Force India Unveil 2018 Livery

(Image credit to: Sahara Force India F1 Team)

    Force India may have left it late to unveil its 2018 Formula 1 car, but fans will have to wait even longer to see the VJM11 that will line up on the grid for the Australian Grand Prix.

    The team has opted to run a ‘launch specification’ at preseason testing, an updated version of the 2017 machine. This will give the aerodynamics team more time to develop the car.

    “Looking at the VJM11, the DNA of the car is still very much that of last year’s car,” said technical director Andrew Green.

    “We took the decision, quite a while ago, that the launch specification of thee 2018 car would be based around our understanding of the 2017 car, but with all the new structures required by the regulations in place.

    It is a starting point, a good reference from which to introduce changes quite quickly; it gives our aerodynamics department more time to develop a car for the first race in Australia, rather than having to release parts early for testing.”

    The car may be an ‘evolution’ of its predecessor, but Force India was forced to redesign the chassis in order to incorporate the halo head protection device, a huge expense to the independent team.

    Though the new chassis passed the crash test  on the first time of asking, the squad is still developing the car to try to neutralize the impact the halo has on the aerodynamics.

    “We have the opportunity to apply some cladding around parts of the structure to try and mitigate the losses, but it’s still a very difficult structure to make aerodynamically neutral,” said Green.

    “At the moment, it has a negative effect, but we are in the process of minimizing its impact and hopefully we will get it down to zero in the near future. It’s one of the challenges we are dealing with at the moment – it is not a massive one but it is something we would rather not have from an aero perspective. It’s the same for everyone, however, and you will not see a final solution until we get to Melbourne.”

    Despite the challenges, Force India is aiming high this season. After two consecutive fourth place finishes in the constructors’ championship, team boss Vijay Mallya is confident the team can continue the strong performances.

    “Everybody keeps telling me that it will be difficult to repeat the double fourth place, but there is no reason why we cannot consolidate our position and improve.

    Yes Formula 1 is a very tough and competitive environment, but we are an established team with continuity in all areas of the company. We don’t take anything for granted but we will be disappointed if we are not fighting for points at every race this year.”

    The team will once again run a pink livery, with sponsor BWT remaining on-board for a second season.

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Article Written By: Bethonie Waring
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Toro Rosso Reveal 2018 Car

(Image credit to: Red Bull Toro Rosso Honda)

    Toro Rosso has revealed its first Honda powered car ahead of preseason testing for the 2018 Formula 1 championship.

    The team stuck with a similar livery to that of last season, but a lot has changed at Toro Rosso from the start of 2017.

    Not only does the team have two rookie drivers and a new engine partner, but areas of the chassis have been completely redesigned after a year learning the new technical regulations.

    “There were several challenges but none that were by nature unfamiliar to us at Toro Rosso,” explained technical director James Key.

    “The most obvious is that we have had a change of engine partner and there were also a few minor regulation changes on the aero side, a few clarifications on suspension and so on, which all had an effect on how we approached these areas.

    Fundamentally, it’s been a case of adapting what you know to the regulations as they came out, which is pretty much the normal process from one year to the next.”

    He added that incorporating the halo, which is mandatory for all teams in 2018, was a big challenge, a statement echoed by other teams.

    As the new Honda works team, Toro Rosso will undoubtedly be under more scrutiny than ever before this season. The team has admitted this year will be a building period, but team principal Franz Tost is optimistic about the partnership.

    “The cooperation with Honda is important to us, as it is the first time in the history of Toro Rosso that we are working in a partnership together with a car manufacturer,” he said.

    “It changes a lot, and it was very satisfying to see our engineers and our concept group sitting together with the Honda people, suggesting ways to improve the packaging in the chassis and so on.

    Honda has a great reputation around the world, and specifically in motorsport with a long and very successful racing history. We have established a close relationship and they have made big steps forward.”

    Honda has struggled since returning to Formula 1 in 2015, but the team hopes to be competitive by the end of the season.

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McLaren Reveal 2018 Car & Papaya Livery

(Image credit to: McLaren F1 Team)

    McLaren has revealed its first Renault powered Formula 1 car, the MCL33, complete with iconic papaya orange livery.

    The new car has been described as an evolution of its predecessor, but important changes needed to be made for the significantly different engine that would be powering the car.

    After three frustrating seasons with Honda, McLaren switched to Renault for the 2018 F1 season. Though regulations state the front and rear engine mounts must be the same for each manufacturer, the architecture of the Renault engine is different from that of the Honda.

    “Making the switch has a big impact on the installation of the engine,” said Tim Goss, McLaren’s chief technical officer (chassis). “The advantage of the Renault layout means that we can push the engine forwards, but then you have the compressor at the back of the engine, so you’ve got to get the outlet pipes forward without impacting the packaging.

    We had to redesign the back of the chassis, the gearbox bell-housing, the rear suspension and the cooling layout. That was two weeks of intense effort to get right. But it was something we were somewhat prepared for, because we knew it might happen, and it’s amazing what people can do in such a short space of time when the chips are down and you’ve got a really clear mission.”

    Having taken just 133 points from the past three seasons, McLaren hopes the change of engine manufacturer will lead to a change of fortune and enable drivers Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne to fight closer to the front of the field.

    But racing director Eric Boullier warns the team will still face a tough challenge.

    “We are under no illusions that it will be difficult to splinter the hegemony at the front, and that the midfield will be full of well-funded, experienced outfirts with plenty to prove.

    We are humble about the challenge ahead, but feel we’ve prepared well, have a solid package that we can build upon and exploit as the season progresses, and have two excellent drivers who will make the difference in races.”

    Whether the MCL33 will be a turning point for McLaren remains to be seen, but the car undoubtedly marks a new chapter in the team’s history. 

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Ferrari Launch 2018 Car

(Image credit to: Scuderia Ferrari)

    Ferrari has revealed its latest Formula 1 car, the SF71H, ahead of preseason testing.

    Its unchanged driver line-up of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen, as well as development driver Daniil Kvyat and Antonio Giovinazzi, were at the launch at the team’s base in Maranello.

    One year into the current set of technical regulations, Ferrari’s 2018 challenger is built on what the team learned last season. It is similar to its predecessor, the most successful Ferrari in recent years, but has a longer wheel base and a revised cooling system.

    Unsurprisingly, Ferrari has stuck with the traditional red livery, including on the mandatory halo head protection device, with the absence of white features differentiating it from its immediate predecessors.

    Also absent is the Santander branding – which has featured on Ferrari machines since 2009 – as the Spanish bank has opted to end its F1 sponsorship deals.

    Like all engine manufacturers, Ferrari has focused on durability this winter as drivers are limited to just three power units this season.

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Mercedes Launch 2018 Car

(Image credit to: Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport)

    Mercedes has launched its 2018 Formula 1 challenger, the W09 EQ Power+, at a filming day at Silverstone.

    Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton both got a small taste of the new machinery, completing 100km of the British track between them.

    After a successful 2017, the new car is an evolution of its predecessor, with no major change in design philosophy.

    “We like some of the character traits from our diva,” said team principal Toto Wolf. “The W08 was the fastest car on the grid, scoring the highest number of pole positions and winning the most races last year. So we were careful not to lose the car’s main strength just to overcome the difficulties.”

    Like with all 2018 cars, the most notable differences are the lack of shark fin and T-wing and the addition of the halo head protection device, but the technical regulations have remained largely the same, which technical director James Allison believes allowed the team to make a more elegant car this year.

    “Last year’s regulations were brand new and we weren’t quite sure which direction they would take us in,” he said. “So last year’s car had a certain amount of wiggle room to adapt if we found that we needed to move around certain aspects of the car.

    This year, being a little more confident of what we’re aiming for, we’ve been able to commit more fully to certain concepts. So we have the packaging much tighter and have taken things to more of an extreme.”

    Since the change in engine regulations ahead of the 2014 season, the Mercedes power unit has been dominant. Though the manufacturer has never been able to stand still when it comes to engine development, “substantial” changes in the regulations have led to significant updates this winter.

    “The amount of change on the power unit for this year is quite considerable and driven by a number of requirements,” said Andy Cowell, managing director of Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains.. “The biggest challenge we’ve got is lifting our durability limit with the challenge of racing just three engines per driver per championship and two ERS systems.

    That’s a 40 per cent increase in the distance that the hardware needs to do for this year compared with last year. We focused on trying to increase the life of the hardware without losing performance.”

    He added that the team also worked to increase combustion efficiency and reduce hardware friction.

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Sauber Unveil 2018 Car

(Image credit to: Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team)

    Sauber Formula 1 team has opted for a new aerodynamic concept as it aims to be competitive in the 2018 Formula 1 championship.

    The team has lagged behind the rest of the field in recent years but, with the new C37, Sauber believes it will able to fight for position this season.

    Drivers Marcus Ericsson and Charles Leclerc will also have the 2018 Ferrari power unit behind them, which technical director Jorg Zander believes will help drive improvements this season.

    “The 2018 challenger is the result of the hard work that everyone in the factory has put in over the last few months,” he said.

    "Speaking about the C37, the car philosophy is much different to that of the C36. The aerodynamic concept has changed significantly, and the C37 has seveneral new features in comparison to its predecessor.

    We are positive that the new concept offers us more opportunities and will help us to make improvements during the course of the season.

    The 2018 Ferrari engine will also give us a boost in terms of performances. We hope that we will make progress with the C37 and that we are more competitive compared to 2017.”

    The launch of the C37 also signals the return of the Alfa Romeo brand to F1. The Italian car manufacturer, a sister brand of Ferrari, will partner Sauber for the 2018 season. It’s logo features on the engine cover, with the red and white livery symbolic of what Sauber hopes will be a new era for the team.

    "Our target ahead of 2018 is clear: we have to catch up with the field and continue improving our performance during the course of the season,” said team principal Frederic Vasseur.

    "We have put lots of energy and commitment into the development of the C37. I want to thank our partners and fans for their continuous support. The return of Alfa Romeo to Formula 1 sets another milestone in the team’s history, and I am proud that such a historic brand has chosen us for their return to the sport. We are eager to start the 2018 season as the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team.”

    Vasseur also defended the teams’ choice in driver line-up. While the squad is bringing young talent into the championship in the form of Leclerc, many fans have criticized Sauber for retaining Ericsson, who hasn’t scored in F1 since 2015. Vasseur highlighted Ericsson’s importance to the team.

    “I am convinced that Marcus and Charles form the perfect driver line-up, with one being an experienced driver and one a promising rookie.

    Marcus is going into his fourth season with us. He is a valuable part of the team, and we benefit from his experience and precise technical feedback.

    As for Charles, he has proven his talent in prior categories and deserves to be on the Formula 1 grid this season.”

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Renault Reveal 2018 Car

(Image credit to: Renault Sport Formula One Team)

    Renault Formula 1 team has launched its 2018 car, the R.S.18, ahead of the 2018 F1 championship.

    Now in its third season in F1 as a manufacturer, Renault is aiming to continue to improve after finishing sixth in the constructors’ championship last season.

    The R.S.18 is a development of the team’s 2017 car, with a focus on improved suspension and aerodynamic down force.

    “We have everything to be positive about this year,” said team boss Cyril Abiteboul. “We have two very talented and ambitious drivers. Last year Nico [Hulkenberg] gave us exactly what we needed with his experience, knowledge, and ability to lead both on and off track. Carlos [Sainz Jnr] joined us at the end of last season and he brought something fresh, and he scored points to help us in the constructors’ battle. Without that we wouldn’t have finished where we finished.

    Our headline target is to show continued progression through results. We want to be able to showcase our progression in every regard: power unit, chassis, operations, drivers. Everything must improve and we must continue to grow.

    We want to demonstrate this in many different ways, from the teams we will be directly racing against, to the gap to the leaders, including also our fan base and the respect that our team will inspire in our way we behave on and off track.”

    Renault has also put considerable effort into improving its engine, which it will supply to Red Bull and McLaren in 2018.

    Last year, the Renault power unit was less than reliable, with a number of drivers suffering engine failures over the course of the season.

    With the reduction in the number of components available to drivers in 2018, Renault has focused on improving reliability, boasting in a press release that “The power unit has realized a very strong programme on the dyno in Viry-Chatillon to maximize performance and improve reliability”.

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Williams Shows Off 2018 Car

(Image credit to: Williams Martini Racing)

    Williams has launched it’s “new approach” challenger for the 2018 Formula 1 championship, the FW41.

    The first Williams to be fully designed under new technical chief Paddy Lowe, the car boasts a new aerodynamic philosophy, with a number of significant differences to its predecessor.

    Apart from the compulsory halo head protection device, the Williams features a fin running along its engine cover – not too dissimilar to the now banned shark fins of last season.

    “It’s very exciting to be giving everyone the first look at the FW41,” said Lowe. “The car has many new features, most of which are not all that obvious, but externally the team has pursued a very different aerodynamic concept which has allowed us some significant progress in aerodynamic performance.

    All Formula 1 cars are an evolution of what has gone before to some extent, but the FW41 does involve a number of departures from the directions that have been pursued in the past.

    Overall, the philosophy we are starting to see emerge is a new approach to the collaboration between aerodynamics and design to achieve the optimum working result.”

    Lowe added that developments from the Mercedes power unit also shaped the car’s packaging.

    Mercedes is understood to have pursued a different engine concept to previous seasons.

    Williams will field the youngest driver line-up on the grid this season, with 19-year-old Lance Stroll joined by rookie Sergey Sirotkin in 2018.

    The pair are hoping to improve on Williams’ disappointing 2017 performance, when the team finished fifth in the constructors’ championship and was unable to challenge Force India in fourth.

    “With a season under my belt with the team, I can’t wait to get back on track and see what the new car is like,” said Stroll.

    “Until we are on track we will not know what the competition has been doing, but I am very optimistic about the car the team has built.

    Last year was a steep learning curve for me and now I can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store.”

    Sirotkin added: “I’ve been in the simulator regularly, going through different set-ups with the car, different tracks, seat fittings and also a lot of engineering meetings and factory tours to meet everyone.

    I’ve been having fun with all the guys from different departments. It’s busy times, but I am really enjoying it. I’m getting ready for the season in the best possible way.”

    The FW41 will get its first on track outing at preseason testing, which will begin in Spain on February 26th.

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