Tag: CT05

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Caterham Formula 1

New owners, new nose!

2014 Monaco Grand Prix

Word in the Formula 1 pit lane says Caterham’s new owners are about to give the ungainly looking CT05 a development push which will include the welcome task of redesigning the car’s ugly nose.

It’s said that previous owner Tony Fernandes limited the budget on development of this year’s car while he was trying to find a buyer for the team.

Media reports have suggested a restyled scale model featuring a “more efficient nose” is undergoing wind tunnel testing in Toyota’s facility at Cologne, Germany. Once the team is happy the new nose will have to undergo a formal FIA crash test. Assuming the new nose passes that test we could see the new and hopefully better looking CT05 in time for the Belgian Grand Prix (24 August).

Christian Albers, former F1 driver and now part of Caterham’s trackside management team, said: “We obviously have a lot of work to do, but we’re prepared for the challenges ahead.”

[Source: motorsport.com]

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Caterham Formula 1

Looks like Tony Fernandes is true to his word

Tony Fernandes

At the start of the year Tony Fernandes told his Caterham F1 team he thought they were under performing and that if he didn’t see improved results in the 2104 season he would walk. “If we’re at the back I don’t think I’m going to carry on,” he said.

Well, with the CT05 proving to be as effective as it is ugly, word on the street says Fernandes is about to walk.

Under the ownership of Fernandes Caterham is yet to score a world championship point and the team currently sits at the bottom of the standings in the constructors’ championship. We’re also guessing Tony wouldn’t have worn his trademark smile when fellow backmarker Marussia scored its first points at the Monaco Grand Prix a few weeks back.

It’s been tipped that Fernandes will announce his sale and departure from the F1 team tomorrow, although he will maintain control of Caterham’s road car division.

[Source: Joe Saward]

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Caterham

Tony Fernandes standing by Caterham, for now

2014 Monaco Grand Prix

Prior to the start of the 2014 Formula 1 season, Caterham boss Tony Fernandes demanded the team improve its results or he would sell up shop.

“My message to the 250 people here [at the factory] is we have to go for it this year,” he said. “This is it—the final chance. We’ve given you the best infrastructure, the best potential drivers but it is now down to all of you to go and do it.”

Well, so far season 2014 hasn’t been a great one for Caterham. The CT05 is dog ugly to begin with and the team sits at the bottom of the constructors’ table. Although, Marcus Ericsson’s P11 in Monaco last weekend did equal Caterham’s best F1 result. Trouble is, they were pipped by Marussia and Jules Bianchi who finished ninth and collected two world championship points, something Caterham is yet to do in F1.

So recent talk suggesting Fernandes was ready to sell all of his Caterham assets—the F1 team and the car manufacturer—came as no surprise. However, the business tycoon has issued a clear statement that Caterham is not for sale.

“Caterham Group is not for sale,” Fernandes said. “We love what we build and we are always looking for further investment. This is no different to how we started AirAsia.

“Yes, we are constantly challenging ourselves and making decisions on everything from the structure to projects within the Group.

“That is normal business. That does not mean we are selling.”

Still, something tells us Ericsson and Kamui Kobayashi had better hope they enjoy a few good Sundays before the year is out otherwise Fernandes may come good on his pre-season promise.

[Source: Autosport]

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Quick reference guide to the 2014 F1 season

We’re just a couple of sleeps away from the start to the most unpredictable Formula 1 season in recent memory. Is anyone else excited?!

Judging by pre-season testing form we’ll be lucky if half of the 22 cars entered in Melbourne finish the race. Remember, too, there’s just five complete power units available per driver all year, so we suspect reliability will have a big say in the outcome of both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.

After the break you’ll find a full calendar with start Australian Eastern start times, a list of all the drivers and their new permanent numbers along with links to all of the new cars for 2104.

Right now it looks like the Mercedes power unit is the weapon of choice, with Renault proving the least reliable. Let’s see what happens between now and 23 November when double points are up for grabs at the final race in Abu Dhabi.

For easy reference be sure to save this link: ausm.tv/f1guide2014

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F1 winter testing: Bahrain I in pictures

The design of the latest crop of Formula 1 cars, in response to new aero and crash regulations, has certainly encouraged plenty of discussion. The twin-tusk nose of the Lotus E22 (above) is certainly one of the most bizarre design solutions in the history of the sport.

Once the racing starts the novelty gawking at these god awful designs should ease and we can focus on what we love most, and that’s racing. In the meantime we bring you a gallery of 66 images from the recent pre-season test in Bahrain, six photos each of all 11 cars, that show you the class of 2014 in their best and worst angles.

A small pat on the back, too, goes to Eric Gandelin, the man responsible for the Sauber C33. We think that’s the best looking car of 2014. Although, a nod of appreciation also goes to the Williams FW36.

Those responsible for the horrors of the Caterham CT05 and Force India VJM07 should hang their heads in shame. As for the rest, a good hard look at themselves wouldn’t hurt!

Continue reading “F1 winter testing: Bahrain I in pictures”
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Formula 1

Who is to blame for ugly F1 cars?

2014 Caterham CT05

Aside from the reliability concerns facing teams this year, especially those with Renault power, the big story from Formula 1 pre-season has been the ugliness of the cars. While the variety of designs is welcome, the results are, in the main, just terrible to look at.

The teams say it’s a result of the regulations, which has made us think a few times why on earth would the FIA sign-off on regs that result in such comedy? Either they have no foresight, or the current crop of designers is way too pragmatic, putting performance ahead of aesthetics and the sport in general.

In an article for Autosport+ (subscription required) Peter Stevens, designer of the McLaren F1 and Jaguar XJR-15, shares his thoughts on the matter.

Stevens starts by pointing his finger at the FIA, stating: “well-paid rule-makers seem to have been unable to foresee the consequences of their mandates“.

Yet, it’s the engineers from the teams who have been dealt the most savage criticism. In the past, Stevens explains, an F1 car was drawn on paper and then a trained pattern maker was engaged to transform the drawing into three-dimensional form. There was, of course, a skill in that process which required the maker to interpret and understand body surfacing.

Now that most everything design-related in F1 these days is handled by engineers and CAD systems Stevens sees the weak point, in what he describes as: “the work of under-trained or insensitive engineers”.

More blunty he concludes: “We are expected to endure 2014 shapes defined by an engineering CAD programme with limited surface development capabilities in the hands of pure rationalists. This is simply not good enough.”

Hear, hear.

[Source: Autosport+ (subscription)]

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F1 winter testing: Jerez days 1 and 2

Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel

After two days of winter testing in Jerez what have we learned about the Formula 1 class of 2014, specifically these horrid looking new cars? Well, not a lot to be honest.

On day 1 most teams struggled and only 93 laps were completed by the teams in attendance, and none at all by McLaren. Kimi Raikkonen (1:27.104) was fastest in his return for Ferrari and ran the most number laps on the day at just 31. Lewis Hamilton (1:27.820) sent his Mercedes towards the top of the lap charts in his 18 laps before sending it into the wall after a front wing failure.

“We had a lot of new things to learn today,” Raikkonen said afterwards. “Even if we would have liked to do more laps, I think that for a first day it was alright. Towards the end, when the track was damp, we chose not to take any risks. Now we have a lot of work ahead of us, but all in all, we are pleased with our first day.”

After the leading two drivers times spread out with not much insight to be gained, other than there’s a lot of work to do. Sebastian Vettel and Marcus Ericsson, for example, only ran installation laps and didn’t set any times at all.

Things have become a little clearer on day 2, with all Renault powered teams experiencing problems while Ferrari and Mercedes powered cars gained an early advantage. Overnight rain saw Pirelli bring forward their designated wet weather session and trucks were sent out to ensure the track had sufficient water for testing purposes.

Jenson Button and McLaren had a good day, registering the fastest time in the morning’s wet session and also in the afternoon (1:24.165) when the track was dry.

The 2009 world champion spoke enthusiastically about the MP4-29 afterwards, too. “Of course, it’s still early days, and there’s a lot of work ahead of us,” Button said. “We need to work on both braking and traction; but that excites me, because there’s a lot of potential to adjust those parameters.

“The new braking system is very complicated, and getting it right will be tough. But these are all things we can work on: there’s nothing about the car that unsettles me, and there’s plenty of scope to explore the set-up. It will just take time.”

Kimi Raikkonen (1:24.812) was on the pace again during his 47 laps, cutting more than 2 seconds from his day 1 best. Valtteri Bottas (1:25.344) has had limited running during his two days, just 12 laps in all, but he has been third quickest on both days.

While only fourth fastest on day 2, Nico Rosberg (1:25.588) and Mercedes were happy with their lot. Rosberg racked up an impressive 97 laps, 44 more than his nearest rival, including some beneficial long runs.

“Every lap is important to get used to the new systems and it helped a lot that I have worked on this already in the simulator,” explained Rosberg. “We don’t know yet where we are compared to the other teams, but we can be quite happy after the first two days of testing here in Spain. Now I look forward to getting back in the car on Friday.”

Meanwhile the Renault powered cars managed just 19 laps between them (11 for Caterham, 8 for Red Bull and 0 for Toro Rosso). On day 1 only 19 laps were registered for the Renault runners as well (15 for Toro Rosso, 3 for Red Bull, 1 for Caterham), which will be cause for early concern.

Lotus isn’t an attendance at all for the Jerez test, choosing to wait until testing moves to Bahrain. Marussia is hoping to run its car tonight.

Photos and lap times are available after the break.

UPDATE: Pics from day 2 have now been added below.

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Caterham Formula 1

2014 Caterham CT05 revealed

2014 Caterham CT05

Caterham unveiled its 2014 F1 car, the CT05, in Jerez overnight a little later than scheduled. Due to be presented in the morning some technical problems delayed the launch until the afternoon.

As you can see the CT05 adds to the controversial nose deisgns and this one is perhaps the most rudimentary yet, being pretty much a cylinder stuck on the end of the higher nose.

F1 rookie Marcus Ericsson was in the car for the opening day of testing in Jerez and on a day where most teams had limited running the young Swede only managed to register a single installation lap.

“We obviously won’t know really where we are until quali in Australia, and one installation lap on day one isn’t going to tell us a lot about the car,” said Ericsson. “But to have got that first lap out of the way and on to day two is a good feeling, and, for me, a positive way to start my life as an F1 driver.”

And what does Marcus think of the aesthetics of his first Formula 1 car?

“People either love it or hate it, but for me it’s not really important what it looks like, as what counts is how quick it is,” Ericsson quipped. “If it’s fast then I really don’t care if it’s the worst looking thing out there, if it’s slow but beautiful then what’s the point of that?”

More from Caterham after the break, including a link to the team’s 2014 press kit.

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Caterham Formula 1

Tony Fernandes delivers Caterham ultimatum

Tony Fernandes

While announcing the new drivers for the 2014 F1 season Caterham owner Tony Fernandes delivered his under-performing team a sharp and direct ultimatum: Get better or I’ll quit!

“My message to the 250 people here [at the factory] is we have to go for it this year,” Fernandes said. “This is it—the final chance. We’ve given you the best infrastructure, the best potential drivers but it is now down to all of you to go and do it.”

And then came the threat that the Malaysian entrepreneur is willing to leave F1.

“If we’re at the back I don’t think I’m going to carry on,” claimed Fernandes. “Nothing is set in stone but after five years with no points there is a limit to one’s patience, money, motivation, etc, so it’s an important year.

“I need to feel like we’re going somewhere. If I feel we can compete, then great but if we’re not competing then we have to seriously examine ourselves and ask ‘does this make sense?’ If we’re not competing, two seconds behind everybody else, then we haven’t made any progress.”

So, no pressure on F1 rookie Marcus Ericsson and the returning Kamui Kobayashi to deliver some strong results, then.

Fernandes also took the opportunity to pass comment on the introduction of double-points status for this year’s final race in Abu Dhabi.

“That is a fake fix,” Fernanded added. “What’s better is to solve the issue and make the racing more compact so a Sauber, a Lotus or a Force India could cause an upset.

“That’s what people like to see, what people like to watch, and that is what is missing in Formula One. The gaps between the haves and the have-nots has made racing boring.”

[Soure: The Guardian]