In Pictures: F1 Cars on display at Autosport
by Adam Milleneuve on Jan 13th, 2012If you've never seen an F1 car up close before, the F1 Racing grid display at Autosport International is a treat, with an entire grid of cars (apart from Sauber and Ferrari) parked up.
If you're familiar with F1 machinery, it's still a great sight, but following a quick look, take a closer inspection and you'll notice that the grid is far from a 2011 grid of F1 cars - the Mercedes GP car may have a 2011 livery, but it resembles more of Jenson Button's 2006 BAR or later Honda car than anything else (it's a mish-mash of different motors). The Red Bull has the shark-fin wing, which is an immediate giveaway that the car on display is far from the 2011 championship dominating machinery.
These frankenstein-like creations often create a bit of a stir with die-hard fans complaining about them not being the actual cars they resemble, but in reality, any team would be silly to put their closely guarded designs on public display with thousands of trigger-happy unters walking around the show looking through their view-finder. Instead of complaining, it can be fun to work out where the cars have come from - the Williams is at least 3 different cars mashed together, as is the LRGP motor.
Take a look at the shots below and see what you can spot for each of the cars.
Comments and Discussion
I see a flexi wing & illegal diffuser on the RBR car. The only thing that's missing is the I heart Newey sticker on the COCKpit of Vettels machine... Fricking muppet.
Why is it when manufacturers use older cars they like to pair them in the current livery? This just makes it soooo confusing and we all I'm sure like to see a classic car with the livery at the time! Could someone answer this!!
In Pictures: F1 Cars on display at Autosport http://t.co/FfFgR4EC #f1
The idea of the grid is to show off F1 cars for people to get closer than they usually could. A team such as Red Bull isn't going to put their 2011 motor on display, exposed for all to see and photograph - it wouldn't make sense for them. These showcars are, as the name suggests, just for show. The Virgin and Toro Rosso are both real cars, but the others are older models or a combination different models made to look current.
RT @simplyf1: In Pictures: F1 Cars on display at Autosport http://t.co/FfFgR4EC #f1
I understand that, but It really does grind my gears!! Not to worry
RT @simplyf1: In Pictures: F1 Cars on display at Autosport http://t.co/FfFgR4EC #f1
There are more pictures in our F1 at the #Autosport2012 gallery here now: http://t.co/qvSk9wtK enjoy!
RT @BadgerGP: There are more pictures in our F1 at the #Autosport2012 gallery here now: http://t.co/qvSk9wtK enjoy!
There seems to be a bit of variation in the age of the cars - the 'new' teams don't really have too far back to go so their oldest cars are going to be the 2010 ones. Mind you, I swear the McLaren is actually the MP4-26. The Renault and the Williams are from the grooved tyre days, and the 'Merc' looks so laughably unlike the modern car you wonder why they bothered.