Virgin Cosworth VR-01 Launch Thread

[DazzlaF1]

Well tomorrow at 10am on their official website, the first of the newbies will show off their new motor. And all the stories of the team not using a windtunnel in its design makes it even more intriguing to see what they have come up with.

They'll have a shakedown test at Silverstone after the launch before joining the rest for the 2nd test at Jerez a week on Wednesday

[Sonic]

Its going to be fascinating. Adrian Newey has said the technology used by Nick and the Virgin team is 20 years away from taking over from wind tunnels so if the VR 01 is even half way fast some of the big boys might have to seriously rethink their design process.

[DazzlaF1]

Its going to be fascinating. Adrian Newey has said the technology used by Nick and the Virgin team is 20 years away from taking over from wind tunnels so if the VR 01 is even half way fast some of the big boys might have to seriously rethink their design process.

The other factor is the team intending to limit themselves to the original £40million budget suggested by the FIA last year, if they can show a decent level of competitiveness with those limited funds (the CFD-only approach alone will have saved millions in expensive windtunnel R&D) then that will really make everyone else sit up and take notice.

[52Paddy]

I'm really looking forward to this launch for the reasons already stated. I have a feeling that we're are now actually entering a new era of F1 :cool:

[Pulidor]

Yeah, I'm looking forward to it too.
Virgin's gotta be my favourite team among the noobs!

[JasonD]

Lets hope we can avoid this catasrophe.
http://www.ananova.com/images/web/88266.jpg
Yes boys and girls its a urinal.

[Saint Devote]

Its going to be fascinating. Adrian Newey has said the technology used by Nick and the Virgin team is 20 years away from taking over from wind tunnels so if the VR 01 is even half way fast some of the big boys might have to seriously rethink their design process.

This is the most interesting and exciting launch other than the coming RB06 - and so wonderfully traditional: at SILVERSTONE!!

It makes me feel like a teenager again waiting for a Tyrrell or Brabham or Lotus launch!!!

The ghosts of Uncle Ken and Colin Chapman will be smiling tomorrow...... :s mokin:

Gotta love it! :D

[Saint Devote]

Yeah, I'm looking forward to it too.
Virgin's gotta be my favourite team among the noobs!

Definitely - it is quintessentially F1.

[f1indiablog]

10 AM launch time is GMT???

[christophulus]

10 AM launch time is GMT???

Yes, 10am GMT.

Website is http://www.virginracing.com/

[f1indiablog]

So Just 1 hour to go!!

[V12]

Looking forward to this one... probably more so than all the others so far!

[V12]

I'm hoping for a black car with red and white on it, as per their logo, but let's see...

[RS]

running late?

[V12]

Yeah, nothing on the site so far, well not that I can find anyway!

[turismo6]

13mins over due? can't imagine there lap times :D

[MrJan]

Lets hope we can avoid this catasrophe.
http://www.ananova.com/images/web/88266.jpg
Yes boys and girls its a urinal.

Are you taking the p*ss?

[RS]

They say on their twitter that they're running late:

http://twitter.com/virginf1racing

[V12]

Tw*tter is now saying "Due to technical hitch launch not live via website", damn it :(

[RS]

Tw*tter is now saying "Due to technical hitch launch not live via website", damn it :(

That's a shame, hopefully they'll show some studio images instead very soon.

[f1indiablog]

They say on their twitter that they're running late:

http://twitter.com/virginf1racing

hey
This is fake Virgin account
Follow the Virgin team official twitter account:
http://twitter.com/virginracing (http://twitter.com/virginf1racing)

[JRodrigues]

hey
This is fake Virgin account
Follow the Virgin team official twitter account:
http://twitter.com/virginracing (http://twitter.com/virginf1racing)

I clicked on your link and what does it open?

http://twitter.com/virginf1racing

:D :D :D :D

[f1indiablog]

http://twitter.com/VirginRacing
Currently showing nothing :)

[RS]

To me, this http://twitter.com/Virginf1Racing looks like the real one!

[RS]

Online launch delayed to "later this morning" rather than cancelled:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81228

[Powered by Cosworth]

"11:36 Pictures of the new Virgin VR-01 on AUTOSPORT in a few seconds"

[I am evil Homer]

Ooohhhh pics on Autosport....very sleek, nice livery too with those 'tribal' elements

[f1indiablog]

http://www.motorsportforums.com/forums/%3Ca%20href=%22http://twitpic.com/115v4r%22%20title=%22Share%20photos%20on%20twitter %20with%20Twitpic%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://twitpic.com/show/thumb/115v4r.jpg%22%20width=%22150%22%20height=%22150%22 %20alt=%22Share%20photos%20on%20twitter%20with%20T witpic%22%3E%3C/a%3E

[RS]

Looks really good!

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81228

[MrJan]

That's the first car this year I've seen and liked.

[RS]

It will be fascinating to see the first times from testing next week.

[Donney]

I love that livery!

[Ranger]

Great livery. Looks very slimline.

But the front wing looks void of any detail at all... looks like a plank!

[ArrowsFA1]

Looks good :up: :s mokin:

Goes... :?:

[I am evil Homer]

Great livery. Looks very slimline.

But the front wing looks void of any detail at all... looks like a plank!

Agreed...the nose cone/front wing looks simplistic right now but is the easiest part to chnage and upgrade. The overall look however is nice.

[christophulus]

Very sleek, nice livery. The acid test comes next week then, if it's anywhere near the other teams they might have to rethink their wind tunnel policies..

[K-Pu]

Another great looking car!

[V12]

Gorgeous car! Definitely my favourite so far, Renault rivals it in the colour scheme stakes but still looks like the R29 brick, likewise the Sauber has great lines but still has that bland BMW livery, this is has both, let's see how it runs :)

[Brown, Jon Brow]

I look at that car and think 'Vauxhall'

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/25/Vxr_logo.png

[F1boat]

I dunno why, but it looks like a champcar to me.

[ArrowsFA1]

I dunno why, but it looks like a champcar to me.
I was thinking last year's Dale Coyne Indycar

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NVIyqlcHzR4/Sn7_jEatGII/AAAAAAAAFZI/kClKgANbcWM/s400/Justin+Wilson,+Dale+Coyne+Racing+-+indycar-2009-mo-as-0022.jpg

[woody2goody]

The livery's gorgeous, definitely my favourite one so far out of anybody.

I really hope this car is quick, Glock and di Grassi are one of my favourite driver pairings.

[JRodrigues]

And no Álvaro Parente on the pics? :( Was Razia promoted to test driver?! It seems there were some problems with Turismo de Portugal that said they were going to pay 2million€ and then backed off :mad: :mad: :mad:

[turismo6]

Nice livery, one of few cars that look like they have a finished livery.

Also is the front wing attached by a single piller?

[christophulus]

Pictures finally up on the site. Plus, there's a competition to name the cars..

http://www.virginracing.com/

[f1indiablog]

To me, this http://twitter.com/Virginf1Racing looks like the real one!

CONFIRMED
Virgin official twitter account is:
http://twitter.com/VirginRacing (http://twitter.com/Virginf1Racing)

Source:http://www.virginracing.com/cars/name-the-car/

[JRodrigues]

CONFIRMED
Virgin official twitter account is:
http://twitter.com/VirginRacing (http://twitter.com/Virginf1Racing)

Source:http://www.virginracing.com/cars/name-the-car/

Here we go again.. So you see what happens when you click that link?! I'll show you:

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/1291/captura20100203141435.jpg

[I am evil Homer]

Really like the VR website...the way it's been designed, the little details in it. Really impressive stuff. Also the nose looks way better on the 3/4 pic there than it did on Autosport..the tribal design on the front wings really stands out.

[I am evil Homer]

CONFIRMED
Virgin official twitter account is:
http://twitter.com/VirginRacing (http://twitter.com/Virginf1Racing)

Source:http://www.virginracing.com/cars/name-the-car/

Your URL takes you to a fake one....try hitting this:

Official is: http://twitter.com/virginracing

[f1indiablog]

Here we go again.. So you see what happens when you click that link?! I'll show you:

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/1291/captura20100203141435.jpg


CLICK ON THIS LINK(working fine)
http://twitter.com/virginracing

Problem with using capital V and R i guess in previous link

[f1indiablog]

VR 01 ALL photos has been uploaded on official website

http://www.f1indiablog.in/2010/02/virgin-cosworth-vr-01-launch-first.html

[Dzeidzei]

VR 01 ALL photos has been uploaded on official website

http://www.f1indiablog.in/2010/02/virgin-cosworth-vr-01-launch-first.html

Very impressive looks. Im very surprised. Hopefully it carries some speed too.

http://cdn.virginracing.com/1265201245/galleries/car/01_VR-01_Front.jpg

[JasonD]

Are you taking the p*ss?

Nope Virgin Air used those in terminals. I think they got pulled put I dont know for sure.

[Giuseppe F1]

http://cdn.virginracing.com/1265201245/galleries/car/01_VR-01_Front.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_okcyx1ajmR4/S2l2vV6ds5I/AAAAAAAABb8/IoZz27rZ-Ck/s1600/vr4.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_okcyx1ajmR4/S2l2v4wBplI/AAAAAAAABcE/K5mpna1SFZ4/s1600-h/vr03.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_okcyx1ajmR4/S2l2u49OTgI/AAAAAAAABbs/zBSCRD-DZ0I/s1600-h/vr6.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/eb6kwi.jpg

It looks awesome from that last rear-angled view - I was expecting a black/red/white colour scheme but did expect for some reason that the black would be more of a bare carbon fibre look - but still car and livery look very slick.

I imagine the 'VIRGIN RACING' logo on the sidepod wont remain in that I expect this to be almost a Virgin sub-brand merry-go-round during the year so, for one race there may be a generic 'VIRGIN' logo in this space, the next race it may have a 'VIRGIN GALACTIC' logo in this space etc etc....

[truefan72]

looks nice...the livery
but the body looks alright not radical as some have suggested in the press. The Livery is what gives it its panache. Now lets see how it does no track .Good for them. As I said I think only Virgin and Lotus will show up in Bahrain.

Nice job by their design team

[Powered by Cosworth]

I dunno why, but it looks like a champcar to me.

I thought the same thing.

[Dave B]

I'm just impressed that one of the newbie teams has actually launched a car, I was getting worried there for a while.

[maximilian]

Finally a team that really produced an all-around beautiful car, and who seem to have put a little thought in how they want to present their livery. Very well done! VR get's lots of style points from me, so far I like everything they've done. I am a little surprised there aren't that many "Virgin" labels all over the car, but the good news is, they have plenty of other sponsors on there, so I guess that's really a positive!

[I am evil Homer]

I thought the same thing.

I swear some people must watch different Chumpcar races to me...it has a similar colour scheme to DCR last year but look nothing like those cars.

[Giuseppe F1]

For all those Manor/John Booth fans, the new Virgin car DOES have a Manor badge on it...............only Virgin have hidden it in the most secluded part of the car, inside the nose/front wing joining struts/uprights!

You can see it in this screengrab from teh official car launch video:

http://i46.tinypic.com/24cv792.jpg


You can see a video of the car undergoing its first official photoshoot with the team at the link below - some nice candid footage:

VIDEO:

http://www.virginracing.com/cars/#/video

[truefan72]

For all those Manor/John Booth fans, the new Virgin car DOES have a Manor badge on it...............only Virgin have hidden it in the most secluded part of the car, inside the nose/front wing joining struts/uprights!

You can see it in this screengrab from teh official car launch video:

http://i46.tinypic.com/24cv792.jpg


You can see a video of the car undergoing its first official photoshoot with the team at the link below - some nice candid footage:

VIDEO:

http://www.virginracing.com/cars/#/video

thanks for the link

I do like their website as well. Branson knows what he is doing!
lover the full screen video

[Sonic]

The echo others. Its hardly cutting edge but it doesn't need to be, those teams who have tried to be radical in their early years tended to be rubbish - Prost anyone?

I'd be very pleased if they do well and score a few points - but for comedy value I want Lotus to score more and get to see beardy in a stewardess outfit!

[UltimateDanGTR]

the car isnt very radical, its a bit standard. which is to be expected of a new team. but, it does look awesome! not just the livery (which is very good) but it does look quite aggresive. I would say this is the 'coolest' looking car so far, which is to be expected from Virgin, the supposed cool brand of the consumer world.

Nice one Virgin, yet to see a 2010 car that looks ugly....

[DazzlaF1]

the car isnt very radical, its a bit standard. which is to be expected of a new team. but, it does look awesome! not just the livery (which is very good) but it does look quite aggresive. I would say this is the 'coolest' looking car so far, which is to be expected from Virgin, the supposed cool brand of the consumer world.

Nice one Virgin, yet to see a 2010 car that looks ugly....

Just got in and its the first time i've seen the car, that is one gorgeous bit of kit.

For me that pips Renault to be the best looking car so far.

[jens]

Yes, the car may seem outdated in certain aspects, like front wing (I like the sidepods though, quite mclaren-/2009brawnesque), but we really can't blame them. A brand new team from scratch can't go radical from the get-go, it is more beneficial to design a basic car, about which they are sure that all systems and aero-flows work properly. After that they can keep developing on that and start taking gambles. Can't wait to see them testing on track.

[VkmSpouge]

The Virgin VR-01 is a very nice looking car, definitely my second favourite behind the Renault. It will be interesting to see how quick the car goes at next week's test. The team have done very well to get the car ready ahead of schedule.

[jens]

By the way, I must add one thing in an answer to the title of the thread - the car won't be Virgin-Cosworth, but it will be rebranded as Virgin-Marussia. :)

[HenryM]

some parts look to simple, basic, like the front wing, and the car overall look very simple to, but it looks "ok" and the livery is quite nice an different, but it's nice to see one of the new teams "ready".

[RJL25]

I imagine the 'VIRGIN RACING' logo on the sidepod wont remain in that I expect this to be almost a Virgin sub-brand merry-go-round during the year so, for one race there may be a generic 'VIRGIN' logo in this space, the next race it may have a 'VIRGIN GALACTIC' logo in this space etc etc....

I agree, in Australia for example it will probably carry "Virgin Blue" on the sidepod, in europe "Virgin Atlantic" or "Virgin Galactic" and so forth

[RJL25]

Yes, the car may seem outdated in certain aspects, like front wing (I like the sidepods though, quite mclaren-/2009brawnesque), but we really can't blame them. A brand new team from scratch can't go radical from the get-go, it is more beneficial to design a basic car, about which they are sure that all systems and aero-flows work properly. After that they can keep developing on that and start taking gambles. Can't wait to see them testing on track.

I agree, as a new team they where always going to go with a design which would be predictable, would respond in the way they expect it to respond, will be reliable and consistant. The idea being that this will give them a good base for them to develop on in the future.

This is exactly the same strategy Force India used, and they where quite impressive towards the end of last season...

[gloomyDAY]

I dunno why, but it looks like a champcar to me.More like IndyCar.

I think the car looks plain, but the livery is pretty cool.

Just one more week until we see them in action!

[Giuseppe F1]

And no Álvaro Parente on the pics? :( Was Razia promoted to test driver?! It seems there were some problems with Turismo de Portugal that said they were going to pay 2million€ and then backed off :mad: :mad: :mad:

Does fact Parente was not at the launch suggest that he may now be in the running for a USF1 or Campos drive? Mybe his backers/sponsors decided to push for it??

[Giuseppe F1]

No Cosworth branding on the car at all intrestingly

[POS_Maggott]

Just looking at it, the nose reminds me of the Minardi PS05. Kind of generic, but predictability is a great thing for a new team! Livery is awesome! Great colours on the grid this year!

[jonny hurlock]

No Cosworth branding on the car at all intrestingly

although they do have marussia on it.

http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/photolarge.php?photoID=144835&catID=4745

sorry about the marussia page

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_Racing

http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marussia

btw nice livery.

[DazzlaF1]

Just looking at it, the nose reminds me of the Minardi PS05. Kind of generic, but predictability is a great thing for a new team! Livery is awesome! Great colours on the grid this year!

And it'll likely get even better when Lotus (as expected) bring back the legendary Colin Chapman colours (British Racing Green and the Yellow stripe) and wether Sauber race in Nespresso Brown or not.

And thats not including what Red Bull, Force India and the other 2 newbies have to offer if they make it (which i expect them to)

[JRodrigues]

Does fact Parente was not at the launch suggest that he may now be in the running for a USF1 or Campos drive? Mybe his backers/sponsors decided to push for it??

Parente has confirmed on his blog that the day after the first presentation, the Portuguese Institute of Turism withdraw their financial support (2million€) without giving any reason for it. They tried to contact them since, but no answer came! That is total bs from the government. He would get a GP2 seat in a top team and 2011 priority seat for Virgin Racing. With the season almost starting, things aren't looking that good for him :(

[Cozzie]

Wow that is beautiful, dare I say my favourite livery since JPS Lotus!!!

[Lemmy-Boy]

Wow! An actual F1 car that appeals to the masses. It's a definite beauty.

The lines and colors remind me of a jersey as worn by the great #23

http://www4.uji.es/~al080382/fotos/Michael%20Jordan%20Wallpaper%20%281%29.jpg

[wedge]

Very similar to McLaren

Interesting that they've not gone for double decker/upper tier front wing set up

[jens]

Will the Cosworth engines be rebranded as Marussia? Or at least so I read somewhere one day...

[gloomyDAY]

Will the Cosworth engines be rebranded as Marussia? Or at least so I read somewhere one day...Yes. Virgin Racing went ahead and paid Cosworth a handsome fee just to re-brand the engine as Marussia.

[Dave B]

It was initially reported by grandprix.com that they'd be rebranded, but swiftfly corrected by Autosport's Jonathan Noble.

[52Paddy]

Very nice looking car. I also have to say that I've yet to see a car I don't like for this season. :up:

Virgin's approach seems very level headed and I think they will be competitive sooner rather than later.

In regard to re-branding the Cosworths: What do Virgin gain from this? They loose 1.5m to Cosworth as that is the fee. Will they be receiving money from Marussia because of this renaming? Surely they'd be getting back more than what they paid for the change initially.

[gloomyDAY]

Very nice looking car. I also have to say that I've yet to see a car I don't like for this season. :up:

Virgin's approach seems very level headed and I think they will be competitive sooner rather than later.

In regard to re-branding the Cosworths: What do Virgin gain from this? They loose 1.5m to Cosworth as that is the fee. Will they be receiving money from Marussia because of this renaming? Surely they'd be getting back more than what they paid for the change initially.I bet Virgin Racing didn't front the money for the re-brand. Marussia probably coughed up the cash and had their name slapped onto the car.

I'm really excited for this new team. Do they test next week? Would only make sense. Force India and read my signature are up next.

[DazzlaF1]

I bet Virgin Racing didn't front the money for the re-brand. Marussia probably coughed up the cash and had their name slapped onto the car.

I'm really excited for this new team. Do they test next week? Would only make sense. Force India and read my signature are up next.

They began a 2 day shakedown at Silverstone today

[52Paddy]

Marussia probably coughed up the cash and had their name slapped onto the car.

Quite possibly true.

[christophulus]

In regard to re-branding the Cosworths: What do Virgin gain from this? They loose 1.5m to Cosworth as that is the fee. Will they be receiving money from Marussia because of this renaming? Surely they'd be getting back more than what they paid for the change initially.

Like Dave said, they aren't rebranding the engines

http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/01/13/virgin-not-running-marussia-engines/

[maximilian]

Am I imagining things, or was Virgin supposed to have a shakedown/test in Silverstone today (Thursday)? :confused:

[gloomyDAY]

All systems check!

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81269

Where are the times for their shakedown?

[Saint Devote]

Wow! An actual F1 car that appeals to the masses. It's a definite beauty.

The lines and colors remind me of a jersey as worn by the great #23

http://www4.uji.es/~al080382/fotos/Michael%20Jordan%20Wallpaper%20%281%29.jpg

Please do not try and associate F1 with anything or one to do with basketball - I find it extremely offensive.

Vive le difference - racing drivers are eligible to be residents in Monaco, basketball players are definitely not.

[Saint Devote]

And it'll likely get even better when Lotus (as expected) bring back the legendary Colin Chapman colours (British Racing Green and the Yellow stripe) and wether Sauber race in Nespresso Brown or not.

And thats not including what Red Bull, Force India and the other 2 newbies have to offer if they make it (which i expect them to)

I'd say that Lotus is far more synonymous with John Player Special than "British Racing Green" - that colour is better associated with the Vanwall's.

Colin Chapman was the first to copy the South African, Gunston cigarettes idea and obtain sponsorship his racing team - Gold Leaf. Also Lotus 72 cars were prominent in the South African F1 championship for some time. They featured Gunston and Lucky Strike sponsorship.

Virgin is, like Red Bull, the new type of pure F1 racing team and Branson has definitely chosen as well as Mateschitsz.

[Saint Devote]

Big congratulations to Virgin Racing.

A beautiful sleak racing car taking to the tracks at Silverstone :-]

A new concept for F1, a brand new team.

I nominate "Branson's Boys" as team of the week!!!

[gloomyDAY]

Those previous pictures don't do the car any justice.

My jaw dropped when I saw this picture from Silverstone.

http://images.gpupdate.net/large/145026.jpg

Timo started the shakedown and tomorrow Lucas will join him.

[Allyc85]

^that looks amazing! never thought cars designed to these rules could look that good :D

[DanicaFan]

I like the VR-01's paint scheme but it would look much better on an IRL Dallara. These new F1 cars are just plain ugly, especially that rear wing.

[DazzlaF1]

Those previous pictures don't do the car any justice.

My jaw dropped when I saw this picture from Silverstone.

http://images.gpupdate.net/large/145026.jpg

Timo started the shakedown and tomorrow Lucas will join him.

I know, it looks even better on the track than it does in those launch pics, absolutely stunning. I cant wait to see how it performs against the others at Jerez next week.

Also looking back through the thread, id think a few of us here have found a new team to follow.

[Sonic]

I know, it looks even better on the track than it does in those launch pics, absolutely stunning. I cant wait to see how it performs against the others at Jerez next week.

Also looking back through the thread, id think a few of us here have found a new team to follow.

Is that the return of the twin keel?

[truefan72]

I know, it looks even better on the track than it does in those launch pics, absolutely stunning. I cant wait to see how it performs against the others at Jerez next week.


you know, I was just about to say that as well. I think it looks fantastic, even better than the promo shots.

[jonny hurlock]

shakedown at silverstone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJH8CSmcUJA

here that cosworth go!

[DazzlaF1]

shakedown at silverstone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJH8CSmcUJA

here that cosworth go!

Sounds f****n awesome

[52Paddy]

Beautiful...music to my ears! :D

[gloomyDAY]

I like the VR-01's paint scheme but it would look much better on an IRL Dallara. These new F1 cars are just plain ugly, especially that rear wing.Go back to the failRL forums please. There really is no comparison between the two cars, by which I mean that the new Virgin car is very pretty, and the Dallara chassis in Indy is ugly.


shakedown at silverstone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJH8CSmcUJA

here that cosworth go!Any more footage?

[Koz]

Those previous pictures don't do the car any justice.

My jaw dropped when I saw this picture from Silverstone.

http://images.gpupdate.net/large/145026.jpg

Timo started the shakedown and tomorrow Lucas will join him.

Absolutely stunning!

[AJP]

Love the sound of the Cossie.... :)

hope it holds up during the races...

[Sonic]

I like the VR-01's paint scheme but it would look much better on an IRL Dallara. These new F1 cars are just plain ugly, especially that rear wing.

Bless you DanicaFan, I applaud you for being so loyal to your favourite series, but if you think any F1 car looks worse than those fat, slow tanks the IRL boys have the misfortune of running you may need your eyes checking.

[turismo6]

Looks classy, just like a flight attendant's dress.

[JRodrigues]

Now it really looks like the Midland..

[jonny hurlock]

Any more footage?

yyyyyeeeeeeeessssssssssss!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJO4OFPNTuU

[DexDexter]

you know, I was just about to say that as well. I think it looks fantastic, even better than the promo shots.

I've been very sceptical about the design approach but somehow good-looking cars end up being pretty quick quite often so I don't know, I've got a gut feeling that they are going to surprise people...

[DazzlaF1]

I've been very sceptical about the design approach but somehow good-looking cars end up being pretty quick quite often so I don't know, I've got a gut feeling that they are going to surprise people...

I hope so too, its a low cost design that is groundbreaking. If this turns out to be successful, then we are probably on the verge of a whole new era of F1 car design, windtunnels could end up becoming ancient relics in F1.

[truefan72]

Go back to the failRL forums please. There really is no comparison between the two cars, by which I mean that the new Virgin car is very pretty, and the Dallara chassis in Indy is ugly.

Any more footage?

non need to get snippy gloomyday

I think these 2009-2010 cars are not as nice as the 2007-2008 cars and many others have said so. The paint schemes look pretty and after a year most have come to accept these cars now but it does not change the fact that they look like a little toyish compared to what F1 cars have looked like in the past.

Not everything in F1 needs defending and fair criticism should not be immediately shunned as F1 hatred worthy of vanquishing the poster.

Personally, I think LeMans prototypes are the best looking sportscars of any series, But I still love F1 above all other series.

[truefan72]

I hope so too, its a low cost design that is groundbreaking. If this turns out to be successful, then we are probably on the verge of a whole new era of F1 car design, windtunnels could end up becoming ancient relics in F1.

so what then is the hold up with USF1?

no computers, not building materials? no CFD specialists?
You would think a team that had announced their intentions a full 2 years ago, and started preparations before the other 2 teams, or even the rest of the field would have been one of the first to display a car. what were they doing the entire 2009 year?

[Saint Devote]

so what then is the hold up with USF1?

no computers, not building materials? no CFD specialists?
You would think a team that had announced their intentions a full 2 years ago, and started preparations before the other 2 teams, or even the rest of the field would have been one of the first to display a car. what were they doing the entire 2009 year?

USF1 really is puzzling.
Every couple of weeks Peter Windsor comes out and defends against the doubt and disbelief.

They have been hiring - if the ads in Autosport are anything to go by. They have premises - but other than that nothing.

And the whole approach of Windsor he explicitly repeated over the past year and more was that USF1 would be the most open and fan friendly F1 team. He has repeatedly, publicly criticized existing teams for what he sees as their "closed shop" attitudes to fans.

So far USF1 I would say is the most quiet and closed team of the lot. Not to even have announced the second driver by the time the first test has taken place raises suspicions of veteran F1 supporters like myself that the team even properly exists.

You would think USF1 would rush to demonstrate PHYSICALLY at this juncture that they actually have cars. For if they cannot show a tub and suspension attached to at least TWO cars, then they may as well not participate.

They do not have Bernie on their side. They do not have any experienced F1 driver - these days given the lack of testing allowed, worth his weight in platinum, they have no name designer or car constructor or anyone with very recent European racing experience on board.

I think it ought to be a requirement that any team accepted as an F1 entrant must be at three tests or they are disqualified.

No doubt everyone will be very surprised and puzzled over the secrecy if they do eventually turn up and race. I certainly will.

[racepode1]

well trials were announced on 25 February, today pechito was in Charlote to take measures to make the seat, I think this should be a good indicator that the car should be almost ready. Pechito today traveled to Austria to do some physical training and will comeback to Charlote Monday 15 waiting for the test (I think they first will present the car sponsors and drivers)
http://www.corsaonline.com.ar/2010/02/06/N-2592-pechito-vuelve-al-trabajo.php
About all the doubts that generate the situation of this team is clearly by the lack of money. They declare that 2 pilots will bring with tem around third part of the budget if this is real we are talking of of less than 25 Millions wich is Ridiculous. And the situation looks worst if you think they start a new structure from scratch, with people without experience.
Virgin and Lotus were started by people with money asociated with people with experience in the matter who already got the infraestructure.

And if that were not enoughthey take significant risks with respect to the design of the car.
But te main Problem IMO is money.

[RJL25]

I for one can't wait to see how these guys go this year.

Here is a team entering F1 with a belief that they can do the job on half the cash and half the resources of the other guys, a genuine belief that the other guys are massively wasteful in their research and development.

And it's not all hot air! (looking at you USF1) they actually have a completely different design and development philosophy to go with the talk! an approach everyone else says won't work, the best designer in modern F1 says the technology they are relying on is "20 years off being realistic" but they are saying bugger that thats what innovation is all about! It's getting technology that is "20 years off" and making it work today!

For me, thats what F1 is all about!

[rubberducky]

branson is like king midas, everything he touch turns to gold. Virgin racing will make a difference this season. I can't wait

[DazzlaF1]

Great pic of di Grassi during his shakedown run

http://en.espnf1.com/PICTURES/CMS/1400/1412.jpg