Tag Archives: formula one

Sauber C31: best looking new F1 car?

I haven’t for sure figured out why I think this is the best looking F1 car around, but on Monday, Sauber introduced their new C31 for this year’s F1 competition.  I think it’s something about the ‘steps’ right before the nose that really do it for me; remind me of the more straight-curve mixtures we used to see on F1 cars in the 70s.  The colours, the nose treatment, and those combinations of curves and straight edges really do it for me.

I know that the “look” of the F1 car is of less importance than all of the performance characteristics; but to someone who appreciates the design of race cars——this one hits the right buttons!

src: F1SA

EDIT! I’ve just realised after careful examination that Ferrari also has a very similar design to their nose—–just executed with much poorer aesthetics (but likely better aerodynamics).  But you would expect that—-as it’s a Ferrari.

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ties for men.

It’s amazing that last month I was pondering why there aren’t more ties devoted to motoring and motoring history, and then my friend Xander introduces a couple of ties doing exactly that with his marque of Strassenversion!  Of course i’ve raved about his artwork in the past, which was then turned into some supercool t-shirts—-and now he’s launched neck ties which interest me greatly—especially since I wear ties quite often to my work at the hospital.

information about ordering: http://strassenversion.net/apparel.html

One of them is a GP tribute, while the other one appears to be a Stratos Zero concept!  Nicely done indeed!  I want the Stratos one.

 

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F1 to Jersey!

 

It is super exciting news to hear that F1 is finally coming close to the NYC area in 2013!  The race will be held in New Jersey right across the river—–with the race having a backdrop of the Manhattan skyline.  This is very exciting news for race fans living in the tri-state area, and marks the latest in the sequel of F1 coming back to the US after unsuccessful stints in Indianopolis and Detroit.   Obviously there is the Austin, Texas F1 return as well, however I (a) don’t like Texas and (b) think the east coast makes a better venue for F1 racing.

The announcement is expected next week!  Now if we can just get the WRC to come to Brooklyn…

full story here!

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Could F1 be coming to New Jersey?

(photo from WSJ of proposed location of track)

(thanks to Stampchez [qw] for the tip!)

Being a NYC resident, i’m hugely excited by this article.  We have heard this all before, as a couple of years ago there was some buzz about F1 coming to Liberty State Park in New Jersey—-but this time, there seems to be some positivity regarding the possibilities.

DO IT BERNIE, you sad old geeza!

linkhttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903341404576484073501204538.html8

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F1 4-cylinder Turbo vs. V6 Turbo…and how Audi influenced the FIA.

 

(rendering below, via Speed Arena–not actual car!)

By now i’m sure you have heard the debates about Formula One switching to a V6  Turbos OR  4-cylinder Turbos by 2013/2014.  The latest news being reported by ESPN is saying that Audi was one of the primary reasons why F1 had initially agreed to switch to 4 cylinder turbos.  Apparently Audi had originally said they would join, and the FIA obliged by accepting the idea of the 4 cylinder turbo.  After the decision was made, Audi then flipped and decided the finances weren’t working out for them to join F1—and changed their mind.  Following Audi’s uncertainty about joining F1, the FIA has recently decided that it is going back to the original idea of V6 Turbos.

I, personally, am a big fan of 4 cylinder turbos and feel they would have enhanced development of road going 4 cylinder turbos in street cars—-and am dissappointed that Audi retracted their original idea of joining F1.  I think it would have been great if they had joined—possibly filling the void that BMW had left when they retreated from F1 a few years ago.  Here’s hoping they change their minds again and decide to enter!

http://en.espnf1.com/fia/motorsport/story/52832.html?CMP=OTC-RSS

(thanks to Stampchez for the tip!)

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video of the day. Senna and rally cars.

This is some amazing home video footage of Ayrton Senna testing rally cars.  Thanks to Chris Harris for sharing this.

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the art of Nicolas Cancelier

Thanks to Motorsport Retro for turning me on to this artist, Nicolas Cancelier. Some great stuff going on here, I especially love the colours he is using to capture the time of these cars.  Very cool.   These are available for purchase as large, high quality prints as well.  Please inquire with Nicolas directly through the links provided.

http://nicolascancelierrepros.blogspot.com/

http://www.nicolascancelier.be/



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racing car of the day. 804.

did you know that PORSCHE made an F1 car in the 60s?  1962 Porsche 804

CLICK TO ENLARGE:


“As Porsche finally entered a car at Monaco, the first Grand Prix of the season, Dan Gurney qualified third. He was passed by Richie Ginther in the first corner but won the race after the leaders had to retire. It was the first and only official race win for Porsche as a car manufacturer. A week later, Gurney beat Jim Clark’s Lotus to win again at the non-championship Solitude GP. Porsche claimed a solid 1-2 podium finish at the 300,000 visitor event.

The next event was the German Grand Prix which was run in torrential rain. After qualifying on the pole the race was a magnificent duel between Hill, Surtees and Gurney. The race proved to be one of Hill’s greatest victories and Gurney finished a more than respectable third. For the rest of the year the cars continued to be competitive but scored no more victories.

Towards the end of 1962, Porsche ceased its Formula 1 programme. Such technology, with only minimal carryover to production cars, required heavy financial outlays. Since motor racing was always the basis for new developments and improvements to production sports cars at Porsche, the company concentrated instead on GT cars and long-distance events once again.”

MORE INFO:  http://www.f1technical.net/f1db/cars/164

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foto of the day. Delage.

1947 British Trophy, @ the ISLE OF MAN

Dave Hampshire driving a Delage!

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Ron Dennis is a moron.

Ron Dennis has always been a whining dork, from the days of the McLaren F1 team and his constant denial and complaining about rules, races, and results. Alright, so i don’t care if Ron Dennis doesn’t like the Bugatti Veyron, knowing he has such close ties to McLaren and the McLaren F1, however to call one of the greatest pieces of automotive engineering a “piece of junk” is a bit of a jealous rant, innit?  I don’t think anyone can deny the abillity of the Veyron, no matter how much one doesn’t like it or doesn’t think it’s all it’s cracked up to be.  However, the sort of comment Dennis gave is one that shows me he is simply frustrated and isn’t really thinking clearly when it comes to making a comment about the Bugatti.  Nice one Ron, you sound like a 15 year-old kid at the parking lot with a rusty civic, who calls an M3 or an S4 “junk” because it’s not theirs….

IEDEI VERDICT? I think the Veyron would handily out-accelerate the McLaren F1 after speeds of 120 MPH…..whether the Top Gear test was ‘staged’ or not doesn’t affect my opinion….but the Veyron clearly has MUCH more power, great aerodynamics, and a proven top speed greater than the F1.  NOBODY is going to deny that the Macca F1 was a great car, but it is not invincible.  He also mentions the Veyron would get ‘bogged’ for launch after the clutch was dropped—-BUT THE VEYRON HAS NO CLUTCH!  Fail.  End of story.

STORY: http://www.wheels24.co.za/News/General_News/Veyron-Top-Gear-race-faked-20100412

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Renault revives vintage livery colours for F1.

Reviving the yellow livery from the 70s Elf F1 cars….Renault today introduced promo shots for the 2010-2011 Formula One season.  Check it out!

ORIGINAL (1977)


NEW (2010)


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VW entering F1?

Well, at least the ENGINE portion of the game…..that’s what Autocar is saying.  I’m still waiting for the day that VW enters F1 completely and uses the name Bugatti on blue F1 cars…imagine that…or maybe even Auto Union.

“The imminent expansion of the grid and the reduced costs of the sport have caught VW’s eye, and the firm is not deterred by the pullouts of Honda, BMW and Toyota in the past 12 months.”

LINK: http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/245349/

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foto(s) of the day. 11202009

One of THE most beautiful Grand Prix cars, the 1950-51 Talbot Lago T26c

(click fotos 2 times to get hi-res)


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foto of the day. 11142009.

FANGIO. in his W196-R.

Mercedes-Benz-W-196-R-juan-manuel-fangio

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foto of the day.

1954 French Grand Prix in Reims.  The ‘aerodynamic’ return of the MB Silver Arrows!  The groundbreaking W196 R.

click foto two times to get hi(gher) resolution.

mercedes-benz-grand-prix-w196

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foto of the day.

Matra MS10!

(click foto 2 times to get hi-res)

his-03-1600

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Google & BBC working on international iPlayer?

clarkson_iplayer

Why do we care? Because F1 races are broadcasted live in BBCs iPlayer.  The problem currently is that outside of the UK, it is very difficult to gain access to UK-only, restricted programming.  

Could this mean, that it might be possible for people to watch BBC broadcasting of F1 over BBC instead of the dismal, depressing SPEED channel broadcasts?  I’d say chances are slim that the BBC will screw SPEED over, but hey if they do i’m sure there will be plenty of US F1 fans cheering!

LINK: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/digital-media/5406851/BBC-and-Google-in-talks-to-launch-international-iPlayer-site.html

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motoring art by Andrea Del Pesco

fantastic stuff! Link to his website after these pics:

click each pic 2 times to get HI-RES version

mercedes_1936jpg

alfa_romeo_dolomitijpg

auto_union_1935jpg

see more artwork, and with more information about this artist at:

http://www.andreadelpesco.it/motoring_art.htm

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F1: Malaysian GP ends in rainy shambles…


_45635858_confusion416jpg

So with no traction control, this so called “twilight racing” that F1 is doing to appeal to a wider European audience ended up in shambles at the Malaysian GP.  After 31 laps, Jenson Button took 1st place—-as the safety car came out and the race was soon stopped.  I can’t help but think that F1 really set up a race like this to be flawed from the beginning.  First of all, F1 is doing a fantastic job at alienating the rest of the world, while only catering to “europe”…..and then leading to a total rain out, and a shunted race finish.

Hey Bernie….i download this race on Torrents.  TAKE THAT!

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James Allen’s F1 Blog

jajpg

The ITV Formula One commentator, James Allen, has a fantastic blog with thorough insights and inside stories into the Formula One teams, races, drivers, and developing storylines. A highly recommended read for any F1 fan and a worthy bookmark!

http://allenonf1.wordpress.com/

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Watch F1 LIVE online!

23338jpg

Lots of people come up with lots of theories about how to watch F1 races LIVE online. SpeedTV generally has terrible commentating, requires cable tv, and is on the whole a terrible option for F1-deprived US viewers. This year, BBC has taken over the F1 broadcast in the UK and they will surely do an amazing job at broadcasting the races. Still, these broadcasts are NOT available in the USA…..til now….

So where can you watch the race? on BBC? I’ve got the answer.

http://www.justin.tv (go into sports section, look for the F1 stuff at the time of the race, and enjoy excellent streaming….LIVE!)

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