This has been a dreadful time for [tag]Super Aguri[/tag] with seemingly no end in sight. Last week they pulled out of this week’s test session at Barcelona’s [tag]Circuit de Catalunya[/tag] with only ‘circumstances beyond our control’, but did say they would have a media question and answer session instead.

Financial issues with sponsors and driver contracts are burdening this team and although they seem upbeat, it’s almost too much. Questions about the team’s future in F1 are always circulating, but last week when asked about the possibility of folding the team, Suzuki remained adamantly against it.

Now, the media Q&A they scheduled in Spain with [tag]Aguri Suzuki[/tag] and his technical director [tag]Mark Preston[/tag] has also been called off again with no public answer as to why. This could be good news and they’re not ready to talk about it, or more bad news, but at this late date, and only one test session, this season is a lost cause.

With the never ending struggles this team is having, even just to be able to attend test sessions makes me seriously wonder why they don’t just pull the plug. Australia is just around the corner and they’re unlikely to unveil their final driver line-up, livery and sponsorship package until then.

If you enjoyed this story, make sure you subscribe to F1-ToGo RSS feed!

• 0 Comments. Leave one because we like them.

What was more anticipated, the car or the livery?

Honda revealed a different coloured car than we saw earlier this week at their official launch. The launch took place this morning at their headquarters in Brakley.

We’ve already seen the new RA108 on the track in it’s initial shakedown and a little bit of testing and initial impressions are, well, it’s better than last years car.

Honda has reaffirmed it’s commitment to F1 and is determined to revive a hurting team. One process in achieving this was to change direction in car design philosophy and this is exactly what is happening with help from a stronger engineering team with more experience. Ross Brawn having taken leadership has also steered this team in what they hope is a new direction and the right direction.

Livery! Toned down quite a bit and incorporating the teams’s Earthdreams Program. Essintially this is a concept representing Honda’s commitment to harnessing the passion of Formula One and its partners to provide support and investment for good causes through a unique cause related marketing initiative.

I’m really pulling for Honda this year. It was an embarrassing 2007 season Honda who have had such a successful time in F1 over the years. Let’s hope they can shave a few seconds.

Ross Brawn, Team Principal says:

“The RA108 car is a wholly different concept to its predecessors, in terms of its aerodynamic layout and mechanical structure. The design philosophy has been developed to allow greater scope for aerodynamic packaging and exploitation, particularly to facilitate the introduction of performance upgrades through the season.

If you enjoyed this story, make sure you subscribe to F1-ToGo RSS feed!

• 2 Comments

Monday, January 21

Monday, Williams showed their new car for 2008 in Valencia. Test driver Nico Hulkenberg gave it a good shakedown briefly before fog stopped the session until later in the day.

Renault also rolled out the R28 at Valencia, just over a week (10 days) from their official Paris launch date. Fog again was the story of the morning delaying any work until around midday. Fernando did eventually get out and put in a good 39 laps and declared himself satisfied in his first impression of the car.

“When you have your first day with a new car, you always have to take your time to check that all the systems are functioning correctly, and that is what we did today.”

“We were able to lengthen our runs little by little and ended the day with a 14-lap stint.

Nigel Stepney got himself back in the news today saying “It’s not my fault”. He apologized for the mess created by his actions but doesn’t feel responsible for the spy scandal nor the penalties McLaren incurred.

Tuesday, January 22

Darkness seems to be the new trend on track with the news that this years Malaysian grand prix may just be the last held in daylight. The Circuit chairman, Mokhzani Mahathir spoke with the New Straits Times and hinted he was investigating the possibility of a night race for 2009.

“Our target is to have the race at night next year and the same consultants who are doing the lighting for the Singapore grand prix are advising us on our lighting system.”

BMW-Sauber showed off a radical front nose wing at testing at the Valencia circuit on Tuesday.

If you enjoyed this story, make sure you subscribe to F1-ToGo RSS feed!

• 2 Comments

The first of 4 days of testing at Valencia got underway today, but only briefly. Williams and Renault, being the only 2 scheduled today were thwarted by fog and ended the day just an hour into it.

Renault, having their official R28 launch date on January 31, unveiled it early and on track in Valencia today. Despite the lated official launch, a shakedown and testing must be done in the interest of time prior to the launch, but after just a brief shakedown appearance amongst a throng of reporters, Fernando Alonso was pulled in by track officials due to poor visibility on track.

Initial looks at the new Renault R28 find it similar to the R27, but with a radically different front wing.

There will be much more on this car later.

Williams, without an official launch, revealed more detail about their car today when Nico Hulkenberg, their new test driver began the shakedown today.
The new FW30 is similar to the R29 in structure, and features a zero keel and dual pillar rear wing, with notable visual changes including a three plane front wing, increased sidepod top cooling louvres in view of the altered orientation of the water radiators, the sidepod and side impact sails and the increased cockpit sides for compliance with the new driver safety requirements.

Technical Director Sam Michael says:

“Our focus has been on performance as well as refining our packaging and weight distribution. We are designing a tidier car with a higher standard of build quality. The FW30 should represent a good step forward when all of the many small areas of attention and improvement are brought together in the overall package.”

Tomorrow, 9 other teams join Renault and Williams for the remaining days at Valencia and hopefully weather won’t play as much of a factor.

If you enjoyed this story, make sure you subscribe to F1-ToGo RSS feed!

• 0 Comments. Leave one because we like them.

A departure from the fanfare of an official launch, Red Bull reveiled their car during testing at Jerez today. A pit lane show off to the media went well just before a wet track greeted it.

This new RB4 is the second car to be designed by Adrian Newey and everyone hopes it will be fast and more reliable than last years car which was plagued with reliablilty issues, especially the hydraulics systems, but it did have speed.

Chris Horner said recently:

“For the first time in our short history, there is continuity within the design group, with our engine partner and with the drivers.”

“It’s always a key moment to see a new car run for the first time,” he said.

“And particularly in the case of RB4, that first lap represents a monumental amount of work from the entire workforce.

“Over the last few weeks, all the departments have made Herculean efforts to get the car ready for this shakedown today.”

Red Bull had an announcement today that Sebastien Buemi has been signed as the team’s official test and reserve driver for 2008. Buemi also drives in GP2 so will have a busy season coming up.

“This appointment is a big step forward for me,” commented Buemi. “I am delighted and thank Red Bull, which has supported me in the lower formulas since 2005. I will do my best to concentrate on combining my GP2 racing commitment with my duties for Red Bull Racing and I am looking forward to the year ahead.”

If you enjoyed this story, make sure you subscribe to F1-ToGo RSS feed!

• 0 Comments. Leave one because we like them.

Here are the technical specs of the BMW Sauber F1.08

CHASSIS - F1.08
Chassis: carbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension: upper and lower wishbones (front and rear), inboard springs and dampers, actuated by pushrods (Sachs Race Engineering)
Brakes: six-piston brake callipers (Brembo), carbon pads and discs (Brembo, Carbone Industrie)
Transmission: 7-speed quick shift gearbox, longitudinally mounted, carbon-fibre clutch (AP)
Chassis electronics: MES
Steering wheel: BMW Sauber F1 Team
Tyres: Bridgestone Potenza
Wheels: OZ
Dimensions: length 4,600 mm
width 1,800 mm
height 1,000 mm
track width, front 1,470 mm
track width, rear 1,410 mm
wheelbase 3,130 mm
Weight: 605 kg (incl. driver, tank empty)

ENGINE - BMW P86/8
Type: normally aspirated V8
Bank angle: 90 degrees
Displacement: 2,400 cc
Valves: four per cylinder
Valve train: pneumatic
Engine block: aluminium
Cylinder head: aluminium
Crankshaft: steel
Oil system: dry sump lubrication
Engine management: standard ECU (MES)
Spark plugs: NGK
Pistons: aluminium
Connecting rods: titanium
Dimensions: length 518 mm
width 555 mm
height 595 mm (overall)
Weight: 95 kg
Maximum engine speed: 19,000 rpm

If you enjoyed this story, make sure you subscribe to F1-ToGo RSS feed!

• 0 Comments. Leave one because we like them.

Today BMW Sauber revealed their F1.08 to a large crowd of media at BMW Weld in Munich. In canada where I am, noon local time is 6am my time and I was up watching the live streaming video of the launch. Yes, BMW Sauber is my team and I was looking forward to this and the future of this team.

I have captured most of this video and split it into 7 smaller files featuring different aspects of the presentation. They can be seen below.

The team is now at a full staff of 730, 430 in Hinwil and 300 in Munich. This has lead to more resources and were able to invest much more in development of this car. As Tech Director Willie Rampf said, it is a ‘radical evolution.’ He went on to say quite a bit about the car focusing on aerodynamic efficiency and balance leading to greater stability and improved downforce at the rear end.

A lot of work went into saving on weight throughout the whole car as well as mandated changes particularly the standard electronics. In 2007, BMW Sauber were noted for a faulty gear box and so a lot of work went into the gearbox environment especially when rules state it must last for 4 race weekends.

The front wing is the most radical and noticeable change so far. It is much larger, but thinner than the F1.07. On the topic of wings, there is a new wing arrangement above the engine cover intended to generate more downforce while improving air flow to the rear wing.

Mario Theissen:

“It will certainly be difficult because the two teams in front of us are the strongest and most experienced in F1.”

If you enjoyed this story, make sure you subscribe to F1-ToGo RSS feed!

• 0 Comments. Leave one because we like them.

It’s Toyota’s day for a little celebration. Today, Toyota revealed it’s TF108 to the media and others in Cologne Germany. Colour scheme, boring, traditional white and red.

There are significant changes in the new car because of the dismal 2007 performance. Better balance with the aero package and a longer wheel base are 2 changes to help the new car and on the inside, a new and improved gear box.

Senior General Manager Chassis Pascal Vasselon says:

“The main reason for making the wheelbase longer is to achieve more stability, but secondly we also expect greater aerodynamic development potential, giving our aerodynamicists wider surfaces and more space to play with.”

President John Howett says:

“We look in good shape for 2008, there is no question about that. The hard work continues all the time. We started the TF108 in earnest more or less the day the TF107 hit the track and the development has been remorseless, which it has to be because of the competitive pressure of Formula 1.

“The key issue has been to identify the major elements which contribute to performance enhancement and put more resources into those areas. Clearly the car is improving, I think, dramatically and continually, but so are the other cars. It is therefore the relative rate of performance gain that is absolutely critical. We have to work harder and smarter than our competitors.”

The TF108 is significantly different than previous cars, both on the outside and the inside, as a result of the team’s continuous search for improvement, as well as regulation changes.

So, Toyota has ceased their previous path of improving the TF106 concept and are concentrating on a more complete car optimization. What do they call it? Ggenchi genbutsu - going to the source is what they say in order to have aerodynamic efficiency and drivability.

If you enjoyed this story, make sure you subscribe to F1-ToGo RSS feed!

• 3 Comments

Kimi tested the new F2008 yesterday in Fiorano. Everyone was there for this first test including Michael Schumacher and Luca di Montezemolo . The weather was pretty bad for a test, but the atmosphere seems to be pretty relaxed. Kimi cracks a lot of smiles and as usual is as cool as it gets. I wonder what goes on in his mind because you just can never see it from the outside. It’s a long video with not a lot of on track stuff, mostly hand shakes and chatter inside and a little work on the car.

In the end Raikkonen thought the first run was a “possitive one”

“The weather could have been better today. Next week we have further possibilities to see how the car behaves.”

“You can handle the car even without the traction control.”

If you enjoyed this story, make sure you subscribe to F1-ToGo RSS feed!

• 0 Comments. Leave one because we like them.

Super Aguri announced that they will be jumping into the car launch frenzy and present their 2008 SA08 on February 19. The unveiling will come at Circuit de Catalunya in front of the media, team principal Aguri Suzuki, tech director Mark Preston, and of course the drivers. Drivers who still need to sign contracts, but have been named in the FIA official entry list for 2008..
This is something new for the team as it is a departure from the previous years when Super Aguri flashed their car just before the first race of the season.

If you enjoyed this story, make sure you subscribe to F1-ToGo RSS feed!

• 0 Comments. Leave one because we like them.