I will be in Spain to cover the three pre-season F1 tests and car launches starting next week.
F1 Fanatic will have pictures of all the 2011 F1 cars running for the first time including the new Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes and more.
I’ll be at Valencia, Jerez and the Circuit de Catalunya to talk to the drivers and teams and bring you regular updates.
The season kicks off in Valencia where we’ll see the new Renault R31 and Sauber C30 on Monday 31st.
The following day world champions Red Bull reveal their new RB7 and we’ll see the car that Mercedes aim to bounce back with in 2011: the W02.
Toro Rosso will also present their STR6 for the first time and the new Williams FW33 will be on-track in its interim livery.
The new Ferrari F150 will also be on-track following its launch tomorrow and the Lotus TL11 will appear as well.
For the first test in Valencia I’ll be joined by photographer Julien Leroy to help get even more pictures of the new cars.
McLaren will run an interim car during the first test but I’ll be in Berlin to bring you the first pictures of the new MP4-26 when it’s launched on February 4th. And three days after that the wraps are coming off Virgin’s new car in London.
Then it’s on to Jerez from the 10th-13th where the MP4-26 and VR-02 will run for the first time, and there’s more testing at the Circuit de Catalunya on the 18th-21st.
Donate to F1 Fanatic
As you can imagine covering F1 live at the tracks is expensive. Even using the cheapest options for flights and hotels the budget runs into thousands of pounds. Then there are IT, photography and other costs to cover.
So if you would like make a contribution to the cost of covering testing it would be appreciated. You can make a donation to F1 Fanatic here (or via the link at the top-right of the page):
Subscribe to F1 Fanatic
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Dan Newton
27th January 2011, 10:33
Have we still got to wait a week? Thats ages! Not that it’s your fault Keith. Thought it was all starting tomorrow, should have checked the dates really. Looking forward checking out the pics and reading the posts, who’s gonna have a clever F-duct type feature this year?..
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
27th January 2011, 10:38
Testing starts on Tuesday, the first launch (Ferrari) is tomorrow.
kowalsky (@)
27th January 2011, 15:01
keith do you know which drivers are going to run and what days?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
27th January 2011, 15:08
That information is coming out in dribs and drabs at the moment. The ones that have been announced so far are in the F1 Fanatic Calendar (click on each ‘testing’ entry for more details):
F1 Fanatic Google Calendar
Becken
27th January 2011, 17:07
There are some renders of the car circulating in the web. I thin we have a “Red Horse” here:
http://bit.ly/ff1Lv7
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
27th January 2011, 22:01
At least that actually looks like an F1 car; with the ban on shark fins that reach the rear wing, I’m hoping that Mercedes’ pointed engine find because popular. However, I notice that has a very deep V-keel on the nose of the car, and the FIA has moved to limit just how deep it can be.
Adrian J (@adrian-j)
27th January 2011, 10:40
Well the Ferrari F150 is unveiled tomorrow and then it’s only a couple of days til we get to see a few more new cars…
…and there are sure to be some more stories kicking around over the weekend so it should fly by!!
Dan Newton
27th January 2011, 11:02
Thanks people, wasn’t quite as confused as I thought I was. And good idea BasCB, I’m all for helping keep the coffee flowing lol
alejandro
27th January 2011, 10:35
oh man oh man oh man oh man!!!!
Fixy (@)
27th January 2011, 15:50
oh man oh man oh man oh man!!!!
Catalina ;)
27th January 2011, 22:27
oh man oh god oh man oh god oh man oh god …
http://youtu.be/Y9KyBdPeKHg
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
27th January 2011, 22:36
That is officially the most random video that’s ever been posted on here. Kudos!
BasCB (@bascb)
27th January 2011, 10:46
Great you can make it live to all those presentations and to the testing this year Keith!
I donated you for about a double coffee today as sign of support!
Looking forward to wonderfull pictures and fanatic coverage :-)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
27th January 2011, 10:48
Thanks BasCB – the coffee budget is a particularly expensive part of the equation :-)
US_Peter (@us_peter)
27th January 2011, 20:59
I donated for a few coffees as well, and I’ll try to remember to donate a little more next week after pay day… Thanks for all your work.
smifaye (@)
27th January 2011, 10:52
Wow! Keith that’s going to be a crazy time! Hope you enjoy it. Can’t wait for all the coverage you’re going to provide!
I think a donation is due!
Scottie (@scottie)
27th January 2011, 20:01
+1, once I get home from work today, I’ll be helping out.
Nice coverage for us Fanatics!
ledzep4pm (@ledzep4pm)
27th January 2011, 11:05
Isn’t the new lotus called TL11 not TF11?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
27th January 2011, 11:12
It is – typo. Fixed it.
Benson Mutton
27th January 2011, 11:12
Great your covering all this Keith, going to have to make a donation as this site is invaluable, my first port of call every morning. Keep up the good work
geo132 (@geo132)
27th January 2011, 11:21
Seems like a busy month for you Keith. Donated :)
I would suggest adding the time to the Ferrari launch in the calender. (9.45 a.m, Italy’s time)
Fixy (@)
27th January 2011, 12:33
Apparently many people have doubts regarding the time and the channel it is broadcast in Italy. I read somewhere it said it was going to be at 10:30 on Rai 2, but I read on the Rai website it’s at 9:45 on Rai Sport 1.
uackuack
27th January 2011, 13:11
It will be on Rai 2 AND on Rai Sport 1 at the same time.
Yuo can see it here http://www.rai.tv/ (but i don’t know if it work outside italy) or on FerrariTV website.
Please confirm you understand this message.
(just joking)
GQsm (@gqsm)
27th January 2011, 22:47
Good lad. Just stick with it now…. Sorry
alexf1man
27th January 2011, 11:22
From tomorrow the season lasts for 10 months (ends on 27th November in Brazil)
Rob B (@rob-b)
27th January 2011, 11:27
Thanks for all the coverage over the off season! The 2011 season starts for me tomorrow, the unveiling of the first car! :D
I can’t wait to read your updates & see the photos from the testing sessions.
HG
27th January 2011, 11:31
good to see lotus hit the track, looking forward to seeing how it pans out.
keith, have you taken out recidency in spain yet? seems youve been there ages you lucky… :)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
27th January 2011, 11:35
At this rate it might be cheaper to decamp there in Feburary!
topdowntoedown (@topdowntoedown)
27th January 2011, 11:44
I’m not jealous. Oh no. If my work wasn’t crazy at the moment I’d have gone out and done the Lotus test hospitality thing, and brought my camera!
It’s the time of year when all teams are looking to attract sponsorship, and I for one am happy to support Scuderia F1Fanatic Lotus Keith. :)
NathanBradley92 (@nathancabopino)
27th January 2011, 12:06
Ha ha, very good!
Although maybe it should be Scuderia F1Fanatic Lotus 1Malaysia Bahar Fernandes Renault Lotus Keith
(Admittedly, I might have got a little carried away here!) :D
Nathan
NathanBradley92 (@nathancabopino)
27th January 2011, 12:08
P.S. Does anybody know of any TV/Web coverage, or is it just silly ‘live’ timing as usual? (Grrr…)
Thanks
Maciek
27th January 2011, 12:09
Second year on big boys’ beat, eh? I wonder what kind of perks you’ll discover you never knew existed when you were a rookie : ) champagne? masseuses? ok, maybe more like fewer ‘what do YOU want?’ looks from team members? Anyhoo, enjoy!
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
27th January 2011, 22:03
It’s well-known that second-years get a Licence to Kill.
Tom Moloney
27th January 2011, 12:13
STR6 was last years car wasn’t it? Are STR too poor now?
Nah mate, no worries. Should be awesome seeing all the new cars slowly pop up.
Burnout (@burnout)
27th January 2011, 17:25
No, last year’s car was the STR5. STR car numbers are one season behind RBR.
RBR started in 2005, STR in 2006.
Donal
27th January 2011, 12:27
Hi Keith,
My contribution will be to buy you a beer if you are in Barcelona city at any stage!
Donal
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
27th January 2011, 15:09
Haha, thanks. I’ll let you know but the circuit is some way outside the city centre.
Dan Selby
27th January 2011, 12:35
I think it’s the usual foreign live timing, unfortunately.
I’m yet to understand why the official F1 site doesn’t pull their finger out and stream the tests. I’ve said this before and i’ll say it again – even if it was £1 to watch each session, they’d make so much money from it…
Thanks alot, Keith – Good to see this site going only from strength to strength. Check out my email at some point if you got a moment :) Cheers!
Mike
27th January 2011, 12:52
See, as an Australian, I sometimes forget that for Europeans that’s basically a five minute walk.
In Australia we have to walk thousands of miles across great oceans of deserts… And that’s just to get to my mates place.
Also, I’m going to donate, just have to convince dad to let me use his paypal… saves me making my own.
Alex Bkk
27th January 2011, 12:55
Finally… there will be something interesting to read on my twitter!
Looking forward to your reports.
bob80
27th January 2011, 12:58
Let’s hope Red Bull won’t be 1s in front of others :)
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
27th January 2011, 13:06
Thanks Keith for your work. I have some questions,
1. Will we have live timing chat as we had in practice, quali & raceday.
2.Will formula1.com have live timing?
3. I don’t have a credit card so is there any way I can donate some money through “Western Union Money Transfer” or something.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
27th January 2011, 13:21
I think you can use PayPal?
BBQ2
27th January 2011, 13:45
To answer your questions: 1) The official website does not stream TESTING, therefore no live streams from that side.
2) you can use a creditcard Visa/Master cards are acceptable.
wasiF1
27th January 2011, 15:36
@ BBQ2
I am afraid to day that I don’t have creditcard Visa/Master cards.
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
27th January 2011, 16:11
It will be say not day as I wrote.
Mike-e
28th January 2011, 4:42
if you can use paypal you can pay through that with a debit card without having to properly set up an account…. you make a username and password and then just pay with your debit card.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
27th January 2011, 13:20
Looking forward to it Keith! I bet you are too :) I was going to be making another contribution some time soon anyway but now sounds like an apt time. I’ll sort it out tonight when i’m at home.
Younger Hamilton
27th January 2011, 14:26
A lot of travelling to do then Keith,Cant wait for the launches for the new cars and for Testing to begin.Thanks!!!
matty55 (@matty55)
27th January 2011, 14:36
cant wait!!
McGregski (@mcgregski)
27th January 2011, 15:04
I hope this season is as good if not better than last! soooo excited :D
C’mon McLaren!!!!!!!
David B (@david-b)
27th January 2011, 15:50
If it was in Mugello I would have hosted you.
Can send beverages and some nice Tuscan wine…:-)
J-Canada
27th January 2011, 16:02
Right on! I’ve been going into F1 withdrawl over the last month. Cant wait to see the new cars!
Enjoy Spain and the tests Keith!
Hare
27th January 2011, 17:53
I would love to make a donation, I live my f1 life vicariously through you Keith, and I’m sure many of us do! Sounds like this years going to be amazing ;)
George (@george)
27th January 2011, 18:15
Hope the weather’s a bit nicer over there Keith. Take care :)
silencer
27th January 2011, 18:36
ferrari F150 Launch live streaming
http://www.ferrarif150.com/
verstappen
27th January 2011, 18:52
Although I’m an irregular commenter, sometimes making inappropriate jokes, or too lazy to really think my point through and explain it properly, always late – when there’s already 3plus pages of comments, I also come around and have my little say… ;-)
…in spite of my faults I am a daily visitor of this site and I really admire your work, your dedication, your original points of view and the fact that you’re living your dream!
Keep up the good work mr Collantine!
robk23 (@robk23)
27th January 2011, 19:02
Unfortunately I can’t donate as I don’t have a credit or debit car (I don’t really need one) but I’m looking forward to reading your testing reports!
Mark Litwintschik
27th January 2011, 19:10
Hey Keith,
Do you have the schedule for testing in Barcelona? I’ve booked a flight to come down for the weekend but I’d be keen to know when they’ll be running.
Great site, keep it up mate!
US_Peter (@us_peter)
27th January 2011, 21:09
“The times for the four days are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.”
http://www.circuitcat.com/RACES/Formula-One-Test-Days/–INFORMATION/_C-m36i6nCePdmfWeeucyqZgSxKyX1s0YTv-3DaeCXB-6jDyBnd16SGlslAuCkEqytK51-Jvm4v_65nv16aAaUhsW4Tx0FKHavauZ33ne8Y09wPqzWFkdZWNFsjwDoAW_p1zEljOVZRoXYvqLL16PmbEAsFVbkvhK
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
27th January 2011, 21:16
That’s right. There usually isn’t a lunch break.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
27th January 2011, 22:12
I’m not sure I’ll be following testing this year. I was actually quite opposed to it last year, with a lot of people suggesting that it should be televised. Some even suggested it should be worth championship points. The problem is that testing doesn’t really mean anything. We saw some blindingly-quick times from Sauber in particular last year, but when it came down to racing, they were horrendous.
I for one would not complain if tests were made closed to the public and testing itself remained Secret Teams’ Business as it once was. I think it would actually make for a better season if we went into the first Grand Prix completely blind. We’d have no preconceptions about the season, and we’d be spared the endless insubstantial speculation about who would be where. I know the party line of late is “improving the show”, but giving access to testing does not improve anything. People seem to think testing is or will be exciting. It’s not. All you’re doing is watching the cars go around with no idea of what they’re actually doing, because there’s no way the teams will release data about their programs.
sward28 (@)
28th January 2011, 8:40
So what, Sauber set a few quick times big deal, it’s testing as you said, take it with a grain of salt. They did set some good times but in all honesty did you really expect de la Rosa at the front of the field all year?. If you are a true f1 fan you would follow testing anyways because it’s something to follow. I personally think it’s one of the most exciting times of the year. So much anticipation!
Merk
3rd February 2011, 16:32
I completely agree with both of you…
I’d rather not watch testing to start the season blind, but as an f1fanatic I just can’t ignore the fact that the cars are currently being run.
John H
28th January 2011, 9:01
Keith, Great work on the site and good luck with you travelling!
Me and some friends will be at the circuit de Catalunya for Friday and Saturday. If I see you I will buy you a beer!
It´s our first time to testing there, can you give us any tips on where to sit etc?
Spencer
30th January 2011, 17:24
I’m off to Valencia tomorrow ready for the start of testing on Tuesday morning. I went last year too and its definitely not boring if you are a fan. Its true that you have no idea what the teams are unto in terms of their programs however, it was obvious last year which drivers were at one with their cars and who was running light / heavy. I sat on turn two at Valencia for a whole day last year which is the start of quite a tricky set of corners. The difference between teams in breaking point was very clear and last year the Ferrari looked in a different class to anything else on track. Unfortunately Red Bull were not at the first test. Cant wait to see them there this year.
If anyone else is going it would be great to say hi. Drop a note on here if you fancy a beer or I’ll be tweeting from @AlamarMarine
See you there
Chicogabb
30th January 2011, 18:50
All very exciting!!! A bunch of us are off to Jerez in 10 days to check out this years wares. Am I right in saying this may be the last year for V8?
james
3rd February 2011, 10:00
Wow! Just noticed that Massa’s hairline has receded so dramatically.