F1 News & Rumours

[5vz-fe]

The car looks very sexy. Thanks for the picx Bizi.

[styla21]

What do you mean by Holy nose?

[Bizi Jones]

there's a hole in the nose...therefore its a holy nose

[Mattk]

'Holey' perhaps? Sounds the same, though. Good one!

[dannyroz]

Why do you think they did that? Lowering drag?

[blue8]

According to Autosport:

This 'hole in the nose' is aimed at making use of the high-pressure air that builds up between the front wing and the underside of the nose. This would improve the car's downforce by sending a better airflow to the rear wing. What Ferrari have done is to create a channel inside the nose cone that takes this high-pressure region and vents it over the top of the chassis. From overhead shots the hole's outlet can be seen, with one large exit split into two. This probably helps the exit flow merge with the flow already passing over the car.

Other aerodynamic developments
Shark-fin engine cover for Renault:



'Dumbo ears' for Honda

[5vz-fe]

Renaults aero mods looks very ugly. Efficient or not, I don't know.

[Mattk]

^Probably to improve overall stability when turning?

[styla21]

Anyone know what 'Potenza' translates too at all?
Honda's new nose looks remarkably similar to BMW's set-up..
I'd love to know the specific cause and effect of the addition / removal of various pieces of bodywork kit. F1.com puts up illustrations, but they arn't specific enough to show airflow over/under the new pieces.

[styla21]

Super Aguri buyout collapsed.
Magma have pulled out of their proposed takeover leaving Super Aguri's future in doubt again. They are seeking new investors but have warned that they may not compete in the Spanish Grand Prix on 27th April.

Statement From Aguri Suzuki:
SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM confirms that it has been informed by Magma Group, the potential purchasers of the team, that its investors no longer wish to fund the intended acquisition.
It is with deep regret that Aguri Suzuki is now forced to consider the future of the team, however negotiations with other parties continue. Statement to follow shortly..

[ae86_16v]

Originally Posted by 5vz-fe Renaults aero mods looks very ugly. Efficient or not, I don't know.

Actually wasn't Red Bull the first to use the "Shark Fin"? The Honda ears are kind of ridiculous looking. Almost reminds me of the BMW w/ the Walrus Nose back in 2004.

[styla21]

Porsche: scandal makes F1 unattractive

Friday, April 18th 2008, 13:36 GMT
Car makers Porsche and Volkswagen have ruled out entering Formula One, saying high costs and a sex scandal involving motorsport chief Max Mosley made the sport unattractive to them.
"300 million euros a year - that is just burning money," Volkswagen chairman Ferdinand Piech told German news magazine Stern on Friday.
"And after the affair with Max Mosley and the women it would not be very savoury to get involved (in Formula One) now," added his Porsche counterpart Wolfgang Porsche.
Porsche are in the process of acquiring a majority shareholding in Volkswagen and both German companies have been seen as potential Formula One entrants in the past.
Photographs and a video of Mosley involved in what British Sunday newspaper News of the World described as a Nazi-style orgy with prostitutes have led to strong criticism of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) boss, particularly in Germany.
German Formula One car makers BMW and Mercedes, which owns 40 percent of McLaren, issued a joint statement this month questioning the 68-year-old Englishman's future at the helm of the sport's governing body.
Mosley has denied any Nazi connotations and is claiming unlimited damages against the News of the World. He has resisted calls to resign.
The Briton has also filed legal action in Paris to prevent the News of the World video being accessed from France via the Internet.
Judicial sources said on Friday that a ruling was expected on April 29 after the French judge considered the request.

[HeilSvenska]

^dur.

Patrick interested in F1 test run By Jonathan Noble Thursday, May 1st 2008, 10:58 GMT IndyCar race winner Danica Patrick has set her sights on a Formula One test, with Honda Racing confirming they would be interested in running the Andretti-Green Racing driver. Patrick's maiden victory at Motegi has prompted fresh speculation about her future, with Honda being an obvious candidate to consider her because the Japanese manufacturer supply her engines. Speaking to this week's Autosport, Patrick confirmed that she was interested in a run in an F1 car, but only if it was a serious test. "Every driver would love to drive a Formula One car at some point in their life, so yeah," she said. "I don't think there's anything wrong with a real, proper test. "I was asked to do a demonstration lap at Indy in 2005, and I said, 'No way. You're making me a show. That's embarrassing.' But I would say that a real test is absolutely something I would do." Honda Racing F1 CEO Nick Fry has admitted that his team would seriously consider running Patrick for a test, although made it clear no discussions have taken place about the matter. "We haven't instigated anything, but if Danica wanted to be test driver then we'd be more than happy to talk about it," he explained.

If this does happen, it'll probably very awkward for Jenson Button, who pretty much said women can't drive because their boobs will get in the way and make all the mechanics horny. It'd be even sadder if she runs faster than Button. When was the last time he's got a podium finish in anything?

[dannyroz]

SUPER AGURI OUT OF CHAMPIONSHIP

Following weeks of speculation concerning the future of the team, Super Aguri announced Tuesday that they are to withdraw from the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship with immediate effect. Super Aguri, founded by former driver Aguri Suzuki, had been participating in Formula One racing since the 2006 season. The Japanese team, who scored their first championship points after only 22 races (Spanish Grand Prix, 2007) and finished ninth in the 2007 constructors’ championship, will cease all activities as of May 6, 2008. The Honda-powered team, whose driver line-up comprised Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson, ran into financial difficulties last year, and completed little winter testing ahead of the 2008 season as a result. A planned buyout by the Magma Group looked set to save the team until that fell through last month, and only last week Suzuki expressed optimism about a new deal with German automotive company Weigl. Explaining his decision to withdraw from Formula One racing, Aguri Suzuki released the following statement: “In order to realize my dream to become an owner of a Formula One Team, I applied for a grid position in the FIA Formula One World Championship in November 2005. Since then, I have participated in the championship for 2 years and 4 months as the SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM, but regretfully I must inform you that the team will be ceasing its racing activities as of today.

So sad

[f1fan]

Danica go to Formula-1