The 2012 Formula 1 season debut is getting closer and closer, and with pre-season testing underway in Jerez, Spain; A few of the established Formula 1 teams namely Ferrari, McLaren and Sahara Force India have revealed their weapon of choice for the 2012 championship. Ferrari unveiled its 2012 challenger, ‘F2012’ on Friday morning on its official website as the launch had to be cancelled because of heavy snow at Maranello. The new car’s most talked about feature is the controversially designed front wing, designed to be neared to the ground. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari’s leading driver, has high hopes with the F2012. After a disappointing 2011 season which saw Ferrari on the top step of the podium only once, Alonso hoped this new car would be more competitive.
McLaren, on the other hand, had a pretty good run last season. The team unveiled their new car, dubbed the ‘MP4-27’ at surrey, McLaren’s home base. The car doesn’t feature the Ferrari-like hammerhead-style nose (new rules in the design require lower nose height). At the back, it is noticeably tightly packed in, very much similar to the Red Bull’s car of previous seasons. The boys at McLaren; Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button hope the new MP4-27 will lead them for the ultimate drivers’ title. Indian billionaire
Vijay Mallya owned Sahara Force India took covers off its 2012 title contender, the ‘VJM05’ on Friday morning itself, roughly the same time while Ferrari unveiled its new car. The car is powered by a Mercedes-sourced engine and has been given a similar nose treatment as the Ferrari. It also features altered sidepods in keeping with the new exhaust rules. The big change here is the drivers’ lineup; Adrian Sutil has been replaced by Nico Hulkenberg while Paul di Resta will continue to drive for the 2012 season. Hopefully, the new ‘VJM05’ will give the Silverstone-based team a much needed boost and earn them a spot in top-5 teams in the constructors' championship this year.
 |