2014 Car Launch thread

wolfhound · 11 Dec 2013, 14:21 (Ref:3342718)

I see where Sauber have passed all their chassis crash tests on their new car. I wonder were they preparing for a driver who is known for crash testing on/off the track who signed elsewhere.
Could an early crash test mean using last years chassis with the new bits bolted on? I suspect some teams budget will only allow them go that far.

No mention of a launch date. I suspect the target is to be ready for the first test at Jerez 0n 28th January.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111816

wnut · 11 Dec 2013, 22:32 (Ref:3342913)

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfhound

Could an early crash test mean using last years chassis with the new bits bolted on? I suspect some teams budget will only allow them go that far.

There is an interesting logic to what Sauber will run next year.

They finished 7 th in this year's WCC. realistically how much worse are you likely to perform, only Williams and STR provide credible threats to finishing worse in the WCC!

They are running Ferrari engines again next year, arguably the worst of the power trains this year.

They were the next finishing Ferrari team after Ferrari.

Nobody knows how good the Ferrari engine will be for 2014. Currently probably the third best engine, out of three suppliers for next year?

Sauber have a chassis which is reasonably good currently, and having limited resources what is the point of producing a new chassis to meet an unknown demand?

Therefore treat 2014 as a consolidation year, run next year with a cobbled together hack and assess what you need to build a really successful challenger while conserving your resources.
Build a proper car with all your saved resources for a chosen engine of known capability in 2015, Honda maybe?

As you say Wolfhound, how many of the lower placed teams will follow this path? Survival and consolidation?

wolfhound · 11 Dec 2013, 22:53 (Ref:3342918)

I forgot that the front of the chassis has to be lower on the 2014 cars so I doubt anybody will use last years chassis.

wnut · 11 Dec 2013, 23:30 (Ref:3342937)

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfhound

I forgot that the front of the chassis has to be lower on the 2014 cars so I doubt anybody will use last years chassis.

I understood it to only be the nose tip parameters that had changed, the chassis is the same?

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111262

Teretonga · 12 Dec 2013, 01:14 (Ref:3342969)

That may mean the front of the car is much the same because the engine installation is quite different as are requirements regarding space for all the other ancillary bits. The test is for tub strength and the front part of the car so the tub may be pretty much the same or similar to the 2013 car...

Biscuits In A Red Bull · 12 Dec 2013, 16:35 (Ref:3343201)

What they mean by crash testing is they were giving Gutierrez the lifeline and he's screwed it up

BSchneiderFan · 12 Dec 2013, 17:28 (Ref:3343221)

There seem to be a lot of assumptions flying around - Honda's 2015 power train will be the best, Ferrari's new unit is useless, Mercedes are looking very strong - but do we have ANY evidence to back this up?

Biscuits In A Red Bull · 12 Dec 2013, 17:50 (Ref:3343228)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

There seem to be a lot of assumptions flying around - Honda's 2015 power train will be the best, Ferrari's new unit is useless, Mercedes are looking very strong - but do we have ANY evidence to back this up?

You keep on mentioning this and whilst I agree with you, I only see it once...

Knowlesy · 12 Dec 2013, 19:39 (Ref:3343279)

Once in this thread perhaps.

I don't know why the Ferrari is assumed to be bad. They have almost always been good on the engine front, be it turbo or NA.

wolfhound · 12 Dec 2013, 20:42 (Ref:3343308)

Might it have something to do with Italian cars and electrics? Next years cars will need to be wired up properly.

Tucky · 12 Dec 2013, 21:55 (Ref:3343358)

Maybe Ferrari have got something up their sleeve but don't want anyone to know just yet...
just throwing it out there (but I still think Mercedes will lead in the engine battle)

wolfhound · 12 Dec 2013, 23:15 (Ref:3343387)

Interesting of the 4 companies building F1 engines for the new rules Mercdes are the only ones not to have built a small V6 turbocharged F1 engine before, not that 25 year old technology will have much relevance.

JeremySmith · 13 Dec 2013, 00:36 (Ref:3343419)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tucky

Maybe Ferrari have got something up their sleeve but don't want anyone to know just yet...
just throwing it out there (but I still think Mercedes will lead in the engine battle)

We don't know do we...

wolfhound · 13 Dec 2013, 17:23 (Ref:3343768)

Caterham have completed their chassis tests complete with a video.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111850

steve nielsen · 13 Dec 2013, 17:53 (Ref:3343775)

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfhound

Interesting of the 4 companies building F1 engines for the new rules Mercdes are the only ones not to have built a small V6 turbocharged F1 engine before, not that 25 year old technology will have much relevance.

and Ferrari and Renault already tested their new engine in a "mule"

Biscuits In A Red Bull · 13 Dec 2013, 18:08 (Ref:3343777)

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve nielsen

and Ferrari and Renault already tested their new engine in a "mule"

Hey, I thought Marussia were getting Ferrari engines only

BSchneiderFan · 14 Dec 2013, 14:22 (Ref:3343996)

What will be interesting is seeing in 2015 if Honda benefit from having the chance to see what everyone else has done, or are disadvantaged by missing out on a year's racing.

Biscuits In A Red Bull · 14 Dec 2013, 17:28 (Ref:3344043)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

What will be interesting is seeing in 2015 if Honda benefit from having the chance to see what everyone else has done, or are disadvantaged by missing out on a year's racing.

Can you start your own "new regulation engine thread" please...

...this thread bears little relation to Honda in 2015, as does Maldonado's money...

321Go · 19 Dec 2013, 06:05 (Ref:3345802)

Photos of the 2014 Mercedes AMG have been leaked!

Story HERE.

wolfhound · 19 Dec 2013, 09:19 (Ref:3345840)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 321Go

Photos of the 2014 Mercedes AMG have been leaked!

Story HERE.

I see they are calling it after an early Williams FW03 /05. I seem to remember the 03 not being the best car that graced the grid.

321Go · 22 Dec 2013, 12:44 (Ref:3346911)

The Ferrari 059/3 'Power unit' launched.

wolfhound · 22 Dec 2013, 23:02 (Ref:3347088)

What are Ferrari going to call next year's car you decide! Ferrari are to run a poll for fans to decide what to call next years car although I could not find any mention of it on their web site.

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/3...e-name-of-car/

If one was to follow a Ferrari tradition maybe F166 as in 1.6 litre 6 cylinder.

321Go · 22 Dec 2013, 23:26 (Ref:3347091)

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfhound

If one was to follow a Ferrari tradition maybe F166 as in 1.6 litre 6 cylinder.

If one was to follow a recent Ferrari trend, maybe LaF166 would be more appropriate??

321Go · 29 Dec 2013, 01:02 (Ref:3348456)

And some thought the cars of recent past were ugly. The 2014 cars will not be any better! Looks like the designers took inspiration from THIS little guy.

**ScotsBrutesFan** · 29 Dec 2013, 01:08 (Ref:3348459)

Lets at least wait until the cars are unveiled before insulting the wildlife

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