Superthread: 2010 Launch Cars and Pre-Season Testing

dor83

Red Bull seem to think that McLaren's rear wing may be against the rules and have asked for clarification.

McLaren insists it has full confidence in the legality of its rear wing design, after Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner revealed that his team has asked the FIA to investigate it and clarify whether it is within the rules.

“There’s a bit of fuss over McLaren’s rear wing,” Horner was quoted as saying by Thursday's Daily Telegraph.

“They have a slot on it [that affects the air flow] and they can pick up a lot of straight-line speed.

“I think it will get resolved before the first race.”

The contention is that McLaren is using the rear wing slot to stall the air flow – thus reducing drag and boosting straight-line speed – in a way that the aerodynamic regulations no longer permit.

“Basically, if you stall the wing you take all the drag off it and pick up straight-line speed,” said Horner.

“It’s something that’s been done quite a lot over the years but with the wing separators you’re not supposed to do that.

“Our question ultimately will be: ‘Is it clever design or is it in breach of the regulations?”

However, Horner conceded that the FIA might well regard McLaren’s interpretation as perfectly legitimate.

“They [McLaren] must be very confident that it’s legal,” he said.

“I would think it will be legal.”

But he suggested that Red Bull’s concerns were shared by Ferrari, saying: “We’ve asked the FIA for clarification, although I think Ferrari are probably more excited than we are.”

McLaren has given Horner’s comments short shrift, however – and says it has been assured by Ferrari that the Maranello team is not planning any protest.

“We’re very confident that our car is entirely legal – and we’re not aware of any protest,” said a McLaren spokesman.

“In fact, we’ve spoken to Ferrari this morning and they’re not aware of any protest either.”

It remains to be seen whether the FIA will nip the disquiet in the bud by issuing a verdict on McLaren’s design and clarifying the regulations – or whether the matter will spiral into a full-blown controversy like that over double diffusers that dominated the early part of last season.

BoardsRanger

dor83 wrote: »

Red Bull seem to think that McLaren's rear wing may be against the rules and have asked for clarification.

I think its Ferrari who have the greatest problem with it. Horner does acknowledge that:

"I would think it will be legal"

G-Money

Apparenly McLaren have invited Charlie Whiting down to inspect the wing and they say they've been checking all along that it's legal.

I get a bit sick of these protests by other teams when they see something they wish they'd thought of first.

BoardsRanger

grandmaster wrote: »

Apparenly McLaren have invited Charlie Whiting down to inspect the wing and they say they've been checking all along that it's legal.

I get a bit sick of these protests by other teams when they see something they wish they'd thought of first.

Wait till Mercedes introduce their new diffusor at Bahrain - then we'll see alot of the teams bitching.

dor83

BoardsRanger wrote: »

I think its Ferrari who have the greatest problem with it. Horner does acknowledge that:

And McLaren said they talked to Ferrari and they don't have a problem, Horner could just be saying that as he never said that Ferrari were against it just that they were more excited. They could be hoping to use it themselves and hoping that it's ok to be used. Either way the FIA should just say it's ok to be used or it's not, no messing about like with the double diffuser last year.

G-Money

BoardsRanger wrote: »

Wait till Mercedes introduce their new diffusor at Bahrain - then we'll see alot of the teams bitching.

Fa shizzle. I read rumours that they've got some sort of super diffuser coming for Bahrain so if that's true, expect a lot of dummies to be spat out over it by other teams. Especially if it gives them a big performance step.

This time next week the first practise session will be on/have been on

Cookie_Monster

grandmaster wrote: »

This time next week the first practise session will be on/have been on

so close, so god-damn close.... role on next week!

vectra

grandmaster wrote: »

I get a bit sick of these protests by other teams when they see something they wish they'd thought of first.

Quote of the day

G-Money

I wonder will the BBC have the practise shown on their website like last year? If so, it's time for me to get my pretend proxy again

vectra

grandmaster wrote: »

I wonder will the BBC have the practise shown on their website like last year? If so, it's time for me to get my pretend proxy again

Yes

F1 on the BBC

The BBC will be providing comprehensive coverage of the 2010 Formula 1 season across all its platforms.

Jenson Button will be defending his world drivers' title and you can follow all the action on network TV, red button, radio, online & mobile.

BBC One will carry live coverage of all 19 grands prix on Sundays and every Saturday qualifying session.

And you can watch every single Practice session and on-track moment on the red button or via the BBC Sport website.



Bahrain
Sakhir, 12-14 March, 2010

Friday 12 March
Practice one: 0655-0835, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 1100-1230, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 13 March
Practice three: 0755-0855, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 1100 (coverage details to be finalised)

Sunday 14 March
Race: 1200 (coverage details to be finalised)

AUSTRALIA
Albert Park, Melbourne, 26-28 March

Friday 26 March
Practice one: 0125-0305, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 0525-0705, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 27 March
Practice three: 0255-0405, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 0600 (coverage details to be finalised)

Sunday 28 March
Race: 0800 (coverage details to be finalised)

MALAYSIA
Sepang, 2-4 April 2010

Friday 2 April
Practice one: 0255-0435, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 0655-0835, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 3 April
Practice three: 0655-0805, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 0900 (coverage details to be finalised)

Sunday 4 April
Race: 0900 (coverage details to be finalised)

CHINA
Shanghai, 16-18 April

Friday 16 April
Practice one: 0255-0435, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 0655-0835, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 17 April
Practice three: 0355-0505, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 0700 (coverage details to be finalised)

Sunday 18 April
Race: 0800 (coverage details to be finalised)

SPAIN
Circuit de Catalunya, 7-9 May

Friday 7 May
Practice one: 0855-1035, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 1255-1435, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 8 May
Practice three: 0955-1105, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 1300 (coverage details to be finalised)

Sunday 9 May
Race: 1300 (coverage details to be finalised)

MONACO
Monte Carlo, 14-16 May

Friday 14 May
Practice one: 0855-1035, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 1255-1435, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 15May
Practice three: 0955-1105, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 1300 (coverage details to be finalised)

Sunday 16 May
Race: 1300 (coverage details to be finalised)

TURKEY
Istanbul Park, 28-30 May

Friday 28 May
Practice one: 0755-0935, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 1155-1335, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 29 May
Practice three: 0855-1005, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 1200 (coverage details to be finalised)

Sunday 30 May
Race: 1300 (coverage details to be finalised)

CANADA
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal, 11-13 June

Friday 11 June
Practice one: 1455-1635, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 1855-2035, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 12 June
Practice three: 1255-1405, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 1800 (coverage details to be finalised)

Sunday 13 June
Race: 1700 (coverage details to be finalised)

EUROPEAN
Valencia, 25-27 June

Friday 25 June
Practice one: 0855-1035, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 1255-1435, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 26 June
Practice three: 0955-1105, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 1300 (coverage details to be finalised)

Sunday 27 June
Race: 1300 (coverage details to be finalised)


GREAT BRITAIN
Silverstone, 9-11 July

Friday 9 July
Practice one: 0955-1105, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 1355-1535, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 10 July
Practice three: 1055-1205, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 1400 (coverage details to be finalised)

Sunday 11 July
Race: 1300 (coverage details to be finalised)


GERMAN
Hockenheim, 23-25 July

Friday 23 July
Practice one: 0855-1035, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 1255-1435, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 24 July
Practice three: 0955-1105, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 1300 (coverage details to be finalised)

Sunday 25 July
Race: 1300 (coverage details to be finalised)


HUNGARY
Hungaroring, 30 July - 1 August

Friday 30 July
Practice one: 0855-1035, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 1255-1435, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 31 July
Practice three: 0955-1105, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 1300 (coverage details to be finalised)

Sunday 1 August
Race: 1300 (coverage details to be finalised)

BELGIAN
Spa-Francorchamps, 27-29 August

Friday 27 August
Practice one: 0855-1035, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 1255-1435, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 28 August
Practice three: 0955-1105, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 1300 (coverage details to be finalised)

Sunday 29 August
Race: 1300 (coverage details to be finalised)


ITALIAN
Monza, 10-12 September

Friday 10 September
Practice one: 0855-1035, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 1255-1435, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 11 September
Practice three: 0955-1105, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 1300 (coverage details to be finalised)

Sunday 12 September
Race: 1300 (coverage details to be finalised)

SINGAPORE
Singapore, 24-26 September

Friday 24 September
Practice one: 1055-1235, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 1425-1605, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 25 September
Practice three: 1155-1305, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 1500 (coverage details to be finalised)

Sunday 26 September
Race: 1300 (coverage details to be finalised)

JAPAN
Suzuka, 8-10 October

Friday 8 October
Practice one: 0155-0335, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 0555-0735, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 9 October
Practice three: 0255-0405, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 0600 (coverage details to be finalised)

Sunday 10 October
Race: 0700 (coverage details to be finalised)

KOREA
Yeongam, 22-24 October

Friday 22 October
Practice one: 0255-0435, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 0655-0835, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 23 October
Practice three: 0355-0505, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 0700 (coverage details to be finalised)

Sunday 24 October
Race: 0700 (coverage details to be finalised)

BRAZIL
Interlagos, Sao Paulo, 5-7 November

Friday 5 November
Practice one: 1155-1335, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 1555-1735, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 6 November
Practice three: 1255-1405, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 1600 (coverage details to be finalised)

Sunday 7 November
Race: 1600 (coverage details to be finalised)

ABU DHABI
Yas Marina, 12-14 November

Friday 12 November
Practice one: 0855-1035, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 1255-1435, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 13 November
Practice three: 0955-1035, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 1300 (coverage details to be finalised)

Sunday 14 November
Race: 1300 (coverage details to be finalised)

BoardsRanger

dor83 wrote: »

Either way the FIA should just say it's ok to be used or it's not, no messing about like with the double diffuser last year.

Yes agree - they need to inspect all cars before qualifying in Bahrain and decide then if all cars are within the regualtions. Probably wont work that way but lets hope!

Cookie_Monster

BoardsRanger wrote: »

Yes agree - they need to inspect all cars before qualifying in Bahrain and decide then if all cars are within the regualtions. Probably wont work that way but lets hope!

ah, but then they'd miss out on all the media hype and publicity

BoardsRanger

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

ah, but then they'd miss out on all the media hype and publicity

True - but nobody wants to see a title decided in a court room!

amacachi

What's the problem with teams protesting about other teams' ideas? It's all part of the game. Really the problem is the FIA taking ****in ages to ever do anything.

EvilMonkey

dor83 wrote: »

Red Bull seem to think that McLaren's rear wing may be against the rules and have asked for clarification.

I love how Horner tries to make it look like Ferrari are the ones complaining.
McLaren said they don't think it was Ferrari that asked for clarification.
some great posts on this on Scarbsf1's Blog

grandmaster wrote: »

Fa shizzle. I read rumours that they've got some sort of super diffuser coming for Bahrain so if that's true, expect a lot of dummies to be spat out over it by other teams. Especially if it gives them a big performance step.

This time next week the first practise session will be on/have been on

Its all about how you spin these things

Good: Merc have a super secret diffuser for Bahrain.
Bad: Mercs diffuser design was not ready in time for testing and they have had to test with last years spec diffuser.

I have no problem with teams asking for clarification on other teams cars, its part of what F1 is about. What i have is a problem is when the FIA don't sort it and ends up in court like last years diffusers battle.

We should have a pool on how many teams will lodge protests with the stewards in Bahrain!

BoardsRanger

EvilMonkey wrote: »

I love how Horner tries to make it look like Ferrari are the ones complaining.
McLaren said they don't think it was Ferrari that asked for clarification.
some great posts on this on Scarbsf1's Blog

Really interesting blog - well worth a read! This part , if true, highlights the highly innovative creations some teams come up with!

G-Money

Me likes some of the new Merc gear, especially the cap.

http://f1store.formula1.com/stores/f1/products/product_browse.aspx?category|category_root|7421=Fashion&attribute_value_string|Team=Mercedes+GP+Petronas