*This blog receives no financial compensation, nor does it seek financial compensation. I strive to remain unbiased in my discourse concerning F1, especially when dealing with the appearance of the cars.*
It's been three years since I really delved into the design of the Formula 1 cars planned for that season. But considering the horrors that we've seen so far this pre-season, I felt another detailing of car design was in order.
Let's start with Lotus...er, Caterham, who used to be Lotus, but now Renault is Lotus, because last year they were Lotus-Renault, but are now solely Lotus....moving on. Caterham became the first team to reveal their challenger for the 2012 season. The team has been progressing steadily. When they announced their entry into F1 in 2010, Heikki Kovalainen proclaimed it would be three season before they were competitive. Well, this is the team's third season, so let's see if their drive toward the midfield takes a step forward.
If races and points were won solely on looks, the Caterham would have to be disqualified. The 2012 regulations have forced changes to the car designs from last season, and one of the changes is the overall height of the chassis, especially at the low end. As a result of fitting these regs, the Caterham CT01 looks like...well..I don't know how to describe what it looks like. Just see it for yourself:
Just look at that nose. I understand the need to apply downforce, and I also understand the need for air to get under the car. That said, the nose looks like the victim of a horrible accident involving an anvil and a sledgehammer. The front wing is the same snowplow as prior years. Now I'm a fan of the color scheme and I really hope that Caterham gets some points this year. If the car is good enough, and the race breaks their way, they may eventually podium this season. But the car is scary.Not to be outdone by the Caterham, Scuderia Ferrari unveiled their contender. It's red. That's about the only recognizable thing about the F2012. The Scuderia was hoping to unveil their car and give it a brief shakedown run at their Maranello test track, but heavy snow (as evidenced in the picture) prevented such a test.
The car has a similarly blunted nose like the Caterham CT01, but to me, this nose-step is even more pronounced, and therefore uglier, than the Caterham. In all fairness, Ferrari ruined my opinion of them when I first started following F1 in 2008. That said, I have liked some of their cars, but this one just does not do it for me. If more cars appear with that same nose, I guess I'll get used to it, but I'm disturbed by it for now. I actually emailed it to Robert over at Skewed View, under the Email Title "AAAHHHH!!!"Force India, a team seemingly on the rise the last two seasons, also revealed their contender, the VMJ05.
The car, in similar fashion to the Ferrari and the Caterham, has the blunted step-nose. The wheel base, like the regulation states, is shorter this year. Also, the side pods are all smaller this year than last. I've always kind of liked the Force India color scheme.
The car, in similar fashion to the Ferrari and the Caterham, has the blunted step-nose. The wheel base, like the regulation states, is shorter this year. Also, the side pods are all smaller this year than last. I've always kind of liked the Force India color scheme.As always, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes delivered. They met the regulation, and passed the eye test...so far.
I've always said that McLaren produces the best looking cars. I love the chrome and the Rocket Red. If I had one issue with this season's MP4-27, it would be the wheels. I see the black wheels, and I think NASCAR. Chrome wheels would've worked better, and may yet appear. Also, the U-shaped sidepods of last season are gone. Those things really grew on me, after I hated them at first.
Remember, the final kit for these cars won't appear until the final test. Also, Lotus, Red Bull, Scuderia Toro Rosso, HRT, Marussia, and Mercedes still have to reveal their contenders as well. Look for more updates to the car unveiling ceremonies as we go along.
Formula 1 Preseason Test Calendar
1. February - 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th - Circuito Permanente de Jerez, Spain
2. February - 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th - Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
3. March - 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th - Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
2. February - 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th - Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
3. March - 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th - Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
2 comments:
Nice post! I think you and I were on the same page today - I began writing my post this morning and posted it after yours. It should be an interesting (if ugly as sin) season.
The 2012 F1 noses are hideous, butt ugly and a pain to the eyes. With the exception of McLaren's the designers should all be fired and locked away so that they never design anything again.
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