Car launch Schedule:
Lotus January 28McLaren January 31Ferrari February 1Force India February 1Sauber February 2 Red Bull February 3 Mercedes February 4 Toro Rosso February 4 Caterham February 5 Marussia February 5 Williams February 19
Ferrari F138:
First impressions of the car itself. Clearly, Ferrari have no interest in participating in the Resource Restriction Agreement as they have gone to the incremental expense of fitting a modesty panel over the stepped nose. Truly, compared to last years ugly sister this is the princess Cinderella. Let’s hope her slippers are not made of glass.
In true “Ferrari – we are Ferrari – and the devil can try to take us if he wishes” style, of all the places Il Padrino could choose in the vast complex of Maranello – the launch took place next to the wind tunnel. Stefano is still twitching, however TJ13 believes he had been properly medicated in advance and will recover in time.
If you look closely, you’ll see some interesting cut away pieces in the back wing, however these may be decoy’s. I’m awaiting technical comment on that. They look quite savage and could be the Ben Hur style chariot weapons TJ13 readers have been debating. The theory is simple. As another car tries to overtake Alonso and Massa, wicked vortex’s will be created by the slashes in the rear wing and spin the adversary into the gravel and out of the race.
The problem is, there’s not much gravel left – just acres of concrete car park style run off areas. This leads me to believe we will see some highly tactical driving from Alonso. He may allow his opponents to catch him and attempt to pass on a section of the track where there are walls or barriers fairly close. He then whip’s out his vortex weapon and BAM! 1 down, 20 to go.
Bernie is so going to love this.
Another point worthy of note is the off track battles raging between Marko, Il Padrino and Lauda. I believe Ferrari have stolen an idea from their customer team Sauber, which they will exploit to gain maximum global advantage.
This is no technical whiz from Peter Sauber we’re discussing, it is the relationship Sauber mysteriously declared in 2012, when the revealed they were partnering with Chelsea FC. As in F1, Chelsea are clearly 2nd tier – the also ran’s – in European Football when compared to their seniors and betters – Manchester United.
I see black socks on this F138 and the red and white of Old Trafford is unmistakable. I believe an announcement is imminent.
Lauda is confident of topping this. With the arrival in Germany of the man who many believe to be the best manager in world football at present – they are closing a deal with Bayern Munich as we speak. I believe Pep Guadiola will be present at the start of each race weekend to give the team a ‘Pep’ talk.
Alonso was asked whether his decision to miss the first test was inspired by Senna who had done the same. He confusingly replied that he didn’t know Senna had done that. He then added that the reasons were the same? One point back to Marko we judge.
More seriously, analysts are starting to suggest that there is less change on the F138 than they were expecting. I’m guessing this expectation was heightened with Il Padrino’s continued rally calls to the Red Maranello troops to ‘push the boundaries to the very limit”.
Have Ferrari gone from the sublime to the ridiculous? Last year their car was too complex early doors. Is it possible Ferrari strategy cunningly decided not to build a new 2013 hoping the Manchester United socks would dazzle us beyond awe.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Chassis
Carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite structure
Ferrari longitudinal gearbox
Limited-slip differential
Semiautomatic sequential electronically
Controlled gearbox – quick shift
Number of gears 7 +Reverse
Brembo ventilated carbon-fibre disc brakes
Independent suspension, pull-rod activated torsion springs front and rear
Weight with water, lubricant and driver 642 kg
OZ Wheels (front and rear) 13”
Engine
Type 056
Number of cylinders 8
Cylinder block in sand cast aluminium V 90°
Number of valves 32
Pneumatic distribution
Total displacement 2398 cm3
Piston bore 98 mm
Weight > 95 kg
Electronic injection and ignition
Fuel Shell V-Power
Lubricant Shell Helix Ultra
Force India:
Launched their car today. If you wanted to view it on their website you had to sign up for ‘Mallya World’ – as it was members only. Force India have regained their balance following the rumours of Mallya’s empire collapsing creating panic within the team.
Clear thought and incisiveness was demonstrated by their planning department today as they calculated it would be a ‘coup detante’ to steal the attention away from Ferrari and so began the launch of the VijayMallya06 whilst Maranello was clearly boring the world of F1’s attention.
Technical director, Andrew Green said “I’ve pushed the guys quite hard in areas that’s outside their comfort zone. It is under the skin, you can’t see it from here: rear suspension, front suspension, aerodynamics have all been pushed hard.
I think the guys have done a really good job over the winter and the car is a step improvement from last year. The car should be a lot more consistent, should be a lot easier to drive. We’re looking forward to Jerez to see whether it does what it says on the tin.”
Many have suggested Jules Bianchi was to be the next ‘Mallya man’ but he was in Maranello at the launch of the F138.
Prior to the launch they uploaded about 50 pictures of Paul di Resta. Mmm. No word of his partner yet though. The Scot had this to say, “I’m eager to feel what the car is all about. We’re giving it a short test today to get a bit of an idea.”
However he was non-committal on how the car will perform from the off. “I think it’s difficult to set yourself targets, especially at this point. It’s consistency and working the momentum to carry over from last year. That’s the focus, to have a car that gets into Q3 and put ourselves into strong positions.”
Bob Fearnley asserts, “There will not be the surprises in 2013 as in the first half of 2012”, and I believe him. They will just be very very different and possibly very very much bigger surprises.
Sara Holt – Former BBC reporter – commented on what she felt was most significant at the big unveil. She said, “To be fair Di Resta is looking trim. He says he has been focused on his fitness over the winter, and has been cutting out the biscuits.”
Wiping the drool away from her lips, Sarah remembers her task in hand and asks Paul how he’s feeling. “It’s a strange feeling not to have a second driver but it’s not hampering my preparations. When they bring someone in I want someone who’s fast, competitive, somebody that I can work with and develop forwards.”
Then apparently unable to control her hormones, former BBC reporter @SaraHoltF1 comments, “You know, I’d be worried if I was coming into Di Resta’s Force India hood. He seems to be scarily super-fit… Listen to this PDR quote…’Waking up with pain is what it’s all about and it’s kind of become immune to me'”.
Sara concludes, “I Reckon he wants to be the new Hulk”. [drool is now a gushing river]
Paul returns to a previous theme of his, even though the timing is strange. “I see it as seats opening up at the end of the year” and when questioned whether the Hamilton move has closed doors at Mercedes he insists, “At the end of the day the relationships that have happened might not gel together and there might be opportunities there; I just need to build my reputation and put my nose in front of the people if it needs to be.”
I suggest that Paul should heed the lessons of the likeable – but now unemployed – Kovalainen and get some hard miles in finding new personal sponsors if substance. Whether we like it or not, Louiz Razia demonstrates clearly where many F1 seats are at.
Following the tear jerking, emotional McLaren affair, not everybody felt this was the slickest of F1 ‘reveals’. One amusing tweet I saw commented, “If car launches were soap operas, then Ferrari’s would be ‘Dallas’ and Force India’s would be ‘Emmerdale’ – Only with fewer sheep.” Translation: for Aussie read ‘Home and Away’ – In the USA read…. well where do I begin. Great Citizens of the Union, fill in your own blanks.
On the matter of the second driver, James Rossiter who is the Pedro de la Rosa of Force India, will be doing some testing in Jerez. He however is not confirmed as the team mate for Di Resta by Bob or anyone available for comment. On that matter Formual1.com – Bernie’s site – still have not confirmed either Force India driver. It has been pointed out to them many times they are in error but they persist with the policy demonstrated below.
Other bits and pieces
TJ13 has unfortunately been busy today – so behind the 8 ball so to speak. Comment is brief, so far. Hopefully more to come later.
Van der Garde: Will fill the remaining seat at Caterham.
Segio Perez: For you Star Trek lovers, thejudge13 thinks he has been assimilated by the corporate Borg. SergioPerez.com
Louiz Razia: TJ13 was suggesting a week or so back, he had gained a substantial number of sponsors – rumoured $20m – and as sure as eggs are eggs – that gets you an F1 drive. He will replace Timo Glock at Marussia. Who needs Bernie cash huh?
Marussia: Are to launch their new car in the pit lane before the first test session of the year next Tuesday in Jerez. Max Chilton will be the first to drive the car.
Tamara Ecclestone: If you want to know how rich F1 has made Bernie, his daughter was at ‘Aura’, a strictly members only nightclub on the 29th Janauary – with a couple of friends. AuraMayfair.com
“Nestled discreetly on the prestigious St James’s Street, Mayfair London – “Aura is a haven of rich heritage and grandeur, owned in part by airline mogul Tony Fernandes”.
The club’s sight tells us food is around £20-30 per head – pretty reasonable one might think. Well Tamara amassed a bill of just over £30,000 on crystal champagne, however, the club rather generously state on the bill that 1 bottle of lemonade and a jug each of Cranberry and Orange were complimentary.
Sponsor: UBS may quit F1
Paddy Lowe: “No issues” if he leaves McLaren says Jenson.
Ecclestone suggests Mercedes will be fine without Brawn
Ecclestone tips Vettel to beat up Alonso again. Marko hopes this alliance will be his ultimate weapon of mass destruction and universal domination, but are Bernie’s super powers fading?
Ecclestone Nurburgring definitely on – Yeah right. Any one read the tale of ‘the boy who cried wold’. However,
Would that be ‘Donner’ Vetter that is going to beat Alonso?
Sometimes this Senna stuff gets a bit ridiculous like when a driver misses his first test session and a reporter “Andrew Benson” feels the need to say Senna did this once. Soon a driver will cough in an interview and some reporter will go “Senna did this once”
When even McLaren’s drivers are now commenting it won’t be a problem if their designer is gone I think it’s a good bet Lowe’s away probably sooner rather than later.
Wonder what Tamara’s tip was for waiter Joe.
Get an uber rich daddy?
Like it
hah, good one
it was a journalist checking their sources, who on moral grounds refused a tip??
(my apologies, was too tempting)
Four grand
Service Charge in the UK is not voluntary – and the waiters certainly don’t get it.
Judge, I used to have dinner every evening with a barrister friend, at a over priced place in the West End, where we’d be treated well because he solved a lease dispute for the lovely lady proprietor. (Denise’s Southampton Row ~ can say as not her name, I do like it and open almost late enough for insomniacs and very cosy, kind of posh school dinner faire) anyhow, my pal was such a litigious a’hole he got his ass disbarred in the end. One thing he did win on, again and again, was if you are not told of a charge or fee (e.g. for parking, oh dear, the stories .. ) then you are not liable.
So I and my now disgraced mate (sadly ex mate, he really pushed the boundaries in every aspect of life) beg to differ in theory and in practise!
I did learn a awful lot from that lovely curmudgeon, though, even tag teamed some cases. (yes you can do that, and, natch, never lost)
Hmmm, not sure about Man Utd sponsoring Ferrari. Can’t see why they’d want to do it. They’re a global brand already, and in my experience when I’ve done work for them in the past, they like to get their sponsors to pay for everything, not the other way round. Maybe if Ferrari are paying Man Utd though it might happen 🙂
I didn’t intend to suggest sponsorship – global partnership ;). Just like Red Bull’s white board brainstorming session on all things ‘PURPLE’ – this is the same, but in Red 😉
What or who next for Ferrari world brand domination?
In that case it’s a possibility. We’ll see 🙂
At first sight I do not see a single new sponsor or livery on the VJM006, that’s not a good sign. Maybe Medion may still reappear?
They announced 2 today, not had time to write it up. 1 is a watchmaker….
You’re right, Van Der Guarde just confirmed at Caterham!
Interesting timing, next year we can copy paste today’s OTD and simply add another line, seems like he’s always making his announcements on 1 February…:-)
LOL, Bart! You nailed it on OTD! 🙂
Thoigh, as you say, maybe OTD = OCD? .. .
As most of the teams have fitted 2012 parts to their cars, to hide until testing or even Melbourne, any real changes, you have to take these car introductions for what they really are: PR exercises and nothing more. And as for Alonso not going to the first test, I suspect that what Ferrari are testing, he’s not needed.
Hence my flippant and somewhat none plused write up on the launches.
Something I noticed on the McLaren cars. They seem to be alternating between 2 different sidepod styles every year. I can’t help but wonder if this is a result of their two alternating design teams? The MP4-27 and MP4-25 both had squared up side pod inlets, the MP4-26 and MP4-28 tend to use L shaped (though flipped) inlet geometries.
Conflicting design philosophies every other year? Or just a recent pattern.
most observant
Kimi wins, for his stare. Nico a distant second. But I’d like a testy angry Nico, for his second act.
Oh, I forgot, that’s his “Where’s the manager?” look . . .