Ferrari has released video of Sebastian Vettel completing a flying lap of the famed Fiorano test circuit, including full team radio. Without proper timing we can only estimate that Vettel’s lap time in the F2012 was around 1:03. That’s not too bad considering the conditions, although some way off Michael Schumacher 2004 lap record of 55.99 seconds.
Last year’s Ferrari was a bit of a mess. Awful to look at, even by the team’s own admission, and inconsistent on the track. Yet, somehow, Fernando Alonso very nearly won the major prize. No doubt Maranello is hoping for bigger and better things from their 2013 machine.
If nothing else, the F138 is much better to look at, even though it will never rank highly on the list of the most beautiful F1 cars ever made.
There’s four more images for you below, along with the expert analysis on the F138 from Craig Scarborough.
We might have seen 12 days of F1 pre-season testing already this year, but today is the eve of the 2012 Formula One season proper. When tomorrow’s free practice sessions go green that will be the first chance we get to see who is fast and who was mucking around during those pre-season tests.
To help prepare you for another mammoth year in F1 we bring you this quick reference guide. We have the full entry list and numbers for all drivers, plus links to our launch articles for all 11 teams. Very useful will be the coloured boxes which indicate which drivers will have a red camera atop their car and who will have yellow.
We’ve also included an introductory video from Pirelli explaining some of the changes they have made to the tyres for the season ahead. And, finally, there’s a handy calendar with the start times for all 20 races converted to Australian Eastern time.
If you still want more information you can learn more about the rule changes introduced this year in the Charlie Whiting Q&A article and The Guardian also has a good team-by-team preview, that is well worth a read.
All that’s left now are questions on what the season will bring: will this be Mark’s year; can Ricciardo edge himself ahead of Jean-Eric Vergne; and, more importantly, can anyone stop Sebastian Vettel?
For easy reference save this link: ausm.tv/f1guide2012
When you compare the McLaren MP4-27 side by side with the Ferrari F2012 you notice something quite interesting. Notice how much lower the nose is on the McLaren? There’s a few more comparison pics for you after the break too.
Please note, of course, these images are intended to be a quick comparison only and the measurements and scale may not be totally accurate.
Ferrari has just released images of their new F1 car for the upcoming season. This year it’s simply called the F2012, leaving behind the unique F150 naming saga from last season.
Now, that “alligator” nose. It’s not pretty is it. Ferrari acknowledge this too, saying: “The nose has a step in it that is not aesthetically pleasing: with the requirement from the regulations to lower the front part, this was a way of raising the bottom part of the chassis as much as possible for aerodynamic reasons.”
In 2011 Ferrari won just one race, the British Grand Prix. Clearly they have set much higher goals this year and at the launch Fernando Alonso said, “We have to be optimistic. We have to fight for the title.”
Team Principal, Setfano Domenicali, responded by acknowledging Ferrari has an obligation to perform, “That is a sign of the responsibility we feel. We have to offer you [Alonso] a competitive high-performing car. I’m sure it will be winning from the very beginning.”
After the break you can read more from Ferrari as well as seeing a full suite of press images, all available in 2000px super sizing. There’s also a brief video clip showing the F2012 from all angles.
Italian magazine Autosprint has published these technical drawings of what they say is Ferrari’s 2012 F1 racecar. Likely to be dubbed the F12 or F2012 the car is due for an official reveal on 3 February.
Like the Caterham CT01, it’s understood the Ferrari will also feature a hump of some sort along its nose.
Team boss Stefano Domenicali has warned: “It’s (the 2012 car) definitely different, because it represents a clear break with the past in terms of the design philosophy.
“It’s not that pretty, because the shape defined by the technical regulations does not leave much scope, but, and this is what counts really, our hopes are that it is at the very least quick!”
It’s understood the sidepods will be quite similar to last year’s McLaren MP4-26.
We’ll bring you official info from Ferrari along with pics, in wallpaper-friendly sizing, as soon as it comes to hand.
[Source: Autosprint | Thanks to Wes for the tip]