Updated cars arrive in Spain (pictures)
8th May 2009, 21:18 by Keith Collantine 14 Comments »
The BMW F1.09 sports revised front and rear aerodynamics
BMW and Ferrari have revealed substantial upgrades to their cars as F1′s ‘ground war’ in Europe begins.
Several other teams have brought upgrades as well – including the ones they’re all trying to catch, Brawn.
Ferrari
Felipe Massa, Ferrari, Bahrain Grand Prix (click to enlarge)
Ferrari have brought their interpretation of the “double diffuser”. The brightened photograph of Kimi Raikkonen testing at the Circuit de Catalunya (below) offers a decent view of it, and can be compared with Felipe Massa’s car at Bahrain above.
Raikkonen is also using a special lightened version of the F60 chassis, slimmed down by 10kg to allow him to position ballast more effectively while using KERS.
Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, Spanish Grand Prix (click to enlarge)
BMW
Robert Kubica, BMW, Bahrain Grand Prix (click to enlarge)
BMW has an even more comprehensive new range of parts, a consequence of its decision not to bring incremental developments during the opening flyaway races.
The front wing sports new flaps inboard of the end plates, the nose is raise and the rear wing has a new mounting arrangement.
The changes are more than just skin deep. The team have temporarily dropped KERS, though they intend to bring it back in a few races’ time. There is no ‘double diffuser’ on the car yet – they are expected to have one ready by the Turkish Grand Prix in two races’ time.
Nick Heidfeld, BMW, Spanish Grand Prix (click to enlarge)
More pictures of the revised cars in practice
Among the other teams expected to bring new significant upgrades were Renault (rear wing), Brawn (floor and engine cover), McLaren (diffuser) and Force India (adjustable front wing). A more cosmetic change on Brawn’s BGP001 is sponsorship from the new Terminator film.
Here’s more pictures of these cars from testing today:
-
- Adrian Sutil, Force India, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Giancarlo Fisichella, Force India, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Felipe Massa, Ferrari, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Felipe Massa, Ferrari, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Robert Kubica, BMW, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Robert Kubica, BMW, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Nick Heidfeld, BMW, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Robert Kubica, BMW, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Robert Kubica, BMW, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Nick Heidfeld, BMW, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Robert Kubica, BMW, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Nick Heidfeld, BMW, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Nick Heidfeld, BMW, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Robert Kubica, BMW, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Robert Kubica, BMW, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Robert Kubica, BMW, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Jenson Button, Brawn, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Brawn, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Rubens Barrichello, Brawn, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Rubens Barrichello, Brawn, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Rubens Barrichello, Brawn, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Rubens Barrichello, Brawn, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Nelson Piquet Jnr, Renault, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Fernando Alonso, Renault, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Fernando Alonso, Renault, Barcelona, 2009
-
- Fernando Alonso, Renault, Barcelona, 2009
Images (C) Ferrari spa, Brawn GP, Renault/LAT, www.mclaren.com, Force India F1 Team, BMW ag
The BMWs showed improved pace in the morning practice session, although it was the usual names at the top of the times – Jenson Button in practice one, Nico Rosberg in practice two. We’ll get a better idea which teams have found improvements in qualifying tomorrow.
If you’ve spotted any other changes to the cars this weekend, post details in the comments.
Read more: Teams bringing new parts to catch Brawn (Spanish Grand Prix preview)
sajonaraman said on 8th May 2009, 22:20
The BMW looks nasty. So is the team’s achievement so far this year. Hope they’ll pick up a few points here… No DD though. Sigh…
Wesley said on 8th May 2009, 22:32
They really brought the nose up on the BMW,not pretty but,hopefully effective…..and hopefully still effective after they re-install kers and have to re-figure weight distribution.It also seems strange to do a new aero package and not consider how it will work with the diffuser when they install it later,I would assume they would have to adjust for that.
carldec said on 8th May 2009, 23:09
Bmw is moving towards the ugly renault look… yikes. I would love to know the aerodynamic justification for putting your nose in the air like that…
The nose on the brawn lookes great… its a logical extension of last years nose. seems like more folks would be headed that way.
Practice this morning didn’t show that either of these teams modifications helped much. It will be interesting to see what happens tomorrow. It must be devastating to bring out new stuff and have it not have much effect on your place in the pack.
Thestig84 said on 8th May 2009, 23:39
On the Brawn terminator sponsor. It has taken the virgin spot and no virgin on the nose?! Also no virgin announcement so far. Maybe they are sticking to a small deal with a title deal going to someone else. Still to plain for me.
Mclaren dont look to have sorted their high speed corner issues
Elliott said on 9th May 2009, 0:26
Virgin is visible on the side of the monocock, in front of the intakes. I think having Virgin only on the side is just part of the Terminator Salvation promotion. Also, Virgin and Brawn GP might be working out their season long contract still.
HounslowBusGarage said on 8th May 2009, 23:56
I don’t understand the nose aerodynamics.
How is it that a tream like Brawn can keep a relatively low nose (and slightly more comfortable driving position?) whereas the Force India and BMW find it necessary to get the nose right off the deck?
What do they gain that Brawn don’t seem to need?
Maciek said on 9th May 2009, 4:25
I’m no aerodynamics expert, but to me it looks like the Brawns are finding downforce with that nose, while BMW feel that air resistance on the nose is something to be avoided and cut through rather than exploited…. I’ve been wrong before but my gut feeling for the look of that BMW is not good.
Paddleshift said on 9th May 2009, 7:16
A higher nose allows more air into the floor and to the diffuser of the car. But a lower nose gives you a lower centre of gravity which makes your ballast more effective. Brawn has the best diffuser of all, so they don’t need as much air to produce the same amount of downforce that perhaps renault needs. So they’ve gone for a low nose which makes their ballast more effective.
How the hell did McLaren solve their rear flow seperation issue they had in winter testing in this little time? What developement!
John H said on 9th May 2009, 7:42
I thought the BMWs couldn’t look any worse but I was wrong.
We don’t know what the CFD says for each team, but less air flowing under the nose must have benefits otherwise Brawn and Williams wouldn’t be quick. BMW went the wrong way perhaps – push that nose down!
IDR said on 9th May 2009, 8:12
Keith, I haven’t seen any Virgin logo in the pics of Brawn’s cars.
Do you know something about? I thought they were dealing a new agreement.
Pete Walker said on 9th May 2009, 9:06
Its strange to think that the last few BMWs have been some of the best looking cars on the grid – this updated version is vile!
Great to see Williams making steps forward. Fingers crossed they can finally carry their Friday pace through the rest of the weekend.
Oliver said on 10th May 2009, 0:11
BMW and Mclaren had some of the bulkiest sidepods. Now BMW have realised their shortcomings and reprofiled theirs. Wonder what Mclaren is waiting for.
PJA said on 12th May 2009, 11:10
While it still isn’t the best looking car on the grid I think the new nose on the BMW does look better than the one they had at the first few races. Personally I prefer a low wide nose like on the Brawn and the Williams, however I wouldn’t like the entire grid to look the same so I like all the different looks we have this year.
Jonathan rally said on 12th May 2009, 17:12
Seems race cars are upgraded just in time for the F1. And Raikkonen’s Ferrari was more upgraded than Massa yet he didn’t made it to the Q1.