F1 in 2012

[Simple Jack]

Vale turn 8.

 

[rayven]

9 races in Asia hey?
Only 8 in Europe, 3 in the America's

 

[drd23]

9 races in Asia hey?
Only 8 in Europe, 3 in the America's

Gotta follow the money

 

[Sven]

The 2012 calendar of races has been re-issued. Bahrain moves from towards the end of the year to April. The twenty race schedule includes six back-to-back weekends.

1. March 18, Australia
2. March 25, Malaysia
3. April 15, China
4. April 22, Bahrain
5. May 13, Spain
6. May 27, Monaco
7. June 10, Canada
8. June 24, Europe (Valencia)
9. July 8, Britain
10. July 22, Germany
11. July 29, Hungary
12. September 2, Belgium
13. September 9, Italy
14. September 23, Singapore
15. October 7, Japan
16. October 14, Korea
17. October 28, India
18. November 4, Abu Dhabi
19. November 18, United States
20. November 25, Brazil

 

[drd23]

Apparently Kimi Raikkonen is close to making a return to F1 with Williams in 2012

Kimi Raikkonen is on the verge of signing a deal to return to F1 with Williams.

The 2007 world champion has been in discussions with the team for several weeks, following a recent visit to the factory in Grove. Sources suggest that discussions are going the right way and they are now close to a deal.

It is understood that the Finn, who will be 32 next month, is keen to get back into F1 competition after two years on the sidelines in rallying. The timing is significant as Williams are on the look out for a bold move to boost the team and Raikkonen can see that the F1 driver landscape is likely to change a lot at the end of 2012 and a strong season, reminding everyone what he can do, might open some doors.

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2011/09/raikkonen-poised-to-return-to-f1-with-williams/

I'd personally love to see Kimi back in the sport and if it helps to improve Williams' results, all the better for the sport too

 

[Frankster177]

Apparently Kimi Raikkonen is close to making a return to F1 with Williams in 2012

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2011/09/raikkonen-poised-to-return-to-f1-with-williams/

I'd personally love to see Kimi back in the sport and if it helps to improve Williams' results, all the better for the sport too

Would rather him go back to Sauber with kobiyashi.
Would be a cracker team.

 

[ManWithNoName]

In what world can Williams afford Kimi?

 

[ManWithNoName]

Team Lotus have extended their engine deal with Renault, and will have Red Bull KERS next year.

 

[hey shorty]

Team Lotus have extended their engine deal with Renault, and will have Red Bull KERS next year.

Red Bull KERS would be close to the most unreliable system in F1, although that maybe due to their aggressive setup of it.

 

[ManWithNoName]

Red Bull KERS would be close to the most unreliable system in F1, although that maybe due to their aggressive setup of it.

It's because of Newey, he won't change his aerodynamics to suit KERS.

 

[BomberFletch31]

In what world can Williams afford Kimi?

Maybe Raikkonen can drop his pay demands. Hell, even Senna wanted to drive for Williams for "free".

I hope it's true. I really like Raikkonen, and as a Williams fan it'd be great to see him at the team.

 

[imadodgyumpire]

Maybe Raikkonen can drop his pay demands. Hell, even Senna wanted to drive for Williams for "free".

No he didn't, he was just grandstanding. There's also a huge differece between wanting to drive a FW14B/15C and a FW33/34.

 

[BomberFletch31]

There's also a huge differece between wanting to drive a FW14B/15C and a FW33/34.

That may be, but the FW34 will be a hell of a lot better a car than the FW33 - Renault engines, Xerox-man in charge of the tech department, Raikkonen (if true) ... I would expect Williams to finish fifth next year.

While I don't expect anyone to drive for "free" I do think that if Raikkonen wants to come back in F1, he's got to take any ride that becomes available to him. Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes have all confirmed their driver line ups for 2012 already. If he wants to come back, he can't be picky.

 

[Simple Jack]

While I don't expect anyone to drive for "free" I do think that if Raikkonen wants to come back in F1, he's got to take any ride that becomes available to him. Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes have all confirmed their driver line ups for 2012 already. If he wants to come back, he can't be picky.

This, it's not like he's exactly hard up for cash either. And you can certainly do worse than Williams in F1.

Just look at Ricciardo, finishing 23rd is effectively a win.

 

[DonsRule]

That may be, but the FW34 will be a hell of a lot better a car than the FW33 - Renault engines, Xerox-man in charge of the tech department, Raikkonen (if true) ... I would expect Williams to finish fifth next year.

While I don't expect anyone to drive for "free" I do think that if Raikkonen wants to come back in F1, he's got to take any ride that becomes available to him. Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes have all confirmed their driver line ups for 2012 already. If he wants to come back, he can't be picky.

Who knows what sponsorship deals he can bring in too if he is interested.

 

[ManWithNoName]

Senna wanted to go to Williams because Prost was there.

 

[Sven]

It's because of Newey, he won't change his aerodynamics to suit KERS.

and the Red Bull KERS is an in-house design - brand new this year. Some of the other systems are developments of the 2009 versions.

 

[Sven]

Some good news about the 2012 car for the Ferrari fans:

source: http://www.crash.net/f1/news/173685/1/ferrari_aims_for_wow_factor_with_aggressive_design.html

“A more aggressive approach has come about as the result of the analysis we carried out of the defeats we suffered over the past few years. We realised we had been a bit too conservative and had closed our minds to some strands of development. So for next year's car, we have sanctioned a much more aggressive approach on the aero front, which has required a much closer working relationship with those developing the structure of the car.

“It might make it harder when considering other aspects of the car, but it allows more room for aerodynamic development. The other element of the new approach is in how we make use of the wind tunnel: it involves not just developing and optimising what we have, but also introducing to every wind tunnel session some new concepts, which sometimes might not work, but sometimes can produce interesting results.

I have been disappointed by Ferrari's technical conservatism over the last few years and it looks like they are looking to cast that attitude aside for the 2012 car.

 

[Simple Jack]

Sounds promising for the c'ship next year. I hope Ferrari can get to RBR level.

 

[NMFCMUFC]

Every new Ferrari car looks encouraging in testing... then comes the first race.

 

[Sven]

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns23668.html

A concrete definition of Formula 1's so-called 'one move rule' laid down by the FIA's Sporting Working Group is to be written into the 2012 Sporting Regulations.



There has been controversy over whether, having moved to defend position, drivers are permitted to revert back to the ideal racing line approaching the following corner, or whether that constitutes a second move.



The advent of the DRS (Drag Reduction Zone) and the greater speed differentials that the initiative has prompted, have increased the drivers' wishes for clarity.

After a number of questionable moves by drivers this year, and an inconsistent application of penalties (or no penalty at all), the FIA look like they're going to step in and clarify the rules.

Schumacher better be in a fast car next year or he'll be retired before you know it.....

 

[Sven]

also - has the f-duct been resurrected???

http://www.crash.net/f1/news/174214/1/could_mercedes_already_be_one_step_ahead_for_2012.html

According to German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, the idea, which was alleged to have been tested during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, will channel the airflow from the tip of the nose, down inside the front wing supports before subsequently exiting at the rear of the wing. While not having the sort of downforce-inducing capabilities of its predecessor, Mercedes hopes its reworking of the idea will allow a greater volume of undisturbed air to be redirected through the floor of the car.

 

[ManWithNoName]

Here we go again...

Formula 1 chiefs are to discuss the 2012 calendar later this year, amid concern about the status of some of the races that are on next year's schedule.

AUTOSPORT has learned that talks about the position of the 2012 Bahrain and Korean Grands Prix have been added to the agenda for Thursday's meeting of the F1 Commission in Geneva.

Furthermore, sources have revealed that F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone informed team principals over the Indian Grand Prix weekend that there were also now minor question marks about the fate of the new Austin Grand Prix.

Bahrain's position on the calendar is dependent on the ongoing political situation within the Gulf state, with this year's event having been cancelled because of troubles.

The fate of the Korean Grand Prix rests on its financial situation, with race promoters having revealed that they want to reduce the hosting fee going forward - something Ecclestone has said he is reluctant to do.

It is understood that if either race is dropped then Turkey is the favourite to replace it, after losing its place on the calendar.

The situation in Austin appears more complicated, with Ecclestone suggesting that, while construction work is ongoing, there are issues inside the company that is putting the event together.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95834

 

[royboy2]

Current state of the Austin circuit, thanks to Lance Armstrong

 

[ManWithNoName]

Rumour going around that Williams will announce some new Middle Eastern sponsors at the Abu Dhabi GP. And a new driver: Kimi Raikkonen.