Formula 1 2009: The Launch Season

[prisonermonkeys]

Anything else Wrong, Wanna Moan some more. I'm only trying to be helpful by posting up some pictures of the BMW.
You sound like you have something against me, what is it?

Hmmm, you seem to have mistaken my perfectly reasonable inquiry for your bemoaning the Death of F1 simply because you don't like the shape of the BMW. What are you going to do about it? I should hardly think Mario Thiessen and his engineers will change it simply because some kid on the interweb is complaining about it.

 

[Nicksfix]

Mclaren , gets my vote.

 

[MagpieRacer]

I think the Toyota is still by far the best looking. IMO none of them are ugly, but the Toyota is the best.

 

[SUPER NUMBBER]

I prefer the old look, but at least the McLaren manages to look like it stayed the same for the most part.

 

[Noah]

I'm loving the new McLaren!!!

 

[Metar]

1. Well it's very close to launch so it will most likely look like that, if not only slight changes.

"Very close", in this case, is around two months. The BMW test-package wasn't even completely 2009-legal.

The McMerc has barge boards. Didn't realize the sidepod shields were aka'd as barge boards.

They aren't. Barge-boards are one thing, and Sidepod Shields are another:

Bargeboards are the curvy bit immediately in front of the sidepod, and they're very low. That's the zig-zag shaped triangle bits on last year's cars, or the unpainted bit on the launch Ferrari F60.
Sidepod shields are something that sticks out, usually on the side of the sidepod and slightly ahead. The Ferrari's mirror-thingies are a sidepod shield - or a "mirror-shield", as this specific interpretation was dubbed. The Toyota also has a sidepod shield.

 

[Sureboss]

I think the Toyota is still by far the best looking. IMO none of them are ugly, but the Toyota is the best.

Agreed with this. Many were worried about the aesthetics of this seasons cars, but I think they look quite good. Of course, helped by the sexy slicks.

 

[mu22stang]

They aren't. Barge-boards are one thing, and Sidepod Shields are another:

Bargeboards are the curvy bit immediately in front of the sidepod, and they're very low. That's the zig-zag shaped triangle bits on last year's cars, or the unpainted bit on the launch Ferrari F60.
Sidepod shields are something that sticks out, usually on the side of the sidepod and slightly ahead. The Ferrari's mirror-thingies are a sidepod shield - or a "mirror-shield", as this specific interpretation was dubbed. The Toyota also has a sidepod shield.

That's what I thought originally, good to know.

 

[Metar]

Williams FW31:

Renault R29:

The livery looks good, but what's with the nosecone?

 

[Alex.]

The renault has gone straight on the list of ugliest f1 cars, that's terrible, and another bland entry from Williams,

 

[MagpieRacer]

The front of the Renault is ghastly, but I love the Williams.

 

[NapoleonMikey]

The renault has gone straight on the list of ugliest f1 cars, that's terrible, and another bland entry from Williams,

agree with that but as for the williams i think it looks the most like a race car out of all of them. it just looks like its gotten rid of all the non sence that teams put on the cars and is meant to race....but then again looks dont mean anything and it will be a hard uphill battle for williams to be in the top spots with the likes of BMW, ferrari, mcmerc and renault leading the pack.

though i gotta ask what renault was thinking with the nose cone and the shark fin and .....ok to many questions what where they thinking period with the design of that. they now take spot away from Mclaren for ugliest car. but hey maybe there wind tunnel testing has shown them that is the best shape for the new standards and the ugly duckling could lead the pack.

 

[Blake]

I actually love the look of the Renault. My favourite looking so far.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I actually love the look of the Renault. My favourite looking so far.

Livery-wise, it's fantastic; it really looks like it's on fire. A warm-coloured F1 car is something that has been missing from the grid for some time now, but I really despise the shark fins. That's a very squared-off nose that they're running, kind of a rudimentary version of the walrus nose Williams used to run. Interesting shape to the rear sidepods as well.

And speaking of Team Willy, could they have made a more conventional effort? The duckbill (ever notice how we anthropomorphise the new parts?) nose cone is about the only part of the car that doesn't look like something tried and true, almost as if Sir Frank is looking for something consistently consistent rather than an aerodynamic edge.

 

[livemusic]

I liked the new Williams' livery. Though the dark blue makes it a bit difficult to see the car's details. Renault made the fugliest car so far, but let's see how it runs.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I liked the new Williams' livery. Though the dark blue makes it a bit difficult to see the car's details.

It's only an interim test livery; Williams won't reveal the actual race livery until Australia.

Renault made the fugliest car so far, but let's see how it runs.

Action shots make it look better than standing still.

 

[GT4 genius]

Williams by far the best looking car so far, pity it'll be so far down the grid we'll rarely see it during the races!
As for the Renault, what is up with that! They've completely gone against the thread with that fin and as for the nose?? I'm sure that'll not see Melbourne, right? How could it be aerodynamic??
And I'm not even going to ask whats with the red bits at the end. Since when did red go with orange and white, actually since when did orange go with white??

Again beautiful Williams, even if its because the colour doesn't let you see the lack of aero flicks.

 

[Stevisiov]

The Williams looks hot.

The renault looks.....

 

[Sting]

I gotta say I love that Williams.

 

[nissan tuner]

Well, Williams has the best looking car, Renault has the best looking livery 👍

 

[Robin]

The livery looks good, but what's with the nosecone?

OMG!!! I nearly died from laughter when I saw that front nose... what the hell is that! its like from the 1900's!

Robin.

 

[Touring Mars]

Yeh, I don't like it much either... and what's with those two little wheels they've stuck on the very front? Surely they can't get away with that...

The Williams is lovely, though 👍

(And nice sig, Robin. Clever use of the new smilie )

 

[mu22stang]

Well, the R29 did fail the initial frontal crash test in early Jan, so this may be a temporary solution front-end. Either way, if she's fast, looks don't really matter.

 

[Metar]

The failed tests were confirmed to have changed nothing in the external design: It was a thin structure, built in order to reduce weight and accommodate the heavy KERS system, that had to be changed. They beefed up the insides, but the nose remained the same, externally.

 

[Stevisiov]

I like the way all the cars look a bit different at least. I guess that what happens when no ones sure of the best way really is currently. I've warmed to the Renault already, its saved by a cool paint job. I certainly don't think its the best looking car on the grid, but at least its different.

 

[Hun200kmh]

Ferrari F60 illegal, acording to Auto Motor und Sport

 

[boiltheocean]

Loving the Renault Livery. but what have they and williams done with the noses?

 

[Stevisiov]

Ferrari F60 illegal, acording to Auto Motor und Sport

At least they have plenty of time to sort it out.

 

[Omnis]

The Renault kinda looks like its nosecone cancels out the downforce made by the wing. I mean wouldn't that thing make lift? Jeez.

 

[PeterJB]

I think the Williams looks pretty good. But the livery is far too bland. As for the Renault it looks very cheap and lumpy and slow. I think it looks quite a bit like a Formula Three Car, and the livery is all wrong.