Half of the 2009 F1 grid has now been launched providing us with some insight into the different design directions taken by likely front-runners of 2009. Here’s how the freshly-launched Renault R29 and Williams FW31 compare to the Ferrari, McLaren and Toyota that appeared last week.
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Is this how the Renault R29 was supposed to look?
Posted onRenault launched its R29 F1 car for 2009 today to more howls of revulsion about what they’ve done with their livery. But Renault’s bizarre front nose arrangement also drew some concerned glances. Its bulbous shape and low-hanging vertical strips look unwieldy compared to most of its rivals. In the comments thread Luke and PrateekF1 unearthed … Continue reading Is this how the Renault R29 was supposed to look?
Renault R29 revealed in Portugal – pictures (2009 F1 car launches)
Posted onRenault’s 2009 F1 car has broken cover. The R29 is the car they hope will improve on the performance of the R28 (two wins last year) and propel Fernando Alonso into contention for the drivers’ championship. The first pictures of the new Renault R29 are below. Alonso starts his sixth season for Renault alongside Nelson … Continue reading Renault R29 revealed in Portugal – pictures (2009 F1 car launches)
Williams FW31 introduced in interim livery
2009 F1 season
Posted onWilliams has revealed its 2009 F1 car – the FW31. The team go into 2009 with Toyota engines for the third year in a row. The FW31 has been presented in an interim livery. Its final paint scheme for the 2009 F1 season will be revealed next month. Pictures of the new Williams below. Drivers … Continue reading Williams FW31 introduced in interim livery
Can you make 2009 F1 cars look good?
Posted onAs we’re in the thick of the F1 launch season there’s much discussion about the look of the cars. Do the new wings make them look stupid? Are the teams’ liveries too boring? Bruno Mantovani has designed alternative liveries for Ferrari (above), McLaren, BMW and Toyota’s 2009 which you can see on his website. How … Continue reading Can you make 2009 F1 cars look good?
Renault R29 pictures leak out early
Posted onPictures of the Renault R29’s bodywork have appeared on the internet ahead of the car’s official launch later today. The pictures of Renault’s 2009 F1 car appear to show a revised livery with more use of yellow and orange and less blue. Dutch website F1today.nl claims the team will carry Total branding in additional to … Continue reading Renault R29 pictures leak out early
Mike Hawthorn memorial this Sunday
Posted onA parade and memorial service to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Mike Hawthorn will be held in Surrey on Sunday 25th January. Hawthorn won the world championship in 1958, becoming the first British driver to do so. He retired from the sport after that victory, but was killed in a road accident … Continue reading Mike Hawthorn memorial this Sunday
F1 links: BMW F1.09 teaser video
Posted onI was at a stag party last night so no time to do the links round-up. Here’s a bumper weekend collection of F1 reading instead! BMW Sauber F1.09 – The countdown is on. Part 1/3. Video teaser for the 2009 BMW launch on Tuesday. New-look Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-24 makes debut in Portugal “After a … Continue reading F1 links: BMW F1.09 teaser video
Massa?óÔé¼Ôäós number four and Kubica?óÔé¼Ôäós number five ?óÔé¼ÔÇ£ but who’s number 13?
Posted onEarlier this week the FIA published the list of official team and driver entries for the 2009 season. Pitpass* found it surprising that Robert Kubica had been elevated to number five, giving him a lower number than Nick Heidfeld, which wasn?óÔé¼Ôäót the case last year. I didn?óÔé¼Ôäót find that remarkable in the slightest. What caught … Continue reading Massa?óÔé¼Ôäós number four and Kubica?óÔé¼Ôäós number five ?óÔé¼ÔÇ£ but who’s number 13?
How the F1 rules changes for 2009 are meant to improve racing (part 3/3)
Posted onF1 Fanatic guest writer John Beamer concludes his review of changes in the 2009 F1 rules designed to allow cars to follow each other more closely and encourage overtaking.
2009 McLaren, Ferrari and Toyota F1 cars side-by-side (Pictures)
Posted onWith McLaren’s MP2-24 unveiled yesterday we can now see how the first three 2009 F1 cars to be launched compare. Here’s some close-up comparisons of the new McLaren alongside the Ferrari F60 and Toyota TF109.
Massa in Ferrari ice kart race (Pictures)
Posted onFelipe Massa and Luca Badoer joined in the ice karting race at Ferrari’s annual Madonna di Campiglio ‘Wrooom’ ski event in Italy. But both the F1 drivers were beaten to victory by Ducati MotoGP star Casey Stoner, who passed Massa one lap before the chequered flag. See below for some great pictures from the kart … Continue reading Massa in Ferrari ice kart race (Pictures)
F1 links: F1 Fanatic P7
Posted onBest Sports Blog – The 2008 Weblog Awards Congratulations to Kissing Suzy Kolber who win the award once again. F1 Fanatic finished seventh. The four S’s of Formula One’s future Some wise words from Luca di Montezemolo at Ferrari’s Wrooom event: “I think that this sport has four S’s: stability, seriousness, spectacle and sustainability,” Montezemolo … Continue reading F1 links: F1 Fanatic P7
How the F1 rules changes for 2009 are meant to improve racing (part 2/3)
Posted onGuest writer John Beamer continues his look at how the F1 rules have been changed for 2009 in a bid to encourage closer racing and more overtaking.
Ron Dennis’s three decades as McLaren team principal, 1980-2009
History
Posted onRon Dennis is stepping down as McLaren team principal. Here’s how he turned the team Bruce McLaren founded into one of the most successful in F1.
Pictures: McLaren reveal their MP4/24 for the 2009 season
2009 F1 season
Posted onMcLaren 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)
Posted onOver 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
Posted onAlianora 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
Posted onTechnical 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)
Posted onThe 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.