HRT to reveal new car at final test after crash test failure

F1 Fanatic round-up

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Pedro de la Rosa, HRT, Jerez, 2012

In the round-up: HRT delay the first appearance of their new car after failing a crash test.

F1 links

HRT via Twitter

“14 crash tests passed. Chassis approved but the two that failed (by minor margin) prevent us to have the car ready for first Barcelona test.”

Fry voices Ferrari concerns (Sky)

Technical director Pat Fry: “I am not happy with where we are at the moment. There is a lot of room for us to improve. Reliability-wise it is good. Performance-wise I think we are okay.”

Q&A with Lotus’s Kimi Raikkonen (F1)

“On the first day the car was good, but I have to say that on the second day it was even better. If it only set the fifth-best time then it was down to the fact that we tried different things.”

McLaren claim it nose best by ignoring Platypus design (The Mirror)

Technical director Paddy Lowe: “My model of it is that it’s not a case of us missing some trick. It is not a trick or a loophole that we did not spot. We have always known that you can lift your chassis there, but have chosen to not do it now.”

Nico Rosberg says new tyres will make F1 racing different this year (Autosport)

“It is going to have a big impact on the racing because the compounds are closer now. It is difficult for me to foresee how that will go, but it will be different.”

Vettel ticking all the boxes for Red Bull (Reuters)

“It’s been two months since we were in the car so it does take a couple of laps to get back in the rhythm, but the car feels fine and as we expected.”

Nico Hulkenberg via Twitter

“No running for me today unfortunately. Hoping for a better day tomorrow.”

Letters to the editor: Bahrain race (The Times, subscription required)

“Until it takes concerted measures to reform the electoral, penal and judicial processes, international observers as well as ordinary Bahrainis can have little confidence that Bahrain is on the path to reform and political stability. We urge the FIA to reconsider its decision to continue with the race.

“Lord Ahmad Of Wimbledon; Lord Ahmed Of Rotherham; Lord Alton; Lord Avebury; Baroness Falkner Of Margravine; Lord Hylton; Caroline Lucas; Lord Boswell.”

Upbeat Kovalainen praises car and signs new management deal (James Allen)

“It has been announced today that Heikki Kovalainen has joined IMG Worldwide as his new management team, as well as being represented for all future commercial interests.”

Meanwhile at the Nurburgring (Joe Saward)

“The circuit authorities say that they had negotiated a deal with the Formula One group to host a race every two years for just ??9.8 million ($13 million), which spread across two financial years meant an annual investment in F1 of only $6.5 million. Without the F1 deal the Nurburgring would likely sink further into financial trouble as the race generates not only spectators, but also visitors throughout the year.”

Circuit construction, Feb. 8, 2012 (Circuit of the Americas via Facebook)

Pictures of development at the new home of the United States Grand Prix.

When Formula 1 turned ugly (MotorSport)

“If it looks right, it is right: Renault AK 90CV, Bugatti Type 35, Alfa Romeo Tipo B, Maserati 250F, Lotus 25, and 72, Ligier JS11, McLaren MP4/4 and Ferrari 641.”

Follow F1 news as it breaks using the F1 Fanatic live Twitter app.

Comment of the day

JamieFranklinF1’s thoughts on testing yesterday:

I bet Hulkenberg was pretty annoyed with Bianchi – I know I would be if I were him.

As for Ferrari, I want to believe that they can mix it up with Red Bull and McLaren this year, but there’s just a niggly part in my mind that says that they’ve possibly been too aggressive. As was said above, they had a solid car in Silverstone, when the exhaust-blown diffuser was restricted with the engine mapping taken away, so surely they should have evolved on that concept if their car wasn’t gaining much of a benefit from it as Red Bull and especially McLaren had done.

It’s also nice to see that Lotus can continue the quick times with Grosjean, even if times at this stage do mean nothing.

I also can’t wait to see the new Mercedes, as I have a feeling that they’re going to show more improvement than they did last year.
JamieFranklinF1

From the forum

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On this day in F1

Teams ran with messages of support for the injured Robert Kubica in testing on this day last year:

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65 comments on “HRT to reveal new car at final test after crash test failure”

  1. I had hopes in HRT, at least I could see them not soooo at the back of the grid. But failing a crash test, regardless of how minor the margin is, doesn’t speak well of them…

    1. Still, if they actually make a test I’ll be impressed.

    2. Ferrari reportedly failed their crash tests with the F2012.

      1. Didn’t know about that, but their times are indeed worrying me.

        1. There are two points that should be made at this juncture:

          1) Testing times mean nothing. Every team operates on a different a different testing programme, and they tend to stick to it religiously (barring any unforseen accidents – I’m looking at you, Jules Bianchi), regardless of what every other team is doing. Testing is not about setting quick lap times. It’s about following the programme, getting feedback on the car’s behaviour, getting the drivers acquainted with the new car, plotting out the development schedule, and so on. You cannot compare the teams relative to one another without knowing their testing programmes, and those don’t get released.

          2) Failing a crash test doesn’t mean much, either. It may slow down the development of the car, but it’s usually a result of the materials not being study enough. Ferrari and HRT may have just needed to add an extra layer of carbon fibre in certain places, which won’t affect the aerodynamics. There is no relationship between failing a crash test and setting poor times.

          1. I didn’t mean that Ferrari is setting poor times due to their failing a crash test, there were two different points. What I wanted to express is that HRT’s failure could indeed slow down the car development and in a small team like them that will be clearly reflected on-track. On a different point, it’s true that testing times mean nothing, but if you see them 2 secs off, you can’t help feeling like that.

          2. does HRT have a place to brin this development. their new facility in spain is it technically functional……

      2. Didn’t Red Bull fail a crash test last year? I remember something about that… of course, this “crash-test before running” rules were not enforced, but stil… proves your point too.

      3. HRT have failed a crash test whilst testing has already begun. Ferrari still made it in time for the frist test.

    3. Nothing to be too disappointed about HRT. The most important part that is the chassis past the test. The other parts are easily fixed. It’s just that it puts them a little off schedule but hey if they appear at least at the last test along with Marussia then it’s fine enough considering the last two years they barely managed to appear at the first race.

      1. Exactly, I’m honest just amazed that they have a new car at all. Really they should be congratulated ten fold. Even if it is even worse than the last.

        On the budget they have, this is a major milestone.

        1. i dont understand the enthusiasm towards HRT. For the past two years they were just filling the gap. and it looks like their third year wont be nay better. i think F1 would not lose much if HRT was not in it. The only difference would be less hassle for the front runners lapping them several times a race.

          Dont get me wrong, i like supporting the underdogs, but there is a limit. I loved the Jordans and Minardis of F1. Even though they started at the bottom and were struggling for funds, you could feel their passion for racing and the motivation to win. With HRT i dont see that. It feels like they are happy just participating. That attitude just doesn’t belong in F1.

          I say its time for someone else to have a go. There are plenty of teams out there who would do a better job in my opinion. Its not like they can do much worse is there.

          1. F1 has always loved its minnows. I think Minardi held a special place in most fans hearts despite regularly being 5 secs of the pace. Its part of F1 to have a struggling back marker whose desire to take part overwhelms their ability to make ends meet.

            I say stop kicking them when they’re down and don’t be so elitist. If it wasn’t for the independent spirit we would never have enjoyed the hallowed era of Williams dominance for example. You never know in this world and as long as thats the case its got to be worth a try so don’t drag them down for having the guts to do so!

          2. @coefficient Well said! Plus, let’s not forget, not having the ability to test when you want has largely apprehended the newcomers somewhat. Other newcomers in the past had the luxury of testing available to them.

          3. I’m with coefficient and Andrew. I don’t understand why they appeal to me- other than Senna and Ricciardo they haven’t run any drivers I care about, and yet as a team I support them- normally if I like a team it is related to the driver line-up. I like that despite being pretty hopeless they have out-achieved Virgin, and they seem set on improving. Of the 3 bottom teams, Caterham/Lotus are feisty and desperately trying to break into the midfield, Virgin are sinfully average and come across soulless to me. With HRT, something about the team suggests there is spirit, although I’m not sure what it is.

          4. “Virgin are sinfully average and come across soulless to me”

            Exactly. I feel the same way towards HRT.

            And the reason why i brought up minardi (who were also behind on pace etc) was to show that i do support small teams and love the “independent spirit” in F1. So please dont use that argument against me. My point was that HRT and Virgin just dont have this spirit. which is a different discussion.

          5. That’s just rubbish @vjanik.

            You say you like Minardi, well, you don’t think they always had decades of history do you? Would you have supported them when they were still young?

            HRT have gone through a lot to be here today, The number of times they could have pulled out is alarming. But they didn’t, they have pushed on, against all the odds. And they still are.

            That is what I respect. Say what you will like about any of the other teams, But HRT won’t give up. That is to be admired.

            I can’t respect that the two teams you are criticizing are the two least likely to succeed.

          6. Let me put it this way. Super Aguri were one of my most favourite teams in F1.

          7. Of course Super Aguri did have it significantly easier than any of the new teams.

          8. yes they had an old Arrows chasis, but their budget was very small and they were competing in the time when manufacturers were at their peek having much bigger budgets that today’s teams. There was no resource restriction agreement inplace. i dont think they had an easier job than the current “new” teams.

            but lets say for a minute that they had. so what? whats your point?

    4. The 2005 World Champions Renault failed their crash tests too…

  2. I was a bit surprised when people started wondering “has McLaren missed the trick here?”

    Why would they? previous cars had a relatively low nose too, and they are not obliged to follow the other’s path, right?

    Brilliant explanation too. It’s not a loophole , not like the DDD (unless that Red Bull boxer nose has something in there… and even so, it’d not be just McLaren).

    1. It’s not a ‘missing the trick’. I hope the McLaren will be fast, if only because it’s the most beautiful modern F1 car. Generally when you’re the only team doing something different, you’re doing something wrong. That’s why we remember the exceptions so well.

      It alternatively might in itself not make much of a difference, but like the extreme U shaped sidepods which according to Mclaren did make a positive difference, didn’t win them any championship last year.

      Any design is dictated by an overall philosophy, one that Red Bull has gotten very right for the past two three years, 2009 a perfect case of just a loophole they missed while ending up with an untouchable car.

      I hope McLaren’s philosophy with their 2012 car is good, because I’m sure on their car their nose works… but it’s a lot more than the nose that has to get to the finish.

      We’ll see in Melbourne. :)

      1. Cue headlines if they win in Melbourne: “McLaren win by a nose”.

  3. If McLaren dominate in Melbourne, how hard would it be for all the other teams to change!? They would have to design a totally new car. So I guess Red Bull and Ferrari will be hoping they are faster out of the box.

    1. I don’t think they have to change their nose because Mclaren is so dominant. Many technical directors of teams repeatly said design of nose is just philosophy and the point of start of the design. Package Package Package…it is all unless there’s double diffuser or blown diffuser or sort of such things.

      1. Even if they wanted to which they wont getting rid of the step requires a redesign of the chassis which i think is not allowed mid season. There was a bunch of storys about teams having trouble fitting f ducts in 2010 and having to adapt holes that were already in the chassis’.

        1. Actually i think this year a new chassis is allowed but they will need to re-pass the crash test.
          Also changing the nose doesn’t really require to change the chassis.
          Anyway if other teams find Mclaren to be faster then the problem isn’t simply making there nose lower. It’s a lot more complicated than that since Mclaren’s nose exist because of a lower car that affects the whole philosophy of the car.
          Not one part of the car is independent. The whole thing works together and the cars the other have built are made in a way that they work with that extra airflow coming from under a high nose so changing their nose to a lower one will mean changing lots of other staff so it can work together with a new lower nose.
          They will have to throw out of the window a desighn philosophy really and there is no way they would catch Mclaren that will be already ahead of them in that philosophy. They will have to kiss 2012 good-buy.
          Anyway i believe both ways basically seem to work since both ways where basically followed last year by the two faster teams.
          The high noses are the same philosophy as last year, just because they have a bump it doesn’t mean than the philosophy is now non effective.
          A simple step in the nose isn’t enough to screw the aerodynamics of the car. If it doesn’t work it’s for more than just the bump.

          1. “the problem isn’t simply making there nose lower.”

            I never said it was, i said the chassis needed altering that’s not part of the nose, connected to but not part of.

            The reason teams have stepped noses is because their tub sits higher in the chassis. From a performance point of view you can’t simply lower it and leave it nor did i suggest anyone would, but to get rid of the step altering the chassis is a must.

          2. The biggest problem is that, even if you do manage to lower the nose, that effects the airflow to the rest of the car in it’s entirety.

            Changing the nose radically would , honestly speaking, require either a genius, or a complete redesign of the bodywork. No mean feat.

  4. At least the car is just white and not that awful checker board pattern from last season.

    1. It almost looks like the Brawn.

      1. I assumed that was just the testing livery. Am I wrong?

        1. I would suspect so.

          One problem for HRT is that they can turn up with a really cool and no one would notice.

          The white looks kinda groovy I think. I’m quite excited to see what they end up with.

        2. Williams did the same thing with their livery last year.

    2. That was the best livery of last year, cool and retro!

  5. “And on this episode of Top Gear we ask: Building chassis that pass FIA crash tests.. How hard can it be?”

    I’d pay to see the lads try that.

    1. @hey Cue James May rolling in with a Alfa Romeo 156, and Clarkson with the powerful MP4/4. XP

    2. soundscape (@)
      10th February 2012, 6:23

      It’d be a three-part Epic, Lord of the Rings-esque.

      1. Exactly…

        Part1: “Building an F1 chassis that passes the FIA crash test. How hard can it be?”

        Part2: “Tonight on Top Gear… James is on fire.
        Richard… Is on fire. And I am… On fire.”

        Part3: “Bribing Jean Todt… How hard can it be?”

  6. Some of these ‘nose’ headlines are starting to smell bad.

    1. I think it’s a great shame that some of the cars look ungainly this year. But over time I’m sure we’ll come to accept ’em.

      Septum? No? Oh.

  7. It puzzles me why there is worry about the low nose of the McLaren. If people recall, the Brawn BGP001 of 2009 had a low nose, and it performed very well. The double diffuser wasn’t the sole source of the BGP001’s performance, but it was equally important how the front wing–in particular the end plates–interacted with the downstream airflow.

    The entire car as a package is important–not just one little gimmick.

    1. You’re correct, but I’m not sure there is any worry – just the Sun probably trying to make a story from a bog standard interview.

      The Brawn example is a good one, also last year’s McLaren.

  8. “Some people have some interesting ideas around the use of that step, and we are looking with interest at all of that stuff.”

    This quote from the McLaren article is interesting, obviously they are talking about the slot in the Red Bull. “looking with interest” is the line that usually precedes weeks of protests.

    As a side note I’m absolutely loving Raikkonens confidence, cool as always.

  9. How cool would it be for Mercedes and Renault to be competing with Ferrari.

    Wow, Imagine an on track battle between Schumacher, Kimi and Alonso. :D

    1. @Mike
      All while Vettel, Hamilton, Button and Webber fight for the podium and Massa tries to get into the top 10?

      1. Probably…. But in itself I still think it would be cool to see.

        1. And if Schumi is fighting out with Kimi and Alonso then Rosberg will be up the road fighting with Hamilton and Vettel!

  10. Predictable if I’m honest. Was hoping they’d got lucky in their third year, but no, the same old problems. There should be a caption competition for this.

  11. Not good times for HRT having failed the crash tests. More time, more work, more money spent on something that should have been done and dusted.

    On a positive note, their announced move to facilities just South of Madrid, the capital of Spain, is an important development for the team. It will be painful while in progress but this will pay dividends once the whole team* is sitting under one roof. It is an important factor also in that visitors and potential investors will be able to get to their new headquarters quickly and efficiently.

    Another bonus is that Madrid’s airport is only a few kilometers North East of these new facilities.

    * Plans are yet to be finalised to also have the design team under the same roof or nearby.

  12. It’s a shame HRT have that setback with the crash tests, but at least they have a new car, and they will probably fix it and get some mileage before the start of the first grand prix.
    I hope, and think they are capable enough to beat Marussia (Virgin) for the 3rd year in a row. And hopefully they get a little closer to the rest of the pack like Caterham is.
    And even if they don’t I’ll still be rooting for them. I always loved the little underdog independents like Minardi.

  13. The HRT problem is a problem but as someone above said, it could just be another layer of Carbon Fibre. I am guessing many teams at some point has failed a crash test but few would tell the world. Im not too sure if its obliged to tell but theyve sort of shot themselves in the foot if there still looking for sponsors. Marussia and HRT both need to pick up there game this year because if they don’t I can’t see them catching up at all.

    I’m not conserned about the McLaren nose, so far there the only team to do it because last years car had a low nose anyway so they didn’t have to have a stepped nose. As long as its as low as the other noses it wont be a problem. One of the main reasons its as low is because saftey yes, but its too direct flow under the car, as long as its doing the same at McLaren it should be good. Im supprised that no one has done anything with the diffusers and the exaughst if im to be ho est.

    1. Better to be honest ahead of time about why your car isn’t going to turn up for the test you said it would. failing a crash test really isn’t as big a problem as everyone thinks, it sounds bad because safety is paramount but it will be easily rectified.

  14. Looks nice and busy at the Austin circuit. I didn’t realise they were so close to an airport. http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/396265_292075690855271_125170184212490_798862_511940952_n.jpg

    1. Thanks for link Andrew, really starting to look rather sweet. Love the becketts section already ;)

  15. Bad news with regards the Nurburging. Always serves up a classic race so I hope they can get something sorted. Always a great antidote to the truly awfully Hungaroring.

  16. Personally im not suprised that they wont be at the 2nd test with there new car, they have managed it yet so why woud it be different this year after the amount of changes the team has gone through.

    With regards to the Mclaren nose im sure we will see another one of these on the grid for this year Mercedes could be a possibility which is why they are keeping things very close to there chest and also Marussia has a technical partnership with Mclaren so they could also follow a similar philosophy

  17. I actually hope HRT keep their testing livery, I find it incredibly attractive!

  18. De la Rosa was dropped halfway through 2010;
    Karthikeyan was dropped halfway through 2011.
    Who will be the first out of the HRT? None, one or both?

    1. I think they will drop R in favour of the fresh sound and sponsorship that comes with hireing I.

  19. As you can see in this picture, Lotus regard themselves as a continuation of the Toleman-Benetton-Renault team, as they have three stickers in their garage reading “1995-2005-2006 FIA Formula One Constructors’ World Champion”.

  20. Nico Hulkenberg via Twitter
    “No running for me today unfortunately. Hoping for a better day tomorrow.”

    No wonder it’s so easy to fake a twitter account.

  21. Happy birthday to @Aqueel! And @Trix as well! :)

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