F1 2012 - New cars

[jimbo]

The first image of the new Caterham F1 car for next season is out & it's ugly!

here

The new designs are to comply with the new regualtions that came in and they'll be ugly. Domenicali has said the Ferrari is ugly, Ross Brawn has said the Merc is ugly so don't expect too much!

New car dates are;

January

25
Pirelli 2012 tyres launch (Yas Marina Circuit) - PICS

26
Caterham CT01 launch (F1 Racing Magazine / Facebook / Twitter)

February

1
McLaren MP4-27 launch (MTC, Woking) - 11:00 GMT

3
Ferrari F2012 launch (Maranello HQ)
Ferrari F2012 first run (Fiorano Circuit)
Force India VJM05 launch (Silverstone Circuit)
Force India VJM05 first run (Silverstone Circuit)

5
Lotus R32 launch (www.lotusf1team.com) - 16.00 GMT

6
Red Bull RB8 launch (www.redbullracing.com) - 13:00 GMT
Lotus R32 media launch (Jerez Circuit) - 13.00 GMT
Sauber C31 launch (Jerez Circuit)

7
Ferrari F2012 first test (Jerez Circuit)
McLaren MP4-27 first test (Jerez Circuit)
Sauber C31 first test (Jerez Circuit)
Lotus R32 first test (Jerez Circuit)
Red Bull RB8 first test (Jerez Circuit)
Williams FW34 first test (Jerez Circuit)
Force India VJM05 first test (Jerez Circuit)
Caterham CT01 first test (Jerez Circuit)

21
AMG Mercedes W03 first test (Catalunya Circuit)
HRT F112 first test (Catalunya Circuit)


March

1
Marussia TBA first test (Catalunya Circuit)

[Daz]

I don't think it looks that much different compared with the 2011 cars to be honest.

They are functional, not pretty cars, that's how they have always been.

[Chriscooke]

That looks horrid

[Johnny]

Did they steal the designer that worked on the Fiat multipla ?

[ben8000]

Did they steal the designer that worked on the Fiat multipla ?

Spot on.

[Pete C]

It's the 2012 nose height regulations that have caused it to look like that, they should have considered that it'd make the entire grid look fugly before they did it. Would have been better to introduce a maximum height for everything forward of the cockpit.

[MEL]

platypus-picture.jpg

Fugly nose anyone

[Plus4E]

They are functional, not pretty cars, that's how they have always been.

Exactly. Any aesthetics is coincidental to function. It's not a beauty parade

[Rubix_Cube]

I don't think it looks that much different compared with the 2011 cars to be honest.

They are functional, not pretty cars, that's how they have always been.

Exactly. Any aesthetics is coincidental to function. It's not a beauty parade

I'm with these chaps.... its an F1 car...

[Tetra]

As said to me by a Mondello Park driving instructor when referring to one their racing school cars: "It's built for speed"

[sxbaz]

tis a shame, last couple of seasons the cars have got much better looking. I get the whole function over form thing but watching them for 2 hours would be better if they were nicer to look at wouldnt it? I imagine it'd be like a susan boyle concert, great voice but you'd rather be looking at a 20yr old swedish model

[Plus4E]

watching them for 2 hours would be better if they were nicer to look at wouldnt it?

You sound like my mum....

[sxbaz]

You sound like my mum....

mum knows best

[BreadBin]

Ken Tyrell famously replied to the question which F1 car is the best looking with 'Whichever one finishes first'

[Jem]

I'm going to buck the trend and say F1 cars should be stunning, both from an engineering point of view, but also aesthetically. It's the pinnacle of of motorsport so fugly wont do

[Marcos]

tis a shame, last couple of seasons the cars have got much better looking.

You think? I don't like the tiny rear/huge front wings of the modern cars. I agree, race cars are built for speed not looks but I'm not a fan of all the little wings and ducts everywhere. Personally my favorite car (in terms of looks) has to be the McLaren mp4/8 but even then technically it wasn't in the same league as the Williams FW14. I'm biased, my hero made it do things it really couldn't.

[Infinity]

Marcos, I have to say I agree, he make that car dance

That said, the new cars are not going to be to everyone's tastes, but I think they are engineering masterpieces, both in terms of looks and capability. The designers take the strict rules and bend them to their will - absolutely love it

[sxbaz]

marcos i agree that cars from the earlier era are better looking, I was thinking more of recent history where regulations have forced some of the aero to be dropped. If you compare vettels redbull to the redbull caulthard was driving 5 or so years ago you really appreciate the newer cars for looks. well i do, i guess its all down to personal tase at the end of the day

[Pete C]

McLaren MP4-27 being unveiled from 11am today folks, apparently it's had some innovative things done to it that are going to be obvious and immediately have people questioning their legality. Erm, marvellous?

Launch is being broadcast live on the Sky F1 channel

[Mark]

Launch is being broadcast live on the Sky F1 channel

Pretty sure its being streamed on the Mclaren site as well as I got an email from them.


EDIT: Yep - http://www.mclaren.com/page/watch-th...-mp4-27-live-1