Formula 1 2012

^^^ I'm really glad to have the Kimster back in F1. If the planets line up just right, I could easily see him getting a win this season.
 
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Who, when, where?
 
"I want to live fully, very intensely. I would never want to live partially, suffering from illness or injury. If I ever happen to have an accident that eventually costs my life, I hope it happens in one instant."

Ayrton Senna (1960-1994)

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Yesterdays first day of tests at the Mugello Circuit (Italy) was characterized by almost autumn-like weather, and heavy rain in the afternoon keeping everyone in the pits.

The best laps of the first day as following:

1. Alonso (Ferrari) 1’22”444 (46 laps)
2. Webber (Red Bull) 1’23”648 (24)
3. Vergne (Toro Rosso) 1’23”891 (32)
4. D’Ambrosio (Lotus) 1’24”048 (40)
5. Rosberg (Mercedes) 1’24”100 (49)
6. Kobayashi (Sauber) 1’24”736 (48)
7. Turvey (McLaren) 1’25”303 (30)
8. Bianchi (***** India) 1’25”475 (19)
9. Gonzalez (Caterham) 1’27”197 (35)
10. Pic (Marussia) 1’27”359 (45)
11. Bottas (Williams) 1’29”179 (28)
12. Paffett (McLaren) 1’50”888 (4)
13. Schumacher M. (Mercedes) n.t. (5)

Today the sun is making it's appearance. Testing for Ferrari will be Felipe Massa, with Fernando Alonso returning on Thursday. Romain Grosjean takes over the Lotus from Jerome D'Ambrosio. In the Afternoon Sebastian Vettel will test for Red Bull in place of Mark Webber.

The dry conditions have already allowed times to be faster than the fasted obtained by Fernando Alonso yesterday before lunch break. For now:
Grosjean (Lotus) has marked best time at 1’21”603, 821/1000 faster than Kamui Kobaiashi (Sauber). Felipe Massa's best time (for now) is 1’23”263.




:pimpdaddy
 
Second day of tests at the Mugello Circuit (Italy) has seen a dry day under the Tuscan sun.

The top of the day sees two cars paired in comand with exactly the same lap time.
For Sebastian Vettel it was his first time on the Tuscan Circuit and after a short apprenticeship he commented: "Amazing Track, it takes a bit to figure out where to turn, but then it is really fun to drive here". He took his RB8 within 222/1000 of the Top, passing his team mate Mark Webber.

The best laps of the second day as following:

1. Grosjean (Lotus) 1’21”603 (97 laps)
1. Kobayashi (Sauber) 1’21”603 (87)
3. Vettel (Red Bull) 1’21”826 (64)
4. Webber (Red Bull) 1’21”997 (54)
5. Massa (Ferrari) 1’22”257 (106)
6. Vergne (Toro Rosso) 1’22”422 (65)
7. Ricciardo (Toro Rosso) 1’22”588 (22)
8. Schumacher M. (Mercedes) 1’23”404 (144)
9. Pic (Marussia) 1’23”982 (46)
10. Petrov (Caterham) 1’24”312 (112)
11. Paffett (McLaren) 1’24”480 (59)
12. Glock (Marussia) 1’24”499 (37)
13. Di Resta (***** India) 1’24”749 (14)
14. Senna (Williams) 1’24”842 (100)

Felipe Massa drove the Ferrari in standard-configuration, the first real innovations will be seen on the F2012 which will be entrusted to Fernando Alonso on the Thursday tests.




:pimpdaddy
 
Results of Mugello day 3:

1) Romain Grosjean - 1:21.035
2. Sebastian Vettel - 1:21.267
3. Fernando Alonso - 1:21.363
4. Daniel Ricciardo - 1:21.604
5. Sergio Perez - 1:22.229
6. Nico Hulkenberg - 1:22.325
7. Pastor Maldonado - 1:22.497
8. Nico Rosberg - 1:22.579
9. Oliver Turvey - 1:22.662
10) Paul di Resta - 1:23.002
 
Results of Mugello day 3:

1) Romain Grosjean (Lotus) - 1:21.035 (66 Laps)
2. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) - 1:21.267 (106)
3. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) - 1:21.363 (98)
4. Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso) - 1:21.604 (117)
5. Sergio Perez (Sauber) - 1:22.229 (118)
6. Nico Hulkenberg (***** India) - 1:22.325 (55)
7. Pastor Maldonado (Williams) - 1:22.497 (63)
8. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) - 1:22.579 (129)
9. Oliver Turvey (McLaren) - 1:22.662 (99)
10) Paul di Resta (***** India) - 1:23.002 (34)

11) Heikki Kovaleinen (Caterham) - 1’23”169 (139)
12) Timo Glock (Marussia) - 1’23”466 (110)

Added Team Names, Number of driven Laps, and places 11-12 (all in italics).

Oliver Turvey took over the McLaren again on the last day of tests from Gary Paffett.

As announced Ferrari came to this days test, with the F2012 showing the new exhausts, now blowing more externally and downwards towards the tires. Right after logging in his best time, Alonso went off track in the Correntino turn, damaging the front wing, and suspensions - which took almost 2 hours to repair.

The 3 days close with Lotus ahead of Red Bull (after two days of full testing - the first being characterized by rain). Both teams had brought few inventions to their cars, and concentrated on the basic set-up in preparation for developments expected to arrive for Barcellona.

Fernando Alonso commented: "Here we had very few new things, having decided to aim all on Barcellona where the first big developments will arrive, to which will follow others in Canada and Valencia. But I am satisfied with the work which has been done."

Now as the Teams apparently seem to be betting on introducing their newest developments only in Barcellona, one asks oneself: "if their not going to test innovations during the Tests, when are they expecting to test them to see if they work out? During the race itself??" This bet could work out, but it could also backfire on the teams. We will see how the standings are next week :)
 
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Caterham test driver Alexander Rossi will become the first American to participate in a Grand Prix weekend in almost five years when he replaces Heikki Kovalainen in next Friday’s opening practice session in Spain.

Rossi, a veteran of single-seater series including GP2 and GP3, made his last F1 appearance for the team in November’s young driver test in Abu Dhabi and this year is competing in Formula Renault 3.5 with the Arden Caterham squad.

"I am looking forward to getting back into the F1 car in Spain and I want to thank the team for the chance to run in FP1 in Barcelona,” said the 20-year-old Californian. “I have a clear goal for the session - make sure I run to the plan set by the engineers, not make any mistakes and learn as much as I can over the whole weekend.
 
There is a rumor that Mark Webber has signed with Ferrari. That has been denied by Webber and Christian Horner. However, Webber's contract with Red Bull is in its last year.
 

And if President Nicolas Sarkozy's party loses the election, it is not clear whether the new government would back the race, and if they did whether they would be happy for it to take place at Paul Ricard rather than Magny-Cours, which has long links with their party.

Sarkozy lost the election...
 
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There is a rumor that Mark Webber has signed with Ferrari. That has been denied by Webber and Christian Horner. However, Webber's contract with Red Bull is in its last year.

Personally I don't give much consideration to these rumors. It's not the first time that a Driver's contract is only up to the end of that year, usually the contracts are re-confirmed or changed at about Mid-Season, so for now rumors are nothing than talk, which means little to nothing

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Ah those were some awesome cars at the time.

- Active Suspensions
- 1500 cc Turbo-charged V6 Honda RA166-E engine

And in the above Drivers:
- Satoru Nakajima
- And the best Driver of all time - Ayerton Senna - the last true Champion of the Formula1

Also, personally, I think from pure looks, those cars were way more beautiful to see and watch than those that race now.

PS - The above car, with Senna's Starting Number, was selectable on the Video Game Gran Turismo 3



:pimpdaddy
 
This weekend in Spain will feature the yellow band soft compounds (option) and the silver band hard compounds (prime).

- The asphalt in Barcelona is quite abrasive. Coupled with high ambient temperatures expected over race weekend, this adds on to tire wear.

- The key to a quick lap time in Barcelona is finding the right compromise between aerodynamic grip and mechanical grip. Most teams run with a stiffer set-up in front for a stronger turn in, but run softer in the rear to gain traction.

- Just under 60% of the lap is spent at full throttle, with cars at their top speed of more than 305 kph for around 16 seconds on the straight. The setup calls for a medium to high level of downforce.
 
"I will miss Gilles for two reasons. First, he was the fastest driver in the history of motor racing. Second, he was the most genuine man I have ever known. But he has not gone. The memory of what he has done, what he achieved, will always be there." - Jody Scheckter

"I think Gilles was the perfect racing driver ... He had the best talent of all of us." - Niki Lauda

"In a situation like that I know I would have been scared stiff. But I am sure that when Gilles felt his Ferrari take off, his last thought was anger, plain and simple, because he knew that he had spoiled that one perfect lap." - Eddie Cheever

"His car control was extraordinary, even compared with the many talented drivers I have had the opportunity to drive against over the years. ... [He drove a] Grand Prix car to the absolute limit of its ability." - Jackie Stewart

"His death has deprived us of a great champion - one that I loved very much. My past is scarred with grief; parents, *******, ***. My life is full of sad memories. I look back and see the faces of my loved ones, and among them I see him." - Enzo Ferrari

"Gilles was a totally uncomplicated non-political guy with no hangups whatsoever. He was totally and completely honest. If we were testing .. and the car was rubbish, he'd come in and say 'Look, the car's rubbish ... I don't mind driving the car, don't get me wrong, I'll drive it all day .. and I love every minute of it, but I thought that you ought to know the car's rubbish.' ... The Old Man (Enzo Ferrari) loved him for this." - Harvey Postlethwaite

"The sport is more important than anything. More important than any of the people in it. Of course I say what I think. I always have, even if it upsets people like Ecclestone and Balestre. Why should I be afraid of them? The fans aren't here to see politicians and manipulators. They're here to see Alain and Mario and Carlos and me. I am very secure in my feelings about racing. I make a lot of money from it, but one thing I can tell you for sure: if the money disappeared overnight, I would still be in racing, because I love it. The entrepreneurs would be gone." - Gilles Villeneuve
 
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