2012 Predictions / Driver Line-up / News etc...

The FIA have confirmed that they are keeping the DRS rules the same for 2012. They will however be tweaking lengths and adding and removing second DRS zones.

• Australia will get two DRS zones
• Canada and Valencia will be reduced to one zone
• Others will have the length changed - including the lengthening of Valencia's one remaining zone.

 

McLaren reveal pre-season test line up. As reported earlier, Massa and Webber will be in the cars on 7th Feb.

Is it time to start a testing thread?

 

Here's a sketch of Ferrari's 2012 nose. There is a slight resemblance to what Autosprint said months ago.

 

We're getting close, maybe when we get to the one week marker

 

Not happy with the DRS rules, particularly the decision to increase it's presence in Melbourne. They should leave it alone, rarely delivers a poor GP.

They're also blind it seems to the changes in regulations, the ban on diffuser blowing will almost certainly lead to teams running more rear wing and thus making the DRS effect more powerful. They should wait and see how the regulations change things before they go extending the zones. We only get twenty races a year and they're probably going to go and ruin one of the better ones straight away.

Completely agree with this.

 

Please Ferrari, do not make something as hideous as that, you have a reputation to uphold. Winning the title with that monstrosity would almost be negative press.

 

that looks like a virgin or HRT style nose, or going back a bit a minardi style nose. Did they design something right??

 

It's all rumours for now but with Domenicali describing the car as "not pretty", I wouldn't be surprised if there was some truth to this.

 

Blimey, you'd think he'd at least lie about it looking decent, like McLaren did with those sidepods last year.

 

Red Bull to launch RB8 on 6th Feb, the day before the Jerez test.

 

I liked how the Mclaren sidepods looked. Hope they keep them for 2012.

 

According to F1Zone's Twitter account, 'An announcement is expected this week that confirms Vitaly Petrov will replace Jarno Trulli this year. $15m package, some goes to Trulli.'

They also mentioned that a Senna/Barrichello partnership was preferred at Williams, but Maldonado's money won out.

I can't speak to the reliability of those rumours but thought it worth mentioning as it's off season and we all need to be entertained!

 

Car Launches - Announced (ScarbsF1)
Red Bull: Launch 6th Feb 1pm (GMT) online, 1st test at Jerez
McLaren: Launch 1st Feb 11am (GMT) at Woking, 1st test at Jerez
Ferrari: Launch 3rd Feb at Maranello, 1st test at Jerez
Mercedes AMG: 1st test Barcelona1
Lotus:
Sauber: Launch Feb 6th, 1st test Jerez
Force India: Launch 3rd Feb 9am (GMT) at Silverstone, 1st Test at Jerez
Toro Rosso:
Williams: 1st test at Jerez
Caterham:
HRT:
Marussia:

 

Don't really care about Petrov; anyone is better than Trulli in my opinion. Utter waste of a seat these days.
This however piques my interest. Wonder what will happen if PDVSA's sponsorship does get pulled?

 

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Well in order:
Depends what takes over the "European GP" role really. If it means Spa or France get back on the grid full-time then great, otherwise meh.

Great, they still can't find someone to replace Murray. Reckon this will be a role in the build-up.

And that would put them closer to other places like Brackley and Silverstone I guess.

 

http://www.planet-f1.com/driver/18227/7441732/Van-der-Garde-eyes-six-million-seat
Hot tip for the 2nd HRT seat: Giedo Van der Garde

 

Caterham are moving into the old Arrows/TWR factory I believe

looks like kirby has been walking his dog. Giedo has been tipped for F1 the last 2 years, he seems talented enough and has a bit of financial backing so I dont understand why he hasnt reached F1 yet..

 

Giedo Van der Garde seems a good age (26) and has some pedigree from past series. Would be good for HRT if it happened but surely he's a bit to sensible for HRT

 

Car Launches - Announced so far
Red Bull: Launch 6th Feb 1pm (GMT) online, 1st test at Jerez
McLaren: Launch 1st Feb 11am (GMT) at Woking, 1st test at Jerez
Ferrari: Launch 3rd Feb at Maranello, 1st test at Jerez
Mercedes AMG: 1st test Barcelona1
Lotus:
Sauber: Launch Feb 6th, 1st test Jerez
Force India: Launch 3rd Feb 9am (GMT) at Silverstone, 1st Test at Jerez
Toro Rosso:
Williams: 1st test at Jerez
Caterham: January 26th in F1 Racing Magazine (and facebook) - confirmed by their facebook page
HRT:
Marussia: