Red Bull and Ferrari to test with the other teams

Red Bull and Ferrari have been told they can not run their cars a day later than everyone else at the last winter test in Barcelona.

(c) Octane Photographic

The 2 teams had agreed to test on the 2nd to 5th of March, meaning the last day would be a free circuit for just their 2 cars. This would mean they could run any new parts without other teams seeing. The team's will now run from Thursday to Sunday, like the rest of the teams.

Marussia fail crash test

The Marussia F1 Team had high hopes for pushing forward in 2012, but have already run into set backs, just a few weeks away from the 1st race.

(c) Octane Photographic

The team were due to participate in the final winter test session of 2012 on Thursday 1st of March with their new MR01 2012 spec car, but they will be unable to participate. This is because the MR01 has failed its last of 18 crash tests, meaning it will not be able to be driven. It has passed 17 of the FIA's scrutinised crash tests but failed the last one.

Barcelona test (1) combined times

(c) Octane Photographic

The Barcelona test was the first of 2 being held at the track. It was filled with determined drivers, looking at getting the maximum out of the car, gathering important data and getting used to their 2012 machinery.


Here are the combined times from all the day's:

Pos  Driver      Team         Best time            Total laps
 1.  Kobayashi   Sauber       1m22.312s            244
 2.  Maldonado   Williams     1m22.391s  + 0.079s  240
 3.  Hulkenberg  Force India  1m22.608s  + 0.296s  209
 4.  Perez       Sauber       1m22.648s  + 0.336s  151
 5.  Vettel      Red Bull     1m22.891s  + 0.579s  183
 6.  Di Resta    Force India  1m23.119s  + 0.807s  184
 7.  Alonso      Ferrari      1m23.180s  + 0.868s  162
 8.  Button      McLaren      1m23.200s  + 0.888s  229
 9.  Schumacher  Mercedes     1m23.384s  + 1.072s  178
10.  Massa       Ferrari      1m23.563s  + 1.251s  187
11.  Hamilton    McLaren      1m23.590s  + 1.278s  234
12.  Ricciardo   Toro Rosso   1m23.618s  + 1.306s  126
13.  Webber      Red Bull     1m23.774s  + 1.462s  182
14.  Vergne      Toro Rosso   1m23.792s  + 1.480s  170
15.  Rosberg     Mercedes     1m23.843s  + 1.531s  221
16.  Senna       Williams     1m25.711s  + 3.399s  97
17.  Bottas      Williams     1m25.738s  + 3.426s  117
18.  Kovalainen  Caterham     1m26.035s  + 3.723s  101
19.  Glock       Marussia     1m26.173s  + 3.861s  108
20.  Petrov      Caterham     1m26.448s  + 4.136s  139
21.  Grosjean    Lotus        1m26.809s  + 4.497s  7
22.  Pic         Marussia     1m27.343s  + 5.031s  229

Barcelona test, (1) Day 4

The last day of February's winter testing has arrived. Who would of thought the teams have already done 8 full days of running. The driver's will be well settled in their 2012 machinery, with the teams now evaluating data and mechanical parts. 

(c) Octane Photographic

It is the last day of testing until early March where the 2012 F1 circus will return to the Circuit de Catalunya, near Barcelona, for the final testing session. The majority of teams will test on the 1st to 4th of March, while Red Bull and Ferrari will test from the 2nd to 5th March.

Barcelona test, (1) Day 3

It was another productive test for many of the teams. Conditions were sunny but cool for the 3rd day of testing at the Circuit de Catalunya track.

(c) Octane Photographic

There were a good few familiar faces returning to the car, Massa, Webber, Button, with a few new ones too. Timo Glock made his debut at the winter tests in the 2011 spec Marussia car.

Barcelona test, (1) Day 2

The second day of the first Barcelona test saw the Lotus team absent, along with HRT, after pulling out of the remaining 3 days after chassis issues. The teams were down 1, but still raring to go and put in some impressive times.

(c) Octane Photographic

Teams all completed over 50 laps, roughly a race distance, with the order of the pace still unclear.

Barcelona test, (1) Day 1

The Jerez test was a chance for the teams to gather important data on the 2012 spec cars, test out their new drivers and work out how to improve. The second test is all about making that improvement and trying something different.

(c) Octane Photographic

Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya is a favourite among the F1 circus. Drivers spend more time there than they do at any other track. The circuit is demanding with strong aerodynamic characteristics, it is very much a down force circuit. This means that we will have a better understanding of how teams sit compared to each other at the end of this test.

Mercedes launch the W03

Mercedes have become the 10^th team to launch their 2012 challenger. The W03 will be piloted by Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, making it their 3^rd consecutive year as team mates.

(c) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team

The car was launched early on Tuesday morning, ahead of the first day of testing at Barcelona later in the day. The car will make its track debut in the hands of Michael Schumacher, or though it did have a demo run at Silverstone a few days previous, where a spy photographer was able to capture the car.

Sky Sports F1 Press Day

I was extremely privileged to attend the Sky Sports F1 press day for bloggers and journalists today (20th February) at London's Grosvner House Hotel. All the F1 team (Brundle, Hill, Croft, Pinkham, Thompson, Lazenby, Davidson and Kravitz) attended despite Davidson waltzing in late.

(c) Sky Sports F1

The day was for us (around 15 other journo's or bloggers) to get a better understanding of the dedicated F1 channel, ask questions about it and ask about their views. It was great to sit just a metre or so away and hear all their views and opinions. I also feel extremely honoured to of been invited, who would of thought! Just me, a normal Suffolk 17 year old.

Click "read more" to see all the changes and answers to some of the questions.

Petrov joins Caterham

Caterham F1 Team has today announced that Vitaly Petrov has joined the team as race driver, replacing Jarno Trulli with immediate effect. The Russian was at the team’s factory in Hingham on Friday 17th February for a seat fitting ahead of his first run with the team at the second pre-season test in Barcelona, 21st to 24th February.

(c) Octane Photographic

F1’s ever changing variety of tracks

Daniel Daykin is a talented, aspiring F1 journalist and has a successful blog. He is very determind and posts a wide range of articles, whether reviews or news. We have known each other through twitter for a while. You may think his name is familiar, that is because i have interviewed him for my website, and he has also written a few guest posts for me.

He is back again, this time debating the fact that F1's circuits are ever changing. He looks at the contrasts of the likes of Spa and Yas Marina and evaluates the variety we currently have.

Bahrain GP still going ahead

There has been uncertainty surrounding the 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix, currently being held on the 22nd April but F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is adamant it will go ahead.

The Gulf state has seen a return to the violence that caused the 2011 Grand Prix's cancellation, meaning some teams and drivers are unsure whether it is safe to go. The possibility of a bad turn out for the sessions and race could also be a major problem, but Bahrain brings alot of money into F1 and Bernie is sure the race will go ahead.

Clos signs for HRT

HRT F1 Team has reached an agreement with Dani Clos by which the young 23-year-old driver from Barcelona will become test driver of the Spanish outfit for the 2012 season.

(c) Octane Photographic

The incorporation of Clos is another step in the team’s aspirations of establishing itself as a platform for young talents to reach the pinnacle of world motorsport.

Click "read more" to see the full story.

Interview: Dan Wells

(c) Octane Photographic

Dan Wells is a British racing driver. He has progressed through the ranks quickly and impressively. In 2009, at the age of 18, he began his journey in motor racing and by 2011 he is one of the leading drivers in the Formula Renault UK series.

In 2010 he impressed in the Formula Ford 1600 category and that caught the attention of the Racing Steps Foundation. He joined a number of other drivers at the RSF shoot out for backing and led the timings, but did not get the opportunity to be chosen. In 2011 he joined the Formula Renault UK series at round 3 and finished 10th overall in the final standings after some impressive drivers. He finished the Formula Renault UK Finals series in 2nd and as vice champion. In 2012 he is looking for backing to go into the FRUK 2012 season.

Jerez Test Fastest Laps

Here are all the fastest laps from every driver who drove in the Jerez F1 test:

(c) Octane Photographic

Fastest Laps

Pos  Driver         Team            Best time           Total laps
 1.  Rosberg        Mercedes        1m17.613s           174
 2.  Grosjean       Lotus           1m18.419s  +0.806   212
 3.  Schumacher     Mercedes        1m18.561s  +0.948   174
 4.  Alonso         Ferrari         1m18.877s  +1.264   106
 5.  Webber         Red Bull        1m19.184s  +1.571   151
 6.  Vettel         Red Bull        1m19.297s  +1.684   146
 7.  Hamilton       McLaren         1m19.464s  +1.851   166
 8.  Ricciardo      Toro Rosso      1m19.587s  +1.974   157
 9.  Vergne         Toro Rosso      1m19.597s  +1.984   159
10.  Raikkonen      Lotus           1m19.670s  +2.057   192
11.  Perez          Sauber          1m19.770s  +2.157   116
12.  Di Resta       Force India     1m19.772s  +2.159   170
13.  Kobayashi      Sauber          1m19.834s  +2.221   182
14.  Hulkenberg     Force India     1m19.977s  +2.364   90
15.  Senna          Williams        1m20.132s  +2.519   250
16.  Bianchi        Force India     1m20.221s  +2.608   46
17.  Massa          Ferrari         1m20.454s  +2.841   164
18.  Button         McLaren         1m20.688s  +3.075   147
19.  Maldonado      Williams        1m21.197s  +3.584   122
20.  Kovalainen     Caterham        1m21.518s  +3.905   167
21.  De la Rosa     HRT             1m22.128s  +4.515   108
22.  Trulli         Caterham        1m22.198s  +4.585   117
23.  Van der Garde  Caterham        1m23.324s  +5.711   74

Jerez test, Day 4

It is the last day of F1 winter testing at the Jerez track, and the teams should be pleased with their running. There have been no major mechanical issues for any of the teams, with many getting their predicted millage in.

(c) Octane Photographic

The next test is in Barcelona, so they will be hurriedly evaluating the data and hearing from the drivers to push forward at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Here is the review of day 4's testing, including pictures and quotes.

Jerez test, Day 3

Day 3 of winter testing at the Jerez circuit saw a few new names. The "big 3" of Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso debuted in the 2012 machinery for their respected teams.

(c) Octane Photographic

Also joining them on track was Bruno Senna, in the new Williams FW34. It was Senna's first drive in a Williams car after he signed a deal to move from Lotus to the Grove based squad. Romain Grosjean also took to the track for the first time in the Lotus E20, while Jean Eric-Vergne drove for Toro Rosso. Van der Garde, Caterham reserve driver, spent the day in the Caterham so he acclimatised to the transition and felt comfortable.

Read the full review, plus pictures and comments, here.

Jerez test, Day 2

The second day of winter testing is a chance for drivers to push, after getting comfortable and acclimatising on day 1. The gremlins and problems faced yesterday have been repaired, with many teams getting well over a race distance of laps for mileage. 

(c) Octane Photographic

We had some new faces circulating the field, with Jules Bianchi spending the Morning in the Force India, before Di Resta took over for the afternoon. Sergio Perez also made his 2012 track debut on the 2nd day, replacing Kamui Kobayashi.

Click "read more" for the full summary, including some pictures and comments from the drivers.

Jerez Test, Day 1

The first official day of winter testing got underway in Jerez, Spain. The day saw a mix of 2011 spec and 2012 spec cars circulating the track. The typical gremlins and problems did occur however, but the majority of the drivers completed over 80 laps.

(c) Octane Photographic

The Williams 2012 F1 car, launched today, the Red Bull RB8, Caterham CT-01 and the Toro Rosso STR7 all made their tarmac debuts.

Read the summary here, along with some pictures from todays test.

Williams launch FW34

The Williams F1 Team have launched their 2012 challenger, the FW34, at the first Jerez test.

(c) Williams F1 Team

2012 Testing at JLF1

Here is just a short explanation about how I will cover the 2012 F1 tests.

I will do a quick overview of the significant events, any problems and then all the fastest times and laps they have done. This will be done each day and I will create a tab for all of the days, so you can click that link to see them.

I am also covering all the F1 2012 car launches in a similar way. Click on the links to the left of the page to see the launches covered and some images.

Regards
Jack

Sauber, Red Bull and Toro Rosso launch 2012 cars

On the 6^th of February 2012 the world was introduced to 3 more F1 cars.

Sauber were to first to launch their 2012 challenger, the C31, at 10AM. Red Bull shortly followed at 1PM with their highly anticipated RB8. Lastly Toro Rosso launched their STR7 at 4.30PM. It has been a busy day so all the launches will be covered in one article.

Click "read more" to see the full launch details.

Lotus launch E20

Lotus have revealed their E20, the car which will be driven by 2007 F1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen and French driver Romain Grosjean.

(c) Lotus F1 Team

The car, named E20 because it is the 20^th car produced at their Enstone factory, was unveiled live on the Internet at the Jerez track. Unfortunately, a series of errors on the website meant many were not able to watch the launch live. I was one of them.

click "read more" to see the full article

Giedo van der Garde signs for Caterham

Caterham F1 Team has today confirmed that Dutch driver Giedo van der Garde will be the team's official Reserve Driver in 2012.

(c) Octane Photographic

Giedo will participate in the pre-season tests and will take part in a number of FP1 sessions throughout the season as a core part of the team's driver line-up.

click "read more" to see the full story

Force India reveal their VJM05

© Force India

Force India launched their 2012 F1 car at the legendary Silverstone track.

The VJM05 is the 5th car from the team, after they purchased the Spyker squad at the end of 2007. They will be powered, again, by Mercedes engines and will be driven by Scottish rookie Paul Di Resta, who had an impressive debut year in 2011, and the German hot shot Nico Hulkenberg, who took a back seat in 2011. 

Click "read more" to see the full story

Ferrari launch F2012

Ferrari today revealed their 2012 F1 challenger, named the F2012.

© Ferrari

The car has been dubbed “aggressive” with the viewer’s main attention taking them to the rather “ugly” nose cone. The radical design has been done in the hope to bring the team back to the top, to challenge for the title.

click "read more" to see the full story

Q & A with Narain Karthikeyan

The HRT team have announced their 2^nd driver for the 2012 season. Narain Karthikeyan will race alongside Spanish driver Pedro De La Rosa and the team asked Narain a few questions on staying with the team, and his ambitions for the season.

(c) Octane Photographic

Click "read more" to see the full story

Narain Karthikeyan takes 2nd seat at HRT

Spanish backmarkers HRT have filled their 2^nd driver spot. They were previously the only team with an empty seat. That spare space has been taken by Indian driver Narain Karthikeyan.

(c) Octane Photographic

GP2 and GP3 series confirmed on the Sky Sports F1 Channel

SKY SPORTS viewers will get a glimpse into the future of motorsport with live coverage of the GP2 and GP3  series on Sky Sports F1 HD.

(c) Sky Sports F1

Coverage will complement the Formula 1 programming on the channel, offering UK and Irish motor racing fans even more racing.  Subscribers can also watch online or on tablet and mobile devices with Sky Go at no extra charge.

Click "read more" to see the full story

Mclaren launch their 2012 F1 challenger, the MP4-27

©Jordan A. Irvine - 2012
The Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes MP4-27 – A “Beautiful” Car…?

(c) Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

“As you can see, this is a beautiful car.” exclaimed Jenson Button. “We have a good-looking car” remarked Lewis Hamilton. “Cars really do look beautiful if they win races” Team Principle Martin Whitmarsh told a crowded press room…

Click "read more" to see the full article.