Formula 1 2010 Driver Lineup (Updated)

March 8, 2010 · Posted in Formula 1 · 1 Comment 

I thought that I had waited long enough before posting the 2010 season driver lineup. One of the new teams, Hispania Racing, has “miracled” their way onto the grid. Also, Sauber’s team has been finalized. So, here is take two for the driver lineup:

Mclaren:
Jensen Button – #1
Lewis Hamilton – #2 		Mercedes GP:
Michael Schumacher – #3
Nico Rosberg – #4
Red Bull:
Sebastian Vettel – #5
Mark Webber – #6 		Ferrari:
Felipe Massa – #7
Fernando Alonso – #8
Williams:
Rubens Barrichello – #9
Nico Hulkenberg – #10 		Renault:
Robert Kubica – #11
Vitaly Petrov – #12
Force India:
Adrian Sutil – #13
Vitantonio Liuzzi – #14 		Toro Rosso:
Sebastien Buemi – #15
Jaime Alguersuari – #17
Lotus:
Heikki Kovalainen – #18
Jarno Trulli – #19 		Hispania Racing:
Karun Chandhok – #20
Bruno Senna – #21
BMW Sauber:
Pedro de la Rosa – #22
Kamui Kobayashi – #23 		Virgin:
Timo Glock – #24
Lucas di Grassi – #25

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Formula One Teams 2010 ~ Hispania Racing

March 7, 2010 · Posted in Rambles · 1 Comment 

With the Bahrain Grand Prix starting next weekend, a new team has slid into place on the grid. Hispania Racing, formerly Campos Meta, had struggled with financial difficulties and looked as if they would be a no show. However, a last minute deal saw the team purchased by Spanish businessman Jose Ramon Carabante. Although, the team has missed out on all pre-season testing, they are prepared to make it to the grid in Bahrain.

Hispania Racing Team – Spain

Drivers:
Bruno Senna – Brazil
Karun Chandhok – India

Team Principal:
Colin Kolles

Technical Specifications:
The chassis for the Hispania challenger was built by Dallara and the car will be powered by a Cosworth engine.

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Formula 1 2010 Driver Lineup

February 28, 2010 · Posted in Formula 1 · Comment 

Pre-season testing has officially come to a close as the clock continues to countdown the remaining days until the first Grand Prix in Bahrain, March 14th. Two of the new start up teams, having run into financial difficulties, are still scrambling to make their debut appearances. Although it appears that Campos Meta has been saved, US F1’s future still remains in serious doubt. Meanwhile, Stefan GP is still making waves and hoping to gain FIA acceptance and be on the grid in Bahrain.

Here is the driver lineup and car numbers for all of the confirmed teams:

Mclaren:
Jensen Button – #1
Lewis Hamilton – #2 		Mercedes GP:
Michael Schumacher – #3
Nico Rosberg – #4
Red Bull:
Sebastian Vettel – #5
Mark Webber – #6 		Ferrari:
Felipe Massa – #7
Fernando Alonso – #8
Williams:
Rubens Barrichello – #9
Nico Hulkenberg – #10 		Renault:
Robert Kubica – #11
Vitaly Petrov – #12
Force India:
Adrian Sutil – #13
Vitantonio Liuzzi – #14 		Toro Rosso:
Sebastien Buemi – #15
Jaime Alguersuari – #17
Lotus:
Heikki Kovalainen – #18
Jarno Trulli – #19 		Virgin:
Timo Glock – #24
Lucas di Grassi – #25

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Formula One Teams 2010 ~ Lotus

February 13, 2010 · Posted in Formula 1 · Comment 

Technically this is not a new Formula 1 team. Lotus was one of the top F1 teams during the 1950’s thru the 1970’s; winning 7 constructors championships and 6 drivers championships during that period. The company began to struggle in the 80’s after the death of Colin Chapman, Lotus Engineering’s founder, of a heart attack in 1982. Poor car designs followed by mounting debts eventually saw the end of the Lotus era. The team’s last race was in Australia in 1994. The Lotus name is back for 2010 under new management with the full support of Chapman’s family and sporting the ever familiar green and yellow.

Lotus Racing – Malaysia
Drivers:
Heikki Kovalainen – Finland
Jarno Trulli – Italy

Team Principal:
Tony Fernandes



    Technical Specifications:

  • Engine: Cosworth V8 CA2010
  • Chassis material: Carbon fibre
  • Dampers: Panske
  • Gearbox: X-Trac
  • Clutch: AP Carbon Multi Plate
  • Wheels: BBS to Lotus spec

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F1 & the 2010 Rear Diffusers

February 12, 2010 · Posted in Formula 1 · Comment 

Last year’s Formula 1 season began with a huge controversy over rear diffusers. Namely over three teams, Brawn, Williams and Toyota, who had interpreted the regulations in a manner differently from the rest of the grid. The advantages that the “Diffuser Gang” were getting from their set-ups was quite noticeable during the final days of testing. When I say noticeable I mean that the double-diffuser cars were posting half a second faster times. Formula 1 racing is measured in hundredths and thousandths of a second. Therefore, half a second is a massive advantage.

Without getting into too much tech-speak, the rear diffuser on an F1 car separates the air flowing under the car to reduce drag and increase downforce. Reduced drag and increased downforce equates a faster and more stable car on the track.

Naturally, the other teams cried foul and much of the beginning of the 2009 season was spent discussing rear diffusers and how exactly the FIA regulations were worded. At the end of all of the meetings it was decided that Brawn, Williams and Toyota were not in fault of the rules, causing the other teams to frantically re-modify their cars for the new diffusers. Not a simple or inexpensive feat to pull off.

Formula 1 is not without its politics and its controversies and it will be interesting to see what the start of this season will bring. So, for a bit of fun, I have attempted to collect photos of the current challengers’ rear diffusers for comparison:

Ferrari F10

McLaren MP4

Mercedes MGPW01

Red Bull RB6

Renault R30

BMW Sauber C29

Toro Rosso STR5

Virgin Racing VR01

Williams FW32

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