Team: Tony Fernandes (TP), Riad Asmat (CEO), Keith Saunt (COO), Mike Gascoyne (CTO), Mark Smith (TD), Dieter Gass (DTD), Marianne Hinson (HA), Lewis Butler (CD), Elliot Dason-Barber (HVD), Frank Ramowsky (HRD), Rob Reeve (HEL), Jody Eggington (CE) Drivers: Heikki Kovalainen (20), Jarno Trulli (21)
A place to discuss the characteristics of the cars in Formula One, both current as well as historical. Laptimes, driver worshipping and team chatter do not belong here.
+1 , the cartoon/jokes are through. The car has been out for a while now so let's actually get serious about it. Anymore funny stuff will get moved out, perhaps along with all of the previous ones. Same goes for all threads, so take the comedy to the caption comp. thread.
Insofar as what has been seen, as well as Caterham using Red Bull gear box and Renault engines, I think the chassis is a good step for the team.
Tighter packaging around the sidepods and into the rear will increase overall performance. I'm not as concerned with the rear wing and front wing since Caterham has shown that they have the resources to bring upgrades. With the in-season testing, they'll be the ones that benefit the most. I'm not so disjointed by the nose, as it is as best it can be optimized for the very strict regime.
Does anyone know if the nose-cone design can be changed? or is that something that has to remain consistent, due to FIA pre-season crash testing? Also, whose KERS are they running? Do they have KERS at all?
At this point, I think the Chassis and car LOOKS like it'll move up the ranks. A relatively balanced point between conservative evolution of the 2011 car and adapting aspects of other cars. Combine that with a better engine, KERS(?), reasonable upgrades (with changes to exhaust positioning), and some good input from Heikki and Jarno, I definitely see them pipping Williams and giving Sauber/Toro Rosso a run for their money.