A new era of Formula One racing began on Monday when grand prix
teams returned to action to begin work on the 2009 season at the
Barcelona circuit.
New aerodynamics regulations, as well as the use of slick tyres,
will make for very different cars, something that was already evident
when the first hybrid machines took to the track this morning at the
Spanish circuit.
Teams will also be testing, or at least simulating, the KERS device, which will also be used next season.
The BMW Sauber team, already using a 2009 aero package, had all eyes
on them after the most striking car came out of their garage early in
the morning.
With an almost retro-looking flat nose and front wing, the car was markedly different from its previous version.
The German squad, first with test driver Christian Klien and then
Robert Kubica at the wheel, are also running their KERS system, which
they had already tested on track before.
The Williams team are also running part of their 2009 aero package, with a 2008 front and next year’s rear.
World champions Ferrari will have two cars on track, one of them
with the 2009 aero package and one with this year’s settings. The
former was also fitted with ballast that simulates the weight of a KERS
device.
McLaren are also working on their KERS system, with Pedro de la Rosa running it in a version of this year’s car.
Tyre supplier Bridgestone has taken two different compounds of
slicks for the test, although teams are limited to just four sets of
the harder option.
Most team have between 10 and 20 sets of tyres available to them.
Today’s test is also seeing five-time world rally champion Sebastien
Loeb taking to the wheel of a Red Bull F1 car alongside grand prix
drivers.
Wow.
The new BMW takes you a couple of decades back, no? To be frank, the
new look is hideous – for F1, I mean. It’s nowhere near as close to the engineering and
aerodynamical ‘art’ the past few years in F1 have shown. New fans of
the sport, particularly those who’ve jumped onto the Hamilton-mania
bandwagon, wouldn’t think that this was the pinnacle of motorsport.
However, this is all happening to save costs, protect the environment through
leading road car development, and most importantly to us racing fans,
remember, to improve the racing spectacle.
As long as Kimi keeps flying, then it’s all good. But he won’t begin testing until December. Here are Ferrari’s test schedule:
Barcelona (Spain)
17 November – Luca Badoer
18 November – Luca Badoer
19 November – Luca Badoer
Jerez (Spain)
9-11 December – Kimi Raikkonen
Portimao (Portugal)
15-17 December – Felipe Massa
[Some more pictures from today of the BMW, including the Red Bull, Williams, Honda, Ferrari and McLaren]
FUCK ISRAEL 
Well, they may not be the prettyest cars that have ever graced the tarmac, but by spring 09 they’ll be the standard. I remember back in ’98 when the new narrow cars first made their debut, I thought they looked silly. However, when you look at the ’97 cars they almost look awkward, too wide.
As long as the racing is closer, and Glock doesn’t slow down to let Hamilton by again, I don’t mind about the aesthetic qualities of the cars. Besides which, even though the aero is reduced, doesn’t mean it’s not still amongst the best in the world.
Just can’t wait ’till the spring!
No-Merci
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Those slick tyres looks very fat and shiny…hope they’re not slippery as they looked.
Can’t wait to see Kimi get his new car in January and start flying again :))
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I am unhappy to say this but I have to confess that those new F1 cars look awful. Like Saima said, they go back couple of decades. I know it is good for racing but the cars we saw in 2007 & 2008 were very beautiful, the Ferraris, the McLarens, the Beemers. Anyway what did make me happy was the return of slicks. I mean when you talk about racing, slicks are the ones that spring to your mind, I don’t know what those grooves were doing here where they had no business.
Good work by Saima as usual keeping us all updated. I want to thank her sincerely for her unlimited efforts for F1, Kimi and us fans.
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the BMW car is that the 2009 look?? that every team well use next season?? ..coz is so ugly i like the 2008 version..
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I guess we should all reserve our judgements on the performance results of these regulations this time next year 😉 like No-Merci said, after a full season to back up our opinions. But for now, I think we’re entitled to whinge about the looks! haha!These cars might turn out like the Bugatti Veyron = a very ugly car but it’s beautiful simply because of what it’s capable of!@Hasan: it’s my pleasure, and you will all get another treat very soon on here 😉
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OK I will dare to be different, I quite like the look of the BMW…there I’ve said it. I can’t honestly say that the Ferrari looks the best, and some of it is just plain weird looking. However, I am with Hasan, they all look great with slicks on again. I never did get used to those grooves, always looked like they were on wets all the time. Can’t wait to see some of the testing results as more get underway. It will be interesting to see how these new regs work out. I also join with Hasan in thanking Evenstar for all her hard work.
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