Formula1 Journal

Multi-Car Comparison - Update!!

The McLaren is apparently the longest car, the bmw Sauber/Ferrari is very close, the Ferrari is next in the "stretch" car sweepstakes, and the Renault is pretty short. I wonder if this Renault is the car we will see in Bahrain or just a "dressed up" 2009. I do not honestly know, but the entire car launch process has been fascinating, and will continue to be so as testing starts tomorrow.

 
Thes pics were shared by

marq4porsche @

http://my.speedtv.com/go/thread/view/55846/22328033/2010_Car_Comparison?pg=2

and many were originally published by www.Gurneyflap.com

Note: Composite Pic By Large Eddie http://www.twitpic.com/11k3jc/full

Sauber 2010 - Another Stretch Ride

The new Sauber follows the trend we saw with the Ferrari and the McLaren. Only the Renault doesn't seem to have grown a great bit. Perhaps they had a huge tank in last year's car. Alonso started the Bahrain reace with more than 105kg of fuel on board, one of the heaviest fuel loads all season.

Renault R 30?

This is the car revealed today as the new R30, Renault's 2010 contender. It looks a lot like the 2009 to me. The car is to be driven by a historic combination of drivers, Pole Robert Kubica and Russian Vitaly Petrov.

Mercedes GP Petronas Launch Video

The F1 Stretch - Big Fuel Tanks by Flood1 - UPDATED

 

 
Pics from http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/ Red lines by Flood1

This blog has been talking for awhile about the new fuel rules for 2010. Sportsman and I have had numerous conversations about the implications of no refueling. We toyed with the strategic concepts, but we got bogged down in the possibilities and never reached a consensus on what may happen.

However, we did agree about the implications on the dimensional effects due to the increased fuel load. It was evident to us that the limits on fuel tank placement would cause a couple of dramatic changes in the cars.

Pechito's Comments Leak Test Schedule - by Flood1

In an interview with Reuters Pechito talked about his F1 dream. But, he also dropped a hint about the USF1 testing schedule. I have highlighted his comment in the text below. Interestingly enough his comments match my predictions in this blog dated January 20th, 2010- http://www.usf1formula1.com/2010/01/usf1-test-schedule-conjecture-by-flood1.html - where I said the following:

"I think they may not make any test dates in Europe and that the Barber test may be their only effort.

If so, I would expect that test to be the week of Feb. 25, 26, 27, 28.

Transverse Gearbox? by Flood1

This is a pic captured from the electrical system video. Is this a transverse gearbox? It sure looks like it espeially when compared to the pic of the Xtrac Transverse (bottom pic) used in ALMS.

USF1 Electrical Systems

Could USF1 be the Most Important Team in F1? - By Paul_Murtagh

 

This week sees the F1 launch season get into full swing, with teams such as Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes launching their 2010 challengers. But in my opinion, one of the teams who are not launching their car this week could end up being the most important team currently in F1.

 

It is a well-known fact that USF1 are taking a completely different approach to their debut season in F1. Traditionally, F1 teams base their team in Europe, sign at least one experienced proven driver, and use expensive technologies such as wind tunnels to test their latest aerodynamic parts. But USF1 will be taking a completely different approach, and should they be successful, the team could prove to be a turning point in F1 history.

 

Bernie Talks S**t Again - By Flood 1

I typically do not respond to this type of "news," but Bernie has once again brought USF1 into the public eye with comments he has made. In all fairness, these comments were made a day or two ago, were very brief, and have just been currently reported by the motorsports press (original source Salzburger Nachrichten) after his visit to the world cup in Austria.

He says, "Campos and the American team (USF1) have problems -- financial, not technical. But I hope they will be ok."

What's the point of making these comments Bernie? Are you trying to help them attract sponsors, or are you trying to discourage sponsors? I do not know which.

The good news is that he says USF1 is in good shape technically. That makes me believe that reports out of Charlotte via the FIA technical delegates imply significant progress on the car. My question is this: Just what financial info does Bernie have by way of his FOM position to justify his comments? Perhaps he does know what is going on with the Team's finances. But, why does he choose to cast doubt, and where does he fit in during the public debate? Pro/Con?

I agree that the team's move to only hire drivers with substantial outside funding indicates budget issues within the USF1 team, but that in iteself does not indicate that their current resources are not adequete.

This is one more attack on the team's chances. I hope that they prove Bernie wrong, as well as many others who doubt the Team's capabilities. I hope they prove my faith in them, but, if not................So it goes!

It is Official - Pechito Lopez Announcement

http://www.usgpe.com/

Charlotte, N.C. (Jan. 25, 2010) – US F1 Team announced today that they have signed the former Renault F1 Team test driver, Jose Maria "Pechito" Lopez (26), to race with them in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship. Lopez will be the 24th Argentine* to race in Formula One, sustaining a heritage that began sixty years ago when Juan Manuel Fangio and Froilan "Pepe" Gonzalez took the F1 world by storm.

"Securing 'Pechito' Lopez for our debut season has been a goal of ours for a long time," said US F1 Team Executive Vice President Peter Windsor. "We've been following his career since he dominated the Renault V6 Championship in 2003 and we're thrilled to have him on board as we return America to Formula One. Lopez is a consummate professional and born leader. The most revealing thing about his character was how he handled the disappointment of not racing for Renault after three years of testing with them in F1. Instead of moping around and feeling sorry for himself, he returned to Argentina and totally dominated the local scene, winning 38 races and three championships.

USF1 Car - A Different Concept? Pechito's Coche de Carreras (Race Car) - By Flood1

Lauda's Ferrari 312- Transverse

Pechito Lopez's USF1 car will be quite different from most cars on the F1 grid. Of course it will be more like the others than it will be different, but there are a few things that have caught my attention.

The team has said that they are "building" their own gearbox. I suspect this means assembling all of the parts supplied by partners. I believe the gears, shafts, and other "hard" parts are being manufactured by Emco. The gearbox casing, the frame that supports all of the "hard" components, may be built "in-house" or may be contracted out. Either way, the assembly will be by the USF1 team.

The most interesting fact about this gearbox is that it will be transverse rather than longitudinal.

Pachito Lopez Confirmed - Monday Announcement From Argentina

 

News from Argentina is that Pachito Lopez will be announced as the first driver signed by the USF1 Formula1 Team on Monday. As a result of Peter Windsor's trip to the country, the arrangements have been agreed. Interior Minister Florencio Randazzo and President Christina Fernandez de Kirchner have given support to the arrangement. The driver will apparently be sponsored by the Argentine Tourisim Bureau.

The announcement will be made in Argentina on Monday, possibly at Government House.

Finally we have some definitive news, and it will be very good to welcome an Argentinian to the F1 family. The greatest driver in F1 history was Argentinian, Juan Manuel Fangio.

http://www.corsaonline.com.ar/2010/01/22/N-2492-pechito-lopez-ya-es-piloto-de-formula-1.php#comentarios

Pechito Lopez F1 Test - Video From The Past

USF1 Test Schedule - Conjecture By Flood1

Official F1 Test Schedule:

Valencia - February 1, 2, 3

Jerez - February 10, 11, 12, 13

Jerez - February 17, 18, 19, 20

Barcelona - February 25, 26, 27, 28

Leeds, Alabama - February ?

This is simply conjecture on my part, but based on my understanding of the manufacturing progress of the USF1 car, I have come to some conclusions about their testing schedule. I believe that their first official test will be at Barber Motorsports Park no sooner than February 17, 18, 19, 20. They may not test all of those days, but I believe their first test will be that week.

If so, they will be hard pressed to make the last test at Barcelona the week of February 25, 26, 27, 28. There is only one week between the tests, and USF1 will need to ship their entire effort to Aragon. This is logistically difficult and not resonable considering that the first few races are flyaways far from Europe.

If they could test at Barber the week of Feb. 10, 11, 12, 13, then the transfer to Spain would be much easier. I think they may not make any test dates in Europe and that the Barber test may be their only effort.

If so, I would expect that test to be the week of Feb. 25, 26, 27, 28. If, like Brawn 2009, they have the car sorted, things will be fine. Then, the Euro transport will be just to get the team to the transport airport for the flyaways. 

I have no hard data to base my oinions, but I have an understanding of the process involved in building a team from nothing.

Summary: I would not be surprised if the team only tested once, and that test was at Barber on the last week in February.

Windsor In Argentina To Finalize Pechito Lopez Deal

 
http://www.corsaonline.com.ar/2010/01/20/N-2480-peter-windsor-en-la-argentina.php

Note: f1aroo has kindly translated the corsaonline article for us in his comment below. I have removed the original translation of the first paragraph that I had done and copied his comment to the blog. f1aroo's translation is complete. Thanks for your help, f1aroo. I greatly appreciate your efforts!

English translation:

As expected, the Englishman Peter Windsor arrived in Argentina to meet with businesses that will support Jose Maria Lopez to be one of the pilots of USF1 in the 2010 season of Formula 1.

Windsor, which owns the U.S. team along with engineer Ken Anderson, arrived in the country today and immediately began very early with a number of meetings that would econtinue until Friday. These meetings would end the negotiations that began several months ago.

While in Argentina finalizing the endpoints of the contracts, Pechito Lopez continued his fitness plan. After training at a high level of Austria, then in Oxford, he arrived a few hours ago in Argentina to meet with Windsor.

At the same time, the USF1 team is working hard at its headquarters in Charlotte to finish construction of their vehicles. Dubbed as Type 1, the model that will debut with the team in the High would be able to roll in mid-February.

If the talks with Lopez coming to fruition, he would be responsible for the first test, to be implemented in a circuit of Alabama.

CORSA Online has learned, the agreement between Lopez and the USF1 would only be for 2010. However, there is a clause that both parties can extend the link for

Original Text -

Tal como estaba previsto, el inglés Peter Windsor llegó hoy a la Argentina para reunirse con las empresas que apoyarán a José María López para que sea uno de los pilotos del USF1 en la temporada 2010 de la Fórmula 1.

Windsor, que es dueño de la escudería estadounidense junto al ingeniero Ken Anderson, llegó al país hoy bien temprano e inmediatamente comenzó con la serie de reuniones que se extenderían hasta el viernes. Con estos encuentros se terminarían las negociaciones que comenzaron hace varios meses.

Mientras en la Argentina se acuerdan los puntos finales de los contratos, Pechito López siguió con su plan de preparación física. Luego de entrenarse en un centro de alto rendimiento de Austria, pasó por Oxford y llegó hace unas horas a la Argentina para encontrarse con Windsor.

Paralelamente, el USF1 trabaja intensamente en su sede de Charlotte para terminar la construcción de sus vehículos. Bautizado como Type 1, el modelo con el que debutará el team en la Máxima estaría en condiciones de rodar a mediados de febrero.

Si las tratativas con López llegan a buen puerto, él sería el encargado de los primeros tests, que se realizarían en un circuito de Alabama.

Según pudo saber CORSA Online, el convenio entre López y el USF1 sería sólo por 2010. No obstante, hay una cláusula por la que ambas partes pueden extender el vínculo para 2011.

 

USF1 Vid - Building A Nose

USF1 Blog By Designer Scott Bennett

http://www.usgpe.com/blog.html

Scott Bennett - January 18, 2010

 

Almost nobody knows it, but this team has come an unbelievably long way since it was first announced on Speed TV 11 months ago. I was at that press conference, and I was one of the first three or four people to start working on the design of the car shortly afterwards, all of us crowded with our computers around a wobbly conference table in a dreary, poorly configured former Nascar shop. I wish I had taken pictures.

A strange quirk of my career is that every vehicle I have ever been involved in designing (including a few Indycars, an off-road trophy truck, and a composite aircraft) have all been clean sheet of paper designs. I don't know what it's like to start with something that already exists and try to refine it.

When we started this car, we started with nothing but fundamentals. The majority of a modern F1 car is tightly defined by the rules, so there isn't scope these days to come out with a Lotus 88 or Tyrrell P34. But there is still a daunting set of basic parameters that you have to define before you can even start designing anything - things like wheelbase, drivetrain configuration, suspension layout, weight distribution.

USF1 Car from Racecar Engineering

 http://www.racecar-engineering.com/news/cars/438911/exclusive-usf1-type-1-revealed.html

Racecar Engineering recently visited the new USF1 facility in North Carolina to see how the team is progressing and to talk about their 2010 car which is called the Type 1. The author spent a day touring the team's facility and suppliers and talking to team Principal Ken Anderson.

Despite rumours to the contrary, USF1s facility is complete and fully functional with build areas, design facilities and well equipped machine and composites shops. The author was even lucky enough to see the first tubs being laid up ready to be autoclaved, USF1 have in house facilities to construct the complete car, however they are choosing to outsource some work due to time constraints.

Team Principal Ken Anderson explained that the teams approach would be as a lean, ‘Skunk Works' operation drawing on the considerable motorsport, aerospace and defence industries present in the US.

USF1 Drivers - Sebastien Bourdais? By Flood1

Back in October I wrote a blog post showing all of the drivers that I thought would be possible USF1 candidates based on my understanding of the Superlicense rules. I had some omissions, notably Takuma Sato, and probably others as well. I have been listening to the readers and have learned about several other drivers that I missed. The most obvious of these is Jose Maria Lopez, "Pechito".

Now that some of the drivers on my list have made arrangements with other teams, both in F1 and many other series, I have looked at those still available and have decided that the best driver to join Pechito Lopez at USF1 is Seb Bourdais.

He won the French Formula 3 title in 1998 with LaFillère. He won the Formula 3000 title with Supernova in 2001. He won Champ Car titles in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 with Newman/Hass racing. He also placed 2nd two times in the greatest race in the history of motorsport, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He has a great racing history.

He entered F1 in 2008 with the Toro Rosso team. This team has a questionable history regarding their drivers: Luzzi, Speed and Bourdais all got questionable treatment.  I do not think he was given a fair chance with that team, suffered many mechanical problems, had inadequete testing opportunities, and was ultimately released with pay (after threatening legal means) midway of the 2009 season.

Seb is well known and respected by American race fans. He has a lot of experience in F1 cars having started 27 Grands Prix, and could be a key element in helping to develop the car for USF1. 

I think the team should make him the partner to Pechito Lopez. Bourdais/Lopez and USF1. 

That would satisfy many North Americans, South Americans, and race fans in France.