Testing Wrap: Red Bull, McLaren, Lotus, Mercedes Look to Produce Compelling 2012

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: March 5, 2012

commentComment        

It seems as if it was only yesterday that Mark Webber dashed across the line to record his solitary victory of 2011 at the back of November. Yet after reviews, previews, Christmas, New Year and three preseason tests later, we are now just over a week from the start of what promises to be an utterly thrilling 2012 Formula One season.

The clever bet for 2012 would be Red Bull and their wunderkid, Sebastian Vettel, after a dominant 2011. Yet with the concept on which their dominance was built having been outlawed for this season, designers were forced to produce something else to topple the reigning champions.

Off-throttle diffuser blowing (pumping exhaust gas over the diffuser to produce extra downforce) has now been banned, which has resulted in slower testing times and more unpredictable handling. Combined with the higher degrading Pirelli tyres, which were introduced last year, this should theoretically produce more combative racing. 

Testing is notoriously difficult to read into, with teams attempting different setups, with differing fuel loads and various tyre compounds. However, eagle-eyed observers trackside have concluded who is likely to be heading the field and who is not over the course of the three preseason tests. 

With such a fundamental rule change for 2012, a shake-up of the order would not be surprising, but according to well-informed paddock sources, Red Bull and McLaren have both looked ominously fast.

Both are reported to handle excellently in all conditions. McLaren especially have seemingly rid their car of the downforce weaknesses of 2011, with Lewis Hamilton reporting that the car feels very stable through the long corners of the Circuit de Catalunya. 

However, the dark horse this year could turn out to be Lotus. With returning Kimi Raikkonen and GP2 champion Romain Grosjean at the wheel, the E20 has proven to be at the top of the time sheets in every condition. Article Source: Bleacher Report - Formula 1

Latest News


Comments

Comments are closed.

Sponsors

Bruins Tickets The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Red Wings Tickets The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League.

Penguins Tickets The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New York Rangers Tickets play their home games at Madison Square Garden, they are one of the oldest teams in the NHL, having joined in 1926 as an expansion franchise, and are part of the group of teams referred to as the Original Six.

San Jose Sharks Tickets The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States.

Toronto Maple Leafs Tickets The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New Jersey Devils Tickets The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Washington Capitals Tickets The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C.

Buffalo Sabres Tickets The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League. Get the Sabres and all of your NHL Tickets here.

NASCAR season is on of the most attended sports in the world. NASCAR Tickets to the best tracks is a must every year. Some of these tracks are: Talladega Tickets, Lowes Motor Speedway Tickets, Pocono Raceway Tickets, located in Ridgeway Virginia you have Martinsville Speedway Tickets and southern US you have two of the most popular Atlanta Motor Speedway Tickets and Texas Motor Speedway Tickets. Don't miss all the racing events this year!

Boston Red Sox Tickets The Boston Red Sox are a member of the Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Since 1912, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park. This is one of the hottest MLB Tickets sales of any team in the major league.

New York Yankees Tickets The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of Major League Baseball's American League East Division. Get tickets to one of the hottest games of the season Yankees Red Sox Tickets.

Chicago Cubs Tickets The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League.

Phillies Tickets The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883.

Orioles Tickets The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Do you love wrestling? Get your WWE Tickets and WWE Survivor Series Tickets today!