I think Renault are the key for 2009
If they put together a half decent car, Alonso will get amongst the front runners & cause havoc – he may even do it anyway
I don’t think anyone can call it. With the new rule changes it could be anyone’s year. Heard rumours Ferrari weren’t fully up to speed with the new regs and the like. I do think Renault could be front runners and I’d like to see Alonso up there fighting with the others.
One thing’s for sure, there will be a lot of broken front wings after the first corner at Bert Park…
Apparently McLaren are in trouble because they’re using last year’s rear wing in testing, Renault are in trouble because the car’s not been quick so far in testing (until today), Toyota, BMW & Ferrari are in trouble because they’ve lost loads of testing time due to the sandstorms in Bahrain, Red Bull are in trouble because the rear end of the car is too tight for proper cooling, STR are in trouble because they’re launching the 09 car too late, and Honda are in trouble full stop. So it’s looking like Williams’ year then!
I dont think any of the cars look good this year. The front wing is too big and the rear is too high.
The good thing is that the rule changes are so big this year that it is almost like starting with a clean sheet. Last years performance is no indication of this years but it will still probably be Ferrari and Mclaren at the front, unless one of them has made a monumental cock up in design (McLaren rear wing, Ferrari exhaust).
It would be good to see another car in the mix as well, with the favourites to do so being BMW and perhaps the Renault in the hands of Alonso.
Personally I would love to see Williams near the front again and these new regulations could be their chance
I’m slowly getting used the new size wings front and back…I think the cars look better in may ways as a result of getting rid of all those hideous winglets stuck on all over the place – the cars look much cleaner now.
I’m getting to like the 2009 cars now – this comparison of the 2008 & 2009 BMWs shows just how convoluted the cars were becoming, the ’09 cars look so much cleaner and sleeker. The RB5 is the pick of the bunch so far this year, with the Renault at the other end of the scale.
Love Max’s economy drive for this season that includes a increase in the superlicence cost to almost £200,000 for the likes of Lewis. Plus Max/Bernie wanting teams to take a lower cut ‘because they are now saving money’. WTF? Everyone here know that the holding company (holds F1’s rights) is well overdrawn?!!
The 2009 cars look so much better, they look like a proper single seater should – sleek and simple. I just hope that the racing finally starts to get on terms with the junior Formulae at last!
the RB5 seems to be putting together some decent times in testing. I don’t like the look of the 2009 spec car as the aero surface has been so restricted, it almost looks like we have gone back a few years. i’m also not sure if it will improve overtaking but one thing is definite, the first corner is going to be a huge thing as it is going to be so easy to lose the front wing.
If it’s mad F1 cars you’re after, then look no further than the Bonkers-ness of the turbo-engined Brabham BT54’s. Turbo charged 1500cc BMW 4 cylinder Production line engine blocks, the older the better, Luftwaffe era fuel to stop the detonation problems, and 1400hp in qualifying trim. Piquet said that there were no niceties like racing lines, you tip toe’d round the corner, floored it on the straights, it wasn’t driving, it was hanging on for dear life…
If it’s mad F1 cars you’re after, then look no further than the Bonkers-ness of the turbo-engined Brabham BT54’s. Turbo charged 1500cc BMW 4 cylinder Production line engine blocks, the older the better, Luftwaffe era fuel to stop the detonation problems, and 1400hp in qualifying trim. Piquet said that there were no niceties like racing lines, you tip toe’d round the corner, floored it on the straights, it wasn’t driving, it was hanging on for dear life…
Very much like the Group B rally cars of the same era..
the BT55 was a pretty car, such as shame that Elio de Angelis was killed testing one at Paul Ricard. (I think it was Paul Ricard – the long straight?)
I read in a F1 book about Prost that BMW didnt know how much power their last turbo engine had in quali trim, the dyno didnt go high enough. I would last about 3 laps and then launch itself. Brilliant.
Would I be being too cynical, in suggesting the new designs might possibly be partly due to advertisers logos not being visible enough, with all the fiddly little winglets etc? The new design looks as though advertising logs would show up better, on TV screens…
That green 7-up car is pretty; looks a bit shark-like.
Rudeboy, in essence, yes the newer designs have moved away from all that aero stuff to make the cars more able to run in turbulent air, and the result is a simpler looking car, and part of that was to keep the the Sponsors (who, lets face it, bankroll the whole thing) happy. But partly they were getting out of hand as well.