F1 Fanatic – The Formula 1 Blog

It’s been all about car launches this month with Ferrari, McLaren, Toyota, Renault BMW and Williams pulling the covers off their 2009 challengers.

And so it’s been a gigantically busy month on F1 Fanatic with over 380% more visitors and traffic than this time last year. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to have a look and leave a comment. Here are the ten most popular new posts in January and a sample of what you had to say.

Ferrari F60 launched at Mugello – pictures & video

I quite like the F60 – it’s certainly a lot prettier and in proportion than the BMW Sauber test hack, but that was only to be expected. It still looks pretty awful from the front, especially at ground level. In profile it looks fine, rather elegant in fact.

The coke bottle shape at the rear of the car is very pronounced, much more so than I expected given the need to accommodate the bulky KERS system. Is this an indicator that the launch version of the F60 will be doing its initial running without the new system? Or just that Ferrari has done a superb job on packaging?
Tim

2009 F1 cars and 2008 cars compared

Don’t mind the new nose and not sold on the tail, but these are the first pics that have made me realize how waspy the body is on the 2009 cars. I like it.

Ugh, I forgot what a pig the MP4/23 looked like from above.
mJohnHurt

McLaren MP4/24 revealed – pictures and video

Great car. Looks amazing. What a shame Ron is to step down as team principle. I’ve been facinated by how he runs the team since I was young. Been as much a fan of Ron Dennis as I am of the whole McLaren F1 team. Won’t feel right seeing him at every race.
Cameron

Renault R29 revealed in Portugal – pictures

Horrible from every angle, and way too bright for a Monday morning. Particularly the big ING billboard on the back. I hope it blows over in a crosswind.

No wonder Alonso’s signed for Ferrari, he’s had enough of looking ridiculous.
Tom

BMW F1.09 unveiled – pictures (2009 F1 car launches)

Its interesting to read the reactions of people here since most people like it but hated the interim car. Yet I agree with Sumedh – it’s hardly changed! And it does seem quite simple: no sneaky bargeboards, turning vanes and its not as tightly packaged at the rear as, say, the Ferrari or Williams.
Seedy001

More Formula 1 car pictures (Autosport International 2009)

I can’t quite believe it, but I correctly identified it as a Benetton B199 from the distinctive structure in front of the sidepod.

This is almost as anoraky as the time I dragged my other half around the Sauber exhibition at the Transport Museum in Lucerne excitedly pointing out the evolution of the various aerodynamic appendages over the years…
Tim

2009 McLaren, Ferrari and Toyota F1 cars side-by-side (Pictures)

Whats the story with the suspension on the Mclaren? All its elements extend forward while the Toyota and Ferrari have symmetrical layouts. It looks mad.
Spawinte

Williams FW31 introduced in interim livery (2009 F1 car launches)

Interim livery? I’d say, keep this. It’s wonderful!
Lustigson

More pictures of Donington Park 2010

I hope they pull this off, am so looking forward to seeing F1 cars around Donington again.
Dougie

Toyota reveals the TF109 – pictures and video

I just took a second look at TF109. I absolutely hate it. Also, Glock and Trulli in the promo video, the whole idea of K1-like promotion- it’s all just soulless, daft and sad… Sorry for being so grim Keith but you have to admit there’s something important missing here. I say it’s passion.
Sajonaraman