Lotus E21 launch

[prisonermonkeys]

It's that time of year again: the Formula 1 launch season is upon us. And, in keeping with tradition, there will be one thread for each individual car launch. The first car that is due to be launched is the Lotus E21, which will be unveiled for the first time on Monday. In the meantime, here is the full roster of car launches:

Lotus E21 - January 28th
McLaren MP4-28 - January 31st
Ferrari (name TBA) - February 1st
Force India VJM06 - February 1st
Sauber C32 - February 2nd
Red Bull RB9 - February 3rd
Mercedes AMG W04 - February 4th
Toro Rosso STR8 - February 4th
Caterham CT03 - February 5th
Williams FW35 - February 19th
Marussia MR02 - TBA

As you can see, it's going to be a busy week, with eight cars launched in six days. Threads for each of the cars will be created as the launch gets closer, so for now, let's keep the discussion to the Lotus E21. Here's a preview:

https://soundcloud.com/lotusf1team/e21-first-fire-up

 

[Mike Rotch]

Fours days early? Lets not make that a habit.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Have I miscounted the days again?

Huh. I saw the headline on F1 Fanatic saying the launch is on Monday. I thought today is Friday, but it looks like I'm a day ahead of myself.

 

[Akmuq]

Does it need to be stressed every year that there will be one thread per car?

 

[DemurgicDemon]

Does it need to be stressed every year that there will be one thread per car?

Yes! GTPlanet obtains a lot of new members each year and not all of them will be aware of this trend.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Motorsport-Total is reporting that technical director James Allison is looking to leave Lotus and could wind up at McLaren or Mercedes.

 

[Pezzarinho17]

Was waiting for this to appear. This time last year we had renderings, rumours and predictions. I love seeing the radical improvements generated each year, but I think this will be a series of relaunches instead. The only good thing to come from 2013 will hopefully be the death of stepped noses.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

The only good thing to come from 2013 will hopefully be the death of stepped noses.

Some teams like Williams have confirmed they won't be using the stepped nose. Other teams, like Mercedes and Sauber, are said to be keeping it.

 

[DemurgicDemon]

I love seeing the radical improvements generated each year, but I think this will be a series of relaunches instead.

Same here, although at the same time, I'm not too bothered. I'd love to see Williams back at the top and stable regulations will help them continue to build on their successes from last season. Or at least, I hope they will.

 

[ENTERSANDMAN13]

More red on the race suit too, maybe more red on the car?

 

[Tom]

Fours days early? Lets not make that a habit.

I seem to remember being shot down for something similar last year.

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?p=6623128#post6623128

 

[DemurgicDemon]

That video was borderline painful to watch, but brilliant all the same. Personally I found that cheeky salute Kimi gave to Matt, hilarious!

 

[hawkeye122]

I seem to remember being shot down for something similar last year.

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?p=6623128#post6623128

Oh you mean this part?

*facepalm*

I know it's still Saturday in England. The C31 doesn't get launched until Monday. We don't create launch threads until the day before, usually because there is no information about them beforehand.

 

[DemurgicDemon]

I seem to remember being shot down for something similar last year.

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?p=6623128#post6623128

Well I'll be damned! Being a 'Staff Emeritus' is no excuse for double standards, PrisonerMonkeys! You could argue that in this case there has been information regarding the car floating around already, but then where is it in your post? For instance, where are the genuine sneak peek photographs, which can be found here, on the teams official Facebook page. Kudos for posting the sound clip, but you can't hear what the car looks like. Those photos may blurry and not reveal much (not that they're supposed to), but it seems from one of the shots, as if Lotus have chosen to cover up the stepped nose.

EDIT: On closer inspection, I don't believe they have.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Oh you mean this part?

Do you honestly expect people to be able to perfectly recall something like that a year after it happened?

 

[DemurgicDemon]

Do you honestly expect people to be able to perfectly recall something like that a year after it happened?

I'm aware this wasn't a reply to me, but it's still double standards on your behalf, no matter how much you might want to try and turn attention away from that fact!

 

[Akmuq]

Do you honestly expect people to be able to perfectly recall something like that a year after it happened?

Yes.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

You stay out of this. It's none of your business.

I'm aware this wasn't a reply to me, but it's still double standards on your behalf

Or it was a genuine mistake. Because, you know, it was a year ago.

 

[Grand Prix]

Wait... Did I just see Kimi smile???

 

[DemurgicDemon]

You stay out of this. It's none of your business.

Or it was a genuine mistake. Because, you know, it was a year ago.

In that case would you still have had a go at somebody else for starting this thread a few days early (beating you too it in the process), with the same lack of information that is in your opening-post here? Genuine question here!

 

[Akmuq]

It's all of my business.

 

[priesty_lfc]

Can't believe we're here again!


I'm not really expecting to much change looks wise tbh, has there been any major sponsor changes?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

has there been any major sponsor changes?

They have signed a deal with Coca-Cola to promote Burn, Coke's energy drink brand. They have also been perpetually in talks with Honeywell - one of those conglomerates that makes just about everything under the sun - and they were believed to be on the verge of signing a title sponsorship deal with them, but after weeks of inactivity, the talks are said to still be ongoing and far from done.

That said, don't go getting your hopes up of the team having more money to spend in 2013. Their budget for this year is said to be about the same as their 2012 budget, even with the Coca-Cola and Honeywell deals. Genii Capital is putting up less money for the team this year, and even tried to sell it off late in 2012.

 

[DemurgicDemon]

In that case would you still have had a go at somebody else for starting this thread a few days early (beating you too it in the process), with the same lack of information that is in your opening-post here? Genuine question here!

They have signed a deal with Coca-Cola to promote Burn, Coke's energy drink brand. They have also been perpetually in talks with Honeywell - one of those conglomerates that makes just about everything under the sun - and they were believed to be on the verge of signing a title sponsorship deal with them, but after weeks of inactivity, the talks are said to still be ongoing and far from done.

That said, don't go getting your hopes up of the team having more money to spend in 2013. Their budget for this year is said to be about the same as their 2012 budget, even with the Coca-Cola and Honeywell deals. Genii Capital is putting up less money for the team this year, and even tried to sell it off late in 2012.

Holy question dodging, Batman!

 

[Northstar]

For those actually wanting to discuss the car, it will be unveiled at 7:15PM GMT and can be seen here

 

[SilverArrow]

Pictures have been leaked of the car already and can be found here.

 

[Rossell2]

Not bothering with covering the nose then?

 

[Tom]

It looks remarkably similar to last year's car, maybe it's just a livery change on the E20. Unlikely I know...

 

[-Fred-]

Nice touch with the names in huge font on the airbox.

 

[DemurgicDemon]

I'm almost certain that is simply the E20 with a change of livery! I've seen sneak-peek shots of the E21 on the teams Facebook page, and I can't see any of the E21's details on that car.