2010 Car Launches

AndreaModa · Post by **AndreaModa** » 01 Feb 2010, 20:57

Wow that mercedes is a very nice looking car, probably my favourite so far, especially with that swooping front nose which appears to come lower than the other teams' so far. Its one of the best things i liked about the Brawn car, its nose was different to everyone elses.

Nice tidy car from toro rosso, hopefully they'll get somewhere with that. What I want to know is why Ascanelli keeps banging on about them not having wind tunnel capabilities etc etc when they surely must have had one when they were Minardi? What happened to it all when Mateschitz bought it all up?

And what happened to the Williams launch? Bit disappointing not being able to see the car any closer up...

eytl · Post by **eytl** » 01 Feb 2010, 21:01

mario wrote:Meanwhile, the merry game of 'copy the leader' is commencing - the R30 happens to be running a front wing which bears a remarkable similarity to the Mclaren front wing...

Rear wing looks interesting, though, with those slight indents on the lower edge - I wonder what benefit that is supposed to give?

Note the front and rear wings are completely different to the car at launch - which confirms why everyone was wondering if the launch car was an R30 or an R29 in disguise.

AndreaModa wrote:Wow that mercedes is a very nice looking car, probably my favourite so far, especially with that swooping front nose which appears to come lower than the other teams' so far.

Agree. And, like mario, I think what Merc have done with the roll cage/air intake is really clever, as well as good-looking. But please Schumi repaint your helmet - dayglo red just doesn't fit. Normally I'm not one for drivers constantly changing their helmets, but Michael deliberately made his helmet more and more red during the Ferrari days, so the red is symbolic of his time at Maranello. It's just WRONG in the Mercedes. Either he paints it silver or goes back to his original 1990s helmet design.

Post by **mario** » 01 Feb 2010, 21:12

eytl wrote:
mario wrote:Meanwhile, the merry game of 'copy the leader' is commencing - the R30 happens to be running a front wing which bears a remarkable similarity to the Mclaren front wing...

Rear wing looks interesting, though, with those slight indents on the lower edge - I wonder what benefit that is supposed to give?

Note the front and rear wings are completely different to the car at launch - which confirms why everyone was wondering if the launch car was an R30 or an R29 in disguise.

AndreaModa wrote:Wow that mercedes is a very nice looking car, probably my favourite so far, especially with that swooping front nose which appears to come lower than the other teams' so far.

Agree. And, like mario, I think what Merc have done with the roll cage/air intake is really clever, as well as good-looking. But please Schumi repaint your helmet - dayglo red just doesn't fit. Normally I'm not one for drivers constantly changing their helmets, but Michael deliberately made his helmet more and more red during the Ferrari days, so the red is symbolic of his time at Maranello. It's just WRONG in the Mercedes. Either he paints it silver or goes back to his original 1990s helmet design.

It looks like the Renault team brought different front wings to the track for this test - the car first rolled out with a late season R29 nosecone and front wing earlier today (sorry that the picture is small, but it is the best I could find)

So, although the debate may rumble on, it's still not entirely clear whether the launch car was an R30 or a redone R29.
As for the helmet, I agree that it does look odd to see him in Mercedes livery, yet with his Ferrari helmet (although he's stuck a Mercedes badge on the front) - although having driven with that helmet for so long, I can see why he (and Mercedes) would want him to keep the old design. Silver might blend in too much - but I had seen a design that someone did, with his helmet painted with the colours of the German flag, which looked quite good.

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 01 Feb 2010, 22:17

Just looked at...whether if it's a revised R29 or the R30 as a new car, the livery-design gets a thumbs up from me. And Kubica's helmet in yellow is awesome!

watka · Post by **watka** » 01 Feb 2010, 22:41

mario wrote:

The best livery I've seen in a long time. Probably the only good thing to come out of Piquet-gate. It's a shame that it could be the car that kills off Kubica's chances of a top team drive.

As for the others:

McLaren: Aggressive styling with that massive shark fin. Looks purposeful.
Sauber: Even more aggressive styling (the colour scheme probably helps) but looks like its been the wind tunnel at a 45 degree angle or something. A bit of a dog's dinner.
Ferrari: Looks a little conservative, but Ferrari are probably the sort of team you'd expect to be able to gain masses out of minor adjustments.
Mercedes: Loving the flowing nosecone, the car looks spot on.
Toro Rosso: Ermmmm, so they just took last year's car did they?

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 01 Feb 2010, 22:55

eytl wrote:Note the front and rear wings are completely different to the car at launch - which confirms why everyone was wondering if the launch car was an R30 or an R29 in disguise.

I suspect Renault's plan is to mix and match parts a little. They want to see what effect the individual designs have, not the car as a whole.

eytl · Post by **eytl** » 01 Feb 2010, 23:27

Captain Hammer wrote:
eytl wrote:Note the front and rear wings are completely different to the car at launch - which confirms why everyone was wondering if the launch car was an R30 or an R29 in disguise.

I suspect Renault's plan is to mix and match parts a little. They want to see what effect the individual designs have, not the car as a whole.

I agree. But that in itself is telling. It must mean that there is a lot of inherent similarity in dimensions, design etc. between the R29 and R30 for parts to be interchangeable. Like, to state the bleeding obvious, there is no way McLaren could interchange parts between last year's car and this year's car given how different they are. But given that the R29 was very average, that is a concern. I would have thought a fundamental redesign at Renault ought to have been given serious consideration.

Unless what we're really seeing is a modified R29, fitted with parts to test their effectiveness, and if those parts work they will be built afresh to fit a very different R30 tub which is still in the works. But that makes so little sense - it is cost-ineffective, and wouldn't you be wanting to see how new parts integrate with your new chassis rather than your old one?

All very strange. Unless Renault are just really behind the eight-ball or are just gambling with a year-old design that was mediocre to begin with.

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 02 Feb 2010, 19:45

mario wrote: but I had seen a design that someone did, with his helmet painted with the colours of the German flag, which looked quite good.

Would that not be Schumy's helmet from his Benetton days?

Post by **mario** » 02 Feb 2010, 19:53

dr-baker wrote:
mario wrote: but I had seen a design that someone did, with his helmet painted with the colours of the German flag, which looked quite good.

Would that not be Schumy's helmet from his Benetton days?

Not quite - it was inspired by the Benetton helmet, but given a modern twist. I can't remember where I saw it though, which is annoying.

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 02 Feb 2010, 20:00

His old Merc helmet of course...

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 02 Feb 2010, 20:01

kostas22 wrote:
His old Merc helmet of course...

Now that's a brilliant detail. He's taking it serious, I tell ya...

Waris · Post by **Waris** » 03 Feb 2010, 00:10

kostas22 wrote:

His old Merc helmet of course...

I loved the black racing suits the Mercedes drivers wore back then. I was hoping they would go for black suits this year, but, alas.

madcat · Post by **madcat** » 03 Feb 2010, 08:04

Force India going for the shark fin look too?

LucaPacchiarini · Post by **LucaPacchiarini** » 03 Feb 2010, 10:09

what's up with that GENITALI writing on the side?

thehemogoblin · Post by **thehemogoblin** » 03 Feb 2010, 10:14

LucaPacchiarini wrote:what's up with that GENITALI writing on the side?

It's a phallus-y.

eytl · Post by **eytl** » 03 Feb 2010, 11:04

OK, big PR boo-boo for Branson's mob. After the much-publicised hype about an online launch at www.virginracing.com, it hasn't been shown at the appointed time due to technical difficulties.

Admitted as much on the team's Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/virginf1racing

This on Autosport:

The VR-01 was due to be unveiled on the team's website this morning, the team having opted for an 'all-digital' launch to mirror its 'all-digital car' - reflecting the fact that design company Wirth Research created the car entirely using computational fluid dynamics rather than using a windtunnel.

But technical issues prevented the broadcast from taking place as planned, with the team working to reveal the VR-01 on its site later this morning.

Not a very auspicious start!

Tealy · Post by **Tealy** » 03 Feb 2010, 11:16

eytl wrote:OK, big PR boo-boo for Branson's mob. After the much-publicised hype about an online launch at http://www.virginracing.com, it hasn't been shown at the appointed time due to technical difficulties.

Admitted as much on the team's Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/virginf1racing

This on Autosport:

The VR-01 was due to be unveiled on the team's website this morning, the team having opted for an 'all-digital' launch to mirror its 'all-digital car' - reflecting the fact that design company Wirth Research created the car entirely using computational fluid dynamics rather than using a windtunnel.

But technical issues prevented the broadcast from taking place as planned, with the team working to reveal the VR-01 on its site later this morning.

Not a very auspicious start!

Whoops! Lets hope the same thing doesn't happen with the car.

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 03 Feb 2010, 11:16

eytl wrote:OK, big PR boo-boo for Branson's mob. After the much-publicised hype about an online launch at http://www.virginracing.com, it hasn't been shown at the appointed time due to technical difficulties.

Admitted as much on the team's Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/virginf1racing

This on Autosport:

The VR-01 was due to be unveiled on the team's website this morning, the team having opted for an 'all-digital' launch to mirror its 'all-digital car' - reflecting the fact that design company Wirth Research created the car entirely using computational fluid dynamics rather than using a windtunnel.

But technical issues prevented the broadcast from taking place as planned, with the team working to reveal the VR-01 on its site later this morning.

Not a very auspicious start!

Looking more Simteky by the minute... suppose the car is as good as the launch, and my prediction they'll be the best rookie team is going down the drain already.

eytl · Post by **eytl** » 03 Feb 2010, 11:28

I'm sorry, I just had to say this:

"The Virgin came late, causing a premature reaction from the fans ..."

:oops:

UPRC · Post by **UPRC** » 03 Feb 2010, 11:43

Virgin made this a great morning! I'm actually really amused by this whole technical difficulties situation.

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 03 Feb 2010, 11:44

Ninety-nine minutes overdue, but well worth it:

That. Is. Sexy.

noisebox · Post by **noisebox** » 03 Feb 2010, 11:48

Captain Hammer wrote:Ninety-nine minutes overdue, but well worth it:

That. Is. Sexy.

I like that, a lot. Difficult to see how ambitious they've been with the aero from that shot, but the livery is one of the best I've seen for ages.

eytl · Post by **eytl** » 03 Feb 2010, 11:49

Yeah OK that does look good, but why do I feel the urge to scream "Midland! Midland!" at the top of my lungs?

Colour scheme aside, it looks uber-conservative though ...

DonTirri · Post by **DonTirri** » 03 Feb 2010, 11:51

Captain Hammer wrote:Ninety-nine minutes overdue, but well worth it:

That. Is. Sexy.

I just officially found my favorite of all cars this season. Screw Renault, screw Merc, I think I'm in love <3

BigG80 · Post by **BigG80** » 03 Feb 2010, 11:55

I won't quote you all as that will make this post stupidly big but I agree with what everyone has just posted above!

Worth the wait
Very sexy looking livery
Possibly uber conservative
Midland does cross my mind
Screw Renault and Mercedes!

Paul Hayes · Post by **Paul Hayes** » 03 Feb 2010, 11:59

The Virgin car looks quite good, doesn't it? Long old nose on it. I am amused that, for an entirely computer-designed car, the website launch failed due to technical difficulties!

Tealy · Post by **Tealy** » 03 Feb 2010, 12:22

I love the livery.

I don't think a conservative approach to the aero is a bad thing though. As the season goes on we will no doubt see new peices go on the car and by the end of the year they will have enough information to be more agressive in 2011. Besides, I thought it was common knowledge that most (if not all) of the new teams were going conservative this year to ensure they don't overstretch.

Timo Glock wrote:“I think we have some good ideas on the car. For me, it’s a solid base to start for us to go testing. The design is already pretty good and now we have to sort out the speed.

“The real unique stuff will come in the season or later on in the year, but now for us it is important that the car is here and ready,”

That says it all for me. They know it isn't a quick car yet but at least they don't have to worry about not having one ready now.

fjackdaw · Post by **fjackdaw** » 03 Feb 2010, 12:24

I think I'm in love too, that livery is gorgeous!

Chewie · Post by **Chewie** » 03 Feb 2010, 12:25

No shark fin, a very plain looking front wing, and no big design surprises.

A very plain jane, but maybe the new teams should be concentrating on reliability above all else, they need to get to the flag first and foremost and hope that attrition takes care of the rest.

Python · Post by **Python** » 03 Feb 2010, 12:27

Captain Hammer wrote:Ninety-nine minutes overdue, but well worth it:

That. Is. Sexy.

The car looks nice, I like the paint scheme but it sorta looks like an aggressive Indy car, at least that's what I though when I first saw the car.

Pieman · Post by **Pieman** » 03 Feb 2010, 12:28

Nicely shaped car, and an excellent livery (even if, as Enoch says, it does look a little like the Midland MF1 paint scheme from a few seasons ago).

LionZoo · Post by **LionZoo** » 03 Feb 2010, 12:29

For some reason that nose reminds me of an IRL car. I'm waiting for the next beautiful car to be launched so people can say "Screw the Virgin" on here.

Sadly extreme amounts of work is preventing me from doing an analysis of all the cars launched so far.

LionZoo · Post by **LionZoo** » 03 Feb 2010, 12:34

By the way, is that a SINGLE front wing mount or am I just getting old? We seem to have quite a bit of variation this year for the noses...

Also looks like a small single kneel, but this is like trying to distinguish whether the lady you're staring at in your ASCII porn is an innie or outie.

eytl · Post by **eytl** » 03 Feb 2010, 12:44

Python wrote:The car looks nice, I like the paint scheme but it sorta looks like an aggressive Indy car, at least that's what I though when I first saw the car.

Yeah good point actually ... the livery also reminds me of Justin Wilson's Dale Coyne car from last year ...

http://blog.al.com/blogoftomorrow/2009/07/large_justinwilson705.jpg

Jordan · Post by **Jordan** » 03 Feb 2010, 12:47

Python wrote:
Captain Hammer wrote:Ninety-nine minutes overdue, but well worth it:

That. Is. Sexy.

I see a double front wing mount, it's just difficult to make out, but I think there's a decal on the inside of the opposite mount, making it possible to see two?

What i'm confused about (perhaps it's the time at which I write this...) is, where is the inlet in the sidepod? There's this really odd line running just behind that guy crouching down whose name I cannot recall at the moment (it *is* the time at which i'm writing this, isn't it?!) that for some reason is making my brain confused

LionZoo · Post by **LionZoo** » 03 Feb 2010, 12:52

More pictures have just come out. It is a double wing mount. The sidepod opening is quite interesting though and once again reminds me of an IRL car.

madcat · Post by **madcat** » 03 Feb 2010, 12:57

Remember that this car hasn't seen a wind tunnel. It'll be interesting to see if it works, or if they something the other haven't or the other way around. Or am I just talking rubbish?....

http://www.virginracing.com/ It shows a double front wing,but it doesn't show a lot of detail. The front paint work is nice!

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 03 Feb 2010, 13:05

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 03 Feb 2010, 13:06

Woo hoo! I figured out how to post an image for the first time! And it shows that there is indeed a double mount at the front, etc.

Mister Fungus · Post by **Mister Fungus** » 03 Feb 2010, 13:07

At first I absolutely loved the livery, I still do but what's up with that tatoo on the front wing?