F1 Winter Testing / Driver Line-Ups for 2007

rpstewart · 25 Jan 2007 at 19:38

NicktheNorse said:
Didn't I read that Ferrari have moved their engine further forward?

Lemme go read last week's again and I'll get back to you...

EDIT: According to the tech analysis in last week's Autosport the wheelbase increase is all between the cockpit and the front axle line.

Type_R · 25 Jan 2007 at 22:05

Briatore mocks lavish McLaren launch

Flavio Briatore took a dig at his fiercest Formula One adversary on Wednesday as Renault launched its 2007 car with a modest event in Holland.

The revelation of the R27, which was delivered to the stage on an elevated platform suspended by wire, contrasted starkly to McLaren's reportedly multi-million dollar affair recently in Valencia.

Briatore is traditionally outspoken about Ron Dennis' extravagant motorhome and award winning factory, and said: "I didn't spend millions and millions on this launch."

"Unlike some other people, I prefer to invest all of our money in the car.
"

Briatore, however, said he is not bitter about protégé and back to back world champion Fernando Alonso's switch to McLaren, insisting that if a Renault cannot win in 2007, "I would prefer that it is Fernando (in front)".

"I still have a good relationship with him and we have respect for each other, but I do not believe that Fernando is going to make McLaren any more likeable," Briatore said.

Enough said

rpstewart · 26 Jan 2007 at 11:54

Briatore mocking a lavish launch? Pot? Kettle? Some of the Benetton & Renault launches have been pretty spectacular affairs, dancing girls and all!

Meanwhile it looks like Ferrari aren't having a good time of it

Ferrari continued to be hampered by poor luck in testing at the Vallelunga circuit after Felipe Massa crashed the new F2007 this morning.

The Italian squad have been testing at the circuit near Rome since last Tuesday, but the poor weather conditions have made it impossible for the team to complete their scheduled programme.

Ferrari were again hit by rain this morning, and things were made only worse when Massa crashed the F2007 when he went off the track at the Roma corner, the final one before the main straight.

The Brazilian escaped unscathed, but the car sustained heavy damage to the front end.

Teammate Kimi Raikkonen was also in action, but the Finn had completed very limited running due to the poor weather.

Still no news from RBR, the car has been launched and they've run some shakedown laps at Barcelona but there's nothing on either Autosport or the RBR site.

Fergie · 26 Jan 2007 at 12:03

Theres some piccys on crash.net. I had a quick glance earlier.

hp7909 · 26 Jan 2007 at 17:43

RB3

Here

EDIT: Looks nice

So whose left?

NicktheNorse · 26 Jan 2007 at 18:07

Nice to see Red Bull did some accurate aeroelastic modelling on their X-wings and managed to layup the carbon to the correct stiffness

rpstewart · 26 Jan 2007 at 18:10

That thing just screams Newey at you. There are so many bits that look like the MP4/20 - the duck bill nose, the tightly waisted sidepods, the wee extra wing between the airbox and the kickups. Should be good if the mechanicals hold together.

Confirmed launches still to come are Williams (2/2) & Spyker (5/2). STR haven't published a date yet and Super Aguri cancelled theirs because they couldn't get last year's Honda to pass the new crash test.

Nickthenorse said:
Nice to see Red Bull did some accurate aeroelastic modelling on their X-wings and managed to layup the carbon to the correct stiffness

Whatcha talkin' about Willis???

McNutter · 26 Jan 2007 at 18:35

That's the best looking car so far.

Duke · 26 Jan 2007 at 19:13

Does look nice. The nose is similar to the merc a few years ago.

rpstewart · 26 Jan 2007 at 19:18

Duke said:
Does look nice. The nose is similar to the merc a few years ago.

Take the horns off and paint it blue.

2005 McLaren MP4/20

Duke · 26 Jan 2007 at 19:35

Thats the one

Thought it was the year before but couldn't remember

wonder_lander · 26 Jan 2007 at 22:12

When do we get the official calendar? I'm off to Japan but the dates I have booked are in October yet the formula1.com website says it's the end of Sept!

rpstewart · 26 Jan 2007 at 22:38

I thought it was official already. Formula1.com (the FIA site) says 30 September as does everything else I can see. I can't find an official Japanese GP website though.

wonder_lander · 27 Jan 2007 at 00:40

rpstewart said:
I thought it was official already. Formula1.com (the FIA site) says 30 September as does everything else I can see. I can't find an official Japanese GP website though.

Not sure what to do then! I'm off as part of a charity auction prize which includes flights, hotels and race etc.!

Better e-mail the donator of the prize!!

NicktheNorse · 27 Jan 2007 at 01:27

rpstewart said:
Whatcha talkin' about Willis???

Compare the x-wings in this picture to the ones in the picture posted a couple of posts up

Dup · 27 Jan 2007 at 09:17

For the record, could you point out to the less knowledgeable F1 fans what the "x-wings" are please?

Thank you :cool:

NicktheNorse · 27 Jan 2007 at 10:19

The x-wings are the horizontal wings (in the case of the red bull above a bi-plane) with inboard stalks down to the engine cover. They are in between the chimneys (the tall thin structures on the outboard edges of the sidepods) and the main flick (the larger ramp like geometry just in front of the rear tyre).

You'll notice in the picture i posted that the X-wings have been bent downwards compared to their "normal" horizontal level. Looks like someone in the DO (err, design office, sorry) made a mistake in ensuring the stiffness of the x-wing stalk.

tonyyeb · 27 Jan 2007 at 22:34

Do we know the causes of Hamiltons crash yet?

gord · 27 Jan 2007 at 23:59

NicktheNorse said:
The x-wings are the horizontal wings (in the case of the red bull above a bi-plane) with inboard stalks down to the engine cover. They are in between the chimneys (the tall thin structures on the outboard edges of the sidepods) and the main flick (the larger ramp like geometry just in front of the rear tyre).

You'll notice in the picture i posted that the X-wings have been bent downwards compared to their "normal" horizontal level. Looks like someone in the DO (err, design office, sorry) made a mistake in ensuring the stiffness of the x-wing stalk.

Thats some severe bendage.. in that position surely their aerodynamic effect is greatly reduced? What are they for? I thought you wernt allowed moving aerodynamics on F1 cars.. considering the whole wing issue last season.

wonder_lander · 30 Jan 2007 at 17:54

rpstewart said:
I thought it was official already. Formula1.com (the FIA site) says 30 September as does everything else I can see. I can't find an official Japanese GP website though.

Sorted, flying out the 26th September, and back on the 2nd October!