Sidepodcast

Renault F1 Announce HP Sponsorship Agreement

Credit: RenaultF1

HP branding will appear on the R30 from the first race of the year.

On the eve of the first F1 practice session of the year, the Renault F1 Team have announced a major sponsorship deal with technology company Hewlett-Packard. The new agreement means the R30 cars will run with significant HP branding adorning the bodywork.

The team will also obtain access to HP technology in order to further develop simulation technologies on the back of HP High Performance Computing servers. Additionally HP will help the team to reduce its carbon footprint, by implementing 'greener' data centres, and utilising low-energy-consumption workstations.

Renault F1 Team Chairman, Gérard Lopez commented:

"F1 has a proven ability to boost brand awareness around the world, and we are proud that Renault F1 Team will be HP's partner of choice in achieving this goal."

A rather optimistic HP representative noted the company intended to offer the best technology to support Renault F1 in their quest for victory.

Hewlett-Packard have long been using Formula One as means of promoting technological development, running a major branding campaign on the Williams teams cars from 2002 to 2005.

Force India "Win a Lot of Races" in the Simulator

Credit: Force India

Adrian Sutil surveys the Bahrain scenery ahead of the season opening Grand Prix.

Just in time for the start of the season, Force India have released a new 33 minute audio podcast. The format has changed significantly from last year, and there is a new feed to subscribe to. In the first episode, drivers Adrian Sutil and Tonio Liuzzi talk about the upcoming season, while Friday man Paul di Resta discusses testing.

The newly promoted Mark Smith, who recently replaced outgoing Technical Director James Key, offers insight into what the team have planned for the first race of the year. Updates include an aerodynamic package tested during the last two days in Barcelona, focusing on front and rear wing improvements plus changes to the diffuser. Smith says the team consider themselves to be in a mid-grid position and are looking to move forward.

The most enlightening section of the show comprises of an interview with Team Manager, Andy Stevenson. Talk turns to regulation changes including the reduction in available tyres and the banning of refuelling. Andy raises a number of important points relating to pit stops, including:

• He doesn't think we'll see any sub two-second pits stops at the start of the season
• His team have rehearsed pit stops over 1,500 times during the winter
• Drivers absolutely must hit their pit marks this year, there is no time to adjust wheel gun positioning
• The stopping tolerance drivers are working to is a 5mm margin of error.

Stevenson also noted that teams will only have a few seconds to make strategy calls this year. In the past it was possible to predict to the nearest lap when someone might stop, but in 2010 they'll have no idea. He's also confident they've done their homework when it comes to strategy.

"We are running race simulations daily with [our engineers], and throwing scenarios at them and seeing where we come out. The nice thing to say is we win a lot of races in the simulator."

The podcast wraps up with a chat with the left rear wheel gunner, Chris King. He'll be one of 12 people changing the tyres at a race, and while he's "happy with his wheel" he notes the extra pressure on the role this year. Worryingly he quotes a three to four second turnaround at this point in time.

You can listen to the full show here and either subscribe in iTunes or directly to the feed. We noted after the release of the recent Lotus podcast, that audio output from teams is likely to increase this season and it's good to see Force India are still committed to their podcast.

Jenson Button in Sandwich

We heard Jenson Button would be teaming up with Walkers Crisps to film some adverts, and the tabloids have been full of sneak peeks at Jenson in a tailor-made cab. I even referenced one particular picture for Christine's Rankings this week - marking JB down for the corny cab name.

With perfect timing, Walkers posted the first video to their YouTube channel.

Initial thoughts range from amusement at watching Button in action, confusion over the lack of Walkers branding, and bemusement over McLaren's use of taxis in a viral F1 video yet again. Are marketing departments that unoriginal?

Let us know what you think of the ad, of cabbie Jenson, and if it makes you hungry for a potato chip or two and thanks to Maverick for the heads-up.

Karun Chandhok Confirmed at HRT Formula 1

Credit: Alastair Staley / GP2 Series Media Service

Karun Chandhok aboard the Indian Empress in Monaco, 2009.

Former GP2 driver Karun Chandhok, has today been announced as Bruno Senna's team mate in the second seat at HRT Formula 1. The HRT team, previously known as Campos Meta, are expected to officially reveal their new branding at a presentation in Spain later today.

The team presentation will happen in Murcia, a city in the South East of Spain from where HRT will run their F1 operations.

Speaking of the signing, Team Principal Colin Kolles said:

"We have been very impressed with Karun's performance in GP2. India is a great country. It will be great for the sport to have an Indian driver on the grid for the first Indian Grand Prix. Murcia is part of the roots of the team."

Chandhok previously partnered Bruno Senna in the iSport GP2 back in 2008.

Only 12 Teams Named on Official FIA Entry List

The official FIA Formula 1 entry list was released on Wednesday and it featured only 12 teams. Team US F1 did not appear on the list, neither has Stefan GP been added.

The FIA also confirmed that it was not possible to replace USF1 so close to the start of the new season, but they will be looking into what can be done in 2011.

The USF1 Team have indicated that they will not be in a position to participate in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship. Having considered the various options, the FIA confirms that it is not possible for a replacement team to be entered for the Championship at this late stage.

In the coming days the FIA will announce details of a new selection process to identify candidates to fill any vacancies existing at the start of the 2011 season.

The recently renamed Campos Meta outfit, HRT F1 Team (or Hispania Racing) do appear on the list, but with only one named driver, Bruno Senna. The constructor is named HRT Cosworth.

Note: The USF1 Team have indicated that they will not be in a position to participate in 2010.

US F1 Ceases Operations for 2010

It has been weeks coming but finally US F1 have stopped operations and admitted they are not going to make it onto the grid in 2010. Although there is no direct quote from the team, there have been several tweets from the inside, and Autosport has the story:

AUTOSPORT understands that shortly before lunchtime, production manager Dave Skog informed those staff who had remained at the team during its recent troubles that they were being laid off.

Updated: Futher to the original story, Autosport have posted more information, this time from team boss, Ken Anderson.

Ken has pointed out that the team still have hopes for a 2011 entry to the grid and confirmed that operations have been put on hold at the factory.

"We are waiting for a reply from the FIA and are working with them. In the mean time, there is nothing for the employees to do, so we have told them to stop working on the current car until we have a decision."

Carabante and Kolles in at Campos Meta

Former Spyker boss Colin Kolles, was today announced as new team principal at Campos Meta, while shareholder José Ramón Carabante has taken majority control of the operation from Adrian Campos.

The news means that the struggling Campos Meta team now have a better chance of making the 2010 grid.

Carabante said in a statement:

"I would like to thank Bernie Ecclestone, who worked tremendously to support our efforts to keep the team viable.

"The whole rescue operation has been a race against time with the goal of always having the team run two competitive cars at the first Grand Prix of the F1 season in Bahrain."

The restructuring sees Colin Kolles back in Formula 1 for the first time since his days with Spyker:

"Over the next 10 days we will review the entire operation, find the extra funding to ensure the team will make the first race in Bahrain, announce the lineup for 2010 in due time and make the operation viable under Jose Ramon Carabante's new ownership."

Previous Red Bull technical chief Geoff Willis is rumoured to be on board after the restructuring, and it is expected that the team will request permission to change it's name. Bruno Senna is contracted to drive for the team, but as yet a teammate has not been announced.

Lotus F1 Racing Launch the T127 in London

Lotus F1 Racing unveiled their 2010 challenger at a launch ceremony held at the Royal Horticultural Hall, London on Friday evening. The covers came off the car, named the T127, after an emotional introduction from team owner Tony Fernandes.

Credit: Lotus F1 Racing

Credit: Lotus F1 Racing

Mike Gascoyne on the Lotus Cosworth T127:

"The last few months have been some of the most challenging of my career, but it's been a challenge the whole team and I have thrived on since we first started work on the car up in Norfolk. I'm delighted that we’ve reached this point, and now we have a beautiful car that gives us a great base to work from for the season ahead and a fighting chance of going racing in the right way, with a winning mentality. The hard part starts now, and I know everyone in the team and I are up for whatever lies ahead."

Credit: Lotus F1 Racing

The new chassis was run briefly on Wednesday when Fairuz Fauzy tested it at Silverstone, and is set to take part in next week's F1 test in Jerez on 17 February. The T127 is powered by a Cosworth Engine and will use an Xtrac gearbox.

Red Bull Racing Launch the RB6

Wednesday morning saw the launch of the eagerly anticipated Red Bull Racing RB6. As many F1 teams this year launch cars that bear more than a passing resemblance to the 2009 Red Bull chassis, all eyes were on Adrian Newey's masterpiece to see if he managed to develop his design yet further.

The Renault powered car was unveiled to the media at 8:30am local time (7:30am GMT), prior to taking to the track for today's F1 test in Jerez. As with previous launches this year, images of the new car leaked online in advance of the official launch.

Credit: Red Bull Racing

The new Red Bull RB6, featuring a heavily sculpted nose channel and revised front wing.

The car is being described by the team as an evolution of the RB5, and doesn't appear to offer anything out of the ordinary. Newey himself pointed out the team "have been able to design the rear suspension and gearbox with the double diffuser in mind".

Credit: Red Bull Racing

An alternate view of the new RB6.

Both Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber are sporting revised helmet designs for the new season. Webber's Arai helmet features largely similar colours to previous years, but adds an Australian emblem on the back. Vettel meanwhile has come out with a design that mimics the look of a can of Red Bull.

Credit: Red Bull Racing

Vettel's Red Bull can helmet, complete with list of ingredients and suggestions for recycling.

The styling of the helmet goes so far as to add a list of ingredients alongside a health warning. The top includes a large ring pull.

Credit: Red Bull Racing

The top of Sebastian Vettel's helmet shows lid of a Red Bull can including blue ring pull.

This post will be updated with pictures, video and information as it becomes available.

Force India Reveal VJM03 Online

The Force India F1 Team officially unveiled their 2010 challenger during an online-only launch on Tuesday. The team's website carried details of the new car which takes many design cues from last year's chassis.

Credit: Force India

The VJM03 debuted with minor revisions to the livery and a different nose, but what is hiding at the rear?

The rear of the car though, is of key importance to the team. Design director Mark Smith noted that the car was very much an evolution of last years chassis, but also that "the double diffuser is a key development aspect of the car", and the team had gone into the 2010 season much wiser as a result of lessons learned in 2009. Smith also pointed out changes to refuelling regulations heavily impacted the design of the car.

"The removal of refuelling from races increases the amount of fuel needed to be stored in the cars – almost twice the amount we ran in 2009. There is a compromise now: either make the car much longer or wider, or, as we have done, a combination of both. This of course has influenced the mechanical design solutions and also the aerodynamics, specifically with respects to the diffuser and bodywork."

Last year the car handled well on the low downforce tracks, but struggled elsewhere. The VJM03 has been designed to be an efficient car under all conditions.

Credit: Force India

Staring down the nose of the VJM03. It would appear a lot of work has gone into the front wing detailing.

Like all drivers, Adrian Sutil is looking forward to competing this season, and he sounds very pleased with how things within the team have been progressing.

"It's the first time we have been completely on schedule so I feel this will be the first season when I can show from the beginning to the end what is possible with the car and what I can do. Of course we will have updates and performance packages from this point on but I hope we will be strong from the first practice session rather than compromising at the start."

Others might argue the team are still effectively behind those who ran at the first test of the year.

Credit: Force India

A look at the 2010 Force India chassis and livery from the side.

Finally, Tonio Liuzzi remains realistic, as this will be the first time he starts a full season with the team.

"My objective is to be as strong and consistent as possible and give good feedback to the team to help them improve. For sure scoring points as many times as I can is going to be the key and you never know, perhaps we can get something more as well if everything comes together."

In addition to providing static images, the official Force India YouTube channel uploaded the following video to accompany the launch of the car. Sutil, Liuzzi and recently confirmed Friday test driver Paul di Resta all feature.

The car will begin its first track test on Wednesday, at the second official F1 test of the year. Tonio will handle driver duties for the first two days before handling over to Sutil for days three and four. Paul di Resta won't take to the cockpit until 17 February.