Automania: March 2011

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 ✔

Pages

Friday, March 25, 2011

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]

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Sunday, March 6, 2011