Some may consider Red Bull’s Formula One race cars some of the ugliest race cars out there, but no one can deny their abilities. Last year, Red Bull pulled in 12 wins, 27 podiums, and 18 pole positions. They may not be the prettiest, but they deliver, as will the RB7’s successor, the RB8.
The Red Bull RB8 is the continuation of the RB7, but modified to obey the new FIA regulations. The company has only provided a few details for the new racer, such as the addition of a new nose and an updated rear end. The chassis benefits from further aerodynamic refinements and we’re assuming the engine has been tweaked here and there as well.
"The restriction nose height which is a maximum height just in front of the front bulkhead hasn’t really changed the chassis shape very much. We’ve kept more or less the same chassis shape, but had to drop the nose just in front of the front bulkhead. The exhaust allowed us to run a high rear ride height, it’s much more difficult without that to sustain a high rear height so we have to go back down and have to redevelop the car around that lower ride height," said Adrian Newey.
A few days after McLaren F1 presented their 2012 Formula One race car, the MP4-27, the Prancing Horse from Maranello has decided to unveil their 2012 F1 race car. Called the F2012, the race car is the fifty eighth F1 car Ferrari has ever built, and is arguably the most advanced race car it has ever developed.
As far as all the changes that have been done to the car to accommodate for new regulations, the F2012 was fundamentally and meticulously revised, most specifically the height of the front section of the chassis, the position of the exhaust pipes, and the re-tweaking of the car’s electronic engine management system.
According to the folks over at Ferrari, the F2012 comes with a revised suspension lay-out with both the front and rear ends featuring pull-rods that were designed to improve the car’s overall aerodynamic performance. The F2012 also comes with a stepped nose that was designed to follow new requirements set out to lower the front end of the car, while the front wing was developed from the one that was used in the 150º Italia - last year’s F1 race car.
Other important modifications include a redesigned side that improves the car’s side impact structures. Similarly, the radiators on the race were also repositioned while the lower part of the rear of the car was designed to be narrower and more tapered, allowing for improved aerodynamics and mechanical enhancements. Last, the rear wing is also similar to the one used in the 150 Italia and is still fitted with a drag reduction system.
As far as the engine on the car is concerned, the F2012 will carry a revised version of the 150 Italia’s 2.4-liter V8 engine to accommodate new technical regulations that are being enforced for the 2012 season. Ferrari will also be using the KERS system, which maintains its low location in the car while also cutting down on its weight and improving its overall efficiency.
No, you’re eyes aren’t deceiving you. In the event that you live in Austin, Texas, and you’ve seen a Red Bull Formula 1 car in and around your streets over the past few days, that’s not some mirage.
That is an actual Red Bull Racing show car with no less than former F1 driver, David Coulthard, behind the wheel. Coulthard is in town for a promotional event for the inaugural 2012 US Grand Prix in Austin, Coulthard and the rest of the Red Bull team spent three days participating in a number of local events, including being chased by cowboys on a Texas wild game ranch owned by billionaire Red McCombs, doing donuts in front of the Texas state capitol building in Austin, and having Texas state troopers stop and have photos taken with you.
On a more racing level, Coulthard also became the very first driver to drive around the Circuit of the Americas, the new venue that will host the US Grand Prix this time next year.
The anticipation leading up to Formula One’s return to America has been steadily building over the past few months, and Red Bull is kick-starting the buzz by running wild all over the Lone Star State.
Let’s hope we’ll see Ferrari, McLaren, and the rest of the teams follow suit.
We had the chance to watch the Ayrton Senna documentary yesterday, thanks to a special screening organized in Miami by trackweekend.com and we have to say that we loved it. This is a must seen for all of you who watched the Senna / Prost battle in the late 80s and early 90s. If you are too young to have witnessed the battle yourself, additional footage from the driver’s meeting and behind the scene will help you feel what was at stake. I remember watching the F1 championship myself at the time and I think this documentary adds another dimension to the fight that both driver were having on and off the track. The movie itself is well made and entertained my wife who is not even remotely a racing fan.
Go watch the Senna documentary on the big screen while you can. You deserve to watch those on board camera footage on a 50 feet screen!
Hit the jump to watch the youtube trailer
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Ayrton Senna won his last world driving championship in 1991, driving the McLaren MP4-6 with a Honda V-12 engine. Senna won seven of 16 races that year, a feat he’d never again duplicate. At the end of the 1991 season, McLaren tore down one of Senna’s MP4-6 cars and gave some of the parts to artist Jay Burridge, who in turn created a sculpture he describes as “the world’s largest Airfix (plastic model) kit.” The art will be offered for sale at an upcoming Coys Auction, to be held at Germany’s Nürburgring on August 13, 2011.
Whether you love or hate the idea of a historically significant race car being transformed into wall art, there’s no denying that the piece is unique and would be a stunning addition to anyone’s collection. Much of the car is missing, such as Senna’s seat and steering wheel, and the Honda V-12 engine is another glaring omission from the sculpture. Coys describes the piece as using “Ayrton Senna’s McLaren MP4-6 from his last season as world champion,” but it’s not clear on whether the chassis used in the display was Senna’s primary car or a backup car.
If you’re interested in bidding, be prepared to part with a significant amount of money to acquire this particular piece of sculpture. Thanks to the success of the Ayrton Senna biopic, “Senna,” any memorabilia relating to the Brazilian driver is in high demand. Pre-auction estimates have the sculpture selling between $50,000 and $80,000, but as anyone who’s ever attended an auction will tell you, there’s no limit in a bidding war.
Press release after the jump.
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