mark Webber function night, as well as the GP Advantage Pit lane walks, track walks and countless other very exciting events.
I’ll keep you all VERY informed of course.
Are you excited?
Vroom Vroom!!
The new Mercedes "Silver Bullet" W03 in Barcelona
Hi Racers
Finally, we get to see what Mercedes have come up with and it looks the “silver bullet” we were expecting.
It features the new stepped nose, and it doesnt look too bad actually. The colour scheme & advertising does tend to lower its impact, which is always good.
W03 in action
Team Principle Ross Brawn had this to say about the W03
“The F1 W03 is a car that I believe, and hope, our team can be proud of, and which will deliver the on-track results that everybody has worked so hard to achieve,” Brawn said. “Notwithstanding the distinctive nose design, which is certainly an acquired taste, the F1 W03 is an elegant interpretation of the current regulations, and a clear step forward over its predecessor in terms of detail design and sophistication.
“Last year, we produced a very bold car and, although its more radical elements didn’t always deliver the results we had hoped for, the experience we gained has been invaluable to the design of the 2012 car. The F1 W03 is also a more integrated package, which reflects the ever-strengthening ties between our technical teams in Brackley and Brixworth, and demonstrates that our Silver Arrows works team is taking the next step forward in terms of on-track performance.”
Unfortunetly, I’m unable to source the Tech Spec’s for the W03 at this stage.
Not long until the start of the 2012 season now!!
Keep Racing,
Vroom Vroom
Senna & Maldonardo with the new FW34
Hello Hello Racers,
Another hour, another new launch it seems – Im exhausted keeping up!
Williams launched their FW34 in Jerez yesterday.
After a horrendous year in 2011, Williams are hoping that with a new driver in Bruno Senna, and switching from the Cosworth engine to Renault may boost them to a better year in 2012.
Of course, its got the stepped nose and a new paint job. Same colours with the blue and white but it seems they have gone for a more charcoal blue, rather than the obvious navy blue of last year.
FW34 in action. Jerez
As always, here are the tech spec’s – thanks to http://www.williamsf1.com/car/technical-spec/
| Chassis construction | Monocoque construction Laminated from carbon
epoxy and honeycomb composite structure, surpassing FIA impact and strength requirements |
| Front suspension | Carbon fibre double wishbone arrangement, with composite
toelink and pushrod activated springs and anti-roll bar |
| Rear suspension | Double wishbone and pullrod activated springs and anti-roll bar |
| Transmission | Williams F1 seven speed seamless sequential semi-automatic shift
plus reverse gear. Gear selection electro-hydraulically actuated |
| Clutch | Carbon multi-plate |
| Dampers | Williams F1 |
| Wheels | RAYS forged magnesium |
| Tyres | Pirelli, Fronts: 325mm wide, Rears: 375mm wide |
| Brake system | AP 6 piston callipers all round, carbon discs and pads |
| Steering | Williams F1 power assisted rack and pinion |
| Fuel system | ATL Kevlar-reinforced rubber bladder |
| Electronic systems | FIA SECU standard electronic control unit |
| Cooling system | Aluminium Oil, Water, KERS, and gearbox radiators |
| Cockpit | Driver six point safety harness with 75mm shoulder straps & HANS system, removable anatomically formed carbon fibre seat covered in Alcantara |
| Motive power | Motive power: Renault 2.4L V8, 90° V angle engine,
pneumatic valve train. Fuel and lubricants by Total. High energy inductive ignition system. Engine materials include block and pistons in aluminium alloy, crankshaft in Nitrided alloy steel with tungsten alloy counterweights, connecting rods in titanium alloy. |
| Dimensions & weight | Weight: FIA Minimum
Wheelbase: FIA Maximum Overall length: 5000mm Overall height: 950mm Overall width: 1800mm |
I hope the change in engine, plus the injection of Bruno Senna can lift the team to a better standing for the 2012 season.
Keep Racing,
Vroom Vroom
Hi Racers,
Sorry for the delay – here are the RB8’s technical specifications – ENJOY 🙂
Thanks to www.redbullracing.com of course.
| Engine: | Renault engine RS28 – 2012 |
| Cylinders: | 8 |
| Capacity: | 2400cc |
| Max rpm: | 18,000rpm |
| Number of Valves: | 32 |
| Vee Angle: | 90 degrees |
| Power Output: | Not Disclosed |
| Engine construction: | Cylinder block in cast aluminium |
| Engine management: | FIA (MESL) standard control unit TAG310B |
| Oil: | Total Group |
| Weight: | FIA minimum weight of 95kg |
Composite monocoque structure, designed and built in-house, carrying the Renault V8 engine as fully stressed member
Seven-speed gearbox, longitudinally Mounted with hydraulic system for power shift and clutch operation. AP Racing clutch
Front: Aluminium alloy uprights, carbon-composite double wishbone with springs and anti-roll bar, Multimatic dampers
Rear: Aluminium alloy uprights, carbon-composite double wishbone with springs and anti-roll bar, Multimatic dampers
Brembo calipers, Brembo carbon discs and pads
FIA (MESL) standard control unit
Total Group
| Wheels | OZ Racing |
| Front: | 12in x 13in diam. |
| Rear: | 13.7in x 13in diam. |
| Tyres: | Pirelli |
| Brakes: | Brembo |
Also, for your viewing enjoyment, here is the RB8 Launch video, complete with interviews.
Keep Racing,
Vroom Vroom
Torro Rosso launch the STR7
Hi Racers,
Talk about a great couple of days! For all of the F1 fans out there who have been waiting eagerly for some F1 related action, its come in a flurry with the unveiling of most of the teams cars and the testing starting in Jerez.
Torro Rosso unveiled their 2012 Challenger, the STR7 on Tuesday ( apologies for the delay in getting this post out to you all )
Stepped Nose on STR7
The Torro Rosso ( unsurprisingly ) featured the stepped nose, which, frankly to me is now old news. It’s obvious that the teams are employing this as a way to achieve the lost downforce from the blown diffuser ban. The fact Mclaren are the only team WITHOUT a step nose could either go in their favour or very much AGAINST. Only time will tell.
Here are the STR7’s Tech Spec’s thanks to http://www.scuderiatororosso.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Article/STR7-Fact-File-021243159270264
CAR TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Official car name: STR7
Engine: Ferrari V8 Type 056
Chassis material: Composite monocoque structure
Bodywork material: Carbon fibre composite
Front suspension: Upper and lower carbon wishbones, torsion bar springs and anti roll bars, Sachs dampers
Rear suspension: Upper and lower carbon wishbones, torsion bar springs and anti roll bars, Sachs dampers
Steering: Scuderia Toro Rosso
Gearbox: Seven-speed hydraulic
Clutch: Sachs Triple-plate pull-type
Calipers: Brembo
Pads and discs: Brembo
Cooling system (radiators, heat exchangers): Scuderia Toro Rosso
Cockpit instrumentation: Scuderia Toro Rosso
Seat belts: OMP
Steering wheel: Scuderia Toro Rosso
Driver’s seat: Carbon fibre construction,moulded to driver’s shape
Extinguisher system: Scuderia Toro Rosso/FEV
Wheels: Advanti Racing
Fuel cell: ATL
Overall weight : 640 kg (including driver and camera)
Watch the video of the STR7 launch ( including interviews ) below.
I especially like Daniel Riccardo’s tweet following the launch:
Daniel Ricciardo @danielricciardoWas a great feeling sliding off the TR7’s dress today. And no bra! Too easy 🙂
Sliding off the dress 😉
Keep Racing,
Vroom Vroom
Hi Racers,
It is time, and it was WORTH it! Red bull have once again amazed with the RB8.
Sophisticated, sexy and just downright awesome – all, with the stepped nose 🙂
No-one does it like Red Bull.
Photos will follow tommorow.
Until then, just enjoy. I think I’ve watched it 100 times already.
Vroom Vroom
x
Kobayashi & Perez unveil the C31 in Jerez
Hi Racers,
Another few hours and another new car has been unveiled in preparation for the start of season testing in Jerez.
This time its the Sauber F1 Team releasing their C31, driven by Kobayashi and Perez for the 2012 season.
The new C31 incorporating the step nose and a new colour scheme
“The C31 is revolutionary where we had fresh ideas, particularly at the rear of the car, and it is an evolution where we knew we could carry over certain approaches. We had to improve on the weaknesses we identified on the C30, but at the same time we wanted to maintain its strengths.
“We had established some good directions to go in towards the end of last year with the C30 which we wanted to continue with, particularly some of our DRS developments, and some of the ways we were opting for with the car’s set up in order to improve our qualifying performance without compromising our race pace.”
Once again, the stepped nose is evident and they have gone with a new paint job, incorporating some black, rather than just the stark white of last year.
Here are the Tech Spec’s – thanks to http://www.sauberf1team.com/en/sauber_c31/
| Sauber C31-Ferrari | |
| Chassis | carbon-fibre monocoque |
| Front suspension | upper and lower wishbones, inboard springs and dampers (Sachs Race Engineering) actuated by pushrods |
| Rear suspension | upper and lower wishbones, inboard springs and dampers (Sachs Race Engineering) actuated by pullrods |
| Brakes | six-piston brake callipers (Brembo), carbon-fibre pads and discs (Brembo) |
| Transmission | Ferrari 7-speed quick-shift carbon gearbox, longitudinally mounted, carbon-fibre clutch |
| Chassis electronics | MES |
| KERS | Ferrari |
| Steering wheel | Sauber F1 Team |
| Tyres | Pirelli |
| Wheels | OZ |
| Dimensions | Length 5.195 mm width 1.800 mm height 1.000 mm track width, front 1.495 mm track width, rear 1.410 mm |
| Weight | 640 kg (incl. driver, tank empty) |
Ferrari 056 Motor |
|
| Type | naturally aspirated V8, 90° cylinder angle |
| Engine block | sand-cast aluminium |
| Valves / valve train | 32 / pneumatic |
| Displacement | 2,398 ccm |
| Bore | 98 mm |
| Weight | > 95 kg |
| Electronic injection and ignition | |
I have to admit, this isn’t a favorite of mine, it looks cheap and not nearly as slick as it could have been with the black and white colour scheme.
Only about an hour to go until Red Bull!
Keep Racing,
Vroom Vroom
Hi Racers,
The completed, confirmed driver line-up for the 2012 Season.
Keep Racing,
Vroom Vroom
2012 Team Line-Ups
Red Bull
Sebastian Vettel
Mark Webber
McLaren
Jenson Button
Lewis Hamilton
Ferrari
Fernando Alosno
Felipe Massa
Mercedes
Michael Schumacher
Nico Rosberg
Lotus (Prev Renault)
Romain Grosjean
Kimi Raikkonen
Sauber
Kamui Kobayashi
Sergio Perez
Torro Rosso
Daniel Ricciardo
Jean-Eric Vergne
Force India
Paul Di resta
Nico Hulkenberg
Marussia (Prev Virgin)
Timo Glock
Charles Pic
Carterham (Prev Lotus)
Heikki Kovalainen
Jarno Trulli
Williams
Bruno Senna
Pastor Maldonado
HRT
Pedro de la Rosa
Narain Karthikeyan
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