[Fullrevs]

Originally Posted by vikram_d

Moreover, not many teams will invest too much money on this year's cars as they will be completely defunct next year due to the new engine & various other regulation changes coming into play in 2014. 2014 will be the year where F1 goes back to turbocharged V6 engines. I am so looking forward to next year from a technical point of view.

I think thats out of the window considering what Mclaren have done to this years car. Developing an entire suspension change and doing the necessary R&D must have been quite a task.

Finally some innovation from Ferrari. Well more than innovation, it was using and old existing idea and it seems to be catching on the others.

According to what i read, the new mclaren sports a modesty panel as they have gone for a higher cockpit height.

Cant wait to see what Ferrari come up with this year. Although, I think its another Red Bull-Vettel year again. The gap they enjoyed in qualifying was HUGE in 2012.

[vikram_d]

Originally Posted by Fullrevs

I think thats out of the window considering what Mclaren have done to this years car. Developing an entire suspension change and doing the necessary R&D must have been quite a task.

A pull rod suspension is much cheaper to design and build when compared to a push rod suspension system.

[anachronix]

The F138 breaks cover

The rear looks bulky like the F2012. I think we will see a differnt rear by OZ. The paint job looks close to the Marussia car, I like the complete scarlet color of the F2008.



Source: F1 Fanatic

[deetjohn]

Originally Posted by Fullrevs

Although, I think its another Red Bull-Vettel year again. The gap they enjoyed in qualifying was HUGE in 2012.

That gap will come down this year as DRS cannot be used everywhere on Saturday. It will be limited to designated zones during practice and qualifying.

Originally Posted by anachronix

The F138 breaks cover

I am not liking what I see. But it hardly matters if this one go like stink.

[Hatari]

The F138 looks nice sans stepped nose!
I like the white strip running by the side pods and ending on the front wing.

2 new sponsors - Weichai Power, Hublot and increased participation from Kaspersky.

But this year, it is very apparent, with technical regulations remaining very similar to last year, that the most new cars will look similar.
What is underneath that will count

[Maverift]

Originally Posted by Hatari

But this year, it is very apparent, with technical regulations remaining very similar to last year, that the most new cars will look similar.
What is underneath that will count

I am sure thats exactly what Alonso must be thinking.

[Fullrevs]

Originally Posted by vikram_d

A pull rod suspension is much cheaper to design and build when compared to a push rod suspension system.

But imagine the amount spent on R&D and wind tunnel costs to see if it would actually work for them. It is a completely new solution for them.

Overall would you think it is a better solution?

Originally Posted by deetjohn

That gap will come down this year as DRS cannot be used everywhere on Saturday. It will be limited to designated zones during practice and qualifying.

I dont think RBR was having an advantage because of the DRS.

[vikram_d]

Originally Posted by Fullrevs

But imagine the amount spent on R&D and wind tunnel costs to see if it
would actually work for them. It is a completely new solution for them.

Overall would you think it is a better solution?

Well I'm not an expert so I can't say if it is better or not. But most of the development cost for this pull tod suspension came out of last year's budget.

Edit: Plus like I said earlier, pull rod suspension is extremely cheap to build and the most obvious advantage it has is that it has a lower center of gravity when compared to push rod suspension. In F1 lower center of gravity means better car balance and stability. The most obvious drawback of this system is the complexity in setup, but I'm sure they have enough expertise on how to set it up.

Edit 2: Forget F1, lower center of gravity means better stability even in road cars.

[mgh]

Regarding his team's driver line-up for 2013, Mallya added: "We are very close to making our decision and I can assure you that we will arrive in Australia with one of the most exciting pairings on the grid."

Does that mean SFI is not taking on Sutil?


http://www.formula1.com/news/headlin...3/2/14227.html

The above on unveiling of VJM06, also has some photographs.

[Fullrevs]

Originally Posted by vikram_d

Well I'm not an expert so I can't say if it is better or not. But most of the development cost for this pull tod suspension came out of last year's budget.

Edit: Plus like I said earlier, pull rod suspension is extremely cheap to build and the most obvious advantage it has is that it has a lower center of gravity when compared to push rod suspension. In F1 lower center of gravity means better car balance and stability. The most obvious drawback of this system is the complexity in setup, but I'm sure they have enough expertise on how to set it up.

Edit 2: Forget F1, lower center of gravity means better stability even in road cars.

It helps with the aerodynamic packaging upfront and helps in low speed corners but did we see any such advantage over at Ferrari?

Im not sure of the entire change but we will know more when the Mclarens hit jerez.

Even if the costs were spent last year, wont it be projected as expenditure for the 2013 season? I think so.

As for Force India, I really hope they take Jules Bianchi on board. He is a future star.

EDIT: The F138 does have a stepped nose. It is a modesty panel that is covering it. Alonso has covered this in his press conference during the launch of the new car. He has gone on to say that he expects a performance improvement with the panel covering the stepped nose.

[D33-PAC]

Originally Posted by mgh

Does that mean SFI is not taking on Sutil?


http://www.formula1.com/news/headlin...3/2/14227.html

The above on unveiling of VJM06, also has some photographs.

I think it's 70% Bianchi. Sutil is experienced and all but I think Mallya or Subroto will not be foolish enough to waste an opportunity on someone who has shown himself.

Sutil's days are over IMHO, plus he is aged.

Plus I think Bianchi's ties to Ferrari might help FI in some way.

I think it's Bianchi. Just the use of the word "exciting" reminds of Bianchi's driving style from his GP2 days. I remember watching him in GP2 and thinking how good he'd be in an F1 car .

I don't know if Sutil can be described with "exciting" though.

[deetjohn]

Originally Posted by Fullrevs

I dont think RBR was having an advantage because of the DRS.

Red Bull clearly had a very fast car last year come Saturday. And often that was not the case on Sunday. I have read and hear that this difference was mainly due to the unrestricted usage of DRS.

Do read this article. http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2011/0...e-in-the-race/ And also note the comment by malcolm.strachan.

So, I think the gap will come down this year on Saturdays.

[anachronix]

FI already have an extremely overrated driver, Sutil should be as good as the other driver for FI. Don't know if the king of good times's pockets are still deep to bring drivers of his choice.

Otherwise, he might bring on Bianchi to prep him up for his future Ferrari role. Some deal that was rumored as part of the FI & Ferrari engine deal!

Originally Posted by D33-PAC

I think it's 70% Bianchi. Sutil is experienced and all but I think Mallya or Subroto will not be foolish enough to waste an opportunity on someone who has shown himself.

Sutil's days are over IMHO, plus he is aged.

Plus I think Bianchi's ties to Ferrari might help FI in some way.

I think it's Bianchi. Just the use of the word "exciting" reminds of Bianchi's driving style from his GP2 days. I remember watching him in GP2 and thinking how good he'd be in an F1 car .

I don't know if Sutil can be described with "exciting" though.

[sa_kiran]

Lewis's helmet for this season. Courtesy F1 Fanatic.

[D33-PAC]

Originally Posted by anachronix

FI already have an extremely overrated driver, Sutil should be as good as the other driver for FI. Don't know if the king of good times's pockets are still deep to bring drivers of his choice.

Otherwise, he might bring on Bianchi to prep him up for his future Ferrari role. Some deal that was rumored as part of the FI & Ferrari engine deal!

His pockets are surely not as deep as they were, but isn't hiring a driver such an inconsiderate expense ? I mean Bianchi surely will not get paid more than 500,000 euro/dollars a year.

What is this compared to his recent $60/80 million investment in FI ?

I mean its not like he is trying to hire Lewis or Alonso , whose salaries/ body part insurance policies are beyond mind boggling.