Formula 1: HRT Unveils Racer

Better late than never. They might not have made it for the initial rounds of testing but at least they’re one step closer to actually competing.

This here’s the Hispania Racing F1 Team (HRT) Formula 1 car. Nothing special about the car, really. And the grey paint job is as dull as heck. The car’s designed by Italian firm Dallara. HRT, however, hopes that the car would earn them respectable finishes this year.

If you’re wondering why HRT is competing even if they weren’t awarded a slot last year, it’s because it’s technically a name change. Campos Grand Prix had a lot of financial trouble and decided to sell the team to the Spaniards.

Piloting the car is Indian driver Karun Chandhok and Brazilian Bruno Senna (Ayrton Sena’s nephew). The car will be ready for the new round of tests in Bahrain.

Source: Autocar

Formula 1: Lotus F1 Racer Unveiled

The Lotus comeback is nearing its completion. All it has to do is to make it to the starting grid and across the starting line.

Just less than half a year since Lotus was awarded its position, Lotus F1 is now ready to race. The car sports the famed green and yellow livery – a proud reference to the years of Lotus racing.

Team principal Tony Fernandes and technical director Mike Gascoyne are both hopeful that the team will be a great revival of the Lotus tradition.

Piloting the Lotus car are experienced drivers Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen.

The car was unveiled at the Royal Horticultural Hall in front of 400 people.

Source: Autocar

Formula 1: Red Bull RB6 Unveiled

Any time soon, we’ll be seeing each and every last one of the steeds for the upcoming 2010 season.

Red Bull has just unveiled the RB6 – their racer for 2010. Red Bull was pretty darn amazing last season. If Brawn GP didn’t have the lucky breaks, Red Bull would’ve had it all.

As such, the RB6 draws from the many strengths of the RB5 something that even rival cars are picking up as well – especially the V-nose front end.

This, year, the V-nose is more extreme and integrates high side pods and a “shark fin” engine cover.

Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel return to pilot the car this season.

Source: Autocar

Formula 1: Force India VJM03

Here’s another one Formula One racer that we’ll be seeing in the upcoming 2010 season – the Force India VJM03.

Force India had something to smile about last season after getting its first podium finish, fastest lap and a pole position. Team boss Vijay Mallya (that’s where you get the VJM) is quite optimistic with his team’s chances this year.

Vitantonio Liuzzi and Adrian Sutil are designated to pilot for Force India next season. Paul di Resta will serve as test driver.

“It’s the first time we have been completely on schedule so I feel this will be the first season when I can show from the beginning to the end what is possible on the car and what I can do. I’d like to be in the midfield and be competitive from Bahrain,” said Mallya.

Source: Autocar

Formula 1: Virgin Racing VR-01

Virgin Racing will soon have their cherry popped soon and they’ll be doing it with the VR-01. (Unclassy? Deal with it.)

Virgin Racing entered F1 as Manor Grand Prix. It’s the first of the four new teams to unveil their racer. What’s interesting with this car is that it’s design using computational fluid dynamics rather than with a more traditional wind tunnel. Let’s see if pure math can trump the good ol’ wind tunnel.

The car will be powered by a 2.4L V8 Cosworth engine.

Virgin Racing might be first timers in F1 but the team behind it is composed not of racing rookies. Manor Motorsport has been participating in Formula Three races and helped launch the careers of Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton.

The car will be piloted by Timo Glock and Lucas di Grassi.

Formula 1: Massa Tops Testing

Felipe Massa sure has shown that he can bounce back after his fateful crash last season.

Formula One testing is under way in Velencia and Days 1 and 2 saw Felipe Massa top the lap time board. There seems to be no stopping the Brazilian in the Ferrari.

The other comeback kid, Mercedes GP’s Michael Schumacher finished with the third fastest time in Day 1 just right behind BMW Sauber’s Pedro de la Rosa.

Day 2 saw BMW Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi clock the second fastest time of the day behind Massa and ahead of 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton in his McLaren.

It’s interesting to see BMW Sauber clinching the number 2 spots behind Massa which shows that they have quite the car in which to compete this season. Ferrari looks to have a good car.

It’d be interesting to see how Schumacher and Alonso renew their rivalry.