2006 – The Cars

[Blake]

Official launch dates:

• Toyota Racing – Saturday, 14 January
  [*]BMW Sauber F1 – Monday, 16 January
  [*]Scuderia Ferrari – Monday, 23 January
• Honda Racing F1 – Wednesday, 25 January
• Williams F1 – Friday, 27 January
• Renault F1 – Tuesday, 31 January
• MF1 Racing – Friday, 3 Febuary
• Red Bull Racing – Thursday, 9 March
• Scuderia Torro Rossa – Thursday, 9 March

McLaren Mercedes and Super Aguri are the only teams that have not confirmed launch plans. However, the MP4-21 is currently scheduled to make its track debut in mid-to-late January.

And here are some pictures of the cars that we have seen in testing so far. Enjoy!

Toyota Racing – TF106
Pictures



BMW Sauber F1 – F1.06
Pictures


Scuderia Ferrari – F2006
Pictures


Renault F1 – R26
Pictures


Red Bull Racing – RB2
Pictures

 

[THE ED3]

I cant wait to see that sexy new honda!

 

[Blake]

Did you have a look at Red Bull Racings RB2? I think that has some really sexy lines!

It looks even better in uber high resolution! (Try 2700×1750 pixels )

 

[THE ED3]

it does look nice.

 

[Omnis]

Did you have a look at Red Bull Racings RB2? I think that has some really sexy lines!

It looks even better in uber high resolution! (Try 2700×1750 pixels )

Uber high-res? No yo vio.

 

[qwazy|06]

just curious: does red bull run any sponsors?

 

[Mr. Boy]

just curious: does red bull run any sponsors?

I don't think so. They don't need any sponsors either, since they have so much money. Someone correct me if i'm wrong.

 

[Blake]

Yeah, I can see one small sticker on the mirrors – it says ‘Rauch’. Of course they also have Michelin stickers, too… Also, the RBR driver suits have Rauch, betandwin.com, Michelin, and Tom Tailor stiched onto them.

Sorry.

 

[[FPV]Rusty]

The sidepods look very similar to Mclaren style curves. They definately look like they could be very competitive

 

[Blake]

The sidepods look very similar to Mclaren style curves. They definately look like they could be very competitive

Yeah, the body work is wrapped very tightly around the internal components. The V8 does not need as much cooling as the V10, but, with that said, the RB2 does have very large cooling chimneys…

 

[DQuaN]

Renault will be out tomorrow.

Renault will become the third team to debut their 2006 car on Tuesday when Giancarlo Fisichella gives the R26 its first track outing at Jerez in Spain. Team mate and world champion Fernando Alonso will sample the car later in the week.
Both Fisichella and Alonso spent some time in a restricted version of the previous R25 late last year in order to acclimatise themselves to the reduced power levels of the 2006 regulations, but this will be the first time they have tried Renault’s new V8 engine.

It was fired up for the first time in a complete car at the team’s Enstone base just before Christmas. Since then dyno testing has continued at full speed at Renault’s engine plant in Viry and the next milestone is this week’s maiden test, one of many scheduled for the R26 ahead of the opening round of the season in Bahrain on March 12.

"We have good results from the wind tunnel, and the engine is performing well in terms of reliability and performance,” said technical director Bob Bell. “Everybody is eager to start learning about the R26 at the track."

Renault have a four-day programme planned at Jerez, with Alonso, who gets his first taste of the R26 on Thursday, driving throughout. For the first two days he works alongside Fisichella, who will then hand over to tester Heikki Kovalainen for the remainder of the session.

The world champions are just one of numerous teams testing at Jerez this week in the first major session of 2006. Ferrari, Williams, McLaren, Red Bull and BMW Sauber are among those expected to join them.

 

[Nasadus]

The car McLaren will be using for their winter tests:


I sure hope that it doesn't look like that at the start of the season.

 

[F1GTR]

The car McLaren will be using for their winter tests:


I sure hope that it doesn't look like that at the start of the season.

Actually, those are the classic Mclaren colours, they were used on the original Formula 1 and CanAm race cars. Quite like that colour.

 

[Brett]

Did you have a look at Red Bull Racings RB2? I think that has some really sexy lines!

It looks even better in uber high resolution! (Try 2700×1750 pixels )

Where are you getting the high resolution pictures at? High resolution pictures are much better on my computer, I have a hard time seeing details on those puny pictures above.

Rusty]The sidepods look very similar to Mclaren style curves. They definately look like they could be very competitive.

Red Bull could be a good team, they had some good races last year. But I don't really see them breaking through to the top or anything next season. Though in the next couple of seasons, I could see them creeping up the board, especially now having Adrian Newey.

Yeah, the body work is wrapped very tightly around the internal components. The V8 does not need as much cooling as the V10, but, with that said, the RB2 does have very large cooling chimneys…

Maybe the Ferrari V8 puts off a lot of heat and they need the large chimneys to clear it all out of the car. But they could also be there to shape some aero around the side of the car too.

Actually, those are the classic Mclaren colours, they were used on the original Formula 1 and CanAm race cars. Quite like that colour.

I like the colour too, mainly only because it is classic McLaren colours. I like seeing the classic colors on the cars, especially since I never did get to see the original cars with them.

 

[Blake]

Red Bull could be a good team, they had some good races last year. But I don't really see them breaking through to the top or anything next season. Though in the next couple of seasons, I could see them creeping up the board, especially now having Adrian Newey.

The new car does look very smooth – but it is heavily influenced by the MP4-20 and the F2005. I can definatly see the team getting on the podium this year (it was really bad luck that they didn’t last season). I doubt they can win races, unless there are numerous high-profile retirements…

Maybe the Ferrari V8 puts off a lot of heat and they need the large chimneys to clear it all out of the car. But they could also be there to shape some aero around the side of the car too.

I agree, I think it is mainly aero – remember, last year many teams had the cooling chimneys closed at the cooler races.

 

[Brett]

The new car does look very smooth – but it is heavily influenced by the MP4-20 and the F2005. I can definatly see the team getting on the podium this year (it was really bad luck that they didn’t last season). I doubt they can win races, unless there are numerous high-profile retirements…

I agree, I think it is mainly aero – remember, last year many teams had the cooling chimneys closed at the cooler races.

It is starting to look like every team is going to be utilizing a snorkel wing. Though all of the teams may have been last year, I just seem to forgotten what most of last years cars look like.

Thats why I said something about the aero. I remember hearing one of the SPEED commentators saying something about the chimneys being utilized to change the airflow to the rear of the car.

 

[THE ED3]

I like the mclaren. I like the silver and black but I cant make out the details on the tv. I like it in yellow. it looks good.

I think RBR has a good chance in 2006. mostly because of newey but I give DC some credit.

Now come on honda... I cant wait for that!

 

[Nasadus]

The new Renault R26 for those that haven't seen it yet:


Doesn't look much different than the R25 if you ask me.

 

[nitro_2005]

maybe that's just a "modded" R25. You know, the 2005 car with new parts. Like Red Bull's and Toyota's.

 

[Brett]

maybe that's just a "modded" R25. You know, the 2005 car with new parts. Like Red Bull's and Toyota's.

Thats what it kinda looks like. It may just be a testbed for the new engine.

 

[Blake]

The biggest difference is – like the RB2 – that the sidepods and the rear of the car are wrapped very tightly around the internal componants…

EDIT: First post updated with pictures of the R26.

EDIT 2: Here are the testing times from Jerez. Michael Schumacher was the fastest on the first day back testing. The Toyotas were 2nd and 3rd, behind MSC, by over a second.

 

[THE ED3]

it looks like bridgstone is going to take it all again...

 

[Mt. Lynx]

Here´s some more pics of the Renault. Looks like they´ve really explored the fact that the engine is slightly smaller. The enginecovers look very odd.

 

[Blake]

it looks like bridgstone is going to take it all again...

Probably – but don’t be so certain it will be the guys in red taking it all. MSC was in the F2004 with a V8 engine, by the looks of things. It was certainly an F2004 that Michael was driving, not an F2005.

Badoer, in the F2005 (with a V8 engine) was 2 seconds off Schumachers pace…

 

[THE ED3]

looks like toyota made a great choice going to them to. without those tires I dont think they would be a team to beat this year.

 

[Brett]

Probably – but don’t be so certain it will be the guys in red taking it all. MSC was in the F2004 with a V8 engine, by the looks of things. It was certainly an F2004 that Michael was driving, not an F2005.

Badoer, in the F2005 (with a V8 engine) was 2 seconds off Schumachers pace…

Maybe Badoer was not driving as quickly as Schumacher on that particular day.

 

[Blake]

So you don’t think the fact that Schumacher was driving an F2004 made much of the difference? Sure, Schumacher may have driven a really fast lap, but if he was in the F2005 I can guarantee that he wouldn’t be over a second faster than the Toyotas.

Remember, the F2004 was the class of the field in 2004, and it is still using the 2004 aero package (lower front wing etc.).

 

[Brett]

So you don’t think the fact that Schumacher was driving an F2004 made much of the difference? Sure, Schumacher may have driven a really fast lap, but if he was in the F2005 I can guarantee that he wouldn’t be over a second faster than the Toyotas.

Remember, the F2004 was the class of the field in 2004, and it is still using the 2004 aero package (lower front wing etc.).

But you also have to take into consideration the new Bridgestone tires for this next year. The new tires on both the F2004 and F2005 could potentially make a huge difference in time. Remember, the F2005 was severly hurt by the entire race tires.

 

[McLaren]

Actually, those are the classic Mclaren colours, they were used on the original Formula 1 and CanAm race cars. Quite like that colour.

I wonder if it's Papaya Orange too.

 

[Mt. Lynx]

Concerning F2004/F2005. It´s highly unlikely Ferrari are running a F2004, since it´s chassis is not on par with current regulations. It would have to be heavily modified in that case, and should not be any better than the F2005. I belive it´s a hybrid of some sort.
Maybe for engine testing though, and if so, times mean absolutely nothing.