F1 in 2012

[OzBomber]

Bit early I know, but the calendar was announced today.

2012 calendar in full:

March 11 - Bahrain
March 18 - Australia
April 1 - Malaysia
April 8 - China
April 22 - Korea
May 6 - Turkey *
May 20 - Spain
May 27 - Monaco
June 10 - Canada
June 17 - United States
July 1 - Valencia, Spain
July 15 - Great Britain
july 29 - Germany
August 5 - Hungary
September 2 - Belgium
September 9 - Italy
September 30 - Singapore
Ocotober 14 - Japan
October 28 - India
November 11 - Abu Dhabi
November 25 - Brazil
* Subject to confirmation

The USA makes it's return to F1 with a race in Texas.

Disappointed that Bahrain continually gets the first race. All teams, drivers and spectators prefer Australia. Money talks I guess.

 

[drd23]

Its only a draft at this stage so could change. That said, at first glance it looks to be pretty much the same as this years (with the exception of the added race in Austin and Bahrain forcing India into December)

Money talks I guess.

Of course it does. This is Bernie Ecclestone we are talking about

 

[ManWithNoName]

Teams have agreed to 20 races and no more. One race will have to go.

 

[Herbs]

Bahrain GP, please go away now and for forever. Pity that won't happen though. Failing that, get rid of Valencia.

 

[OzBomber]

Considering Turkey is the only one on that list subject to confirmation it would have to be that yeah?

 

[drd23]

Considering Turkey is the only one on that list subject to confirmation it would have to be that yeah?

Unfortunately that is the most likely outcome should FOTA push to stick to the Concorde Agreement and only allow 20 races.

I agree with Herbs that Bahrain or Valencia as 2 of the most consistently boring races should be the one that is dropped but Bernie would never give up all that cash

 

[ManWithNoName]

Unfortunately that is the most likely outcome should FOTA push to stick to the Concorde Agreement and only allow 20 races.

I agree with Herbs that Bahrain or Valencia as 2 of the most consistently boring races should be the one that is dropped but Bernie would never give up all that cash

Bahrain and Valencia>Abu Dhabi.

 

[that_dood]

Valencia is a shocker. Hope it's dropped. So many great circuits in Europe which should be picked ahead of a concrete road race around a port. Bahrain should go as well. Boring as hell.

 

[Sven]

pitpass.com is reporting that blown diffusers are to be completely banned in 2012.

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=43905

"For 2012, the exhuast system must exit behind the rear wheel centre line, actually 330mm behind, so right out the back of the diffuser. This means there can't be any exhaust influence on the diffuser."

 

[SebastianVettel]

Unfortunately that is the most likely outcome should FOTA push to stick to the Concorde Agreement and only allow 20 races.

I agree with Herbs that Bahrain or Valencia as 2 of the most consistently boring races should be the one that is dropped but Bernie would never give up all that cash

He'd drop Valencia if he had to, they actually don't even want the race anymore anyway. But yeah, Bahrain is going nowhere. Their representitive in the FIA is tremendously powerful and was a big factor in Todt getting elected as President, and a group from Bahrain owns just less than half of McLaren. Plus other general $$$ related reasons.

 

[BomberFletch31]

Just heard on TC's Report that there is a rumour going around that Williams will use Renault engines next year! As a long suffering Williams fan I couldn't be happier. This is what I wanted since Toyota left F1 at the end of 2009, but for some unknown reason, Williams went with Cosworth instead. With Renault also rumoured to purchase a stake at Williams, its financial future is looking somewhat more secure.

Along with a new chief engineer and aerodynamicist, it finally looks like there is light at the end of the tunnel for Williams It won't make us champions overnight, but it will be a step in the right direction. If we get Renault engines, the aim should be to beat the factory Renault team in the constructor's championship.

Bring on 2012 with the Williams Renault FW34!

 

[Sven]

Just heard on TC's Report that there is a rumour going around that Williams will use Renault engines next year! As a long suffering Williams fan I couldn't be happier. This is what I wanted since Toyota left F1 at the end of 2009, but for some unknown reason, Williams went with Cosworth instead. With Renault also rumoured to purchase a stake at Williams, its financial future is looking somewhat more secure.

Along with a new chief engineer and aerodynamicist, it finally looks like there is light at the end of the tunnel for Williams It won't make us champions overnight, but it will be a step in the right direction. If we get Renault engines, the aim should be to beat the factory Renault team in the constructor's championship.

Bring on 2012 with the Williams Renault FW34!

There's no such thing as a factory Renault team. Renault have completely sold their holding in the team to Genii Capital (75% in 2009 and the remainder at the end of 2010) and as a result the team is a UK team that uses Renault engines. The Renault team and a Renault engined Williams team would be on a pretty even standing from the get go.

For Renault it is more about engines and getting them into competitive cars than anything else.

 

[ManWithNoName]

The Renault team really needs to be renamed.

 

[Golding]

The Renault team really needs to be renamed.

It has hasnt it... Lotus Renault GP???

 

[ManWithNoName]

It has hasnt it... Lotus Renault GP???

Lotus are a sponsor. Like Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. Nothing more.

 

[Golding]

Lotus are a sponsor. Like Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. Nothing more.

I dont see the difference? Renault no longer own any part of the team, they are Offically called Lotus Renault? not Renault. People just call it Renault because it USED to be the Renault team.

 

[drd23]

I dont see the difference? Renault no longer own any part of the team, they are Offically called Lotus Renault? not Renault. People just call it Renault because it USED to be the Renault team.

More because there already was (and still is) another Lotus team and its just easier to keep calling the old Renault team Renault even if it isnt to avoid confusion

 

[Golding]

More because there already was (and still is) another Lotus team and its just easier to keep calling the old Renault team Renault even if it isnt to avoid confusion

Fair enough, i still call them Renault aswell. Was just pointing out that theyre not offically called Renault anymore.

IMO Proton / Lotus got way to greedy, they wanted success straight away rather than build up the team from Lotus Racing / Team Lotus. Does it not make sense to have a Malaysian Team, with a Malaysian owner / Sponsor, supported by a Malaysian Carmaker?

Anyway, whole different kettle of fish...

 

[BomberFletch31]

Just heard on TC's Report that there is a rumour going around that Williams will use Renault engines next year!

It's official: Williams to run Renault engines for 2012!

http://www.williamsf1.com/news/view/1859

Renault Sport F1 and Williams F1 are delighted to announce a long-term chassis-engine partnership.

Renault Sport F1, the F1 division of Renault, will supply AT&T Williams with its championship-winning V8 power units for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. In addition to the supply of its Formula One engines, the newly-formed alliance includes several other exciting business and marketing opportunities, with a view to continuing after the introduction of the new, energy efficient, turbocharged V6 engines arrive in the sport in 2014.

http://www.williamsf1.com/news/view/1859

and

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/92843

Williams has announced that it will use Renault engines from the 2012 season, in a renewal of the partnership that dominated Formula 1 for much of the 1990s.

The initial deal is for 2012 and 2013, with an option to continue when the new rules are introduced in 2014.

I couldn't be happier right now!

 

[Sven]

and there's been quite a bit of news concerning the two teams at the back of the grid

The ownership of HRT has changed, and the team looks to be relocating to Spain.

Two Spanish drivers and a new headquarters could be among HRT's plans after it emerged Thesan Capital has taken over the Spanish team.

In its first two seasons, Hispania has been effectively based at Colin Kolles' Greding headquarters in Germany, with no Spanish drivers on the roster.

But it was announced on Monday that the buyout will involve the "search for opportunities to optimize and improve the performance of the team" as well as "progressively making the team more Spanish and definitively settling ... in Spain."

also Virgin have joined forces with McLaren in a technical assistance alliance - whether or not this means Virgin are looking to use the Mercedes engine in 2012 is yet to be seen.

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/spor...t/mclaren_tie_up_could_shift_virgin_1_3543894

Any efforts by the team at the back of the grid to improve their cars is good for the sport IMO.

 

[Sven]

here's a drawing that shows how a Formula 1 driver fits into the car. It shows just how high the driver's feet are compared to the seat

I grabbed the image from http://www.f1pulse.com/schumster/insights/201102136/Monocoque

 

[NMFCMUFC]

sky Sports wins F1 for 2012:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12433_7066182,00.html

So much for FTA.

 

[that_dood]

Wow, that's massive news. Although on opening the link the BBC still will show all races and will show half the races live.

But this is the start of a shift to open bidding for F1 around the world. Hopefully ONE keep it long term in Australia because if it goes to Pay then that's the end of my F1 watching.

 

[Golding]

Bernie is apparently circulating a new calendar around... with turkey gawn!


18 March Australian GP
25 March Malaysian GP
8 April Chinese GP
22 April Indian GP
13 May Spanish GP
27 May Monaco GP
10 June Canada GP
24 June European GP
8 July British GP
22 July German GP
29 July Hungarian GP
2 September Belgian GP
9 September Italian GP
23 September Singapore GP
7 October Japanese GP
14 October Korean GP
28 October Abu Dhabi GP
4 November Bahrain GP
18 November US GP
25 November Brazilian GP

 

[Rod Stroker]

Confirmed that Turkey will no longer host F1 races.

Perez and Kamui confirmed as retained Sauber drivers for next year.