What's that on your nose?

The 2012 F1 season is rapidly approaching. The cars have been unveiled, and testing has begun. These cars look strange. There is a new rule this year that specifies that the nose of the car must be lower. This is said to improve safety by keeping the nose from entering another drivers cockpit in the event of a side impact. With this new rule change, as expected, there are some intersting design differences between the cars. Looks like there are two schools of thought; stepped or non-stepped. Stepped, where there is a strange looking step in the nose of the car is the most common. Very few teams 1 or 2 have a non-stepped design.

Well, what's the difference? Why would one be better than the other? Marussia, formerly Virgin, has been quoted as saying there is no difference. I suspect they are mistaken. It all comes back to downforce vs. drag. Downforce good, drag bad. Unfortunately, many things that increase downforce, also increase drag. With the step in the front of the car, I predict many teams are seeing some level of front-end downforce increase, with some level of drag increase. It will be interesting to see how these designs evolve thoughout the season.

The most interesting design is on the Mercedes. It is very streamlined. It looks much more organic than any other car this year.

Looking forward to the first race of the year where we'll see the pecking order. Testing times are deceptive, generally; and this year, hopefully. Ferrari only topped the times one day this year, so far. Although they were top of the charts often last year, we all know how that turned out.

Now, how can I post a picture here and not get Bernie knocking on my door?

Credit: Mark Thompson/Getty Images     

Date: February 23, 2012

The development race

Here is Alonso discussing his 4th place qualifying at the German GP. This is why F1 is so awesome!

“We’re still improving the car, the new parts we brought here are also very positive, the car feels better and better every time. It’s not that our competitors are looking at the TV in the 15 days between the two races; everyone is improving. We know McLaren brought here a big aero package, Red Bull as well. It’s a competition also outside the races which team is quicker in developing the car as well.”

And a picture to make this post interesting. Here's Alonso doing some testing of a new rear wing in Canada. Some pressure sensitive paint and a few sensors on the rear wing. Not sure what he's looking at though :)

Been there!

This weekend is the German GP at the Nurburgring. The one place they always highlight during this weekend is the castle at the top of the mountain. They always have nice helicopter shots of it. Here's a view from the top, overlooking the Nurburgring GP course. The GP course is in the upper right of the image. Even part of the Nordschleife is in the left of the shot. I wish they would still race on that, but there is no way...much too dangerous for the speeds of these cars today! I loved that place, and hope to go back one day!

Hooray for keeping up with these posts on a regular* schedule.

*open to interpretation :)

The picture taker and the picture

Here's a cool thing that happened in my recent trip to see the F1 race in Montreal. As I was taking a picture, I was having a picture taken of me. And the picture taken of me was broadcast into hundreds of millions of homes. Sweet! So, here it is, the picture of me taking a picture, and the picture that resulted.

A picture of me taking a picture (look near the center of the frame, I have a red hat and big lens!)

The picture! Well done, Jenson. He had an incredible drive. I didn't mind seeing him win!

Hotel room - Montreal

Here we go with the continuation of one of my most pointless series of posts. Haha, I started the trend, and now I just want to continue with it for the sake of continuing with it. Oddly enough, it's kind of fun! So without further adieu, here's the hotel room from Montreal.

And because the view out the window in that picture is completely blown out, here's a shot out the window at night. I like this picture much more. :) 

Formula 1 '11::Race 01

This is going to be a great year for Formula 1. Some highlights and things to look for in the coming races:

• Before the start of the race, the 747 flying under the helicopter was a really cool shot! I don't know if that was planned, or an accident, but either way, it was sweet.
• Getting rid of the double diffuser made an absolutely massive difference. For overtaking, you don't need DRS (Drag Reduction System). You don't need KERS (Kenetic Energy Recovery System). You need clean air to the front wing! Did you see how close all the guys were racing? Wow, exciting stuff to come this year.
• Rubins needs to retire. Seriously. He has become a product placement guru; not a professional race car driver. Whenever he sees a camera pointing at him, he is more concerned about getting his sponsors seen than getting on with his job. Was he hoping the Mercedes he took out was Schumacher?
• Here's Alonso talking about the new button on the steering wheel for this year to control the DRS. Contrasted with what Webber had to say. How people like Webber, I'm not sure...what's he going to complain about next? Enjoy your $6.2 million a year and drive! (or retire?)
• "You have to understand that in qualifying we’re using it every single time we’re at full throttle, so it’s pretty busy. I’m on for a challenge. I’ve done Formula 3000 races round Monaco with a gear stick, so we can drive with one hand, this is not the problem." ~Alonso
• "For us to have to get used to the overload, it’s just an added bit of tummy-tapping, head-rubbing, multi-tasking which is a fraction unnecessary for qualifying, maybe." ~Webber
• Vettel is an impressive driver in an impressive car. He tends to have the same mindset as Alonso. He drives, doesn't complain and enjoys himself. I like drivers like this.
• Speaking of the Red Bull and Vettel...Are we seeing the beginning of dominance similar to the Schumacher-Ferrari days? Let's hope not!
• Well done Petrov, Perez, and di Resta. 

That is all for now. Next race Malaysia, April 10th.