Tag: martini

F1 2018: Haas and Williams Launch New Challengers

As a new season of Formula 1 approaches the period just before testing commences is the most optimistic time of the year. Right now all new cars are aerodynamically flawless, more powerful than anything that’s ever been built, and lighter than a feather. But all too soon a modest stopwatch will humble them.

The first team to launch their 2018 car was the Haas F1 team. The American team chose to forego a typical launch and opted instead for to release a handful of images online. The release of digital images was no doubt a ploy be Haas to keep their competitors, quite literally, in the dark as to the nitty-gritty of their 2018 design.

Nevertheless, what was obvious from the images is that Haas has adopted a strikingly similar side-pod design to what Ferrari pioneered in 2017 and a considerably more intricate front-wing. Additionally, this early version of the Haas is sporting a scaled down version of 2017’s sharkfin and a significant focus on a predominantly white livery. As the technical regulations have remained largely stable and unchanged the changes from 2017 to 2018 cars won’t be as visually obvious. The most noticeable difference is the inclusion of the Halo head protection system. While it is certainly a big adjustment and change to the aesthetic of the car chances are it probably wont take as long as some might think to get used to.

Williams was the second team to introduce its car with a traditional online launch. Chief technical officer Paddy Lowe and head of aerodynamics Dirk de Beer have designed the FW41. Lowe said the car “has many new features, most of which are not all that obvious, but externally the team has pursued a very different aerodynamic concept which has allowed us some significant progress in aerodynamic performance.”

“All Formula One cars are an evolution of what has gone before to some extent, but the FW41 does involve a number of departures from the directions that have been pursued in the past. Overall, the philosophy we are starting to see emerge is a new approach to the collaboration between aerodynamics and design to achieve the optimum working result.”

While only lap times will tell if Williams have built a quick racecar the 2018 challenger undoubtedly looks more aggressive than its predecessor. In addition, the car has been designed with a longer wheelbase, which suggests that Williams have foregone the low-drag design philosophy of the last few years.

Similar to Haas the Williams also sports the Ferrari-style side pods, which you’re likely to see on more of the mid-field cars this season. Naturally, and so as to avoid giving away any design secrets, some areas of the car has been shrouded in black paint.

Beyond the car that has been designed by Williams this season the other big unknown for the team is its driver line up. Nonetheless, de facto team principal Claire Williams has described the driver pairing for Sergey Sirotkin and Lance Stroll as “exciting” while highlighting Sirotkin’s impressive work with the technical team. Paddy Lowe echoed this sentiment by saying that the choice to sign Sirotkin was based purely on his ability.

The Sauber and Renault teams are the next to launch their respective cars on the 20^th of February followed by Ferrari and Mercedes on the 22^nd, McLaren on the 23^rd, and Toro Rosso on the first day of testing, the 26^th of February.

February 20, 2018
F1 2014: Belgium GP Preview – Spa-tacular! Spa-tacular!

There is a legendary stretch of asphalt in the Belgian country-side that has sustained a fabled allure for decades. Spa-Francorchamps is the quintessential race track and the place of what Formula 1 dream are made of.

Eau Rouge and Blanchimont used to be some of the most fearsome corners anywhere in the world. But the evolution of Formula 1 has surpassed the challenge of these legendary tests of courage and has reduced them to slightly curvy pieces of tarmac taken at full speed without even a second’s worth of hesitation. Despite this, Spa will always be considered the driver’s circuit because though it may not require obscene amounts of bravery it still demands courage and enough pluck to fling a car around it at an unthinkably high speed.

After the mid-season break Formula 1 teams will show up in the paddock refreshed and renewed with a few bits and bobs for their 2014 steeds. These pricey and painstakingly developed new bits of carbon fibre have a bit of job to do. On them rests a few desperate and hopeful expectations of a few tenths of a second.

Ferrari, the team formerly known as champions, find themselves in a ding-dong battle with Martini sponsored foe Williams for third place in the constructor’s championship. Like a good Finn should Valtteri Bottas has taken up the responsibility and has preserved his nation’s reputation for delivering reserved but mega quick racing drivers. If Felipe Massa can survive the first corner/lap the Williams pairing are going to be a thorn in the side of most this weekend.

There is a hypothetical chance that Ferrari will bring an upgrade for its power unit to this race. In theory, they may have an upgrade ready but chances are that it may not improve much or anything at all for that matter or in true 2014 Ferrari fashion – make it worse. Even if Kimi Raikkonen is a Spa-specialist a Ferrari victory is highly improbable.

For Mercedes the second half of the season will not be a straightforward run to glory. The Silver Arrow may be the fastest thing out there by a country mile but reliability has caused more than its fair share of headaches. The inter-team battle between Hamilton and Rosberg is far from settled too. Rosberg hasn’t had to worry his pretty head too much this season as most of the unreliability has been confined to the Hamilton side of the garage. Which leaves a question mark that if Rosberg finds himself in a similarly dismal run of luck will he have the Hamilton-esque tenacity to fight back and recover?

Nevertheless, Spa’s demand for grunt and top-end speed will make the Mercedes sing to its Turbo-heart’s content. If it rains, which it often does in these parts, it won’t be too much of a bother for them either such is the performance advantage of this beast. With all things being equal and maybe even the possibility of a trouble-free quali session Hamilton should have the edge around here.

Daniel Ricciardo has snatched his own bit of spotlight this season. The Aussie and his toothy grin has impressed against his four-time world champion teammate. In fact, Dan has all but owned the fingered wonder, for now. Along with two stellar victories Ricciardo has thrilled with his boisterous racecraft. Alas, the labouring Renault power unit may restrict the Aussie’s progress but it doesn’t have a chance of curbing his enthusiasm to go racing.

This dynamic challenge Spa is as spectacular as it comes. Its sprawling stretches of tarmac in the middle of the Ardennes possess some of the greatest parts of Formula 1 history. For 2014 it awaits another chapter to be written into its illustrious annals.

August 20, 2014
F1 2014: Australian GP Preview: Mystery In Melbourne

Eleven teams will start the 2014 Australian grand prix. Beyond this obvious fact not much else can be forecasted. Unpredictability in Formula 1 is back with a vengeance and brings with it a bevy unanswered questions.

How many drivers will finish the Australian grand prix? The saying that to finish first, first you must finish has never been so appropriate; and the prediction of half the field finishing the race is seen as generous by some. Reliability has dominated the winter testing season as teams struggled to integrate the new power units and electronic systems. Renault powered cars were stricken on the side of the track most often with issues ranging from cooling to complete failure. Meanwhile the consistent crooning of the Mercedes power stamped its authority at the top of time sheets.

The pecking order after twelve days of testing suggests that Mercedes, Williams and McLaren are the front running teams, at least on paper. These teams, all Mercedes powered, delivered the most consistent performances over long runs and in qualifying trim. The newly renamed Williams Martini team looks to have taken a significant step forward and Felipe Massa believes that he will start the Australian GP with a good chance of mixing it at the front. It would be especially sweet for the former Ferrari driver should his Williams feature in the top three.

To be the favourite on paper doesn’t carry much weight, if any at all. The reality is that Red Bull Racing may yet show up Down Under and perform quite well. The car rolled into the back of the truck on the final day of testing will hardly resemble the one that takes to the Albert Park circuit this weekend. Several teams will bring a raft of updates for their cars as they aim to learn as much as possible before the start of Sunday’s race.

The Ferrari team has remained under the radar with neither of its mega quick drivers revealing too much about the team’s prospects. The Italian squad’s winter hasn’t been awesomely positive nor has it been disastrous. Fernando Alonso was particularly underwhelmed about driving in 2014. “We were saving the tyres from lap one of the stints last year, and we are saving the tyres from lap one this year. That’s no different. I don’t think things will change that much, but obviously the cars are slower,” said the double champion. It is worth noting that the Alonso is one the greatest politicians in the F1 game. A bit of psychological by-play is never too far from his repertoire.

In a normal year of F1, the first race of the season requires for a variety of factors to come together just right to ensure success – and 2014 is no normal year. Teams are limited to 100 kilos of fuel per car for the grand prix which will call for vigilant fuel management throughout the race. As before, tyres have to be looked after, so too the power units which are limited to five per season. However, in F1 2014 the driver can be the difference. “It really is a driver’s car – more than the old ones,” said McLaren rookie Kevin Magnussen. “It’s a bit more difficult with more torque. It’s difficult to take care of the tyres and I think it’s going to be tricky. You need more skill and more sensitivity in your throttle.”

Few things are the same in Formula 1 2014. The cars do not look the same, they do not sound the same and they are a tad slower. However, the skill of the greatest drivers in the world and absolute unpredictability of it all ensure that it remains the greatest spectacle. This is Formula 1 2014.

March 11, 2014
Williams F1 Announce Martini as their Title Sponsor

The iconic Martini brand returns to Formula One as the title Sponsor of the Williams F1.

Martini, the world’s leading vermouth and best-selling Italian sparkling wine, will have the iconic red, blue and white colours on the Williams FW36 for the 2014 season.

“We are thrilled to welcome Martini to the Williams family and officially launch Williams Martini Racing,” said Sir Frank Williams, Founder and Team Principal.

“Williams and Martini share a rich history in the world of motorsport, and the values of our two brands and our shared passion for racing make this partnership a natural fit. It will be great to see the distinctive stripes of Martini Racing return to Formula One once again in unison with Williams.”

“The decision to partner with Williams was a natural one for us as it provides an unparalleled opportunity for the Martini brand to connect with consumers through one of their lifestyle passions, Formula One racing,” said Andy Gibson, Chief Marketing Officer of Bacardi and President of Bacardi Global Brands, who oversees marketing for Martini other premium brands in the Bacardi portfolio. “Martini will give consumers a taste of life in the fast lane, bringing a renewed sense of Italian style and glamour to the track and beyond. Williams Martini Racing provides a powerful, integrated marketing platform and delivers dynamic opportunities that will strengthen the Martini brand.”

March 6, 2014