Pictures: McLaren reveal their MP4/24 for the 2009 season
2009 F1 season
McLaren has shown off its 2009 Formula 1 car, the MP4/24, with which Lewis Hamilton will be looking to defend his crown.
How the F1 rules changes for 2009 are meant to improve racing (part 1/3)
Over the last three years the rules that govern F1 have remained remarkably stable. In recent times the slowest car on the track (usually a Force India) has often been within 1.5s of the fastest. Ten years ago such a slim margin was unheard of. However, that will all change as the FIA has overhauled … Continue reading How the F1 rules changes for 2009 are meant to improve racing (part 1/3)
Drivers will not get penalties for pitting during a safety car period in 2009
Alianora la Canta’s rigorous analysis of the 2009 sporting rules turned up a surprising and un-announced change. The ‘pit lane closure’ rule has been dropped. The controversial rule required the pit lane to be declared closed at the beginning of a safety car period, and any driver who pitted during that time received a penalty. … Continue reading Drivers will not get penalties for pitting during a safety car period in 2009
F1 links: Raikkonen on 2009 changes
Technical analysis of the Toyota TF109 “Toyota have gone for a slim nose but, unlike Ferrari, they have kept the nose shorter and raised the tip up as far as possible. This shape does provide more space under the nose cone for turning vanes, which is an area outside of the exclusion zones for bodywork. … Continue reading F1 links: Raikkonen on 2009 changes
Ferrari F60 and Toyota TF109 side by side – pictures (2009 F1 cars)
The first two F1 cars of 2009 have been officially unveiled – so now we can get a close-up look at the pair of them and see where the designers have gone in different directions. Here’s a look at the Ferrari F60 and Toyota TF109 side by side.
Toyota reveals the TF109 – pictures and video
2009 F1 season
The Toyota TF109 has become the second F1 car to break cover. Toyota used a live online launch to unveil their eighth car to contest the F1 world championship.
Toyota TF109 launch live online
Toyota launches its 2009 F1 car, the TF109, in a live online show today. The launch will be broadcast live at www.tf109-premiere.com and a comment thread for discussion is open below.
How new engine rules will affect strategy
Ferrari’s Stefano Domenicali has been talking about the changes to the F1 engine rules for 2009. Gone are the days of teams using one engine for each two consecutive rounds. The 2009 system is more complex: it could face some teams with challenging questions – especially at the end of the season – and it … Continue reading How new engine rules will affect strategy
F1 links: Schumacher on Silverstone ’99
Michael Schumacher speaks of near-death experience at Silverstone ‘The seven-time F1 champion, who retired at the end of the 2006 season, crashed at the high-speed Stowe Corner at Silverstone. "I suddenly felt my heart beat slowing and then completely stopping. The lights went out," Schumacher said "Then I thought, ‘Ah, that’s the way you feel … Continue reading F1 links: Schumacher on Silverstone ’99
Ferrari and BMW’s clash over KERS could signal a threat to FOTA unity
The first fault line has opened in what so far has been the impressively solid unity of the Formula 1 Teams’ Association. Speaking at Ferrari’s annual press skiing event, Stefano Domenicali complained that BMW had vetoed the efforts of the other teams to postpone the introduction of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) for 2009 due … Continue reading Ferrari and BMW’s clash over KERS could signal a threat to FOTA unity
Are pre-season F1 testing times any use in predicting form for 2009?
With the launch of Ferrari’s F60 on Monday and the Toyota TF109 and McLaren MP4/24 to follow before the week is out, we’ll get our first impressions of 2009 F1 cars side-by-side very soon. But how much can we really tell about how good the new cars are from watching testing? Would we all be … Continue reading Are pre-season F1 testing times any use in predicting form for 2009?
F1 links: few options for Bourdais
Another door closes for Bourdais "Sebastien Bourdais has one fewer options open to him if he does not get another year with Scuderia Toro Rosso." Will 2009 Be The First Time Only One Briton Competes? "We are still awaiting for Scuderia Toro Rosso to fill their final seat, and Jenson Button may still make it … Continue reading F1 links: few options for Bourdais
F60: another name change for Ferrari
Ferrari’s new 2009 F1 car launched yesterday may mark another change in the team’s somewhat esoteric approach to naming its cars. Here’s a brief guide to how Ferrari have named their F1 cars from 1950 to 2009.
Is this Force India’s 2009 livery?
Anirudh spotted this picture of Force India’s 2009 official calendar on their website. The car in each of the pictures isn’t in the team’s 2008 colours: a bright flash of green on the front has replaced the red of last year. The colours are much closer to the flag of India. Is this, as Anirudh … Continue reading Is this Force India’s 2009 livery?
Ferrari F60 launched at Mugello – pictures and video
2009 F1 season
Ferrari has launched its 2009 F1 car at Maranello. The F60 is the first Formula 1 car for the new season to break cover.
Ferrari F2009 launch – what we know
Ferrari launches its 2009 F1 car, likely to be called the F2009, in Mugello later on today. Here’s what we already know about the car which Ferrari will defend their back-to-back 2007 and 2008 constructors’ championship titles with, and the state of the team going into 2009.
F1 links: Davidson was set for Honda
David Coulthard exclusive "We’re seeing a vast change in the regulations. The last time we had such a big change was 1998 when we went to narrow track cars with the grooved tyres and it was Adrian Newey’s design team that stole the march on the new regs back then so this could well be … Continue reading F1 links: Davidson was set for Honda
KERS explained: how a mechanical Kinetic Energy Recovery System works
Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems are one of the big talking points off the off-season, as F1 teams weigh up whether to use them on their 2009 F1 cars. KERS builders Flybrid Systems demonstrated a working Formula 1-spec device at the Autosport International show. I had a chat with managing partner Jon Hilton who talked me … Continue reading KERS explained: how a mechanical Kinetic Energy Recovery System works
Ron Dennis on how the Hamilton-Alonso row compared to Senna and Prost
2009 F1 season
McLaren boss Ron Dennis gave the annual Watkins lecture at Autosport International yesterday. He was interviewed at length by veteran commentator Murray Walker for around an hour. One of the most interesting moments came when he discussed how he managed the rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso in 2007, and how it compared to … Continue reading Ron Dennis on how the Hamilton-Alonso row compared to Senna and Prost
Donington Park boss Simon Gillett on building the new British Grand Prix circuit
Simon Gillett was looking slightly the worse for wear when I met him at Autosport International this morning. He had a reason to be, as he celebrated Donington Park winning approval for its development work in order to hold the 2010 British Grand Prix. Nevertheless he was happy toi spend a half hour answering questions … Continue reading Donington Park boss Simon Gillett on building the new British Grand Prix circuit