Formula 1 2012

[TheAdmiral]

Caterham unveiled their car, the CT01, on Thursday, so I figured I'd start this thread. If you dont know, Caterham last year was known as Team Lotus.

 

[knowone]

Got a good team line up or schedule of races?

 

[TheAdmiral]

Red Bull Racing: Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes: Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton
Scuderia Ferrari: Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa
Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team: Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg
Lotus F1 Team (formerly Lotus Renault GP): Kimi Raikkonen, Romain Grosjean
Sahara Force India F1 Team: Paul di Resta, Nico Hulkenberg
Sauber F1 Team: Kamui Kobayashi, Sergio Perez
Scuderia Toro Rosso: Daniel Ricciardo, Jean-Eric Vergne
Williams F1: Pastor Maldonado, Bruno Senna
Caterham F1 Team (formerly Team Lotus): Heikki Kovalainen, Jarno Trulli
HRT F1 Team: Pedro de la Rosa, TBA
Marussia F1 Team (formerly Virgin Racing): Timo Glock, Charles Pic

Rubens Barrichello left Williams.
Sebastien Buemi was released by Scuderia Toro Rosso and is now a test driver for Red Bull.
Robert Kubica will not be ready for the start of the season.
Vitaly Petrov's contract with Lotus was terminated.
Adrian Sutil left Force India.
Vitantonio Liuzzi left HRT and joined the Indian i1 Super Series.
Jerome d'Ambrosio is now the third driver for Lotus.

 

[TheAdmiral]

 

[jlm555]

Vettell will win it all again, he is the Jimmie Johnson of Formula 1

 

[Johan]

You can't be so sure even before the very first race. Who would have thought Jenson Button could win it all on 2009 ?
Vettel is the #1 but he'll have some tough challengers : Webber, Alonso, Hamilton and Button

I hope Alonso will make it

 

[larss]

New cars - new designs to take into account the rule changes.
There is only one that may significantly affect the cars, and that is no blown diffusers.
The FIA is clamping down on engine mapping and exhaust positioning to minimise designers’ use of exhaust gases in a car’s aerodynamics, effectively outlawing blown diffusers.
This is what helped Red Bull and Vettel to the title last year, so it will be interesting to see what happens in the opening race.

I am not taking anything away from Vettel - he is an astounding driver, but these little design advantages all help.

 

[MILF Man]

Very excited that Kimi Räikkönen is back this year!

GO Kimi!!!!!

 

[Johan]

Yeah, kimi's back but his Lotus won't allow him to win any Grand Prix. A race he will end in the top 5 will be considered as a very good one.

 

[Slaughtersun]

Hell yeah, the Iceman cometh! Coolest dude ever. Can't wait to see him drive and listen to his legendary inerviews.

I think Vettel will complete the triple though, which is fine by me, but maybe it will be a little bit closer. I would also love to see Mercedes improve so that Rosberg could be in the fight.

 

[TheAdmiral]

Caterham launch gallery

http://www.formula1.com/gallery/launches/2012/660.html

 

[Rey C.]

Subscribed.

 

[nelmes69]

Barrichello will be missed.

I hope Hamilton sorts his shit out this year.

 

[dexy49]

Barrichello will be missed.

I hope Hamilton sorts his shit out this year.

Amen on that. Should be a good season. Especially if your a sky hd customer.

 

[TheAdmiral]

The McLaren MP4-27 launches on Feburary 1!

Kimi Raikkonen Lotus test photo gallery
http://www.formula1.com/gallery/other/2012/659.html

 

[TheAdmiral]

Michael Johnson Performance Visits Williams F1

The Williams F1 Team welcomed Michael Johnson Performance to the factory in Grove last week for a two day visit focused on giving double gold medallist and world record holder Michael Johnson and his team an understanding of the work that goes into a race weekend and the mechanics of a pit stop. The main focus of the partnership will be to work together to speed up the team’s pit stop times for the 2012 season.

Michael and his team explored the factory and learnt what goes into the production of a Formula One car, but the visit was centred on spending time with the pit crew and beginning MJP’s evaluation and analysis of the training needed to improve the team’s fitness and speed in pit stops. He met with key members of the technical team to get an insight into the strategy and workings of a pit stop in a race situation, and then spent an afternoon with the pit crew, observing their pit stop practice to begin understanding the type of training needed to be most effective.

 

[Rey C.]

I admit that I mostly like him because I was a HUGE fan of his uncle (Ayrton), but what do the fans here think of Bruno Senna? I don't expect him to set the world on fire (especially in the Williams), but I think in a stable environment, he's better than what many think. Hamilton is still my main guy. But is anyone else cheering for Bruno? :dunno:

 

[ArsErotika]

I am cheering for the legacy of Ayrton, mostly. Bruno seems likable, and a decent enough driver. If he were in better equipment, I think he'd be a great addition to the competition near the front. But I haven't seen anything that makes me think he could be a world champion.

 

[larss]

Adrian Sutil convicted over nightclub fracas

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16810585

 

[TheAdmiral]

Dont Forget!

This time tomorrow you would have seen our BRAND NEW MP4-27!! Don't forget to watch its launch LIVE on McLaren.com AND right here on our Facebook page tomorrow from 11am GMT!

http://www.mclaren.com/page/watch-the-launch-of-the-vodafone-mclaren-mercedes-mp4-27-live-1