Both Mercedes and Toro Rosso revealed their 2013 machines ahead of the first test at Jerez.
The Brackley and Faenza based teams uncovered their brand spanking new cars to waiting media and photographers in the Circuit de Jerez pit lane, both low key launches in comparison to some of the previous ones (McLaren, Red Bull).
Mercedes were first up and showed off their W04 machine, that will be driven by new signing Lewis Hamilton and German Racer Nico Rosberg. The former made the heavily talked about move to the "Silver Arrows" from previous home McLaren. Rosberg goes in to his fourth season with the squad.
The W04 then took to the track for a few laps ahead of its true testing debut on Tuesday. The Monday Morning launch took place on the pit straight, where Hamilton and Rosberg posed with their new machinery and showed off their new Blackberry phones, the firm connecting with the Mercedes AMG F1 Team in a new partnership which will impact the technical and marketing of the team.
Hamilton said at the launch "I have no idea where it is at the moment apart from seeing some aero
results, and the guys have made some improvements, but it is still an
evolution of last year's car,"
He added "This year is about trying to get settled in the team, get a good working relationship and working to steer this car in the right direction and also next year's car.
"We have to deliver as a team, of course, but I am not a miracle worker. I'm going to work as hard as I can with the team to make steps forward."
His team mate Rosberg added I'm confident, but to start the season as we did last year, being one of the fastest cars? Not so confident, the gap was quite big at the end of last year, and first we need to close that gap.
"That's our main target for the start of the season, and I'm very confident we will manage to achieve that. Then the big improvement needs to be in the rate of development, because last year we really flattened off in the middle of the season."
He spoke about his first few laps in the car, that were for filming purposes, saying
"It was a great start this morning, everything went to plan," he said. "It was all good and I could push straight away. The car was balanced well, so it was a very good start. As a result I look forward to driving a full test day tomorrow."
Ross Brawn, Mercedes F1 Team Boss, said "There are a number of concepts we have looked at, and no doubt when
you see all the new cars you revisit some of the concepts, but this car
has taken a good step forward in terms of aerodynamic performance, I think there are some innovative things on the car and you probably need to look a bit deeper to see them.
He continued "We are comfortable with the designs and solutions we have come up with; but we will see the first signs in the next few weeks and certainly at Melbourne. That will be the real test of everyone's concepts and innovations - and that will be the true test. We are comfortable with what we have done."
The Mercedes looks similar to that of the 2011 car, with a new five-element front wing and optimised second-generation Coanda style exhaust. The car also loses the severe stepped nose, going for a thinner "vanity panel" that still creates a slight ridge. Brawn also revealed that the team were still working with the passive "Double DRS" system but was struggling to get it to work, and had new parts arriving for the main test. He said "We have some things that we are quite excited about which will appear in the next few weeks,"
Toro Rosso also removed the blanket from their 2013 machine at Jerez, this time in the afternoon. Drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne, who have both been retained for this season, revealed the teams new car to media and photographers.
The Red Bull sister team finished the 2012 season in ninth place. They showed some winter test speed but failed to keep up with the development race and dropped back. A few points finishes were all they could achieve, but they are looking to close the gap and keep up this season.
Unlike Red Bull and Lotus, the STR8's most visible feature is the loss of the stepped nose. The team chose the "vanity panel" option which several others also use. This creates a more flowing and graceful look to the front end. The team decided to keep last years striking livery, with its mix of gold, purple and red.
The low key launch meant fans could not see the covers being taken off the new car, but thanks to social media pictures and quotes soon spread. Toro Rosso hope the new STR8 will elevate them in to consistent points finishes.
Team Boss Franz Tost said "It's very emotional, the team has worked with a very high level of effort to come up with a great car and met the high expectations for this year.
"The goal is to finish sixth in the constructors' championship. The STR8 is the first car under James Key and Luca Furbatto. Both drivers did a really good job last year, and I'm convinced if we supply them with a good car they'll come up with surprise results."
The STR8 will run on Ferrari power for the seventh year in a row, in comparison to Red Bull's Renault powered RB9. The car sports less aggressive sidepod undercuts and push rod front suspension. It is the first car to have input from new technical director James Key and is the eighth 2013 car to be revealed.
 |
| (c) Mercedes F1 Team |
Mercedes were first up and showed off their W04 machine, that will be driven by new signing Lewis Hamilton and German Racer Nico Rosberg. The former made the heavily talked about move to the "Silver Arrows" from previous home McLaren. Rosberg goes in to his fourth season with the squad.
The W04 then took to the track for a few laps ahead of its true testing debut on Tuesday. The Monday Morning launch took place on the pit straight, where Hamilton and Rosberg posed with their new machinery and showed off their new Blackberry phones, the firm connecting with the Mercedes AMG F1 Team in a new partnership which will impact the technical and marketing of the team.
Hamilton said at the launch "I have no idea where it is at the moment apart from seeing some aero
results, and the guys have made some improvements, but it is still an
evolution of last year's car," He added "This year is about trying to get settled in the team, get a good working relationship and working to steer this car in the right direction and also next year's car.
"We have to deliver as a team, of course, but I am not a miracle worker. I'm going to work as hard as I can with the team to make steps forward."
His team mate Rosberg added I'm confident, but to start the season as we did last year, being one of the fastest cars? Not so confident, the gap was quite big at the end of last year, and first we need to close that gap.
"That's our main target for the start of the season, and I'm very confident we will manage to achieve that. Then the big improvement needs to be in the rate of development, because last year we really flattened off in the middle of the season."
He spoke about his first few laps in the car, that were for filming purposes, saying
"It was a great start this morning, everything went to plan," he said. "It was all good and I could push straight away. The car was balanced well, so it was a very good start. As a result I look forward to driving a full test day tomorrow."
Ross Brawn, Mercedes F1 Team Boss, said "There are a number of concepts we have looked at, and no doubt when
you see all the new cars you revisit some of the concepts, but this car
has taken a good step forward in terms of aerodynamic performance, I think there are some innovative things on the car and you probably need to look a bit deeper to see them. He continued "We are comfortable with the designs and solutions we have come up with; but we will see the first signs in the next few weeks and certainly at Melbourne. That will be the real test of everyone's concepts and innovations - and that will be the true test. We are comfortable with what we have done."
The Mercedes looks similar to that of the 2011 car, with a new five-element front wing and optimised second-generation Coanda style exhaust. The car also loses the severe stepped nose, going for a thinner "vanity panel" that still creates a slight ridge. Brawn also revealed that the team were still working with the passive "Double DRS" system but was struggling to get it to work, and had new parts arriving for the main test. He said "We have some things that we are quite excited about which will appear in the next few weeks,"
Toro Rosso also removed the blanket from their 2013 machine at Jerez, this time in the afternoon. Drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne, who have both been retained for this season, revealed the teams new car to media and photographers.
 |
| (c) F1 Fanatic |
Unlike Red Bull and Lotus, the STR8's most visible feature is the loss of the stepped nose. The team chose the "vanity panel" option which several others also use. This creates a more flowing and graceful look to the front end. The team decided to keep last years striking livery, with its mix of gold, purple and red.
The low key launch meant fans could not see the covers being taken off the new car, but thanks to social media pictures and quotes soon spread. Toro Rosso hope the new STR8 will elevate them in to consistent points finishes.Team Boss Franz Tost said "It's very emotional, the team has worked with a very high level of effort to come up with a great car and met the high expectations for this year.
"The goal is to finish sixth in the constructors' championship. The STR8 is the first car under James Key and Luca Furbatto. Both drivers did a really good job last year, and I'm convinced if we supply them with a good car they'll come up with surprise results."
The STR8 will run on Ferrari power for the seventh year in a row, in comparison to Red Bull's Renault powered RB9. The car sports less aggressive sidepod undercuts and push rod front suspension. It is the first car to have input from new technical director James Key and is the eighth 2013 car to be revealed.
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