2014 launch thread

andrew2209 · Post by **andrew2209** » 23 Jan 2014, 16:10

Martini at Williams? I'm pleased with that, I've always thought that he deserves a faster car, and his career at Minardi has stalled.

Post by **Ataxia** » 23 Jan 2014, 16:43

New lid for Mr. Rosberg:

Post by **mario** » 23 Jan 2014, 18:31

good_Ralf wrote:The Williams doesn't look too ugly, but it doesn't look that quick either, even if I think Williams will be winners this year and the livery in the picture is for pre-season testing. And my reaction to Martini possibly sponsoring the team? Not a bad choice (Ferrari were sponsored by it around 2007-8).

Well, bear in mind that these are just conceptual renders from Williams at the moment, so they are probably leaving out a fair amount of the finer details on their car (although there are a few interesting details around the front wing supports and additional cooling gills around the airbox area).
It is probably the case that the teams will start out with simpler cars than we are perhaps used to seeing in recent years due to the changes in the aero regulations and revised cooling requirements, but a reasonable amount of development between pre-season tests as teams hone their designs.

AndreaModa · Post by **AndreaModa** » 23 Jan 2014, 18:44

mario wrote:
good_Ralf wrote:The Williams doesn't look too ugly, but it doesn't look that quick either, even if I think Williams will be winners this year and the livery in the picture is for pre-season testing. And my reaction to Martini possibly sponsoring the team? Not a bad choice (Ferrari were sponsored by it around 2007-8).

Well, bear in mind that these are just conceptual renders from Williams at the moment, so they are probably leaving out a fair amount of the finer details on their car (although there are a few interesting details around the front wing supports and additional cooling gills around the airbox area).
It is probably the case that the teams will start out with simpler cars than we are perhaps used to seeing in recent years due to the changes in the aero regulations and revised cooling requirements, but a reasonable amount of development between pre-season tests as teams hone their designs.

It's going to be like 2009 all over again really, though the aerodynamics won't be as primitive as they were then, but they'll still be fairly simple. Remember those flat unsculpted front wings and endplates?

roblo97 · Post by **roblo97** » 23 Jan 2014, 19:50

It's a shame the F1 cars will not look like this artists rendering this season.

Aerospeed · Post by **Aerospeed** » 23 Jan 2014, 20:27

roblomas52 wrote:It's a shame the F1 cars will not look like this artists rendering this season.

That would require a much bigger engine.

Barbazza · Post by **Barbazza** » 23 Jan 2014, 21:56

So, which team is going to build a nose for a car that looks most like the Footwork Porsche? I hope someone does!

watka · Post by **watka** » 24 Jan 2014, 00:05

AndreaModa wrote:
mario wrote:
good_Ralf wrote:The Williams doesn't look too ugly, but it doesn't look that quick either, even if I think Williams will be winners this year and the livery in the picture is for pre-season testing. And my reaction to Martini possibly sponsoring the team? Not a bad choice (Ferrari were sponsored by it around 2007-8).

Well, bear in mind that these are just conceptual renders from Williams at the moment, so they are probably leaving out a fair amount of the finer details on their car (although there are a few interesting details around the front wing supports and additional cooling gills around the airbox area).
It is probably the case that the teams will start out with simpler cars than we are perhaps used to seeing in recent years due to the changes in the aero regulations and revised cooling requirements, but a reasonable amount of development between pre-season tests as teams hone their designs.

It's going to be like 2009 all over again really, though the aerodynamics won't be as primitive as they were then, but they'll still be fairly simple. Remember those flat unsculpted front wings and endplates?

I actually quite liked all those chunky, blocky cars. Each team's car was individually distinctive that year.

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 24 Jan 2014, 07:53

Wallio wrote:
DanielPT wrote:In other news, Formula 1 cars to become a phallic symbol.

I actually like that little anteater snout. I'm a terrible person aren't I?

No, you're perhaps like me in that you don't see what the big deal is.

Rusujuur · Post by **Rusujuur** » 24 Jan 2014, 08:29

roblomas52 wrote:It's a shame the F1 cars will not look like this artists rendering this season.

Not only bigger engines but aslo slightly different rules. I have a strong feeling they will update the aero rules by next season to do away with the ugly noses. How that will play out is yet to be seen but there have been som many negative comments this pre-season from both technical and driver sources that they are probably already working on a solution.

I really liked the cars from about 1990-2000 before they had all those bits added for extra aero. Was it Tyrell who started itwith their periscopes?. So I am quite fond of the layout since the aero shenanigans were banned but the nose issue has obviously been wierd. I mean, they could have come up with rules that would have mandated a Brawn nose rather easily. Some of the rendering pundits immediately saw the stepped nose and the "ding-dong", why not ask them for some advice?

Basetornado · Post by **Basetornado** » 24 Jan 2014, 09:17

I liked the step noses. I didnt see them as particularly ugly. I dont feel quite as supportive of the new noses, but its something we will just get used too.

Basetornado · Post by **Basetornado** » 24 Jan 2014, 09:24

Ataxia wrote:New lid for Mr. Rosberg:

So Rosberg has chosen to use Roman Numerals for the new rule of having your number on your helmet.

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:02

Dear god almighty...

Post by **Londoner** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:05

Good word. I know I said I wouldn't care what the cars look like, but bloody hell that's awful. Just make the nose join the front wing ala the early 1990s cars and this thing wouldn't be a monstrosity.

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:08

Hmmm, no lead sponsor reveal yet then. They are getting closer to run this car in orange, but that colour won't help its look much.

AustralianStig · Post by **AustralianStig** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:09

Lotus's car looks beautiful, despite them still sticking with the horrible red sections.

https://twitter.com/Lotus_F1Team/status ... 64/photo/1

Will be interesting to see if the double snout actually works though.

Post by **Londoner** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:11

Holy bathplug, that Lotus.

rachel1990 · Post by **rachel1990** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:12

I Think it looks great.
However I thought last years caterham looked great and that can mean nothing these days

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:12

AustralianStig wrote:Lotus's car looks beautiful, despite them still sticking with the horrible red sections.

https://twitter.com/Lotus_F1Team/status ... 64/photo/1

Will be interesting to see if the double snout actually works though.

Total probably required them to keep red. And it fits with Maldonado's PDVSA sponsorship, so that was pretty much expected to stay.
I don't understand why they put Genii's website under the logo, for me it's not that usual to see that kind of advertising. (Also, Yota Phone?)
The nose looks interesting, but I'd like to see it from the front though.

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:13

That is one very ugly car (the McLaren)...

Also, despite being small, that will still strike fear in the car just in front of it. Suddenly being rear ended in F1 got a lot nastier.

As for the Lotus, I quite like it. Although I am not sure if it is fast...

Ferrim · Post by **Ferrim** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:14

I don't know if it's because of the color or what, but I quite like it. The nose has something that forces me to keep looking at it... it's different, and it doesn't have any "jumps".

Compare with the Lotus, now that's weird.

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:14

AustralianStig wrote:Lotus's car looks beautiful, despite them still sticking with the horrible red sections.

https://twitter.com/Lotus_F1Team/status ... 64/photo/1

Will be interesting to see if the double snout actually works though.

It's not that bad, actually. It just looks plain weird.

What worries me more though is the distinct lack of PDVSA logos, despite Maldonado paying through the nose for the seat...

Shadaza · Post by **Shadaza** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:17

Wizzie wrote:
AustralianStig wrote:Lotus's car looks beautiful, despite them still sticking with the horrible red sections.

https://twitter.com/Lotus_F1Team/status ... 64/photo/1

Will be interesting to see if the double snout actually works though.

It's not that bad, actually. It just looks plain weird.

What worries me more though is the distinct lack of PDVSA logos, despite Maldonado paying through the nose for the seat...

Perhaps it works the other way round and PDVSA's millions can only buy that much on the car. Lotus PR department could be that good!

eytl · Post by **eytl** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:23

OK, obviously my sense of taste is different from most of you.

Whereas I didn't like the Force India livery and most of you did, I think the McLaren nose, whilst phallic ... um, I mean, anteater-like ... is OK given how it's sculpted into the front-wing mounts. What's far more disturbing is the continuation of a silver livery. Not only haven't they announced a title sponsor (they already said a few days ago that they wouldn't be), but I get a feeling they'll be making do without one this year. They were talking about how their existing partners had already stumped up enough such that their 2014 budget is bigger than last year's. So why not have a season in traditional McLaren orange, and launch the car likewise? That chrome job gets a 1/10 from me.

As for the Lotus nose, either it's the return of the walrus or they've been inspired by tuning forks ... like the livery though ...

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:25

eytl wrote:So why not have a season in traditional McLaren orange, and launch the car likewise?

That'd be sensible without a title sponsor. I hope they'll go for it.

Ferrim · Post by **Ferrim** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:26

By the way, now I'm wondering how on Earth will we differenciate between the Mercedes and the McLaren? Without the red element, the McLaren will look just the same.

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:26

DanielPT wrote:As for the Lotus, I quite like it. Although I am not sure if it will complete the season...

Fixed.

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:27

Ferrim wrote:By the way, now I'm wondering how on Earth will we differenciate between the Mercedes and the McLaren? Without the red element, the McLaren will look just the same.

The Mercedes will be the ones up the front and the McLarens will be at the back battling for 17th.

Post by **Ataxia** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:34

That Lotus is hellishly pretty...my word. I hope it's quick...

As for that McLaren, it's probably my least favourite of the reveals so far. The livery looks bare, and the nose is the most penisy of the lot. Blimey.

Jocke1 · Post by **Jocke1** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:35

Which team will be first to launch an antianteater?
Antianteaterwinslol?

eytl · Post by **eytl** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:38

Shizuka wrote:
eytl wrote:So why not have a season in traditional McLaren orange, and launch the car likewise?

That'd be sensible without a title sponsor. I hope they'll go for it.

Looking at the McLaren team gear merchandise for 2014, I think they're sticking with the white and grey - going back to Ron Dennis' favourite colours indeed ...

Boo hiss ...

Collieafc · Post by **Collieafc** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:39

eytl wrote:So why not have a season in traditional McLaren orange, and launch the car likewise? That chrome job gets a 1/10 from me.

Ron Dennis only operates in Greyscale.

Totally agree though. That being said, at least we appear to be getting more vibrant liveries than last year so far

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:42

eytl wrote:Looking at the McLaren team gear merchandise for 2014, I think they're sticking with the white and grey - going back to Ron Dennis' favourite colours indeed ...

Bathplug.

Aerospeed · Post by **Aerospeed** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:44

I like the colours of the McLaren, to be honest... but not the nose.

But as I've read, the fastest cars are often the ugliest... case and point with the Ferrari in 2012

eytl · Post by **eytl** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:54

I've just realised what makes the McLaren proboscis look acceptable in my eyes. From front on, if you follow the line of the front section from the cockpit forwards, it is naturally tapering so that it would have ended up in the narrow front tip anyway. It's just that, before you get the front tip, it flares out on both sides to create the front wing mounts.

Unlike the Williams image (or the one predicted by Autosport) where the nose dramatically cuts in from both sides to create the middle-finger effect.

BigG80 · Post by **BigG80** » 24 Jan 2014, 12:57

The Lotus looks very much inspired by the FW26 doesn't it! Will Antonia Terzi be getting a credit as a visionary if it is successful?

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 24 Jan 2014, 13:00

eytl wrote:Unlike the Williams image (or the one predicted by Autosport) where the nose dramatically cuts in from both sides to create the middle-finger effect.

I much prefer the word Ataxia coined, namely "penisy".

Jocke1 · Post by **Jocke1** » 24 Jan 2014, 13:04

Jocke1 · Post by **Jocke1** » 24 Jan 2014, 13:05

eytl · Post by **eytl** » 24 Jan 2014, 13:05

CoopsII wrote:
eytl wrote:Unlike the Williams image (or the one predicted by Autosport) where the nose dramatically cuts in from both sides to create the middle-finger effect.

I much prefer the word Ataxia coined, namely "penisy".

Family program, my friend. I'm under an edick, I mean, um, edict, not to be ribald.

Having said all that, why couldn't McLaren go back to this kind of design ...

P.S. Note the driver.