VIDEO: FIA tests F1 canopy

FIA recently did some testing of canopy covered closed cockpits for F1 following some disastrous accidents involving flying debris entering the cockpit.

FIA Institute Jet Canopy Test from FIA Institute on Vimeo.

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Aston Martin confirmed that the Aston Martin V12 Zagato will make into production

 Aston Martin V12 Zagato will make into production 

According to Aston Martin’s website, "Only a strictly limited run of road going cars will be built." The website also lists the Zagato in its model line-up. On the website a new model is listed in the portfolio which will sit between the One-77 and the DBS. The model is the V12 Zagato.

The V12 Zagato is based on the Aston Martin  V12 Vantage but features fresh bodywork penned by the namesake Italian design house. The car celebrates of fifty years of collaboration between Aston Martin and Zagato, dating back to the original DB4 GT.  Given where Aston has been placed the model among its existing products, a very high purchase price is probable. 

[via Autocar]

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Future Of The 408 Horsepower Will Be Decided Before The Upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show

Audi Quattro Concept Future to be Decided This Summer

The future of Audi's Quattro Concept is to be decided before the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show in September. Quattro GmbH boss is "optimistic" it will be given the green light. 

Inside Line says "The future of the Audi Quattro Concept will not be decided until the eve of the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show in September. Quattro GmbH boss Stephan Reil confirmed the final decision has been delayed but he is "optimistic" that the concept, which made its debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show last fall, will get the green light for production. Speaking at the launch of the Audi Q3 crossover in Switzerland, Reil said the best solution would be "a small-volume exotic car with a production run of 500-1,000 cars." Hitting the target weight of 3,086 pounds would require, "the use of lots of exotic materials," which would necessitate a high price and low volumes. But there would be "no better way of demonstrating Audi's 'Ultra' lightweight technologies."

The Audi RS5-derived engine will also need a major overhaul if it is to be successfully integrated into the bespoke aluminum chassis. "We need more power than the RS5," said Reil, "and it needs to be mounted longitudinally instead of transversely." Reil likened the scale of the project to the development of the R8, but claimed a production version could be ready in 2-3 years."

[Via InsideLine]

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2012 Porsche 911 Specifications and Interior Pictures

Car & Driver reveals 2012 Porsche 911 Specifications and Interior Pictures 

Car & Driver have been able to reveal several crucial details about the upcoming model from Porsche, the 991 (911) while they were sticking with the Porsche development team in South Africa.

 The Specifications are given below 

• Carrera S to have 400 HP  
• Carrera to have 350 HP, share 3.4l engine w/ Boxster S
• 2 transmissions: 7-spd manual and 7-spd PDK
• Launch Control available on both transmissions
• 2.5 inches wider, 4 inches longer wheelbase
• longer wheel base to accommodate HYBRID drivetrain in 2016 mid-cycle refresh
• 12-15% improved fuel efficiency (euro cycle)
• electronic parking brake
• full-length sunroof
• 19-inch wheels standard on Carrera, 20-inch on Carrera S (20s optional on Carrera)
• Nürburgring lap time: 8:04 for 991, 7:50 for 991 S. "Best setup" in 7:37.  

Source:  caranddriver.com via teamspeed.com 

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Motorsports: New F1 Engines Will Sound Like Proper F1 Engines: Says FIA

FIA Said That The New 2014 V6 Turbo Units Will Sound Like Current F1 Engines

The plans for the new V6 turbo engines that was green signalled by F1 teams and which is due to be introduced in 2014 will still sound like proper Formula One units, the sport's governing body FIA said on Thursday. To reduce the fears expressed by many promoters and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone that the reduced noise of the new V6 (or previously 4Cyl) engines would dissapoint fans, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) published more details. Significantly, it said a proposed rev limit had been raised from 12,000 rpm to 15,000 "to allow engineers more flexibility in power and energy management.

FIA also said, "However as a consequence of architecture (V6) and change in rev limit the engine will sound different but will remain as representative of F1."  The costs about the engines havent been mentioned definitely yet but FIA said, switch from 4 cylinder units will cost manufacturers more and they have started working on the project.

 
[Via: timesofindia.indiatimes.com]

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McLaren to reveal the revised new McLaren MP4-12C GT3 at the Goodwood festival of Speed 2011

McLaren to reveal the revised new McLaren MP4-12C GT3 at the Goodwood festival of Speed 2011

The Goodwood Festival of Speed will take place from July 1-3, 2011 & McLaren is getting ready to unleash its latest motorport contender, the revised MP4-12C GT3. We must say its the perfect venue to launch the MP4-12C GT3.

The cars aerodynamic performance has been improved with long tests and also adding new components to increase the overall performance. New components include a front radiator, which increases the maximum ambient temperature at which the car can run, along with a new gearbox cooler mounted on the rear Aerodeck. Also other parts produced entirely from carbon fibre by McLaren Racing include a new front splitter, door blade, rear wing, diffuser and louvres in the front fenders.

Andrew Kirkaldy from McLaren said, "The reaction to the 12C GT3 at the circuits we have visited has been phenomenal. I can’t wait to see how it goes down at Goodwood this weekend. CRS Racing was clearly excited to be confirmed as partner in this project as we were only too aware of McLaren’s short, but unbelievable GT history with the F1. But the anticipation amongst circuit owners and race teams to McLaren’s return to GT racing has still surprised us. I’m delighted that we have the opportunity to drive the 12C GT3 up the hill at Goodwood and raise the interest even further.”

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VIDEO: BMW i8 in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol - Trailer {Teaser}

BMW i8 in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol - Trailer {Teaser} 

Tom Cruise is back for a new Mission Impossible with the new BMW i8 which is due to hit the cinemas in December.

VIDEO:

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Motorsports: Chrysler Evaluating A Return To The GT

 Chrysler Evaluating A Return To The GT

It is reported by AUTOSPORT that Chrysler has reportedly teamed up with Riley Technologies, the chassis manufacturer behind eight years running of Grand Am champions, to evaluate the new Viper for competition potential.It will be interesting to see the how the development goes on. Chrysler took 3 back to back GTS class wins from 1998-2000 at Le Mans with the Viper Coupe and now they are on an aim to beat the GTE Class cars of Ferrari, Porsche, Chevrolet, BMW.

Chrysler's motorsport manager Gary Johnson: "We are investigating some things and seeing what is out there, although no decision has been made yet. We have to be very careful about what we do."

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Audi developing 300 horsepower Q3 RS

Audi developing 300 HP Q3 RS

Audi's 2.5 Litre Turbo mill is a huge success. It powers the RS3 Hatch, the TT RS, the VW Golf34 Endurance racecar and also the Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro. Now  Auto Motor und Sport reports that the same engine can be used by Audi in the new upcoming Q3 RS. Currently it uses 3.0 Litre engines as TFSI churning out 168-208 hp. 

The 2.5 Litre Turbo  produces 335 hp, 450 hp and 500 hp in the RS3, TT RS and the Golf Endurance racer respectively. Audi is yet to announce the model and its specifications. 

[Via: Motor Authority]

Local Motors Rally Fighter takes flight

Local Motors Rally Fighter takes flight

The $70,000 beast gets its power from a 430-horsepower, General Motors-sourced V8 engine, and it boasts enough ground clearance to tackle the Baja 1,000 on its way to the grocery store. Here is the video.

Chris Forsberg in the new NOS Energy 370Z on the Streets of Long Beach

Chris Forsberg in the new NOS Energy 370Z on the Streets of Long Beach

Video: Ferrari FF's first crash caught on video

  

Jethro Bovingdon showed up to represent the CAR crowd, but ran into a bit of trouble while trying to work up a video monologue and pilot the obscenely expensive Italian supercar through some narrow country roadwork at the same time.  [Source: CAR Magazine]

Formula 1 2011 Preseason Videos

Automania, 1/13/2011:  Here are some preseason Formula 1 videos below. The 2011 F1 season is about to start at Albert Park, Australia (25-27 March 2011). So here are some videos to give you an idea about how the F1 world is preapred just before the season and what activities are going on in the F1 circus.

1) Scuderia Ferrari interview before the season.

 2) 2010 Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel's 2011 preseason interview. 

3) Mexican F1 driver Sergio Perez cheers his home fans driving the Sauber C29 at Guadalajara, Mexico.

4) Pirelli's Paul Hembrey gives a preseason interview about their progress and F1 2011.

5) Red Bull Racing releases a video of a virtual run with Vettel and Webber.

6) The Red Bull RB7 caught on camera in slow motion at the Jerez winter tests.

7) The Ferrari 2011 150° Italia at Fiorano




8) How an F1 car is made: A video from Red Bull Racing






9) Valencia & Barcelona 2011 F1 winter test




10) Jerez 2011 F1 winter test




11) Team Lotus: Lets get started

12) 2011 Mercedes W02, Red Bull RB7 and Toro Rosso STR6 launch



13) Formula 1 2011 preview



14) Pirelli F1 wet tyre test at Abu Dhabi



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2011   FORMULA 1   SEASON

Automania, 22/2/2011 - The 2011 F1 season has no new teams, but all the existing teams as usually launched their new challengers for 2011. So let us review all the cars that have been launched till now. Only HRT(Hispania Racing Team) is left to unveil their 2011 car, the F111. Williams F1 team also will unveil their new livery of the FW33, though they launched the car at Valencia (Ricardo Tormo Circuit) along with other teams. Some new rules are introduced for the 2011 season for the cars like the use of new adjustible rear wing (that helps in overtaking on straights by reducing the drag of the car), reintroduction of KERS(Kinetic Energy Recovery System), ban of F-Duct and double diffusers. Some teams made new technical changes like Lotus Renault GP is using the forward style exhaust that is channeled through the underbody of the car i.e the diffuser after coming out from under the sidepods. Mclaren is using a new 'L' shaped sidepod opening and even the blade type roll hoop or roll blade came back into F1 in 2011 after Force India and Team Lotus introduced it in their cars the VJM04 and the T128 respectively. The teams also wont be using the adjustible front wing that was used from 2009. The gearbox now need to last for 5 race weekends instead of 4.

2011 Formula 1 RULES CHANGES

Pirelli is back in F1 after Bridgestone pulls out

Pirelli comes back in F1: Bridgestone’s decided to withdraw from F1 after 2010 after 13 years in Formula One, and Pirelli take over as the sport’s sole tyre supplier from 2011 to 2013. The Italian company, last part of F1 in 1991, will provide all teams with rubber for the next three years. Pirelli already did a lot of tyre testing in winter tests and other circuits like Abu Dhabi(wet test), with their own 2009 Toyota F1 TF101 car with drivers like Pedro de La Rosa.

ADJUSTABLE REAR WING(ARW)

 

Adjustable rear wing: The drivers in 2011 drivers can adjust the rear wing from the cockpit, altering its angle of incidence through a set range. The device can be used at any time in practice and qualifying, but during the race can only be activated when a driver is less than one second behind another car at pre-determined points on the track. It is electronically controlled and can be applied from the cockpit. Once the driver brakes the system is quickly deactivated. The device is mainly used to reduce the drag of the car on main straights to increase its top speed, for more overtaking. 

KINETIC ENERGY REOVERY SYSTEM(KERS)

KERS or Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems - have been reintroduced in 2011 after the teams mutually agreed to suspend their use in 2010. KERS take the waste energy generated under braking and turns it into additional power. This is then made available to the driver in fixed quantities per lap via a steering wheel-mounted ‘boost button’. The systems are essentially the same as those seen in ’09, with no increase in the maximum permitted power (though that could change in subsequent seasons). The challenge for the engineers this time round is packaging. Last time KERS was run, refuelling was legal. Now, with it banned, fuel tanks are larger and finding room to accommodate battery packs etc is not as easy. Hence don’t be surprised if bodywork has grown in places, relative to 2010. On the plus side, minimum car weight has been upped by 20kg to 640kg, meaning larger drivers don’t pay the weight-distribution penalty they once did in a KERS-equipped car. 

F-DUCT & DOUBLE DIFFUSERS BANNED(2011) 

No use of F-Ducts or double diffusers - A device or procedure which will help or use a driver movement as by means of altering the aerodynamic characteristics of the car is strictly prohibited in/from the season 2011 - that means no F-ducts. Even also the regulations on stepped floors means double diffusers are banned too and only single diffusers can be used. 

EXTRA WHEEL TETHERS

Wheel tethers - All 2011 teams now have to place a second tether on every wheel to improve safety. The two tethers must be contained in separate suspension members. This is to improve the safety of the cars.

GEARBOX RULES

Gearbox needs to last longer - For cost-saving and environmental reasons, FIA made a new rule that gearboxes now need to last for five race weekends, instead of 4 race weekends(2010). 

OTHER RULE CHANGES

1) Qualifying :- During the first phase of qualifying, any driver who fails to set a lap within 107% of the fastest Q1 time w'ont be allowed to start the race. 

2) Race Stewards now can impose more strict penalties for driving and other rules. 

3) FIA has allowed team orders

---

The Circuits :-

1)  Australian GP Melbourne (Albert Park)
2) Malaysian GP (Sepang)
3) Chinese GP (Shanghai)
4) Turkish GP (Istanbul Park)
5) Spanish GP (Catalunya)
6) Monaco GP (Monaco)
7) Canadian GP (Montreal, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve)
8) European GP (Valencia Street Circuit)
9) British GP (Silverstone)
10) German GP (Nurburgring)
11) Hungarian GP (Budapest)
12) Belgian GP (Spa-Francorchamps)
13) Italian GP (Monza)
14) Singapore GP (Marina Bay Steet Circuit)
15) Japanese GP (Suzuka) 
16) Korean GP (Yeongam)
17) Indian GP (Jaypee Group Circuit, Greater Noida)*
18) Abu Dhabi GP (Yas Marina Circuit)
19) Brazilian GP (Sao Paulo, Interlagos)

* The Indian GP is subjected to the homologation of the circuit.

(2011 F1 TEAMS) 

1) RED BULL RACING                            

 Team Website: http://www.redbullracing.com
Team Base: Milton Keynes, UK
Team Principal: Christian Horner
Technical Chief: Adrian Newey

	Drivers: Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber
	Chassis: RB7
	Engine: Renault Tyres: Pirelli Debut: 2005
	Championships: 1
	Wins: 15 2) VODAFONE MCLAREN MERCEDES Team Website: www.mclaren.com Team Base: Woking, UK Team Principal: Martin Whitmarsh Team Technical Chief: Paddy Lowe Drivers: Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button Chassis: MP4-26 Engine: Mercedes-Benz FO 108Y Tyres: Pirelli Debut: 1966 Championships: 8 Wins: 169 3) SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO Team Website: www.ferrari.com Team Base: Maranello,Italy Team Principal: Stefano Domenicali Technical Chief: Aldo Costa Drivers: Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso, Jules Bianchi(Reserve) Chassis: Ferrari 150° Engine: Ferrari   Tyres: Pirelli Debut: 1960 Championships: 16 Wins: 215 4) MERCEDES GP Team Website: www.mercedes-gp.com Team Base: Brackley, UK Team Principal: Ross Brawn Drivers: Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg Chassis: MGP W02 Engine: Mercedes-Benz FO 108Y Tyres: Pirelli Debut: 2010 Championships: 0 Wins: 3 5) Lotus Renault GP Team Website: http://www.lotusrenaultgp.com/ Team Base: Enstone, UK Team Principal: Eric Boullier Technical Chief: James Allison Drivers: Nick Heidfield, Vitaly Petrov, Romain Grosjean(Reserve), Bruno Senna(Reserve) Chassis: R31 Engine: Renault Tyres: Pirelli  Debut: 1977 Championships: 2 Wins: 35 6) AT&T WILLIAMS COSWORTH Team Website: www.attwilliams.com Team Base: Grive, UK Team Principal: Frank Williams
	Technical Chief: Sam Michael
	Drivers: Rubens Barrichello, Pastor Maldonado
	Chassis: FW33
	Engine: Cosworth CA2011
	Tyres: Pirelli
	Debut: 1975
	Championships: 9
	Wins: 113 7) FORCE INDIA F1 TEAM

 Team Website: www.forceindiaf1.com

 Team Base: Silverstone, UK
 Team Principal: Vijay Mallya
 Technical Chief: Andrew Green

 Drivers: Adrian Sutil, Paul di Resta, Nico Hulkenberg(Reserve/Test)
 Chassis: VJM04
 Engine: Mercedes-Benz FO 108Y
 Tyres: Pirelli
 Debut: 2008
 Championships: 0
 Wins: 0

8) SAUBER F1 TEAM

Team Website: www.sauberf1team.com
Team Base: Hinwil, Switzerland
Team Principal: Peter Sauber
Technical Chief: James Key
Drivers: Kamui Kobayashi, Serigio Perez, Esteban Gutierrez(Reserve/Test)
Chassis: C30
Engine: Ferrari
Tyres: Pirelli
Debut: 1993
Championships: 0
Wins: 1


9) SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO

Team Website: www.scuderiatororosso.com
Team Base: Faenza, Italy
Team Principal: Franz Tost
Technical Chief: Giorgio Ascanelli
Drivers: Sebastien Buemi, Jaime Alguersuari, Daniel Ricciardo(Reserve/Test)
Chassis: STR6
Engine: Ferrari
Tyres: Pirelli
Debut: 2006
Championships: 0
Wins: 1


10) TEAM LOTUS F1

Team Website: www.teamlotus.co.uk
Team Base: Norfolk, UK
Team Principal: Tony Fernandes
Technical Chief: Mike Gascoyne
Drivers: Jarno Trulli, Heikki Kovalainen
Chassis: T128
Engine: Renault
Tyres: Pirelli
Debut: 2010
Championships: 0
Wins: 0

11) HRT(HISPANIA RACING TEAM) F1

Team Website: www.hispaniaf1team.com
Team Base: Madrid, Spain
Team Principal: Colin Kolles
Technical Chief: Toni Cuquerella
Drivers: Narain Karthikeyan, (TBC)
Chassis: F111
Engine: Cosworth CA2011
Tyres: Pirelli
Debut: 2010
Championships: 0
Wins: 0


12) MARUSSIA VIRGIN RACING

Team Site: www.virginracing.com
Team Base: Sheffield/Bicester, UK
Team Principal: John Booth
Technical Chief: Nick Wirth
Drivers: Timo Glock, Jerome d'Ambrosio
Chassis: MVR-02
Engine: Cosworth CA2011
Tyres: Pirelli
Debut: 2010
Championships: 0
Wins: 0

2011 FORMULA 1 CIRCUITS 

AUSTRALIAN GP, MELBOURNE

Lap Distance: 3.295miles/5.2720km

Lap Record: Michael Schumacher 1m24.125s

Race Distance: 191.110miles/305.7760km

Number of Laps: 58

25-27 MARCH 2011

MALAYSIAN GP, SEPANG

Lap Distance: 3.444miles/5.5100km

Lap Record: Jenson Button 1m36.641

Race Distance: 192.864miles/308.5820km

Number of Laps: 56

8-10 APRIL 2011

 CHINESE GP, SHANGHAI

Lap Distance: 3.387miles/5.4190km

Lap Record: Lewis Hamilton 1m36.325

Race Distance: 189.672miles/303.4750km

Number of Laps: 56

15-17 APRIL 2011

TURKISH GP, ISTANBUL

Lap Distance: 3.317miles/5.3070km

Lap Record: Jenson Button 1m27.579

Race Distance: 192.386miles/307.8180km

Number of Laps: 58

06-08 MAY 2011

SPANISH GP, BARCELONA

Lap Distance: 2.892miles/4.6270km

Lap Record: Rubens Barrichello 1m22.762

Race Distance: 190.872miles/305.3950km

Number of Laps: 66

20-22 MAY 2011

MONACO GP, MONTE CARLO

Lap Distance: 2.075miles/3.3200km

Lap Record: Felipe Massa 1m15.154

Race Distance: 161.850miles/258.9600km

Number of Laps: 78

26-29 MAY 2011

CANADIAN GP, MONTREAL

Lap Distance: 2.710miles/4.3360km

Lap Record: Robert Kubica 1m16.972

Race Distance: 189.700miles/303.5200km

Number of Laps: 70

10-12 JUNE 2011

EUROPEAN GP, VALENCIA

Lap Distance: 3.367miles/5.3870km

Lap Record: Timo Glock 1m38.683

Race Distance: 191.919miles/307.0700km

Number of Laps: 57

24-26 JUNE 2011

BRITISH GP, SILVERSTONE

Lap Distance: 3.666miles/5.8660km

Lap Record: Fernando Alonso 1m30.874

Race Distance: 190.632miles/305.0110km

Number of Laps: 52

8-10 JULY 2011

GERMAN GP, NURBURGRING

Lap Distance: 5.148km

Lap Record: Michael Schumacher 1:29.468

Race Distance: 308.863km

Number of Laps: 60

22-24 JULY 2011

HUNGARIAN GP, BUDAPEST

Lap Distance: 2.722miles/4.3550km

Lap Record: Mark Webber 1m21.931

Race Distance: 190.540miles/304.8640km

Number of Laps: 70

29-31 JULY 2011

 BELGIAN GP, SPA FRANCORCHAMPS

Lap Distance: 4.352miles/6.9630km

Lap Record: Sebastian Vettel 1m47.263

Race Distance: 191.488miles/306.3810km

Number of Laps: 44

26-28 AUGUST 2011

ITALIAN GP, MONZA

Lap Distance: 3.600miles/5.7600km

Lap Record: Fernando Alonso 1m24.139

Race Distance: 190.800miles/305.2800km

Number of Laps: 53

09-11 SEPTEMBER 2011

SINGAPORE GP, MARINA BAY STREET CIRCUIT

Lap Distance: 3.152miles/5.0430km

Lap Record: Fernando Alonso 1m47.976

Race Distance: 192.272miles/307.6350km

Number of Laps: 61

23-25 SEPTEMBER 2011

JAPANESE GP, SUZUKA

Lap Distance: 3.608miles/5.7730km

Lap Record: Mark Webber 1m32.569

Race Distance: 191.224miles/305.9580km

Number of Laps: 53

07-09 OCTOBER 2011

KOREAN GP, KOREA

Lap Distance: 3.493miles/5.5890km

Lap Record: Fernando Alonso 1m50.257

Race Distance: 192.115miles/307.3840km

Number of Laps: 55

14-16 OCTOBER 2011

INDIAN GP, JAYPEE GROUP CIRCUIT, NOIDA*

Lap Distance: 5.137km

Lap Record:  NA (2011 Debut)

Race Distance: TBC

Number of Laps: 60

28-30 OCTOBER 2011

ABU DHABI GP, YAS MARINA CIRCUIT

Lap Distance: 3.451miles/5.5220km

Lap Record: Sebastian Vettel 1m40.279

Race Distance: 189.805miles/303.6880km

Number of Laps: 55

11-13 NOVEMBER 2011

BRAZILIAN GP, INTERLAGOS

Lap Distance: 2.677miles/4.2830km

Lap Record: Mark Webber 1m13.733

Race Distance: 190.067miles/304.1070km

Number of Laps: 71

25-27 NOVEMBER 2011

2011 F1 DRIVERS 

1. SEBASTIAN VETTEL (RED BULL RACING) GERMANY

2. MARK WEBBER (RED BULL RACING) AUSTRALIA

3. LEWIS HAMILTON (MCLAREN) GREAT BRITAIN

 4. JENSON BUTTON (MCLAREN) GREAT BRITAIN

5. FERNANDO ALONSO (FERRARI) SPAIN

6. FELIPE MASSA (FERRARI) BRAZIL

7. MICHAEL SCHUMACHER (MERCEDES GP) GERMANY

8. NICO ROSBERG (MERCEDES GP) GERMANY

9. NICK HEIDFIELD (LOTUS RENAULT GP) GERMANY

10. VIATLY PETROV (LOTUS RENAULT GP) RUSSIA

11. RUBENS BARRICHELLO (WILLIAMS) BRAZIL

12. PASTOR MALDONADO (WILLIAMS) VENEZUELA

13. ADRIAN SUTIL (FORCE INDIA) GERMANY

14. PAUL DI RESTA (FORCE INDIA) SCOTLAND

15. KAMUI KOBAYASHI (SAUBER) JAPAN

16. SERGIO PEREZ (SAUBER) MEXICO

17. SEBASTIEN BUEMI (TORO ROSSO) SWITZERLAND
 

18. JAIME ALGUERSUARI (TORO ROSSO) SPAIN

19. JARNO TRULLI (TEAM LOTUS) ITALY

20. HEIKKI KOVALAINEN (TEAM LOTUS) FINLAND

21. NARAIN KARTHIKEYAN (HRT) INDIA

22. VITANTONIO LIUZZI (HRT) ITALY

23. TIMO GLOCK (VIRGIN) GERMANY

24. JEROME D'AMBROSIO (VIRGIN) BELGIUM

Bahrain GP postponed: 

 Bahrain will not be hosting the opening race of the 2011 F1 season. Following unrest in the country the Bahrain Grand Prix organisers have announced that the country will not be hosting the Formula One race in March. As yet, it is unclear as to what date the race will be moved to. “We felt it was important for the country to focus on immediate issues of national interest,” Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa said.“Bahrain’s priority is on overcoming tragedy, healing divisions and rediscovering the fabric that draws this country together to remind the world of the very best that Bahrain is capable of as a nation once again united..” This news means that Australia will now be opening the 2011 Formula One season on the 27th March. 
 

Robert Kubica's Rally Crash at Italy

Robert Kubica suffered multiple fractures to his right arm, leg and hand following a crash in a rally in Italy after his car hit a barrier and it speared into the car. He had to undergo several surgeries and it was confirmed by Lotus Renault GP that Kubica will miss 2011 F1 season. He was replaced with German Nick Heidfield. Here is a computer simulation video of his crash  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YE8GUwybi5k

F1 2011 Testing

(LOCATION) Circuit de Valencia Ricardo Tormo, Spain -	(DATE) 1st-3rd February 2011 ✔
Jerez, Spain -	10-13th February 2011 ✔
Circuit de Catalunya, Spain -	18th-21st February 2011 ✔
Circuit de Catalunya, Spain -	8th-12th March 2011 ✔