The 'Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' Launch thread

[Giuseppe F1]

Didnt realise it was happening so late toda - 19:00 CET!!!!

Here is the timetable of launch festivities from http://www.mclaren.com
---------------------------------------------------------------

VODAFONE McLAREN MERCEDES TO LAUNCH NEW TEAM IN VALENCIA
10 January 2007 16:28

On Monday 15th January there will be a launch in Valencia, Spain, to present the new Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team and our two new drivers, double World Champion Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton as well as test drivers Pedro de la Rosa and Gary Paffett.

The Team Presentation will be taking place at the Cuidad de las Artes y las Ciencias, starting with a street demonstration around the venue from 19:00 local time, with the drivers in a series of Mercedes-Benz road cars. This will be followed by a breathtaking demonstration in the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes liveried MP4-21 Formula 1 cars by both Fernando and Lewis. This event is accessible to the public and information can be found in the local Valencian media.

Further information on the event and imagery can be found on http://www.mclaren.com during the course of the day.

[Ranger]

With the predicted Vodafone red covering quite a bit of the car, I predict I'll be disappointed with the McLaren livery this year.

EDIT: When is the car coming off the production line? Doesn't say anything on that press release about the MP4/22 being released today.

[Mark]

Good, it's about time they got rid of the silver. It has always looked horrid.

[RJL25]

still waiting.. been a couple of hours now since the little countdown reset itself!!

[Storm]

its 1900 CET!......its not even 1800 here right now. but for some reason the countdown clock shows 40 mins to go

:confused:

[Ranger]

So when is this anticipated launch? :confused:

[jens]

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/1015/mp422fw3vc3.jpg
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/8680/maccajk1.jpg

Pics from yesterday. ;)

[Ranger]

Looks like an MP4/21 with a leaner number. Not that it tells me much about what it will look like.

[jwhite9185]

Looks like theyre keeping most of it hidden with brown paper. Apart from the number 1 sticking out!

Does look like an MP4/21 though...

[PSfan]

Is this it?

http://www.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/070115140542.shtml

Well even the zoomed in pic isn't that great, but it does look promising...

[ArrowsFA1]

Lewis Hamilton :
"The new 2007 Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-22 is off the hook! Just wait and see, this car will blow the socks of anyone who even looks at it!"

Fernando Alonso :
"The MP4-22 looks fantastic, from the outside it is without a doubt the best looking car I have ever driven."

www.autosport.com (http://www.autosport.com)

[Giuseppe F1]

Looks like theyre keeping most of it hidden with brown paper. Apart from the number 1 sticking out!

Does look like an MP4/21 though...

THAT """IS"""" a re-livered MP4-21! .....I think!

McLaren have announced they will have ALONSO and HAMILTON running demos in last years cars in the streets although in the '2006' car so imagine as these have arrived in trailers that they are the demo cars?

Giuseppe F1

[Mickey T]

that's definitely last year's car.

FA subtly stuck it into michael at lunch, too. said if the car is quick, ferrari won't miss him and if the car is not good, then he wouldn't be able to win in it anyway.

[POS_Maggott]

Pictures are up on the McLaren site now, the car looks like the MP4-21 to me though, with reworked rear aero bits.

I'm not a big fan of the livery either

[d_hill39]

Has you said,the car livery looks bad,they have to get rid of that silver.

[ArrowsFA1]

It's surprising that Vodaphone don't get more space on the car, but then I suppose we're used to seeing their colours on the red Ferrari.

[Giuseppe F1]

FIRST PICTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Driver overalls look VERY DTM!!

http://www.autosport.com/images/upload/1168879020.jpg

[Giuseppe F1]

http://www.autosport.com/images/upload/1168879475.jpg

Seems the car livery WAS the one that was tested behind closed doors in Jerez when those spy shots were leaked

MORE TO FOLLOW

[Giuseppe F1]

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2007/gen/f1-2007-gen-xp-0197.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2007/gen/f1-2007-gen-xp-0195.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2007/gen/f1-2007-gen-xp-0194.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2007/gen/f1-2007-gen-xp-0193.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2007/gen/f1-2007-gen-xp-0185.jpg

[Giuseppe F1]

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2007/gen/f1-2007-gen-xp-0182.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2007/gen/f1-2007-gen-xp-0181.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2007/gen/f1-2007-gen-xp-0184.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2007/gen/f1-2007-gen-xp-0189.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2007/gen/f1-2007-gen-xp-0188.jpg

[Giuseppe F1]

For UK fans, the 'Satandar bank' sponsor logos are the same as the new 'Abbey' bank logos here in the UK so imagine they are part of the same parent group........so look out perhaps for an Abbey Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Savings Account Plan coming too you soon!!! :)

[andreag]

Banco de Santander is the owner of Abbey since july 2004. That's why they share logo.

[seb_sh]

Unfortunately the livery is mostly what I expected. I say unfortunately because it's bad. In the close-up shots it looks ok to me but overall it just doesn't work, that chrome doesn't go with red...

[Giuseppe F1]

Car livery looks very cluttered

Overalls look like pyjamas...

....dont think I like it!



What with the whacky Ferrari MOTOGP logo and livery and now this, im looking forward to returning to some 'normality' with hopefully a classic and tasteful BMW livery on the new BMW Sauber F1 Team F1.07 tomorrow!!!!!


This year seems to be the year of 'bling' where liveries are concerned...and I dont think its working yet!

[Giuseppe F1]

LOOK AT THE COLLARS ON THE OVERALLS!!

Looks like McLaren has swooped 'FedEx' sponsorship from Williams F1 too!!

[Giuseppe F1]

SIEMENS has gone too it seems

[Donney]

Bling or not I don't really like it, the overalls are Ok though they look somewhat old times.

[schmenke]

Overalls don't look too bad but that silver/pewter definatlely clashes with the orange :s

[Daika]

Nice looking car but what a ugly overall. It hurts my eye.

[Jona]

was the emirates sponsorship a one year thing? i heard they might be sponsoring Honda so I wondered if this was why they were not on the new Mclaren

[Big Ben]

I think it looks pretty well. I still think that the 2005 livery was much better... but that's the way things work. Vodafone pays so it must have so much red....
I just hope it's going to be fast

[agwiii]

I like the MP4-22 much more than I like the sideburn contest between Hamilton and Fast Freddie.

[jonny hurlock]

liverie is ok. but, the race overials are just crap

[millencolin]

yawn.... car looks average and the paintwork is cluttered, the overalls do look like they are from DTM... all in all, just disappointing

[Ranger]

I like it personally, as well as the racing suits. :up:

I like how you can actually see the number on the car, as well. :up:

Now I'll just wait for the helmets.

[jens]

I like the MP4-22 much more than I like the sideburn contest between Hamilton and Fast Freddie.

:laugh:

Find 5 differences between the haircuts of four drivers (Paffett, Hamilton, Alonso, DLR)! :D

Anyway. I'm not complaining about the car, although I have to admit that I liked last year's colour theme a bit more.

McLaren is of course a huge questionmark and only time will tell whether they are able to set a realistic title hunt this season or it turns out to be a build-up year for 2008 with new drivers and for the first full season without several important engineers.

[DimitraF1]

good looking car for a team that will fight with red bulls and toro rossos.. :P

[Hawkmoon]

Very imaginative livery. Just take last year's car and stick Ferrari sidepods on it. Good job by the marketing department. :up: :rolleyes:

So that's three new cars and three crappy liveries. Toyota's livery is the same old boring, messy thing they've always had, Ferrari's is too much of the wrong shade of red with silly barcodes all over it and McLaren's is an eye-watering clash of sliver and day-glow red/orange.

I must be getting picky in my old age but I think Formula one teams haven't produced a decent livery since the '96 Ferrari and that was on a car that was whose shape was so ugly it's mother wouldn't even go near it.

I think Williams may be our only hope of a good livery this year as, sad to say, I don't like my Ferrari's new clothes.

[andreag]

Now I'll just wait for the helmets.
http://f1.informativos.telecinco.es/imgsed/casco.jpg

[PSfan]

Congrats to Mcleran, looks like they produced a car capable of finishing third in the constructors championship!!! :cheese:





why do I have a feeling this post will probably come back and haunt me later on this year?

[Ranger]

http://f1.informativos.telecinco.es/imgsed/casco.jpg

Any pictures of just the helmet itself? And I'll assume thats Fernando.

[agwiii]

:laugh:

Find 5 differences between the haircuts of four drivers (Paffett, Hamilton, Alonso, DLR)! :D

Anyway. I'm not complaining about the car, although I have to admit that I liked last year's colour theme a bit more.

McLaren is of course a huge questionmark and only time will tell whether they are able to set a realistic title hunt this season or it turns out to be a build-up year for 2008 with new drivers and for the first full season without several important engineers.

As PsFan wrote, "Congrats to Mcleran, looks like they produced a car capable of finishing third in the constructors championship!!! :cheese: "

:s mokin:

[Cozzie]

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! You are looking at the 2007 Championship winning car!

[raikk]

I like I like I like! as my msn name says... ''The Beast has risen!''
I have a great feeling about this car! If it wins the WCC I will extremley satisfied and get out of my hockey depressions! Go Mclaren Go! :D

[wmcot]

Still not a fan of the chrome...reminds me of a DeLorean! Perhaps they should have gone back to the old black and silver with the added red of Vodofone. Could have been better!

Driving suits look too cluttered...no way they could fit any more sponsor logos on them.

Not sure about the new Ferrari livery yet. Has anybody scanned the "barcode" to see what it says?

Maybe we'll see some changes before the first race!

[Storm]

I kinda like this car although it could have done with less red in it...

Whats with the sideburns on the two drivers though?

[ArrowsFA1]

I'll assume thats Fernando.
Yes it is unfortunately. At least Lewis appears to be keeping his own individual helmet design, rather than a corporate one.

[andreag]

Find the differences:

http://www.profacil.net/McLaren/McLarens.jpg

[Storm]

The engine cover seems to be more curved, can't see much else....

And actually the red looks good in this view atleast...good pics andreag!

[jens]

That comparison pic is of course from one view angle and can't show all the truth.

But as everyone is looking forward to revolutions, we still have to wait for them. :s mokin: Rumours are that Renault and RBR might have something more "special" than we have seen so far.

[Ranger]

The engine cover seems to be more curved, can't see much else....



Missing chimney out of the sidepod, Rear and front wing profile may be different, as far as my eyes can see.


But as everyone is looking forward to revolutions, we still have to wait for them. Rumours are that Renault and RBR might have something more "special" than we have seen so far.

Are you a secret agent? :p :

I hope the RBR car is very good, but Newey has downplayed its chances. Not that it means that the car won't be very good, but it means the team is probably not as well-functioning as the car may be, which will hinder progress a bit. Hopefully the RB3 is good enough to be successful and can also highlight areas where that team needs to improve as well.

As for Renault, they will still very much be in the race-winning game for 2007.

[jens]

Are you a secret agent? :p :

I hope the RBR car is very good, but Newey has downplayed its chances. Not that it means that the car won't be very good, but it means the team is probably not as well-functioning as the car may be, which will hinder progress a bit. Hopefully the RB3 is good enough to be successful and can also highlight areas where that team needs to improve as well.


As it's secret, then I can't tell you. :D

Anyway, I read an article one day somewhere... and actually found it. :p :

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/56130

Where Mark expects "real results" from 2008. So besides Newey Webber is also downplaying RB's chances a bit. At least they are trying to be realistic. :)

[Ranger]

Funny, on the contrary, Coulthard is plotting race wins. :D

That guy should be a comedian!

[Dzeidzei]

Funny, on the contrary, Coulthard is plotting race wins. :D

That guy should be a comedian!

I thought that he was.

[Ranger]

I thought that he was.

Nah, he'd need his own show or tour. I wonder how many people would pay to rock up... :p :

[fly_ac]

Silver and/or Chrome has that effect of being a dull color, something that does not always catch the eye. The red in the Mclaren make the car more visilbe to the eye. That's why I like the colour theme.
Now everyone can see how far behind the Mclaren will be. :cheese:

[Rusty Spanner]

That comparison pic is of course from one view angle and can't show all the truth.

You need to look at pictures of the car on track in order to see the real thing. Its very common practice for teams to miss off various bits and pieces and fit old wings for launch photographs.

[agwiii]

Silver and/or Chrome has that effect of being a dull color, something that does not always catch the eye. The red in the Mclaren make the car more visilbe to the eye. That's why I like the colour theme.
Now everyone can see how far behind the Mclaren will be. :cheese:

I like the silver/chrome (I think they call it pewter) with the contrasting color. If the car were all silver/chrome, it would fade. If they race it with those black wheels, it will be worse - why not use them to pick up either the chrome or the color? It does look like a solid contender -- for about third or fourth in the championship.

[CarlMetro]

Is it just me or did the livery designer take a look at last years Midland and say 'That'll do for us'?

I didn't like the chrome last year, I thought it looked a bit tacky, but this years car tops last years by a long way. I think it looks a mess.

Same thing can be said with the drivers overalls, the Vodaphone across the chest just doesn't work for me.

Be interesting to see what the pitcrew are wearing this year, anything's got to be better than last years :eek:

[DimitraF1]

mclaren will NOT be able to win this year and that is sure! poor fernando...
kimi will blow them

mclaren will NOT be able to win this year and that is sure! poor fernando...
kimi will blow them

I'm not so sure.

The 2006 Mclaren was hurt by the change back to multi tyre stops. Its forward weight balance in comparison to the Renault & Ferrari meant that it didn't get the best out of the tyres (getting maximum performance from the rear tyres in a multi-stop tyre war race was massively important compared to the fronts).

With Bridgestone no longer in a tyre war, and therefore going for harder compounds with a more conservative approach, it could just be that Mclaren will be handed back the advantage they had in 2005.

Atleast that seems to be the thinking from the final test of last year at Jerez. On long runs, the Mclarens were very consistent.

One thing you should never do is write-off Mclaren before the start of the season. They are a top-class team.

[jens]

One thing you should never do is write-off Mclaren before the start of the season. They are a top-class team.

I remember Murray Walker saying during the 1993 Monaco Grand Prix, what he had heard before the start of the season from someone (I don't remember, who): "Never underestimate McLaren. They may well surprise." :p :

[tin-top fan]

Theres a good video here of the launch, it has interviews with the drivers and also some good shots of the car itself http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/video_and_audio/help_guide/4304501.stm

[Dagman]

Still not a fan of the chrome...reminds me of a DeLorean! Perhaps they should have gone back to the old black and silver with the added red of Vodofone. Could have been better!

Driving suits look too cluttered...no way they could fit any more sponsor logos on them.

Not sure about the new Ferrari livery yet. Has anybody scanned the "barcode" to see what it says?

Maybe we'll see some changes before the first race!

I agree about the suits... but the crome, you have to see it live, it's spectacular, best looking car on the grid laast year

tried to scan the code from one of the studio pics but no go, I would need a clean copy of the code itself

[Mickey T]

the launch was unbelievable.

talk about put pressure on yourself to perform...

three hours of fireworks, closed the middle of Valencia, 4500 guests for dinner, Cirque de Sole, free mobile phones for all guests...

if you don't win the championship after all that, you look kinda silly, don't you?

[harsha]

looks decent but really preferred to have it a Red and White ala the Marlboro Mclarens.........let's see how catchy it is on the track rather than off it....

[AJP]

I actually really like the Chrome look on the Mclaren.
It's a striking car when you see it in person, not that I have, but did last year, and it certainly looked great on TV, so I can only assume that this one will be as good in real life as the last.

[harsha]

the last year's car is very good to look at in still,but the chrome appeared dull on the track

[wmcot]

Isn't pewter rather a dull color while chrome is very shiny? If so, the car is definitely chrome!

The new sidepods seem to be lower in the rear and have a bit more curve to them. Flip-ups before the rear wheels are a little different. But we'll have to see what the car actually looks like come race day.

[fly_ac]

I like the silver/chrome (I think they call it pewter) with the contrasting color. If the car were all silver/chrome, it would fade. If they race it with those black wheels, it will be worse - why not use them to pick up either the chrome or the color? It does look like a solid contender -- for about third or fourth in the championship.

I agree, that color scheme will look good in Ferrari morrors. :cheese: :devil:

[andreag]

Any pictures of just the helmet itself? And I'll assume thats Fernando.
A gallery of Alonso's helmet:

http://www.formule1.nl/index.php?pid=29&sei=23&fid=21&offset=48

And another of Hamilton's one:

http://www.formule1.nl/index.php?pid=29&sei=23&fid=21&offset=32

[jens]

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m114/anne3975/alonsoengine2.jpg
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/4572/1169033620g1jg3.jpg

Typical McLaren-Mercedes: new car, same problems. :crazy:

[ioan]

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/4572/1169033620g1jg3.jpg

Typical McLaren-Mercedes: new car, same problems. :crazy:

Mercedes engine giving up in front of a BMW Power banner, priceless! :D

[Donney]

:rotflmao:

[andreag]

Mercedes engine giving up in front of a BMW Power banner, priceless! :D
In fact this engine didn't gave up (just some licked oil), and could beat both BMW Power cars in the last lap of a 20 laps stint.

Good enough for a shakedown.

[ioan]

In fact this engine didn't gave up (just some licked oil), and could beat both BMW Power cars in the last lap of a 20 laps stint.

Good enough for a shakedown.

That one was spraying not "leaking" oil, that means it was broken no matter how you look at it.

[fly_ac]

That one was spraying not "leaking" oil, that means it was broken no matter how you look at it.

Correct. :up:
Where there's smoke there's fire! :D

[CarlMetro]

Correct. :up:
Where there's smoke there's fire! :D

I thought it was 'where there's smoke there's a McLaren' :p :

[ioan]

In fact this engine didn't gave up (just some licked oil), and could beat both BMW Power cars in the last lap of a 20 laps stint.

Good enough for a shakedown.

And BTW it was only 0.1 second faster than the BMW which was also at the first test I suppose and wasn't spitting oil.

[fly_ac]

I thought it was 'where there's smoke there's a McLaren' :p :

HOW can you say something like THAT about a Mclaren.








.....Even if it is true. :cheese:
:rotflmao:

[Mickey T]

the official version is that it had a broken oil line connection

[ioan]

the official version is that it had a broken oil line connection

The BIG one between the oil pump and the pistons?!

[ShiftingGears]

Mercedes engine giving up in front of a BMW Power banner, priceless! :D

AHAHAH!

[jso1985]

the launch was unbelievable.

talk about put pressure on yourself to perform...

three hours of fireworks, closed the middle of Valencia, 4500 guests for dinner, Cirque de Sole, free mobile phones for all guests...

if you don't win the championship after all that, you look kinda silly, don't you?


Agree, unnecessary pressure.
oh christ the ugly chrome and the engine problems are back :s :mad:

[Hawkmoon]

The sad thing for McLaren is that no one is surprised that the car came to a smoking halt after only 1 lap. The sight of a smoking McLaren has become so common place over the last few years that you kind of expect it to happen.

Renault also had a failure with their new car, which is rather more surprising as Renault have been very reliable in recent years.

It's still funny though. I can imagine Norbert doing a runner when the smoke first appeared. I can't blame him either. Ron was probably going to insert something rather uncomfortable in a place where Norbert would prefer it not go.

[VresiBerba]

That one was spraying not "leaking" oil, that means it was broken no matter how you look at it.
Spray :confused: The car had a tiny oil leak which came in contact with a hot object. Try it yourself, start your car and rev it for a few minutes, then drip some oil onto the headers and voilá, smoke. Do it while in forward motion, and you have your "spray" performing plumes of white smoke behind your car.

[fly_ac]

........... and you have your "spray" performing plumes of white smoke behind your car.

That white/gray smoke blend nicely with the Mclaren color scheme. :cheese:

[ioan]

Spray :confused: The car had a tiny oil leak which came in contact with a hot object. Try it yourself, start your car and rev it for a few minutes, then drip some oil onto the headers and voilá, smoke. Do it while in forward motion, and you have your "spray" performing plumes of white smoke behind your car.


That "smoke" (as you call it) it is coming with some pressure out of the back of that car that's why it looks more likely to be oil spray and not only smoke from leaked oil. Voila smart ass!

[VresiBerba]

That "smoke" (as you call it) it is coming with some pressure out of the back of that car that's why it looks more likely to be oil spray and not only smoke from leaked oil. Voila smart ass!

The reason there's smoke in the first place is beacuse the oil came in contact with a heat source, if it was only oil you wouldn't have noticed it unless you were directly behind. The reason the smoke is behind the car is because the car is in forward motion.

The car had a tiny oil leak which came in contact with a hot object.

OK, fair point.....but it isn't a great sign for any driver to look in his mirror and see a man running along with a fire-extinguisher.

[ioan]

The reason there's smoke in the first place is beacuse the oil came in contact with a heat source, if it was only oil you wouldn't have noticed it unless you were directly behind. The reason the smoke is behind the car is because the car is in forward motion.

The shape of that smoke it's evidence to the fact that the oil was not dripping on to the engine but it was pushed out under pressure from a hot crack or hole.
Also it can be argued that in the second image the car's speed isn't high enough to give that shape to the smoke, that's why I think that something under pressure broke there.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m114/anne3975/alonsoengine2.jpg
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/4572/1169033620g1jg3.jpg

[VresiBerba]

The shape of that smoke it's evidence to the fact that the oil was not dripping on to the engine but it was pushed out under pressure from a hot crack or hole.
The reason you get a plum of smoke like that is because that is how the aerodynamic parts of the car is meant to do. You'd see exactly the same effect in a wind tunnel.

Look at this drawing the FIA made for the CDG wing, see any similarities?
http://www.fia.com/resources/images/1306371943__CDG_Air_Flow_graphic.jpg

[ioan]

The reason you get a plum of smoke like that is because that is how the aerodynamic parts of the car is meant to do. You'd see exactly the same effect in a wind tunnel.

Look at this drawing the FIA made for the CDG wing, see any similarities?
http://www.fia.com/resources/images/1306371943__CDG_Air_Flow_graphic.jpg

I won't disagree with that, it is right.
Only that we have the same shape when the car is almost stopped, while the smoke from normally burned oil should go up vertically, it still goes backwards.

Anyway, I know it wasn't the engine that exploded, but some high pressure part on it.

I guess we will never know the real cause of this.

[janneppi]

The shape of that smoke it's evidence to the fact that the oil was not dripping on to the engine but it was pushed out under pressure from a hot crack or hole.
Also it can be argued that in the second image the car's speed isn't high enough to give that shape to the smoke, that's why I think that something under pressure broke there.


According to Alonso(according to a Finnish F1 news site :) ) they had a broke oil reservoir(or something) which lead oil, but they could continue two hours later after fixing that.

If the fault would have been more serious, they would not have been able to continue testing.

[VresiBerba]

I won't disagree with that, it is right.
Only that we have the same shape when the car is almost stopped, while the smoke from normally burned oil should go up vertically, it still goes backwards.

That's because in the lower image the car is still in motion, it's not stationary. I have never ever seen vaporised oil being "sprayed" horizontally on a F1 car.

[ioan]

According to Alonso(according to a Finnish F1 news site :) ) they had a broke oil reservoir(or something) which lead oil, but they could continue two hours later after fixing that.

If the fault would have been more serious, they would not have been able to continue testing.

Thanks for the info.
Finnish mass media are pretyy much open to F1 it seems!

[Roamy]

Looks like they will need a "Tank" for Alonso

[CarlMetro]

I won't disagree with that, it is right.
Only that we have the same shape when the car is almost stopped, while the smoke from normally burned oil should go up vertically, it still goes backwards.

Anyway, I know it wasn't the engine that exploded, but some high pressure part on it.

I guess we will never know the real cause of this.

Whether the smoke was as a result of oil being sprayed onto a hot engine casing or because the engine itself failed is not the point. The simple fact of the matter is that there was a failure. If that same failure had happened during a race then it would have meant yet another non-finish for a Mercedes engine.

[AJP]

If there was an engine failure it is more likely that the internal gaskets would have let oil through the heads in to the exhaust and then out the exhaustin to the atmosphere....looking at those pictures...the oil smoke is certainly not coming from the exhaust, rather coming from under the car and feeding up from the rear diffuser...

[ArrowsFA1]

The simple fact of the matter is that there was a failure. If that same failure had happened during a race then it would have meant yet another non-finish for a Mercedes engine.
That's why F1 teams go testing :dozey:

BMW suffered problems with the F1.07; Kovalainen's Renault also came to a halt in a trail of smoke.

Just a normal testing winter.

[donKey jote]

Try doing this in a Renault :p :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIyRysXfjVM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dopd_2q_yx4

"jode, qué cabrón" :D

[Dazz9908]

http://img272.imageshack.us/img272/4193/kimibeaker8tt.jpg
Ron: Drivers are just puppets.

[Giuseppe F1]

Try doing this in a Renault :p :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIyRysXfjVM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dopd_2q_yx4

"jode, qué cabrón" :D


Awesome videos! Thanks for posting

In that first vid.....is Alonso the guy driving or waving? Or is it a left-hand drive and he is doing both??!!! :)

[Mickey T]

he was doing both...

[janneppi]

Try doing this in a Renault :p :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIyRysXfjVM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dopd_2q_yx4

"jode, qué cabrón" :D
Great, now that Alonso has ruined his career by going to Macca, he can get a job in a drifting show. :p :

[leopard]

What have painted in the car looks better than color scheme of the leather.
I don't mind the car's color, it looks better last year's color and supposed to perform better than last year's performance and everyone else ;)

[CarlMetro]

Try doing this in a Renault :p :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIyRysXfjVM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dopd_2q_yx4

"jode, qué cabrón" :D

Of course they had top resort to a road car because they weren't sure the F1 car would make it twice around the track :p :

[fly_ac]

Of course they had top resort to a road car because they weren't sure the F1 car would make it twice around the track :p :

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[RJL25]

tehehe good call, but i do wonder how awesome it would be to see an F1 car doing some drifting........