2012 Predictions / Driver Line-up / News etc...

When a thread covers such a gigantic range of topics, it can surely be no surprise?

 

and when the mods go OTT on merging threads.

 

Does any one share my optimism Williams can build a good car this season?

 

No. Not after last year, I think Caterham will be a genuine threat to them at times.

 

The fear is that they will go the way of Jordan. Putting Coughlan in charge was a double-edged sword, he was Mclaren's chief designer for some years and didn't do a bad job (spygate notwithstanding), but his last technical director role was in charge of Arrows.
And that went well.

I do think that the new rules in 2013 (or is it 2014 now) might give Williams a chance to do a Brawn if it does go badly this year. So essentially this is a low-risk season for Williams.

Also, finally ditching the Cosworth engines will help them massively.

 

this is annoying (on the ride hight issue). I hope Lotus and Ferrari have a plan B and didnt design thier cars around it too much. Obviously somebody like McLaren and Red Bull realised they couldnt copy it and winged about it.

Well im kind of glad they winged now and not before the 1st race. Its put them on the back foot but they have time to adapt

 

I don't expect them to score many points, but you never know with the midfield teams.

Renault engines will help them, but the rules haven't changed much and other midfield teams have stronger and more experienced drivers. I think they'll struggle like they did last year.

 

I'm not going to lie, I think they have the worst pairing of any team bar HRT at the minute. So even if they do make a good car, i cant see anything good come from it.

 

Yes, but considering there's been a major shake up in the personnel dept and some more money in the bank, may be they can turn it around...teams have turned the tide in the past, Williams have been there for long enough to know

 

I think they'll struggle like they did last year.[/QUOTE]

...One would expect them to improve, even if marginally, they must have learnt something from last year (I hope)

 

williams were put back hard by the cosworth engine and also the whole messing about with the KERs rule. This year should be an improvement

 

I think Williams F1 will came back with Renault powered engine in 2012 Season

 

Yeah, I agree with Bando and Rookie, that Cosworth engine was a bad mistake and the Renault engine has to make them more competitive. As for Caterham being a threat, well I'd like to see them up their game too. They could start by ditching Trulli and getting Alguersuari or Petrov into that seat, a young driver to match the team's hunger and ambition.

Btw, welcome to the forum, F1rookie.

 

Kimi testing the old Renault (R30)

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http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/01/some-indiscretions-from-italy-about-the-new-ferrari-f1-car/

 

Here's the original article:

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A front pull-rod suspension is... interesting.

 

Lotus’s provisional pre-season test schedule:
Jerez
February 7 - Kimi Raikkonen
February 8 - Kimi Raikkonen
February 9 - Romain Grosjean
February 10 - Romain Grosjean

Barcelona
February 21 - Romain Grosjean
February 22 - Romain Grosjean
February 23 - Kimi Raikkonen
February 24 - Kimi Raikkonen

Barcelona
March 1 - Romain Grosjean
March 2 - Romain Grosjean
March 3 - Kimi Raikkonen
March 4 - Kimi Raikkonen

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2012/1/12943.html

 

The 2002 Arrows was actually a pretty decent car, but suffered because it didn't have enough money spent on it for development.

On a different subject, Mr E has said of Spain that: "We should not have two races there", and claims that he's offered to alternate the GP between the two tracks but officials said no. Somehow I can't believe this, I mean wasn't it his idea to have two Spanish GPs in the first place...

 

ScarbsF1 Craig Scarborough
Rumours are Ferrari & McLaren both have the sidepods split from the side impact protection & thus a split floor. (cont'd...)

ScarbsF1 Craig Scarborough
Split sidepods\floor: This creates a shorter floor & moves downforce rearwards to compensate for the loss of EBD

ScarbsF1 Craig Scarborough
This is similar to the short floor used by Mercs W02 in expectation of a lesser EBD effect in 2011, but without the short wheelbase. Clever.