Maybe bcs it's useless.

A car developed without the windtunnel in the process may work just by chance.

I don't think they have shown anything too revealing, areas where the real magic happens... especially to someone already in the F1 car building biz..

It's interesting to people like us though..

i cant see anything extra special about it tbh. the american racing culture is alot different, much more willing to show off the car

Damn it, still no uniforms!!

Indeed. Where is it?

DVF i do agree too many people are calling a bird in a box a turkey without ever opening the box to check what it is first. But to balance the scales i have to say some are also going too far the other way and calling the bird in the box a goose that lays golden eggs once again without looking first.
Luckily there are more people than either on this board willing to wait and say we will see soon enough.
However when it comes to the business model i have to say that is out of the box that has been seen and is lacking
My main concern is one of time and how it is rapidly running out.
Add that to the fact of such late testing and if they find something is wrong with the car, they could well end up with 24/7 days at the shop with no realistic expectation of getting anything ready for the first race. Even worse they could work 24/7 to the first race run the first race and find they need to change even more once they have run the race.

Late testing?

When did they announce dates? Besides that, at this stage they are as late as everyone, since nobody has tested.

I think the fans and anti-fans are holding this year for USF1 to be above the expectations of the team even. I am a huge fan of Sauber, Williams, Ferrari, Jordan (just some of my favorites) when it was still around, and being a german american I will support USF1 even if they are another moving chicane for Shumacher to avoid and at the same time cause Alonso to get trapped behind at an apex.

I think they are already doing things differently, great website even though it is far from perfect, love the videos (even though they are not dated). I can't wait to see the actual skin on the car, so we can start armchair benchmarking it from the press photos.;) We will see if the CFD way of working things does any good, I guess since they have defense dept people working it, the car might be a rocket! Literally... The CFD team that they are using might be a bit beyond what the other tech in F1 is, and who knows maybe it would be a paradigm shift away from needing to run wind tunnels 24/7. I guess even today the teams use CFD and then backup the findings with the wind tunnel, but nothing compares to racing.

USF1 said early on the goal this year was to race and learn, and use it as a building year, get your feet wet type of thing. Years thereafter would be for improving and setting stricter goals, etc. With David Hobbs as the rumored #2 or is it #1 driver it should be an interesting year, I hope they leave his mic on so we can hear his commentary. /joke

Not sure if this has been posted already: http://blog.al.com/blogoftomorrow/2010/01/...erican_tea.html

Go over and ask to have a look see at the Hendrick cars, or the Penske Indycars. They are going to be as secretive as anyone in the F1 paddock.

PNSD please look back through the thread you will see your question answered.
and incase you are feeling lazy its late late Feb (around the 25th) for USF1 then straight off to the races

dont they have events during the weekend when you can get close to the cars?

Something just occurred to me. The video of the nosecone test was titled, "Two days to build....." If that's the case, then that bodes well for them does it not? That was posted january 9th, so we can assume that it was built before that, to be able to ship it and test it and whatnot. They've had two weeks since then to build noses and everything else. But if they had just been making noses - one at a time, and nothing else - that's more than seven noses just sitting there.

So, I'm not saying that proves anything, but it certainly gives me some idea of the timescale and possible amount of progress.

Presuming they have people working on everything, not just nosecones(brace for negative comments), I feel a good bit more comfortable about them making it.

I think more inferences could be made, but I'll think on it a little more.

No dates have been released by USF1. Yet again another case of reading something and taking it as the gospel. While that may be the case, it's hardly confirmed.

I have a lot of respect and appreciation for USF1 for giving us access to so much stuff, i have to say

Wouldn't it be funny if all of these shots were of a fake car, and they've got something really radical up their sleeve? Like a transverse mounted engine to balance a heavy fuel tank, or some such?

Nobody expects much of them; they could take chances that really no other team could afford to take.


/ miss the days of radical

That WOULD be funny

The car is reported to have some new and never seen before in F1 features (which obviously could be just cupholders or gun racks ). The transverse gearbox indicates an ability to think differently than what has been the norm in F1. It might work and it might not, but at least it shows that the team is serious in trying to make the best car they can. Not just buying "off the shelf" stuff from X-trac which would have been the safe option. Hope the gamble pays off...

As is already said, USF1 have not announced test dates or that they will head straight to Bahrain after the US tests.

This interview with Windsor is the closest we are to a statement from the team:



http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100108/f1/100109950

Original plan was to test in the beginning of February and then ship to Spain for more testing. This might have changed later and the reports from Argentina might be based on what Windsor or Lopez said to the media. Some of the reports seemed to talk about Lopez's tests schedule, not the teams (the team might do other tests with their other driver (if they get one) as well...).

Lopez is reported as saying that they will be ready to test around 20-25 feb http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp...55767&FS=F1 . As fas as i understand Lopez has absolutley got to do a minimum of 300km testing before he can be considered for a superlicence. So this testing is essential unless he is somehow gifted a superlicence by the FIA, which surely isn't going to happen?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekXmv1k9RdM

See, they have USF1 team shirts!!!

Surely, even the most ardent "lack of uniform" critics have now got to realize that the team is a very serious proposition

Id like to thank USF1 for making this off season interesting with insights on how they are making their car.

Compared to Mclaren releasing pictures of Calipers, and the bore of a thread about "Lewis in Croydon" populated by fanboys.

USF1

One thing though...

Those shirts have no sponsor logos on them, apart from AlpineStars who are probably supplying the shirts.

haters gonna never give up

Has Jose Maria Lopez been hired to be an interpreter? Embarassing to see he has to translate for his own boss. Can't they have a press person to whisper in Windsor's ear.

And I'm not sure Red Bull has agreed to be in this picture... (See the fridge besides Lopez)

In terms of communication, USf1 is below everything...

I just hope Lopez' career (and Bruno Senna's for that matter) will not follow Sospiri's path into oblivion for having picked the wrong team.

Heheh I directly noticed that too ;p pretty wierd ;p

Below Campos as well, who this week have said that they will not test and then that is denied by Teixeira who claims the team principal still insists the team will be present at tests?

Have you checked the teams latest videos? Have you compared their website, Facebook and Youtube channel to those of Sauber, Campos, Williams, McLaren (only 2009 site available), etc?

While I agree that the video with Windsor and Lopez wasn't professional it wasn't any different to watching German tv doing interviews and dubbing simultaneously. The video was not a USF1 production either and apparently was a exclusive with Corsa. I would rather blame Corsa if they didn't provide the necessary interpreter services etc.

So, yes some of USF1's communications have been lacking in quality, but their latest videos and the amount of insight in the manufacturing of the car we get from USF1 is far superior to what we get from other teams. So I wouldn't say that "in terms of communication" USF1 is below everything...

According to Lopez's father the Type 1 will have a blue shade, an unusual blue...

http://www.ultimavuelta.com.ar/noticias.ph...les&id=3551



So maybe "Best Buy" blue...

http://www.bestbuy.com/

On the subject of testing: http://blog.al.com/blogoftomorrow/2010/01/...erican_tea.html

It looks like Barber has not set dates in stone, or at least as of Jan 8th. But at least it is not a rumor of a rumor, it is from the track.

Fair play to USF1 for allowing the cameras in to view their stuff, much respect

In this drawing you can recognize the crash structure visible in the latest video:







http://www.racecar-engineering.com/article...-f1-type-1.html

Lopez says Jan. 20th-25th launch, and test in Alabama after that. That's pretty tight.

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-...ary-test-debut/

As I said a page back, as long as they don't fail the crash tests, they should make the grid, but it's REALLY tight.

Especially as Barber Motorsports Park is booked from the 24th until the 28th of Feb. So perhaps they will be testing in the first week of March? That would then raise the possibility of Campos saying that their test location has given them an unfair advantage if the Dallara chassis isn't ready for the Barcelona test.

In all fairness to Dallara the car is ready, just certain other things are not in place to allow the car to...ummm...be ready.

Well yes, I was just trying to avoid too many "theys and theirs" in an already mangled sentence, but point taken. Actually, that is an issue. It might be reasonable to assume that Adrian Campos would accept USF1's testing with a "Well that's racing" shrug, but I don't think Tony Teixeira would miss the opportunity for some test mileage.

An other thing. Assuming that USF1 are only doing three days testing (The only quote I can find says they are allowed three "sessions", I don't really know what that means.) that would limit their choice of second driver somewhat. It is assumed that Lopez will get his super licence on the 300km clause, but they could struggle to get two drivers 300km each in three days. I think if they get no testing at all, the FIA would call that an exceptional circumstance and allow Lopez his licence, but to gamble on getting at least one, possibly two drivers through on the "Exceptional" clause seems a hell of a risk. USF1 might need to get a "second" driver who has a Super Licence by right.

The Superlicence issue will be interesting, maybe they have got a second driver who will automatically qualify for one and they can get Lopez by on testing. Are the FIA likley to bend the rules, maybe they will decide it's imperative USF1 are able to race to ensure a full grid?

Rossiter doesnt have a super license.

Is there a list where all current Super license drivers are shown

I don't know of a list of drivers with Super Licences, but the regs are available here...http://www.fia.com/en-GB/sport/regulations...rtingCodeA.aspx It's Apendix L.

The clause I think Lopez is aiming for is:

"f) be judged by the FIA to have consistently demonstrated
outstanding ability in single-seater formula cars, but with
no opportunity to qualify under any of c) to e) above. In this
case the F1 team concerned must show that the applicant
has driven at least 300 km in a current Formula One car
consistently at racing speeds, over a maximum period of 2
days, completed not more than 90 days prior to the application
and certified by the ASN of the country in which the test took
place"

Here what I referred to as the "Exceptional" clause above. This is basically the "In case we need some wriggle room" clause. I think even if worst comes to the worst, Lopez will get his super licence under this one. After all, Bernie Ecclestone wrote to Windsor personally recommending Lopez. However, he must be seen to try to meet clause f.

"By exception, if supported by the Safety Commission, the
FIA World Motor Sport Council may approve the issue of the
Super Licence to persons judged by the Council to have met
the intent of the qualification process."

Well, regarding superlicenses:



He chose Lopez as he felt he was more likely to get a superlicense (I would assume).

Let's avoid falling into that obvious PR trap though...

While it's admirable that USF1 are seen to be 'gambling' and adopting some different solutions, it doesn't mean for one second that the other teams haven't considered that stuff... the experienced teams might well know through experience that such a layout isn't optimal..

Rossi already got a superlicense? That is pretty cool if true. I will not be surprised if he joins the team mid-season depending on how well he does in his maiden gp3 season. He is still quite young I think.

Again, don't fall for Windsor's PR spin... Lopez brings alot of cash and it might just be that those other drivers he mentions aren't interested.

If the Superlicense thing has become a problem, it's ONLY because USF1 let it become a problem.. traditionally the FIA has never made a fuss about that stuff anyway.

Originally posted on the F1Techinal forum about the Xtrac's (not used by USF1):

But sometimes engineers fall into something that they are comfortable with, which we see in two cases here. Current F1 teams sticking with what they know, and Ken Anderson taking an approach from what he knows from sports cars. If Ken was right look for other teams to scramble for a better design. But if Ken did this just to make more room for the DDD, it is a mute point for 2011 anyway now. Overall it interesting as you are making the whole engine/fuel/box package shorter, allowing you to either get the weight where you want it - or ballast things around better. I guess if you still want more weight on the front of the car, this gearbox is not a bad way to go. Bring on next few weeks so we can start picking apart the car designs from our desks.

I think the PR trap is them telling us that the US team can think differently - well of course they can, everyone can. Regardless USF1 is not made from strangers to F1 racing, a good percentage of the staff come from other F1 teams anyway.

if the intentions were to get an American driver it must have been because not too many Americans were in the radar to qualify for a supelicense before.

blimey, im surprised there building there own box, unless its been subcontracted out to another company. a modern f1 box is extremely complex and finely honed isnt it?

What I assume you would call a 'zone of comfort', I would call 'natural selection process'...

It's interesting to see someone going against the flow though..

I don't quite understand what you mean there...

Not many Americans have have been successful enough in single-seaters recently to be considered for F1, it's not the FIA's fault that USF1 wants an American driver...

I'm sure if they had settled on one early though, something could have been arranged with the license thing..

Heck, they would give one to Ho-Pin Tung... they're basically handing them out like cupcakes.

what I meant to say was that peter does not appear to be bulshitting with respect to the superlicense thing if his true intentions were to get an American driver. As you said, not many Americans have crossed the pond and also not many have won the Indy racing league either which I think would qualify for a superlicnese. I sense he really wants to get Rossi in but he is now getting the experience needed.

Did we say the same about the DDD or Red Bulls rear suspension last year? It has actually happened that someone comes up with a bright new idea, even in F1...

I would say that the clear advantage with the transverse gearbox is that it's shorter and allows for a shorter wheelbase on the car.

I'm quite sure that the three other new teams have chosen Xtrac because of the simplicity of not having to design your own gearbox. Meaning that their rear ends and wheelbases are "compromized" by a standard gearbox design. Their cars will then have to be designed and built around the gearbox rather than starting from a clean sheet and designing your gearbox to fit in to your car design. By not taking the "easy route" USF1 shows determination to be a "proper" F1 team (like estalished F1 teams that also does their own gearboxes).

Whether you consider that to be a obvious PR trap is up to you.

Gearbox dictates the rear suspension pickup points as well.