F1 Winter Testing / Driver Line-Ups for 2007

Costa says F2007 an evolution

Ferrari's head of the chassis department Aldo Costa says the new F2007 is a development of last year's machine as the Italian squad seek continuity.

Costa, who replaces Ross Brawn as Ferrari's tech chief following the Briton's decision to take a sabbatical, claims the Maranello squad have changed their approach compared to last season when designing the new F2007.

Ferrari finished as runners-up to Renault in last year's championship, but the Italian team looked like the ones to beat in the latter part of the season, winning four of the last five races.

That has led to a more conservative approach when creating this year's car.

"The methodology of the project and the development of the car has been under the sign of continuity," said Costa. "Last year we adopted an aggressive approach and this year we will work with the same rhythm in development as in 2006. This was our aim and we hit our target.

"The aerodynamics have been completely remodelled; above all the front suspension, the air inlets on the main body and the rear axle are tighter and more tapered, to benefit also from the new architecture of the gear box.

"The suspension has been revised also under the aspect of new tyres, while the gear box has a new quick shift system, which will avert time loss during gear-changes. This system lowers the time of gear change, works for all gears and in every condition.

"We have also modified the disposition and the inclination of the radiator. As far as the rear suspension is concerned, it is continuing to evolve.

"Today's car is the one that will debut and has the same wings as the one in 2006. The car, which will go to start at the first GP, will have optimized wings, while this is just a provisional version. The F2007 is however definitive in its structure."

The F2007 will make its track debut tomorrow at the Fiorano circuit.
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Green light for 'red-tyre' rule?

F1 will introduce the so-called 'red rule' to coincide with the beginning of the sport's sole tyre supplier era, we have learned.

It is understood that, in order to enhance Bridgestone's visibility after the withdrawal of Michelin, and to spice up the action for spectators, running two distinct tyre compounds - a 'hard' and a 'soft' - during every race will be mandatory for drivers.

Bridgestone pioneered the idea, involving the colouration of red tyre-walls to differentiate the softer tyre, in Champ Car.


It is understood that all eleven teams and the FIA have agreed to implement the rule for 2007.
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Type_R said:
Tyre story
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I had forgotten we were losing Michelins.. i would say it benefits previous Bridgestone teams more due having Bridgestone setups and contacts already.. but ultimately everyone is on the same tyre. But what does this new rule mean? You have to use hard and softs in a race?

Also whens the Mclaren being launched?
 
Good to see they've agreed on the red tyre rule. While I'm not really a fan of enforced strategy it levels the playing field a bit in that everyone has to use the "wrong" tyre for at least part of the race. From a cost point of view it makes sense too, Bridgestone now know that the vast majority of the tyres they produce will actually be used rather than discarded as was previously the case.
 
gord said:
I had forgotten we were losing Michelins.. i would say it benefits previous Bridgestone teams more due having Bridgestone setups and contacts already.. but ultimately everyone is on the same tyre. But what does this new rule mean? You have to use hard and softs in a race?

Also whens the Mclaren being launched?
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I believe everyone will have to use at least one black and one red set during the race. No idea on qualifying though.

I think there will be a small benefit to the Bridgestone teams but it'll be minimal as this year's tyres are a lot harder than last year. What's more worrying is that despite Bridgestone being the sole supplier there isn't a standard contract until next year so while the teams are equal some are more equal than others.

McLaren launch is later today (15/1).
 
Yeah red tyres will definitely make for the races to be more exciting I think!

McLaren to unveil the MP4-22 later today
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McLaren are set to unveil their 2007 challenger, the MP4-22, at Valencia later today.

The team will lift the covers off their new car at the Spanish circuit with drivers Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton both present.

Testers Pedro de la Rosa and Gary Paffett will also be on hand for the launch as will McLarenCEO Martin Whitmarsh and Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug.

The team presentation will take place at the Cuidad de las Artes y las Ciencias, starting with a street demonstration around the venue, with the drivers in a series of Mercedes-Benz road cars.

This will be followed by a breathtaking demonstration in last year's McLaren Mercedes liveried MP4-21 Formula 1 cars by both Alonso and Hamilton.
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Expect news and pics at around 3 pm our time!
 
Ok, second opinion on the Mclaren now that the site is working again - it's a cut and shut job!! The front is off an MP4-21 and the back is last year's BMW!
 
rpstewart said:
The overalls are BRIGHT!!!!
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Yes they are! But i always remember kimi from last year, any time in the press conference... did he change into clean overalls each time cause they were bright too!!!
 
Type_R said:
No. This thread should have a big 56k NO NO on it... ;)
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Its just when you first go to the page it loads the images and as you scroll you loose your point on the page. anyway.... :rolleyes:
 
That front suspension on the Mclaren certainly looks rather complicated! Alonso thinks the car is fast enough to win the championship, the real question is, is it reliable enough?? :D
 
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