official F1 World Championship 2011 Thread

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

[TheLegendOfMart]

<3

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

McLaren: New car secrets still hidden

McLaren says the biggest secrets of its new MP4-26 have remained hidden for now - after it went to extreme lengths not to give away too much about its 2011 challenger at its launch on Friday.

The team opted for a unique unveiling of its new car, which was assembled in front of the public in Berlin after being wheeled across Potsdamer Platz.

However, to ensure that it did not reveal the internal designs of the car, McLaren fitted the car with fake internals, including a plastic engine and exhaust, so that there was no chance of anyone catching a glimpse of secret innovations.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said that the car would be developed aggressively before the start of the season - and confirmed that the team gave little away about its design in Berlin, beyond its U-shaped sidepods.

"Be warned, you haven't seen it all," he said during a media conference. "I think there are some really interesting bits on the car that you can see. But there are some bits we have hidden from you and our competition.

"F1 is about continuous development, and we will start testing next week. By that stage the car will have moved on subtly. There are some fantastic innovations. It never ceases to amaze me that even though the regulations are much more constrictive, especially around the diffuser area, it just drives creativity.

"For me, one of the thrilling parts of my job is to look at what much cleverer people than me are doing. They have some great ideas, it's interesting, it's challenging, and there is some risk. But we're in a business where if you're not innovative, you're not competitive.

"Naturally, we have not shown you and our competitors our full hand today. Still, I think there are enough interesting things to see. I think it's a beautifully packaged car. I'm brimming with excitement, I think it's a fantastic car."

Source: Autosport

[Fubar]

that picture makes me think of a moose lol lets hope it doesn't go like one

[Subject Delta]

Nice looking car, that sidepod design sure is strange though, will be interesting to see how it goes

[MightyJordan]

Robert Kubica involved in serious crash

Renault F1 driver Robert Kubica has suffered 'several fractures' after crashing during a rally race in Italy, according to reports.

The Pole, who recently topped the testing timesheets in Valencia, was driving a Skoda Fabia in the Super2000 category of the Rally Ronde di Andora when his car overturned violently off the road.

Kubica?s co-driver Jakub Gerber posted "I?m OK" on his Facebook page after the accident but Kubica was taken to hospital by helicopter.

According to the Savona News, Kubica was conscious after the accident but was rushed to hospital with what they called 'several fractures.'

Some reports in Poland suggest he has fractured his wrist in a couple of places.

Race organisers are to hold a press conference revealing more details soon.

More to follow

:no: I really hope he's ok.

[Dark_ph0enix]

Robert Kubica involved in serious crash

:no: I really hope he's ok.

Same here.

[Dark_ph0enix]

Formula 1 star Robert Kubica has suffered fractures to his left arm and left leg after a high-speed rally crash in Italy, BBC Sport understands.

The 26-year-old Pole crashed into a church wall and was air-lifted to a hospital near Genoa.

His British-based Renault team said the driver was conscious with a statement due later after further medical checks.

It looks unlikely he will be ready for the new Formula 1 season, which starts on 13 March in Bahrain.

Kubica's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening, but following surgery in 2003 after a serious road accident as a passenger that left him with titanium bolts in his arm, there will be doubts about his ability to continue in the sport.

A Renault statement read: "Robert Kubica suffered an accident at high speed this morning while competing in the Ronde di Andora Rally.

"The driver was airlifted to Pietra Ligure Hospital where he is currently undergoing medical checks. His co-driver [Jakub Gerber] is fine."

They added that another statement would be issued as soon as more information was known about their driver's condition.

Reports suggested that Kubica was 4.6km from the start of the Ronde di Andora rally when the crash occurred on Sunday.

[Source]

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

There will be a statement regarding Mr. Kubica's condition at 14:00 CET/13:00 GMT.

Picture of his car after the accident:

[Dark_ph0enix]

@The above - Blimey, looks nasty.

[Billus]

I feel sorry for Robert Kubica and I sincerely hope he gets better. On the other hand, if he is unable to start the season, hopefully Kimi Raikkonen will fill his seat. One of the more "outlandish" (if you will), drivers in F1. Usually tries different racing lines and different race tactics which makes him both a great driver and entertaining to watch. Still one of my favs.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

I feel sorry for Robert Kubica and I sincerely hope he gets better. On the other hand, if he is unable to start the season, hopefully Kimi Raikkonen will fill his seat. One of the more "outlandish" (if you will), drivers in F1. Usually tries different racing lines and different race tactics which makes him both a great driver and entertaining to watch. Still one of my favs.

Unlikely to happen.

Should Kubica not be fit for the start of the 2011 season, his Renault team has no shortage of reserve drivers.

However, team principal Eric Boullier made it clear last week that Bruno Senna would be his number one choice to slot into a race seat - because he is the one with the most contemporary F1 experience.

"I will give it to the one who is ready," Boullier said when asked which of his reserves was most likely to be used first. "Bruno is the most ready driver."

Source: Autosport

[Dark_ph0enix]

I wonder what they'll do - have Petrov as the 'primary' driver, and then put in Senna or Grosjean as the number two? Hardly gonna set the grid on fire is it? I think they're gonna have to go outside the team, especially if Kubica is gonna be out for a while.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

I wonder what they'll do - have Petrov as the 'primary' driver, and then put in Senna or Grosjean as the number two? Hardly gonna set the grid on fire is it? I think they're gonna have to go outside the team, especially if Kubica is gonna be out for a while.

We'll have to wait and see.

In the meantime the press briefing has been delayed to 16:00 CET/15:00 GMT. Not a good sign...

[what]

Raikkonen has his own WRC team this year. He won't be in F1.

I'm surprised at Kubica participating in rallies while working in F1. Part of the drivers contracts is about them keeping themselves healthy and not doing anything dangerous outside of their job (hence the controversy around Mark Webber damaging his shoulder late last season). I expect while the Renault bosses hope he's okay, they'll be a bit ****ed he was ever participating in other dangerous motorsport so close to the start of the new season.

[Billus]

I wonder what they'll do - have Petrov as the 'primary' driver, and then put in Senna or Grosjean as the number two? Hardly gonna set the grid on fire is it? I think they're gonna have to go outside the team, especially if Kubica is gonna be out for a while.

My thoughts exactly. They believe that they have a tip-top car and a chance of getting inside the top 3. There is no way they'd put a reserve driver in it although it does look kinda stupid when you have 5 already lining up.

[Buio]

I'm surprised at Kubica participating in rallies while working in F1. Part of the drivers contracts is about them keeping themselves healthy and not doing anything dangerous outside of their job (hence the controversy around Mark Webber damaging his shoulder late last season). I expect while the Renault bosses hope he's okay, they'll be a bit ****ed he was ever participating in other dangerous motorsport so close to the start of the new season.

Why RBR were angry with Mark Webber is because he did it twice and didn't tell the team last time. It was well known that Kubica would race, so if the team had any objections they should have told him before he raced. A lot of drivers do race other things than F1, several compete in Race of Champions, and there has been some incidents there (like with Kovalainen).

[Buio]

We'll have to wait and see.

In the meantime the press briefing has been delayed to 16:00 CET/15:00 GMT. Not a good sign...

I'm waiting for that info, there is apparently right now a press conference at the hospital with the manager speaking.

From a video of the car, it seems the injuries have come from the guard rail penetrating the engine and driver area. There was a big hole straight trough the front of the car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78smQo6ZRk8

Really sad, Robert is one of my favorite drivers. :(

[Dark_ph0enix]

Some good news from his manager - the initial concern, that he might have to have a hand amputated, has passed. He's expected to remain in surgery, for around another 90 mins / 2 hours.

[Dark_ph0enix]

Looks like Kubica could be out for 'upto six months'. Based on info from his manager / Lotus Renault, and others, it looks like they've successfully saved his hand, which obviously is a good sign. However, they're still re-building the tendons and whatnot, and according to James Allen (so take it with a pinch of salt), if they restore the tendons and nerves to the extend where he's abile to carry on, it could still take six months of rehab before he can race again.

[MightyJordan]

I'm feeling really ambivalent about this. :(

I like Robert Kubica; I think he's a great driver with a bright future in F1, and it's such a shame that this has happened, as now, it looks like he may miss most of the 2011 season. :( On the other hand, if it means that Bruno Senna takes his place, it could be a blessing in disguise, as it would mean Senna would finally be able to prove himself in F1 with a car that actually has a chance of winning the championship, compared to last season at HRT, where he had almost no chance to show off his talents.

[Buio]

Latest report on Autosport

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89315

They say that it will probably be about 1 year of recovery, and the injuries where severe (somewhat described in the report).

I also saw a picture on Autosport forums from just after the crash, and I say he is lucky to be alive. The pic isn't gruesome but you understand the danger involved in the crash from it.

http://i.imgur.com/ughjj.jpg

[vanx]

What seems to have gone unmentioned in this thread so far is that this season will be the first one to be broadcast in HD. If FIA can get the on-screen graphics right, this season would be great to watch even before those 5 lights go out.

[san.W10]

Kubica's condition is 'stable but serious'

Robert Kubica was put into an induced coma last night in a bid to help his recovery from the serious injuries he suffered in a rally crash on Sunday.

The Renault driver was left with multiple fractures to his right arm and leg, plus severe cuts to his forearm, after crashing out of the Ronde di Andora rally. It is understood the injuries were caused by a length of crash barrier penetrating the cockpit of his Skoda Fabia and striking him.

Kubica underwent a seven-hour operation throughout Sunday afternoon at the Santa Corona Hospital in Pietra Ligure to try and save the use of his right hand - and he is said to be in a 'stable but serious' condition.

Doctors also put him into an induced coma, but he could be woken up from it sometime on Monday morning depending on his progress through the night.

Renault team-mate Vitaly Petrov and his boss Eric Boullier are scheduled to visit the hospital today to get an update on Kubica's conditions.

"The news of Robert's accident came as a real shock to the whole team," said Boullier. "All of us, at Lotus Renault GP, wish him a quick recovery.

"We have been really impressed with the way the doctors looked after him and we would like to thank the whole team of the Santa Corona Hospital for their professional approach and dedication.

"I will be travelling to Italy, along with Vitaly Petrov, in order to see Robert and tell him that we are impatiently waiting for his return."

Professor Mario Igor Rossello, the hand specialist who worked on Kubica, said he was encouraged by how the operation had gone but admitted it was too early to say how well the driver would recover.

"It has been a very important and difficult operation," he said. "Robert Kubica's right forearm was cut in two places, with significant lesions to the bones and the tendons. We did our best to rebuild the functions of the forearm.

"It took seven doctors, split into two teams and a total of seven hours to complete the operation. One team was the emergency task force from the hospital of San Paolo (Savona) that is normally appointed to treat this sort of injury, while the other team came from the orthopaedic department of the Santa Corona Hospital (Pietra Ligure).

"At the end of the operation, Robert's hand was well vascularised and warm, which is encouraging. Following the surgery, Robert Kubica will remain under permanent monitoring overnight because his condition remains serious."

Renault has said that a further statement will be made on Monday morning by Professor Rossello and Kubica's manager Daniel Morelli.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89316

i hope he comes back soon.

[KiHu]

to quote what I wrote on the Team Lotus discussion on their facebook page.

"Kubica is an amazing driver, it is really terrible this whole accident, been a fan of Kubica since he got into F1. Remember the crash at Montreal 2007, surprised he came out of that one alive..Get back Robert. we miss you!"

But still..doubt we will see him back this year unless we get somekind of miracle. Doubt that Senna will be able to fill his spot that good..But ah well.

Get well Kubica :(