More of the gang + Testing Day 1

Yesterday saw the launch of the Red Bull RB8, the Toro Rosso STR7 and the Sauber C31.
The RB8 was revealed through a nicely shot video, Red Bull style - not giving too much away! While the STR7 and C31 where revealed in Jerez ready for testing today.

Sauber C31 opted for a slightly different livery this year with the black and white balance.

 While the STR7 livery looks similar with a few tweaks. 

This team may be one to watch, if they can perform as fiercely as it looks, in Daniel Ricciardo's words 'multo sexy'

And then Adrian Newey's masterpiece (taken from testing today) who, like anticipated, made the most of the new nose regulations with a hole where the step is - rumoured to help cool the drivers but i'm not buying that 100%, we'll see.

If you want to check out the launch video click here

Today in Jerez ahead of testing the FW34 was launched...

With a slick livery this is one team i think a lot of fans (and the team) are hoping to be competitive.

JEREZ TEST - DAY 1


Kimi Raikkonen topped the time sheets today, looking happy with the car's performance, maybe the iceman is thawing? 

[Autosport.com]

E20 Launch

With fans all around the world waiting for the launch of the new Lotus E20, it was met by slight disappointment. Technical difficulties with the volume of traffic attempting to access their website meant most fans saw pictures of the car released by Facebook/Twitter sites.

Lotus E20

Sticking to a familiar livery the Lotus also features the stepped nose, however i'm not sure if it's the colours that hide the step slightly or that it's more of a slope compared to say Ferrari's dramatic stepped nose, either way i think the car looks beautiful, the black and gold is by far one of my favourites. 

I'm hoping they have a strong season, like the start of last year but continue performing at the highest level with some podium's in 2012 for both drivers.

If you want to check out their launch video head over to their Youtube channel.

The next set of launches will be happening tomorrow from Jerez, don't miss them!

MotoGP first test's

The first pre-season testing took place with the new bikes earlier this week at Sepang, Malaysia. I'm sure in the back of all the riders mind was the fateful weekend last October, Sepang will always hold the memories of Marco Simoncelli but testing began and in between rain showers laps were set.

For some riders testing went well for others, injuries they picked up over winter were proving to be trouble, Nicky Hayden in particular, who not only is still recovering from his wrist injury after the last race in Valencia but is also suffering from a fractured collarbone after a training accident and the end of last year. Other included Andrea Dovizioso, who also broke his collarbone and Casey Stoner who strained himself before going out on the bike.

Testing continued and they all put in valuable laps:

[motogp.com]

Let the wheels start rolling (F1)

So, yes i may be a little late now the pre-season prep has been in motion for the last week but i will refresh you memory of what's been happening, it's been rather busy!

A little over a week ago another Frenchman was added to the mix of rising talent. Jules Bianchi, who is on Ferrari's young driver programme along with Sergio Perez, is now officially Sahara Force India's third driver. While it may not be a full time drive, this is the next best thing, observing and being fully involved with Force India as well as take the Sahara for a spin on Friday P1's. Hopefully he'll join the best in 2013, i wish him all the best - keep your eye on him, the boy's got talent!

The first live launch (that wasn't delivered straight to your doorstep) was McLaren's MP4-27...

Revealing their new challenger at the team's Woking factory, McLaren are the only team, so far, to take a different approach to their front wing. Instead of a dipped nose they've gone for a gradual dip that is either going to be a winner or a loser.

Today saw Sahara Force India and Ferrari take to the spotlight, revealing their car's in different countries but of similar climate...

Force India took to the track around the corner from their factory - Silverstone, with chilly weather and a sprinkle of snow all three drivers (Paul Di Resta, Nico Hulkenberg and Jules Bianchi) took off the black cover. After the world had set eyes on the new challenger, they also took it for a drive around to warm it up ready for testing.

Ferrari also had their car launch today, however due to heavy snowfall over at Ferrari HQ in Maranello the launch was canceled and Ferrari revealed the F2012 from their website with exclusive photo's from the factory.

I have to agree with other's opinions, it does look like a toy car made from lego.
A lot of fans have been disappointed by how the cars look (me included) however if they are safe and are competitive then who are we to complain, it's just an added bonus i guess.

"Race cars are neither beautiful nor ugly. They become beautiful when they win." - Enzo Ferrari.
Make of that what you will.

One last point...
We now have a full driver line up for 2012 - Hurray!!
HRT confirmed Narain Karthikeyan as their driver pairing Pedro de la Rosa.

The 2012 grid will look like this, for the start of the season anyway.

Testing starts on Tuesday in Jerez where the the rest of the teams will reveal their cars.

So it begins

The first car launch of 2012 happened a few days ago, in a unique fashion to usual...
Caterham revealed their CT-01 through F1 Racing magazine with exclusive pictures and interviews.

 CT-01

The shape of the nose was the main talking point, mainly the fact it supposedly looks like a platypus, but we all better get used to it because it will be a familiar look up and down the grid. Maybe 2012 isn't the year of as pretty shaped cars but the colour scheme looks good.

Next week the rest of the car launches begin with McLaren's car debut and like dominoes the rest of the teams will reveal their weapon's for the year.

Click here to listen to the first fire up of the CT-01 

With recent speculation on the final seat at Williams being between Brazilians Rubens Barrichello or Bruno Senna, now that it's been published Adrian Sutil will be standing trial.
 
The deal has been done with Bruno Senna and he will officially drive for Williams in 2012, a slightly emotional signing seeing as Williams was the last team that his uncle Ayrton Senna drove for. This was a choice that has split many F1 fans, of course we're all very happy to see Bruno get a seat but at the same time gutted for Rubens who has had 19 seasons in Formula 1, is an all-round favourite and one of the most liked, respected and loveliest guys on the grid and off the grid. Most would love to see him have one final season or at the very least a true send off for a legendary career. 
We're sure this isn't the end of Rubens being involved in F1 as he said in a BBC interview last season "Formula 1 is my life" this will be an end of an era if he doesn't sign for the only other available seat at HRT.
  
I'm looking forward to seeing Bruno Senna back on track though, let's hope it's a move that will benefit Williams and put them back on the right road to being a successful Formula 1 team!

Now the question is, who will be the final signing at HRT?

MotoGP: On the grid 2012

Provisional entry list for 2012, of course this is subject to change but it's good to see more riders on the grid this season with the help from CRT bikes.