This post will only have just pictures with launch videos today, as I don’t have too much time. Plus there are giga-quads of Formula 1 videos to go through that I’m still trying to find some cool stuff for this blog. 
Check out the launch videos for the CT03 and the MR02 after the jump.
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Even though Caterham F1 have not scored a point yet in their three years in Formula 1, they are one of my favorite teams because how they provide these social media nuggets to their fans.
One of the benefits to us fans is, because Caterham is running at the back of the field, they aren’t as concerned that rival teams will be trying to steal their technical ideas so they can share these things with us.
This one is a great technical video, which explains how a Formula 1 suspension system basically works. Take a look at the Caterham F1 Youtube Playlist when you get a chance. It’s filled with awesome videos like this.
I love rear three-quarters shots of cars. Doesn’t matter what it is.
Now having had a few weeks to get used to the ‘crooked duckbills’ of current 2012 cars, I’m starting be able to look past the aesthetic and get pumped for the season again.
Followers know what a massive fan I am of Lotus Racing/Team Lotus/Caterham, and my hopes that the team make a massive step into the mid-field in 2012. With the recent news that Vitaly Petrov is replacing Italian wine-lover Jarno Trulli, I’m expecting to see a seriously spirited fight to the teams ahead.
Something about the underdog that really gets me excited to see some racing…
So Caterham F1 (formerly Team Lotus) decided to release images of their 2012 F1 contender in the pages of F1 Magazine, tomorrow morning. (Which is also my birthday, btw)
However some subscribers received their editions a day early, so Caterham decided to leak a photo to the public early as well. Initial attention is drawn to that odd hump on the front nose, which I’ve been told is one of the results of the new 2012 aero regulations around the height of the nose relative to the ground.
I’m excited to see actual images of this car on track during winter testing. I’ll leave my opinions on the design until then.
What do you think?
Team Lotus is one of my favorite teams in Formula 1 at the moment. In 2010, they entered into Formula 1 as a newcomer. Now in 2011, they have taken some of the fight to the slower of the midfield teams from time to time.
This year, Team Lotus has also achieved another unique feat as they have been labeled as a ‘Column One’ team. In order to be labeled as Column One, a team has to score at least tenth place in the constructor standings two years in a row. Team Lotus, soon to be Caterham F1, now will receive a larger share of the commercial earnings under the Concorde Agreement.
It’s a significant achievement for sure. Next year, they will have KERS and revised aerodynamics and the expectation is that next year the team WILL be fighting for points.
Has anyone seen the series ‘Ex-Driver?’ It’s an automotive anime from a few years back. The setting is based in the future, where the traffic system has been automated by artificial intelligence. (Wait, it does get interesting, I promise!)
People have been removed from the equation as the cars drive themselves. As the traffic system is regulated, occasionally the AI systems regulating the cars would fall off the grid, which will cause the cars go out of control.
Basically, the main characters of the series actually drive their own gasoline powered cars around and attempt to stop the AI cars from going out of control. The characters drive mostly European cars, such as the Caterham 7, Lancia Stratos and Lotus Europa, and it’s the classic ‘kid driver saving the city from danger’ story.
The music is corny, the dialogue is a bit stiff, but the main character drives a Caterham, so I can’t not love this series. It’s only 6 episodes, so jump on Youtube and give it a watch.
Team Lotus has got to be one of my favorite teams in Formula One at the moment. Mostly because the team just screams the word ‘underdog’, from every pore. Tony Fernandes and his team at Team Lotus have gone above and beyond in their attempt to establish a presence as a solid Formula 1 Team.
Now they have done one more and entered into the road car realm. Yesterday, it was announced that Team Lotus F1 had purchased Caterham cars. The goal is to bring F1 technology to the road through developing new ideas which will reflect in the new models of Caterham. (Pictures after the jump)
I’ve been giving some thought on what one of my next cars should be, after I move on from the Miata. Of course, after a while of thinking about sensible options (see: 30 seconds), my imagination started to take off. The nice thing about in your imagination, money is no object.
However, I haven’t gone off the deep end. At least not completely. One of the cars that I put on my list was the Caterham Super 7. At a glance, it seems perfect. Lightweight, good power to weight ratio and rear wheel drive. All wins.
