F1: Ferrari the first to show '09 car.

[wombat666]

"The Ferrari, McLaren and even the Toyota have some nice lines I think, but the new Renault R29 has been beaten with the ugly stick at least twice!"

I think we may have come across the genuine Ugly Stick!
F-U-G-L-Y!!!!!!!!
:amen:

And FWIW, given the last few years, the Williams will probably perform like an AN-2.

 

[Ferry_vO]

The new BMW F109:

Next to the old F108; I must admit I do like the cleaner lines of the '09 cars. Way too many silly wings all over that old model!

 

[Ferry_vO]

Another new one: The Red Bull Racing RB5.

Interesting front wing design, a very narrow nose and I wonder what that 'teardrop' between the front wheels is? Some balance weight perhaps?

 

[lefty]

Very clever Red Bull video

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1529569285/bctid10497901001

 

[wombat666]

"Interesting front wing design, a very narrow nose and I wonder what that 'teardrop' between the front wheels is? Some balance weight perhaps?"

Probably one of Bernie's newly mandated cameras ......... or a safe place for Mark and Sebbie to stow the 'Family Jewels'.
Then again, can't be the latter, way too small!!!!!

 

[Ferry_vO]

The first photo's have emerged of the Force India-Mercedes VJM02, now the only car not yet revealed is the new STR but that will be another RBR car in a different livery..

The nose is so high they had to make the front suspension angled down quite a bit, wonder how this will affect the geometry? Most team prefer to keep the suspension wishbones as horizontal as possible. The mirrors look pretty neat, but no doubt the fins they are mounted on have some aeerodynamic function. The car now carries the colours of the Indian flag, which looks.. interesting. IMHO it's slightly better than the red/gold they've had on the car last season..

 

[Ferry_vO]

Now that Brawn GP has unvealed their BGP001 (How do they come up with those names..?) and Scuderia Toro Rosso their STR4 (The Red Bull Racing RB5 but with a Ferrari engine) the field is now complete!

Looks like BGP could use a few sponsors..

The car was fast during today's testing, but of course some claims the car was underweight to scoree some good results to interest potential sponsors..

The STR4:

Now compare it to the RB5:

Williams tested with these 'skate fins' as they call them:

Renault was driving around with an entirely new front wing:

McLaren was dead last during today's test, but it seems they have an entirely new aero package including a radical new underfloor, and Heikki slowed down every lap in the last corner before coming down the straight. Seems they do not want to show the potential of their car just yet..