Category: Ferrari

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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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Ferrari Video

VIDEO: Sounding off in a LaFerrari

LaFerrari and Enzo

Looking at the sequence of media exposure surrounding the Porsche 918 Spyder and McLaren P1 you’d swear there’s some sort of agreement from the manufacturers to let each of these mega hybrids have its time in the sun without stealing the limelight from each other. That leaves the LaFerrari as the third and final of the hybrid triumvirate to catch a few rays.

We’re not sure when the media superlatives will begin to fire from journos keyboards the world over but we do know one thing: the LaFerrari sounds bloody good!

We know this because we’ve watched this video showing the LaFez and an Enzo tearing up the hills outside Monte Carlo. Never mind its electric bits, just wait until you hear the roar from the LaFerrari’s 6.3 litre V12.We think you might like it.

[Thanks to Chris for the tip]

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2014 Geneva Motor Show in pictures – part 1

2014 Geneva Motor Show

Like us you probably haven’t had a chance to duck over to Europe to check out the Geneva Motor Show. So here’s the first of a two part series bringing you a selection of the cars on show. Here we start with Alfa Romeo and go through to Lexus.

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Caterham F1 in pictures Ferrari Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Toro Rosso

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!

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Ferrari Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz Renault

F1 winter testing: Bahrain I by numbers

2014 Bahrain I test infographic

Looking at the numbers of laps completed by Power Unit it would appear that Renault has caught up significant ground on Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-powered Williams led the field in terms of number of laps covered with 323, while Nico Rosberg piloted his Mercedes AMG W05 to the quickest lap (1:33.283) during the first four days of testing in Bahrain.

However, when dissecting all the figures we must point out a couple of caveats. Lotus was at this test, whereas they weren’t present at Jerez. That means Mercedes-Benz and Renault powered four teams each and Ferrari the remaining three.

Perennial strugglers Marussia managed only 29 laps, which skews Ferrari’s figures somewhat. The bar graphs showing the teams paints a clearer picture with three of the four bottom teams all powered by Renault.

The Renault-powered team to cover the most miles was Caterham (253 laps) and across the four days the closest it got to the fastest lap of the day was 4.975 seconds on day 2.

Of the remaining Renault-powered runners Toro Rosso did the most laps (134), followed by Red Bull (116) and Lotus (111).

Click the image above for a larger version with more detail.

[Source: Formula1.com]

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Ferrari

Ferrari rated world’s most “powerful” brand

Ferrari F12berlinetta

Brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance has just released its 2014 Global 500 report. It shows that Apple retains its title as the world’s most valuable brand, but in terms of intangible brand strength, Ferrari is king, despite being ranked a relatively lowly 350th in terms of brand value.

It’s the second year in a row that Ferrari has been awarded the title of world’s most powerful brand.

“The prancing horse on a yellow badge is instantly recognizable the world over, even where paved roads have yet to reach,” said David Haigh, Brand Finance Chief Executive. “In its home country and among its many admirers worldwide Ferrari inspires more than just brand loyalty, more of a cultish, even quasi-religious devotion, its brand power is indisputable.”

[Source: Brand Finance]

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Ferrari Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz Renault

F1 winter testing: Jerez by numbers

2014 Jerez test infographic

Formula 1 pre-season testing resumes tonight, this time in Bahrain. The big story to emerge from the Jerez test last month was the paucity of laps completed by the Renault-powered teams.

We’ve taken a quick look at the numbers and come up with this simple infographic comparing the laps completed with a focus on the Power Units used (Mercedes: 4 teams; Ferrari: 3 teams; Renault: 3 teams).

As you can see the big winners from Jerez were the four Mercedes-powered teams. In contrast there were only three teams each for Ferrari and Renault. Of course, Lotus, a Renault-powered team, was absent from the test as well.

The lines beneath the larger numbers represent the laps completed by each team, with the colours referencing the Power Unit used. In the bottom right hand corner is a comparison showing the total numbers of laps completed by all teams combined at Jerez in 2013 and 2014.

If you click on the image above you’ll get a larger version with extra detail.

[Source: Formula1.com]

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Ferrari

Ferrari California T revealed

Ferrari California T

Ferrari has wasted no time in linking its production cars with the new turbo era in Formula 1 by chucking a hair dryer in the California.

It’s the first time we’ve seen a turbocharged production model from Ferrari since the legendary F40. So it’s not a decision the chaps at Modena would have taken lightly.

The merits of such a decision would have been made easier, though, once it was clear they could give the California a shedload more power and a crapload more torque. Where a shed equals 22% (412kW) and a crap amounts to 49% (755Nm).

It’s actually a whole new engine too, where the 2008 model California had a 4.3 litre V8, the model T has a 3.8 litre capacity.

Throw in the improved looks from the restyled bodywork and this new California T should be a much better car than the model its replacing.

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Ferrari Formula 1

Another batch of retro F1 joy

Bruce Thomson F1 sketches

We’d never heard of Bruce Thomson until this morning, but we can see he is clearly a good bloke. His blog is chock-full of stunning motorsport themed sketches. Some of the highlights are an ongoing series of retro F1 drawings.

Rather than just applying a retro livery to an existing modern design, Thomson has taken things to a new level by sketching his own cars as well. Who knows if they’d prove to be effective aerodynamically, we do know they’re damn effective visually.

Some sketches are a blend of old and new, others are reinterpretations of old iconic liveries. All are beautiful things to look at. Getting the Thomson treatment are Ferrari, Williams, Mercedes, Lotus and McLaren.

Make sure you check out Thomson’s F1 Cartoon series too.

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Bathurst 12 Hour Ferrari McLaren Mercedes-Benz Video

VIDEO: 2014 Bathurst 12 Minute race

2014 Bathurst 12 Hour race

In the end the 2014 Bathurst 12 Hour race became a 12 minute sprint race. It was a battle in two; fourth chasing third and second chasing first. If you missed the action yesterday or just want to relive those final moments of madness the final 12 minutes are all yours after the break.

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2014 Bathurst 12 Hour photo gallery: Race

2014 Bathurst 12 Hour

Another Bathurst 12 Hour race has been run and won. Today, for the betterment of the event, it was another great chapter in the GT era.

Sometimes it seems as though the Safety Car will always conspire to deliver last minute sprints for the line, as the increasingly harsh concrete barriers close in around the snaking ribbon atop Mount Panorama. The clichéd chat of close fought wins after yet another endurance epic will inevitably fill the airwaves and column inches.

And yet, it seems impossible to ignore the cliché that, today, motor racing was the real winner. Craig Lowndes, drafted in by the Maranello Motorsport team to replace the seemingly irreplaceable and equally likeable Allan Simonsen, steered the charismatic Ferrari home with a young kid keeping him honest all the way to the line.

Of course, 20 years ago we saw a finish not too dissimilar to this at the same venue with Lowndes in the junior role. Who played the senior part? John Bowe, the wily old master in the pit garage today cheering Lowndes towards victory.

Lowndes and Bowe, Bathurst legends each, and Simonsen no stranger to Mount Panorama’s history books, despite never tasting the ultimate success. It was a perfect mix from not so perfect circumstances, coming together to deliver a fairy tale result. The race stewards even stepped in to play villain once or twice.

The efforts of Mika Salo and Peter Edwards can’t be ignored, either. Well done them. Well done all.

We hope they’re still enjoying the spoils of this victory while individually taking quiet moments alone to pay their own respects to Simonsen.

[Pics: Joel Strickland Photographics]

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Bathurst 12 Hour Ferrari

Maranello Motorsport wins 2014 Bathurst 12hr

2014 Bathurst 12 Hour

Craig Lowndes has hung on in the Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 during a drama-filled final 12 minutes to win the 2014 Bathurst 12 Hour for the Maranello Motorsport team.

The winning margin was just 0.41 seconds back to Max Buhk in the #84 HTP Mercedes. Third place was claimed by the #63 Erebus Mercedes who had to fend off a charging Shane van Gisbergen in the #37 McLaren.

In P5 was Laurens Vanthoor in the #3 Phoenix Racing Audi R8 LMS Ultra, the final car on the lead lap. A total of 296 laps were completed a new distance record for the Bathurst 12 Hour race.

A grandstand finish was guaranteed on lap 288 after the #67 Porsche went into the wall on the top of the mountain forcing the Safety Car on track to allow track marshals to move car and driver to safety.

It was the ninth Safety Car period for the race it pulled into pit lane with 12 minutes left on the clock. Lowndes held the lead from Buhk, Davison and van Gisbergen.

While those positions didn’t change the drama and excitement went through the roof. It was a two-stage race with Lowndes and Buhk dicing, while Davison and van Gisbergen fought over the final podium step.

Bathurst rookie Max Buhk gave his Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 every chance to win trying twice to overtake Lowndes around the outside of Lowndes at Griffins Bend. Lowndes showed immense composure to hold his line and defend his position.

Meanwhile van Gisbergen was doing all he could to get past the leading Erebus Mercedes but had to contend himself with P4. That late splash and dash for the McLaren proved to take away its chance for victory.

As you can imagine the Maranello Motorsport team was overjoyed at the win with Craig Lowndes joined by fellow drivers John Bowe, Mika Salo and Peter Edwards on the podium. The entire team paying tribute to fallen teammate Allan Simonsen.

And with that dramatic and final result the Bathurst 12 Hour race delivered not only an exciting sprint to the line but also a sentimental victory that nobody can deny.

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