2011 Indian GP

India is set to host its first F1 Grand Prix in 2011 – and here’s the first glimpse of the track where the race will take place.

The circuit in the Jaypee Greens Sports City bears the usual hallmarks of a Hermann Tilke-designed track. But from this first impression it seems to have some of the open, flowing corners that many modern tracks often lack.

It looks like a circuit in two halves, with several slow corners before and after the main start/finish straight. These are surely intended to increase opportunities for overtaking, something F1 car designers have been demanding recently.

But the other half of the track includes several longer-radius corners and some quick-looking bends. It’s impossible to get any sense of gradient from this flat map, however.

It is an unusually short track – slightly under 5km (3.1 miles). That would make it shorter than any track on this year’s calendar bar the Circuit de Catalunya, Hungaroring, Interlagos and Monte-Carlo.

The circuit is being built by JP Associates which is part of a large industrial conglomerate called the Jaypee Group. The circuit is being built alongside the Yamuna Expressway, a new road being built to connect India’s capital New Delhi with the country’s biggest tourist destination, the Taj Mahal, in the city of Agra.

The road to the Indian Grand Prix has not been completely smooth. The race was originally slated for the 2010 F1 calendar but Bernie Ecclestone confirmed it had been moved back to 2011.

In August this year the government’s sports minister Manohar Singh Gill refused to support race promoter JPSK’s request for money to hold the race, claiming F1 is not a sport. Ecclestone dismissed the minister’s comments saying: “That’s his view. The rest of the world thinks it is a sport.”

What do you think of the 2011 Indian Grand Prix track?

F1 engine 2009 performance analysis

Throughout 2009 season one kept hearing stories how good Mercedes engine were as compared to the rest.All 3 Mercedes powered cars showed excellent straight line speed. The most interesting race to me was the Belgium GP where Force India powered by Mercedes engine gave the Ferraris their run for their money and showed very good straight line speed. Even KERS, Fisichella matched the pace of Kimi for his chase to podium finish.On the other hand, Renault who lacked the performance , were allowed to improve their engines on a special request during the start of the season.

Most teams reached the conclusion, based on acoustic analysis and GPS that the spread of engine power from the best to the worst was less than 2.5% which means if Mercedes is belived to have 80hp, the least powerful engine was 18hp down which is worth just around 3/10ths of a second per lap.

The BMW and the Mercedes topped the performance chart with Ferrari just behind followed by Renault and Toyota. On this basis given how close lap times were between teams this year, the Toyotas and the Williams chassis must have been pretty good to loosing 3/ths of a per lap through engine performance alone. Both teams did have double diffuser at the start of the season.

Responding to the rumours in the paddock about the Mercedes engine, the FIA took a Mercedes engine apart and tested it after Monza GP giving it a clean bill of health.

The Renault, though it lacked power, won out this year on fuel efficiency which will be much more important for 2010 season with no re-fuelling. Compared to the Mercedes, the Renault would go 4 laps longer on a full tank of fuel which will be worth 3/10ths of a second per lap next year. As we saw on several occasions, the Ferrari was less fuel efficient as compared to Mercedes this year.

For 2010 season, Cosworth who will make a comeback to F1 after 4 seasons, believed to be quoting a figure of 770hp which is up on Mercedes but fuel efficiency is still and issue and the unit is well short of reliability testing of its peers.
Mercedes was given clearance by the FIA to supply a fourth team next year, but is not able to do so, due to the terms of its agreement with McLaren. Mercedes now owns the Brawn team, while McLaren has a technology partnership with Force India. So it is not in McLaren’s interests to add another competitor.

Red Bull is in limbo at the moment, waiting to see whether Renault, on whose engine its 2010 car is designed, will continue in F1. A decision is expected at the end of the year.

KERS boosted cars finally come to the party

A quick look at the result sheets from Hugarian GP with Hamilton winning the race and Kimi finishing second. Finally we see cars with KERS win the race and dominate the race. Tha aussie Mark Webber finished third(without KERS). One can never rule out the big guns like Ferrari and Maclaren who have struggled the entire season to match the pace of Brawns and Red Bulls but they finally came to the party with Maclaren's Lewis Hamilton winning the race.

Sadly the spectre of the bad old days were revived by the freak accident to Felipa Masa in qualifying when a spring which had fallen from the back of Rubens Barrichello's car struck him on the helmet at 162 mph, dazing him and causing him to lose control of his car and crash into the tyre barriers at high speed. The accident has raised questions over his future in F1. Massa's head injuries though grave, could have been so much worse. It is thanks to current Formula One safety technology, including the modern carbon-fibre helmet construction.

The question is in absence of Masa who will be the team's number 2 driver. Some say Schumacher may fill up the seat. Of course we all would love to see Shcumi back in action but whether he will race againor not is a million dollar question.
Having said that I am sure we all would like to see Masa back in action and wish him a speedy recovery

Heros and Zeros

It looks like Ferrari and not the same dominating team which we saw a year back or may be during Schumi Brawn Era. The new rules have just not worked in favour of the big guns like Ferraris and the Maclaren. Seems like while there 2 times were busy fighting for the title last year, the rest of the lot focused on developing their 2009 car. But as they say, you can never rule out the big guns, after 4 disapointing rounds, Ferrari were determined to make a come back and they showed some good performance during Friday's practice session for the Spanish GP.

It looked liked that Ferrari were back after they dominated the Friday's practice session during the Spanish GP. On saturday qualifying, it once again proved to be a disater for the Scuderia team when Kimi Riakonnen didnt manage to qualify for Q2 not because of lack of pace, but because of some poor tactical blunders which left the Finn languished in the pits instead on progressing through the qualifying. His team mate Masa, howver manageg to put up a good show by qualifying 4th.

The Ferraris certainly looked like the car to challenge the Brawns for the Spanish GP. Being the only car with KERS on the front row of the grid, Masa was certainly the man to watch out for. The 5 red light went off. Both the Ferraris made a superb start. Masa jumped from 4th to 3rd and Kimi jumped 5 places from 15th to 10th. Till lap 12 things were going pretty smooth but desaster struck on Ferrari once again. This season Ferrari had been strugling with reliability issues rather than any thing else and once again Kimi's car suffered from hyraulic failure when he retired on lap 12 of the race.

I really feel sorry for Masa. The Brazilian drove his heart out at Barcelona. He was third and could easily finished the race on the podium. He used his power boost provided by his KERS to blast ahead of the 2 Red Bulls in the opening corner of the race and could have so easily finished the race on the podium but his race was runined by a re-fuelling problem which prevented his car to get enough fuel on both his pit stops.

What must Ferrari do this season to win a race. They have had sequence of errors. Sadly I think they still have a long way to go before we consider them to be likely winners for this year. Like most people I too think its game over for the Prancing horses. The Brawsn still have an edge over the Ferraris and it looks like they will run away with the championship.

It has been suggested by experts that given the current form, Jenson Button could win his first title as early as the British or German GP. This could be almost the repeat of 2002 season when Schumi had the title sewn up with six races remaining. If you looking for an old Ferrari style Schumi/Brawn esque performance, look no further than the team headed by former Ferrerai's technical director Ross Brawn. Jenson Button has now won 4 races out of 5. Superb race speed, excellent in qualifying and amazing stratergy. Sounds a bit like Scumi/Brawn esque doesnt it?? The old Ferrari days.....

Formula 1 season 2009, Melbourne Gp here we go..

Changes in the rulebook, some surprising reversals of form and a likely battle between those who have and those who have not decided to use the sport's new secret weapon. Welcome to the start of the 2009 Formula One World Championship season.

My first ever Australian GP and the first ever twilight race which started at 5pm EST. I was there at 11am with a group of friends just to find the right place. We were lucky enough to find a place just around turn 1.
Being a die-hard Ferrari fan, I was cheering for Ferrari but I knew one team to watch out was Brawn Gp who had set the fastest lap in qualifying and also during Friday's practice session.
New rules, new team, newly designed cars, KERS, return of slick tires and much more. It was motor racing at its very best. Though I cheered for Ferrari, I still had high expectation from our very own Force India F1 team. It was difficult to sight Vijay Malia but he was kind enough to come out and wave at his Indian fans.... Go force India.....
McLaren have simply struggled to match the pace of any of their rivals in Fridays practice and saturdays qualifying session. It could be that defending champion Lewis Hamilton, may for the first time in his career be forced to start the season with an inferior car to his rivals. It was a true test of his mettle starting from the last place on the grid.

The 5 red light went off and the Melbourne F1 2009 season was on. Brawn Gp stunned the world by winning in their first ever formula 1 GP It was a relatively easy day for Button, a walk in Albert Park you could say, as he led from start to finish for only the second win of his 154-race career. His partner Ruben Barichello managed to secure 2nd place after a bit of dramas.. It was For the first time since 1954 when the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio led home Karl Kling for Mercedes in the French Grand Prix, a debut team captured the top two places in a race.

Mix feelings for me at the end of the race. A bit disappointed as non of the Ferrari could even finish the race but a true delight to watch the top drivers and the teams and see Force India cars finish the race in top 10 . Stunned by Ross Brawn Gp whodominated the race by nearly a second a lap faster than the rest.

Ross Brawn was the man who gave shcumi the Benetton car in 94-95 season to win double world champion ship and continued his journey with Ferrari to crown him to more world titles with Ferrari at the time when Ferrari were struggling..

Can he do it again.. Can he give Barechello and Button their first ever world title... Will the Ferraris and Maclarens fight back....Guess which team I'll be backing for another win in Sepang next week? You got it!
Cheers....

Formula 1 racing is a number game

From budget spent, to speed reached, from kms raced and from points scored, Formula 1 racing is a number game.
An average F1 team dispatches 32 tonnes of air freight to flyaway races. A team consumes around 100kgs of fruit per GP weekend.
Each race weekend involves around 80 workers. Apart from the team management and 3 drivers, there are 18 engineers, more than 30 mechanics, one or two logistics staff, host for sponsorship, the press department and the catering staff.

For 2009 season there are 10 teams and each team on an average employs 680 workforce so on an average there are 6800 workfoce employed for 2009 season. As per the FIA reports, no staff member has been retrenched by any team as there is acute shortage of staff in Formula 1 racing. This is pretty good considering the world economic crisis and the number of workforce retrenched by top corporates

F1 team dispatches 32 tonnes of air freight each weekend for every race. This includes 6 chassis, 6 to 8 engines, 3-5 sets of spare parts, 160 wheel rims, 100 radio sets, headphones, computers and other equipment all packed in 40 FT high cube container.

The transport fleet of each team for the European GP comprises of 8 trucks, carrying hospitality unit. The hospitality unit comprises around 30 men. The kitchen is kept busy feeding and watering team members and guest. Average consumption per GP weekend amounts to 140 kg of meat, 100 kg of fish, 100 kg of fruits, 90 kg of vegetables, 40 kgs of cheese, 1000 eggs, 1800 bread rolls plus 2500 LTRs fo water and soft drinks

Formula 1 Season 2009 changes

A number of changes to both the Sporting and Technical Regulations have been made by the FIA for the 2009 Formula One season. In the case of the Sporting Regulations, the primary aims are increased reliability and further cost reductions. In the case of the technical changes, there are three main objectives - reducing the role of aerodynamics in the cars’ performance; making overtaking easier; and keeping lap times in check.

Tyres
After 10 seasons on grooved tyres, Formula One racing returns to slicks in 2009, as part of moves to increase the emphasis on mechanical rather than aerodynamic grip. With no grooves, grip will increase by around 20 percent, bringing a significant performance gain. However, that gain will be offset by the vastly reduced downforce levels of the revised aerodynamic regulations (see below). The overall effect should be reduced performance through high-speed corners. Drivers will still have the choice of two dry tyre compounds and will still have to use both compounds during a race.

Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS)
From 2009 teams have the option of employing a KERS to boost their car’s performance. As its name implies, a KERS recovers the (normally wasted) kinetic energy generated by the car’s braking process. This energy is stored using a mechanical flywheel or an electrical battery and then made available to the driver, in set amounts per lap, via a ‘boost button’ on the steering wheel. Under the current regulations the power gain equates to around 80 horsepower, available for just under seven seconds per lap. This could be worth several tenths of a second in terms of lap time, but the weight and packaging of the system - and its impact on the car’s weight distribution - also have to be taken into account.

Engines
In a move designed to boost reliability still further, rev limits will be cut from 19,000 to 18,000 rpm. Drivers will be limited to eight engines per season, with each team allowed an additional four engines for testing. Once a driver has used up his eight-engine allocation, any engine change will incur a 10-place grid penalty (or a move to the back of the grid if made after qualifying). Just one team - Renault - has been allowed to make performance modifications to their engine for 2009 in order to help equalise power outputs.

Aerodynamics
Along with slick tyres, this is the biggest area of change for 2009. Downforce will be dramatically reduced and the cars’ bodywork will appear much cleaner, thanks to new dimensional regulations that effectively outlaw extraneous items such as barge boards, winglets, turning vanes and chimneys.

As well as reducing overall aero performance, the revisions are also designed to increase overtaking by making the car less susceptible to turbulence when closely following another driver. The most obvious changes are to the front and rear wings.

The front wing becomes lower (75mm from 150mm) and wider (up from 1400 to 1800mm - the same width as the car) with driver-adjustable flaps. Drivers will be allowed to make two wing adjustments per lap, altering the wing angle over a six-degree range.

The rear wing becomes taller (up 150mm to bring it level with the top of the engine cover) and narrower (750mm from 1000mm).

Also at the back of the car, the diffuser has been moved rearwards, its leading edge now level with (rather than ahead of) the rear-wheel axle line. In addition, the diffuser has been made longer and higher, all changes that will reduce its ability to generate downforce.

2009 Formula 1 Season changes

A number of changes to both the Sporting and Technical Regulations have been made by the FIA for the 2009 Formula One season. In the case of the Sporting Regulations, the primary aims are increased reliability and further cost reductions. In the case of the technical changes, there are three main objectives - reducing the role of aerodynamics in the cars’ performance; making overtaking easier; and keeping lap times in check.

Tyres
After 10 seasons on grooved tyres, Formula One racing returns to slicks in 2009, as part of moves to increase the emphasis on mechanical rather than aerodynamic grip. With no grooves, grip will increase by around 20 percent, bringing a significant performance gain. However, that gain will be offset by the vastly reduced downforce levels of the revised aerodynamic regulations (see below). The overall effect should be reduced performance through high-speed corners. Drivers will still have the choice of two dry tyre compounds and will still have to use both compounds during a race..



Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS)
From 2009 teams have the option of employing a KERS to boost their car’s performance. As its name implies, a KERS recovers the (normally wasted) kinetic energy generated by the car’s braking process. This energy is stored using a mechanical flywheel or an electrical battery and then made available to the driver, in set amounts per lap, via a ‘boost button’ on the steering wheel. Under the current regulations the power gain equates to around 80 horsepower, available for just under seven seconds per lap. This could be worth several tenths of a second in terms of lap time, but the weight and packaging of the system - and its impact on the car’s weight distribution - also have to be taken into account.


Engines
In a move designed to boost reliability still further, rev limits will be cut from 19,000 to 18,000 rpm. Drivers will be limited to eight engines per season, with each team allowed an additional four engines for testing. Once a driver has used up his eight-engine allocation, any engine change will incur a 10-place grid penalty (or a move to the back of the grid if made after qualifying). Just one team - Renault - has been allowed to make performance modifications to their engine for 2009 in order to help equalise power outputs.


Aerodynamics
Along with slick tyres, this is the biggest area of change for 2009. Downforce will be dramatically reduced and the cars’ bodywork will appear much cleaner, thanks to new dimensional regulations that effectively outlaw extraneous items such as barge boards, winglets, turning vanes and chimneys.

As well as reducing overall aero performance, the revisions are also designed to increase overtaking by making the car less susceptible to turbulence when closely following another driver. The most obvious changes are to the front and rear wings.

The front wing becomes lower (75mm from 150mm) and wider (up from 1400 to 1800mm - the same width as the car) with driver-adjustable flaps. Drivers will be allowed to make two wing adjustments per lap, altering the wing angle over a six-degree range.

The rear wing becomes taller (up 150mm to bring it level with the top of the engine cover) and narrower (750mm from 1000mm).

Also at the back of the car, the diffuser has been moved rearwards, its leading edge now level with (rather than ahead of) the rear-wheel axle line. In addition, the diffuser has been made longer and higher, all changes that will reduce its ability to generate downforce.

Ferrari first to debut as F60 is unveiled

Ferrari have become the first team to officially launch their 2009 car after unveiling the F60 online. It is the machine that will be driven by Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen as they defend the Italian squad's 2008 constructors' title.

In line with revisions to the Formula One regulations for 2009, the F60 features a lower, wider front wing and a taller, narrower rear wing. Its name commemorates what will be Ferrari’s 60th F1 campaign.

The F60 is the 55th single-seater produced by Ferrari to contest the world championship and it will make its track debut on Monday afternoon at the team's Mugello circuit, with Massa behind the wheel.

The new car has far fewer aerodynamic appendages on its bodywork compared to its predecessor, due to the rule changes designed to cut downforce and promote more overtaking, with the driver now able to make minor front wing adjustments from the cockpit. The F60’s suspension and layout has also been completely reconfigured as a result, in order to maintain optimum weight distribution.

The F60’s design also takes into account two other major rule changes - the return of slick tyres and the option to use a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). Ferrari’s KERS has been designed in collaboration with Magneti Marelli and is centrally mounted on the engine under the rear part of the chassis.

The car’s seven-speed transmission has been redesigned to optimise its aerodynamic efficiency, while Ferrari’s Type 056 V8 has been modified in accordance with the new ruling that requires engines to last for three Grand Prix meetings from 2009, with rev limits cut from 19,000 to 18,000 rpm

Mistubishi Lancer ------by Yasveer Patel

Introduction in 1973 TheMitsubishi Lancer is a small family car built by Mitsubishi Motors It has been known as the Colt Lancer, Dodge/Plymouth Colt, Chrysler Valiant Lancer, Chrysler Lancer, Eagle Summit, Hindustan Lancer, Soueast Lioncel, Mitsubishi Carisma, and Mitsubishi Mirage in various countries at different times, and will be sold as the Galant Fortis in its home market from 2007. It has also been sold as Lancer Fortis in Taiwan with a different facelift compared to Galant Fortis from September 15, 2007



It was only in 1991 that there was greater differentiation between the Mirage and Lancer. Although both were on the same platform, the Lancer sedan received different sheetmetal from the Mirage four-door. The Mirage variant was sold in North America under the Eagle Summit name. Minivan models, such as the Mitsubishi Space Runner and Mitsubishi Chariot, were mechanically related. In 1993, the Lancer wagon, named the Libero in Japan, was launched. An electric version was also released named the Libero EV that ran on NiCd batteries.[3] A V6 variant was also introduced with only 1.6 L, making it the smallest mass-produced V6. The high-performance, turbocharged GSR version formed the basis of the contemporary Lancer Evolution (or 'Lancer Evo') from September 1993, using the drivetrain of the successful Galant VR-4 rally car.
The Mirage Asti Coupé in Japan was offered as the Lancer Coupé in many export markets.


In Europe, the Lancer EX was offered with a turbocharged 2.0 L 4–cylinder engine known as the Lancer EX 2000 Turbo. It was the first Lancer to use the very first 4g63engine which was then used in succeeding models such as the Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 and the Lancer Evolutions I to IX. It achieved a maximum output of 168 bhp (125 kW) and manages a top speed of125 mph (201 km/h) in less than 15.5 s. A new feature on this model is that it is equipped with ECI or Advanced Electronically-Controlled Fuel Injection which gave the Lancer more power and outstanding fuel economy as it did 23.0 mpg in city driving and 28.8 to 37.2 mpg in highway driving. A rally version of the Lancer EX 2000 Turbo was made for the 1000 Lakes Rally that gave 280 PS (276 hp/206 kW
In 1988, a more aerodynamic-looking Lancer was launched, following the shape of the Galant. A five-door hatchback was added to the range. The Mirage and Lancer nomenclature continued. The station wagon continued on the old platform and shape, as did, in some markets, a five-door version of the Mirage. In Australia, all models were sold as the Mitsubishi Lancer, initially designated as the CA series and from 1990 as the CB. By that time, the Lancer name was shared with the Dodge Lancer sold in North America. The sedan was sold as the Mirage Aspire in Japan.
In some markets a 'van' model was produced, being the three-door hatchback (which had an upright profile) without rear side window (this triggered a reduced sales tax burden in the Dutch market).


The fifth generation Lancer was rebadged as the Proton Wira sedan and 5-door hatchback models in Malaysia in 1993 with 1.3, 1.5, 1.6 and 1.8 L engine capacities. A short-lived 2.0 L diesel model was also available. Currently, the car has stopped production as one of the longest running Proton models in Malaysia after Proton Saga, which is also based on a previous Lancer model. The Proton Wira was recently replaced by Proton's latest model, the Proton Persona.

In 2005, Mitsubishi revealed the Concept-X model car at the Tokyo Motor Show and its Concept-Sportback model at the Frankfurt motor show. The new Lancer is based on these two concepts. The new Lancer was officially revealed in January 2007 at the Detroit Motor Show and went on sale in North American markets on March 2007. New Lancer features Mitsubishi's next-generation RISE safety body.

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer DE Sedan Performance & Efficiency Standard Features
- 2400 cc 2.4 liters in-line 4 front engine with 86.0 mm bore, 86.0 mm stroke, Unleaded fuel 87
Multi-point injection fuel system
15.3 gallon main unleaded fuel tank 12.7
Power: 113 kW , 152 HP SAE @ 6,000 rpm; 146 ft lb , 198 Nm @ 4,250 rpm
Two disc brakes including two ventilated discs
Immobilizer
Spacesaver steel rim internal spare wheel
Strut front suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs,
Body color front and rear bumpers
Day time running lights
Driver and passenger power black door mirrors
External dimensions: overall length (inches): 180.0, overall width (inches): 69.4
Complex surface lens halogen bulb headlights
Luxury trim titanium look on doors and titanium look on dashboard
Pearl paint
Fixed rear window with defogger
Tinted glass on cabin
Weights: curb weight (lbs) 2,999
Windshield wipers with variable intermittent wipe