F1 General News and Discussion thread 2011

[Ian G.]

I thought all that had been settled early this year,at least the Testing bit,Ferrari also wanted the option of running a third car but this would wipe out the backmarker Teams according to Bernie.

[Jiji_the_cat]

apparently red bull want relaxing of the aero limitations and ferrari i believe want more testing but also f1 to allow technical innovation again, i guess that means more electronic devices more than anything else.

[bpratt]

I just hope that both teams will come back in to the FOTA fold, as that would be the best option for F1.

I do agree there should be a lot more testing allowed, as that gives the up and coming drivers a chance to get some F1 miles up at a known base circuit. Whilst Friday FP1 sessions allow the spare drivers some track time, it is at a different track each time, and only 1 hour at that. Not really much of a introduction to F1 for some.

[Jiji_the_cat]

Mercedes formula one team name change.
from our friends at mercedes.

MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS

Brackley/Stuttgart
5 December 2011

Silver Arrows works team
to race as MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team

The Mercedes-Benz works Silver Arrows team will compete under the name 'MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team' from the 2012 season.

AMG is the performance brand of Mercedes-Benz, and has been synonymous with performance, sportiness, exciting driving and motorsport success for more than 40 years. The Mercedes AMG brand is the most successful in the history of the DTM, winning 165 races from 342 since 1988 and securing a total of 32 driver, manufacturer and team titles. AMG has also been continuously active in the world of Formula One since 1996, supplying both the Formula 1 Safety Car and the Formula 1 Medical Car. It is therefore a logical step to strengthen the links between AMG and the Formula One activities of Mercedes-Benz.

Norbert Haug, Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, said: "Our new team name fuses the proud traditions of AMG and the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows at the pinnacle of motorsport. These three letters are synonymous with high technology, sporting performance and excitement and this step is a further strong sign of the strategic commitment Mercedes-Benz has made to Formula One. 16 of the 24 drivers on the grid at the season's final Grand Prix in Brazil have, or have had, a connection to Mercedes-Benz. In addition to the role of a works team, our commitment to Formula One comprises the customer engine programme and supply of the official Safety and Medical Cars."

The Mercedes-Benz Formula One powertrain facility at Brixworth, UK has worked closely with AMG for a number of years. This wholly owned Daimler subsidiary will now be renamed 'Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains'.

Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, commented: "The Mercedes AMG brand promises 'Driving Performance' - and what better embodies this philosophy than the intense competitive arena of Formula One? It is an historic first for the AMG name to be associated to the works Silver Arrows team, and offers fantastic opportunities: first, to further build the sporting identity of the Mercedes AMG brand through one of the world's most-watched and most successful sports; second, to explore and deliver technology transfer between road and track. This is already being practised with the SLS AMG E-Cell project, whose electric powertrain will be developed as a joint venture between Mercedes AMG and our F1 engine specialists in Brixworth."

The car with which the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team will compete in the 2012 season is currently under development at the team's headquarters in Brackley, UK. Codenamed F1 W03, it is planned for the car to make its official track debut at the second winter test of 2012, on 21 February at Barcelona.

Team Principal Ross Brawn concluded: "We are very proud to reveal our new team name today. It adds another strong performance element to our team's identity and, by virtue of being shared between Brackley and Brixworth, will forge even stronger links within our team. At the factory, we have been focused for some time on the challenge of 2012, and our very clear ambition to move forward up the grid next year. As always, the winter development and manufacturing processes are a trade-off between time for finding performance in the factory, and time for delivering that performance during pre-season testing.  We believe that the decision to run the car at the second winter test is the optimum compromise for our design and development programme with F1 W03."

About AMG

AMG - for more than 40 years, these three letters have been synonymous worldwide with automotive high performance, sportiness and dynamic driving enjoyment.

The company was founded in 1967 and built its image as the performance brand of Mercedes-Benz through an impressive motorsport track record and high-powered Mercedes car. Today, as a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler AG, AMG is the company's technological spearhead in the performance car segment.

AMG is strongly rooted in the development processes of Mercedes-Benz and offers a unique portfolio of high-performance vehicles. If you're looking for something special, or if you love exclusivity, then Mercedes-AMG is the place for you. The Performance Studio in Affalterbach/Stuttgart also develops and produces individual AMG vehicles in exclusive limited editions.

The AMG performance brand grew out of motorsport, and has been at home on the race track for decades - from the successful DTM commitment to top-level customer motorsport with the SLS AMG GT3.

Over 1,000 employees currently work at the headquarters of Mercedes-AMG GmbH in Affalterbach. Precision and efficiency are part of our DNA - every AMG vehicle promises not just the finest quality down to the smallest details, but also exceptional performance and a fascinating driving experience.

[Mothers Worry]

Alonso has had words about Vettel in a recent interview in a Spanish sports publication stating he isn't convinced the German driver has an overarching talent above and beyond other racers in the field:

"Hamilton has already shown several times that he can win with a car that may not be the best," said Alonso. "Two we have seen do it, the third [Vettel] is yet to.

"The true Vettel we'll see when he has a car capable of only sixth, if he gets it to be second, third or fourth, then fine, but until now we've only seen him in a car that won the championship with five races remaining. We must wait."

Alonso has suffered a year of having to drag his Ferrari to places it doesn't belong, securing nine podium finishes and a win in the process, despite his teammate, Felipe Massa, having failed to finish higher than fifth.

The Spaniard is hoping that will change next season with the introduction of former-McLaren designer, Pat Fry.

"There have been major changes within the team in the last year precisely because of the lack of creativity or lack of speed in the development of the car.

"McLaren is a good example of this, when they start the year with a problem it is resolved in a couple of races and they finish with a chance of winning," he added.

"Pat Fry has brought new ideas, new methodology and I have not the slightest doubt that Ferrari is much better today than it was in the last year and a half. The problems of a lack of creativity, speed and lack of evolution in the car will hopefully be resolved."

Fair enough Fatty; we're all entitled to our opinions.

[bpratt]

So Alonso, Vettel's win at Monza in a Toro Rosso a couple of years ago was because it was in the best car was it ? 

The guy has talent, unfortunately for Webber he's managed to get the team to work behind him instead. Alonso likewise has the team built behind him too, so it makes it less hard (won't say easy) for him to put in the performances the both have done this year.

[Jiji_the_cat]

on again off again. looks like circuit of the americas is back on for 2012.   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 7, 2011
Formula 1TM and Circuit of The AmericasTM Ready to Roll
10-Year Race Contract Brings F1TM Back to the U.S. in 2012; Construction to Resume Immediately
AUSTIN, Texas – December 7, 2011 –

 Circuit of The Americas announced today they have reached an agreement with Formula One Management that ensures the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix remains on the FIA Formula 1 World Championship race calendar.
Red McCombs, chairman of McCombs Enterprises and founding partner of Circuit of The Americas stated, “Mr. Ecclestone received his check today. We want to thank the fans supporting us, the local officials and businesses that have encouraged us, the State of Texas, Circuit of The Americas’ staff and Bernie himself. I want to thank and commend Bobby Epstein for getting us across the finish line. Bobby’s perseverance and leadership kept the project on track despite unfair and unfounded criticism.”
“Our investors have believed all along that this project has tremendous benefit for our region, and provides a strong economic engine for the future,” stated Epstein, founding partner of Circuit of The Americas. “We remain committed to reaching our goal of being valuable community partners as we establish a platform for sports and entertainment. We’re glad that Tavo’s vision of bringing F1 to the people of Texas will become a reality.”
Engineering and construction teams working on the track will resume immediately, ensuring completion for the 2012 race date.
“We have a substantial number of fans who have expressed interest in buying tickets and hospitality, so today is a win for all of them as much as it is for Circuit of The Americas,” said Steve Sexton, president of Circuit of The Americas. “We encourage everyone to visit our website and register for information. Registered fans will receive the first communication regarding ticket sales plans. In a matter of weeks we will have more exciting news as we unveil our full calendar of world class events.”
Fans interested in receiving information about tickets for next year’s Formula 1 United States Grand Prix can register their contact information at www.CircuitofTheAmericas.com. Ticket sales information will be communicated to those registered prior to general public notification.
About Circuit of The Americas
Circuit of The Americas will be a world-class destination for performance, education and business. It will be the first purpose-built Formula 1 Grand Prix facility in the United States designed for any and all classes of racing, from motor power to human power.
The master plan for Circuit of The Americas features a variety of permanent structures designed
for business, education, entertainment and race use. Its signature element will be a 3.4-mile (5.5-km) circuit track. Other support buildings will include a medical facility, 14 executive meeting suites, a conference center, and a banquet hall, as well as an expansive outdoor live music space. Future proposed amenities include a driving/riding experience, a motorsports driving club, kart track, grand plaza event center and tower, and a trackside recreational vehicle park.
For more information and downloadable video, audio and photos, visit:
www.CircuitofTheAmericas.com

[Jiji_the_cat]

FIA's new F1 regulations.

Press Release
 World Motor Sport Council
07/12/2011

The final 2011 meeting of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) took place in New Delhi, India, today (7 December). The FIA President, Jean Todt, opened the meeting by thanking Vijay Mallya and Vicky Chandhok for their hospitality and for hosting the week of FIA meetings in India.

The following decisions were taken:

FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Changes to the 2012 Technical Regulations

• All engine standard ECU set up and control parameters, which were formerly contained only within a Technical Directive, are now contained within the relevant parts of the Technical Regulations.
• The exhaust tailpipes are now strictly regulated in order to ensure that the aerodynamic effect exhaust gases have on the car is kept to an absolute minimum.
• Better marking of in-car emergency switches operated by marshals are now stipulated.
• The side impact structures will now have to be subjected to a further (upward) push-off test.

Changes to the 2012 Sporting Regulations

• Cars may no longer take part in pre-season testing without having passed all crash tests.
• There will now be a maximum race time of four hours to ensure that a lengthy suspension of a race does not result in a race that could run up to eight hours if left unregulated.
• Before the safety car returns to the pits all lapped cars will be allowed to unlap themselves and then join the back of the pack, ensuring a clean re-start without slower cars impeding those racing for the leading positions.
• Cars which were in the pit lane when a race is suspended will now be allowed to re-join the cars on the grid in the position they were in when the race was suspended.
• Drivers may no longer leave the track without a justifiable reason, i.e. cutting a chicane on reconnaissance laps or ‘in’ laps to save time and fuel.
• Drivers may no longer move back onto the racing line having moved off it to defend a position.
• One three-day test will be carried out during the season, formerly there were none.
• All stewards’ decisions which are not subject to appeal are now in one place instead of being in various places within the regulations.
• All tyres allocated to a driver may now be used on the first day of practice; formerly only three sets were permitted.

The 2012 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar was confirmed as previously published.

[Jiji_the_cat]

From our friends at caterham

TEAM LOTUS CONFIRMS JOHN ILEY APPOINTMENT

Hingham, UK - 8th December 2011

Team Lotus has today confirmed that John Iley, one of the leading aerodynamicists in global motorsport, has joined the team as Performance Director, heading up all aerodynamics, CFD and related activity for the team and reforming the successful partnership he previously enjoyed with Mike Gascoyne at Jordan and Renault F1.
 
John joins from Vodafone McLaren Mercedes where he was Head of Aerodynamics and will start with the team, which will be running as Caterham F1 Team from December 14th 2011, in June 2012. A graduate of Imperial College, London, John made his start in motor racing with Brun Technics, a British design office working for the Eurobrun F1 team and worked on the design of the Brun-Judd C91 sports car during 1990. Early in 1991 he was hired to be the aerodynamicist on the Allard J2X sports car and then joined Jordan Grand Prix in 1995 as an aerodynamicist. By 1998 Mike Gascoyne had also joined Jordan and promoted John to Chief Aerodynamicist where they worked together on the team’s most successful F1 chassis before he and Mike moved to Renault F1 in 2002. From there he moved to Ferrari and finally McLaren before making the move to Caterham F1 Team in 2012.
 
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh said: “John greatly contributed to the aerodynamic capability at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes but has taken the decision to accept an offer from Caterham F1 team for 2012 and beyond. We enjoyed working with John and wish him well for the future.”
 
Riad Asmat, Caterham Group CEO added: “We are absolutely delighted that John has taken up the challenge we have offered him, to help take us to the next level on and off track in one of the key areas of performance in Formula 1. It is a real sign of our growth and development as a serious contender for long-term honours that we can attract someone of John’s calibre and we are all very excited about the contribution he will make to our future success from the moment he starts work with our team.”

[Jiji_the_cat]

HRT Downplay Caterham Link

F1 backmarkers HRT have denied suggestions that a company linked to Team Lotus – soon to be known as Caterham – are to build the monocoque for its 2012 car.

The team is currently working on the F112 as it seeks to build its own car in-house, although there have been suggestions that it was seeking to outsource some of the work to Caterham Technology and Innovation.
However, in a statement, HRT has downplayed that talk and says it will be building its third car alone and remains focused on being ready for the first pre-season test in February.

“After the recent information appearing lately in the media, HRT F1 Team is obliged to deny that Caterham Technology and Innovation, a subsidiary company of Caterham F1, will be in charge of the design and fabrication of the F112's monocoque,” the statement read. “Contrary to what has been published, the development of the car that HRT F1 Team will compete with in next year's Formula 1 World Championship is being carried out at the team's technical office in Munich by a team of designers under the technical supervision of Jacky Eeckelaert and chief aerodynamicist Stephan Chosse.

“Despite the tight deadlines and a rule change for 2012 meaning that crash tests and chassis homologation procedures must be completed before any cars can test, the team is confident that the new car will be ready for preseason testing in February.”

HRT is one of the teams yet to confirm a full driver line-up for 2012, having only announced Pedro de la Rosa thus far.

[Jiji_the_cat]

PATRICK HEAD STEPS DOWN FROM THE BOARD OF WILLIAMS GRAND PRIX HOLDINGS PLC

31 December 2011. Grove, UK. Williams Grand Prix Holdings PLC (Ticker: WGF1) today confirms that Director of Engineering Patrick Head will step down from its Board of Directors with immediate effect.

Patrick co-founded Williams F1 in 1977 with Frank Williams and over three decades has led the team’s engineering department. In that time, Williams F1 has won 113 Grands Prix and secured nine Constructors’ and seven Drivers’ World Championships.

Patrick will continue in his role as a Board Director of Williams Hybrid Power Limited, a subsidiary of the company that develops and produces hybrid technologies.
The company wishes Patrick well in his future activities and remains indebted for his service to Williams F1 over the past 34 years.
Frank Williams commented, “Patrick and I have been in partnership for 34 years. During that time, he has been the leader of the technical team that has won the majority of our race wins and championships. This is a remarkable legacy and one which will be treasured and definitely not forgotten.
“Patrick is a very straightforward, hard working and truly gifted engineer who comfortably operates at a world class level. I will miss him very much, as I am sure his colleagues will, and he will always be welcome at Grove. Indeed, Patrick will still be seen around the factory as he continues to be involved in the development of our hybrid power activities.”

from The Williams F1 Communications Office