Το πρώτο από τα δύο μονοθέσια που θα δούμε σήμερα είναι η Mercedes W04, με το γερμανικό μονοθέσιο να κάνει την πρώτη του εμφάνιση στην πίστα της Χερέθ, εκεί όπου θα ξεκινήσουν αύριο οι πρώτες δοκιμές τού χειμώνα εν όψει τής νέας σεζόν.
Από την πρώτη εικόνα, βλέπουμε ότι η W04 έχει ένα πολύ πιο ομαλοποιημένο “σκαλοπάτι” στο ρύγχος, ενώ ξεχωρίζουν οι εξατμίσεις που εκμεταλλεύονται το φαινόμενο Coanda. Επιπλέον, διαφορετικά είναι τα pod wings σε σχέση με την W03. Οι αναρτήσεις είναι push-rod μπροστά και pull-rod πίσω, δηλαδή όπως και στην W03, με τα νέα αεροδυναμικά βοηθήματα να υπάρχουν κάτω από τους καθρέπτες, καθώς και δύο οδηγούς αέρα πάνω από τις εισαγωγές αέρα για το πίσω μέρος. Ένα νέο στοιχείο είναι και ο νέος μηχανισμός για το DRS.
Η εμπρός πτέρυγα είναι ίδια με την περσινή που είχε η W03 στους τελευταίους αγώνες, με τη μύτη του μονοθεσίου να είναι πιο φαρδιά και τις τηλεοπτικές ασύρματες κάμερες να είναι τοποθετημένες πιο μπροστά, ακριβώς πάνω από τους πυλώνες.
Αλλαγμένοι είναι οι αεραγωγοί των φρένων, όπως και οι εισαγωγές αέρα για τα ψυγεία, καθώς το σχήμα τους είναι διαφορετικό σε σχέση με πέρυσι. Επίσης, μικρότερα φαίνεται να είναι και τα sidepods, κάτι που βλέπουμε σχεδόν σε όλα τα νέα μονοθέσια. Τα στηρίγματα των καθρεπτών είναι κάθετα στο μονοθέσιο, με τα pod wings είναι καινούρια, με διαφορικό σχήμα (πιο λεπτά στα 2/3 και πιο χοντρά στο υπόλοιπο 1/3, εκεί που υπάρχει το “σπάσιμο”), κάτι που δε συμβαίνει με τα barge boards.
Η εισαγωγή αέρα πάνω από το κεφάλι του οδηγού είναι πιο στρογγυλεμένη και δεν είναι τόσο τριγωνική όσο πέρυσι, ενώ η μικρότερη εισαγωγή κάτω από την κύρια και ακριβώς πίσω από το κεφάλι του οδηγού είναι πολύ μικρότερη απ’ ό,τι πέρυσι. Ταυτόχρονα, η τρίτη εισαγωγή αέρα, πίσω από την κύρια, δεν υπάρχει πια. Αν εξαιρέσουμε τον νέο μηχανισμό για το DRS, καμία αλλαγή δεν παρατηρείται στην πίσω πτέρυγα, τουλάχιστον προς το παρόν.
Κάτι πέρα από τα τεχνικά, η BlackBerry (πρώην RIM) είναι χορηγός τής γερμανικής ομάδας, με τον Lewis Hamilton να καταγράφει τον Shakedown τού νέου του μονοθεσίου από τον Nico Rosberg με το νέο BlackBerry Z10.
Ανανέωση: Προστέθηκαν περισσότερες φωτογραφίες και Δελτίο Τύπου με δηλώσεις των Ross Brawn, Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton και Toto Wolff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-hyfbU3ZdE
[Πηγή: Mercedes AMG]
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MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS LAUNCHES 2013 SILVER ARROW IN JEREZ
The MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team today unveiled its 2013 Formula One car, the F1 W04, at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain. Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton arrived at the official photo call at the wheel of two Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupι Black Series, the fifth Black Series model from Mercedes-AMG. Inspired by the SLS AMG GT3 race car, the new car offers a blend of breathtaking design, outstanding driving dynamics and lightweight construction in line with the “AMG Lightweight Performance” strategy. Developing 464 kW (631 hp) for a kerb weight of 1550 kg, the SLS AMG Coupι Black Series accelerates to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and is the most powerful internal combustion vehicle currently produced by Mercedes-Benz.
The new F1 W04 completed its first laps of today´s 100 km shakedown at 10:21 CET in the hands of Nico Rosberg, who drove the car throughout the morning. Lewis Hamilton will take the wheel of a Formula One Silver Arrow for the first time this afternoon, the first British works driver since Sir Stirling Moss in 1955. The car will then complete four days of testing this week in Jerez, in the hands of Nico and Lewis.
With the technical regulations remaining stable in 2013, ahead of major changes for 2014, the basic vehicle concept of the F1 W04 is a sophisticated evolution of last year´s car. Led by Engineering Director Aldo Costa, under the coordination of Technical Director Bob Bell, the project commenced with initial aerodynamic testing in early summer 2012.
The aerodynamic design philosophy has been optimised around a new five-element front wing design and a second-generation Coanda exhaust at the rear. The car retains pushrod front suspension and a pullrod rear suspension, aimed at optimising tyre life and performance, while the rear end has been aggressively packaged to optimise aerodynamic development potential. The F1 W04 also does away with the stepped nose design of its predecessor thanks to a small ´vanity panel´, which was found to offer a small gain during aerodynamic testing. The car completed its final mandatory FIA crash test on 15 January.
Ross Brawn: “The F1 W04 is a clear step forward in sophistication”
“2013 marks the start of a second era for our Silver Arrows works team,” said Team Principal Ross Brawn. “The restructuring we undertook at the team over the past 18 months are now growing in maturity and this is reflected in the F1 W04, which is a clear step forward in design and detail sophistication over its predecessor. Many thousands of hours of work have been invested by our technical teams in Brackley and Brixworth to ensure that the new car delivers a step change in performance compared to last season. We are also hugely proud to welcome Lewis to the team as a works Mercedes-Benz driver. With Lewis and Nico, we have what I believe to be the strongest driver line-up in Formula One and I know that a healthy level of competition between them both will help drive the team forward.”
Nico Rosberg: “We want to make this the best team in Formula One”
Nico, who last year took the first victory for a works Silver Arrow in the modern era, completed the car´s first laps this morning in Jerez and will also take the wheel for the first official day of testing tomorrow. “I´ve been working really hard over the winter on my physical preparation, both in the mountains – climbing to over 2,000 metres with ski boots – and also in the Mediterranean, training on my bike, swimming and running. I fitted that around regular visits to see the guys at the factory in December and January and we have done some really good work, especially in the simulator. The car seems to be performing well in the virtual world but we have a very busy and intense programme ahead of us during testing to make sure we can deliver that performance on track. The atmosphere in the team is very positive and the people are highly motivated to succeed. And, of course, I have a new team-mate with Lewis. It´s his first time in the Silver Arrow and I look forward to working together and pushing each other hard, to make this the best team in Formula One.”
Lewis Hamilton: “I have never seen a team hungrier for success than this one”
Lewis has enjoyed the support of Mercedes-Benz for over 15 years, including racing with Mercedes-Benz power throughout his Formula One career, and this year will make his debut as a works Silver Arrow driver. “It´s a very special day for me to officially present our Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow to the world. There is no company with a longer history in Grand Prix racing than Mercedes-Benz and it is an honour for me to tread in the footsteps of legends like Juan Manuel Fangio, Sir Stirling Moss and Michael Schumacher. It´s the start of a new chapter for me, a new adventure, and when I walked through the doors in Brackley, I was so excited to get down to work. I´ve been at the factory for a few days now, getting to know the guys, meeting my mechanics and engineers, learning myself into the team and I have never seen a group of people that is hungrier for success than this one. They have been flat out this winter trying to pack more performance into the new car and I can´t wait to drive it and see where I can make a difference to help push the team forward with Nico. This is a new start for me with the team in Brackley but I have worked with Mercedes-Benz for a very long time now, and I learned one thing most of all: Mercedes-Benz doesn´t know how to lose. We are playing a long game here but I know we will have success together and I´m excited to be a big part of making it happen.”
Toto Wolff: “The only thing that counts in Formula One is lap time”
Toto Wolff, the new Executive Director of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS, concluded: “The first laps for a new car are always filled with emotion and today was no exception. It is even more meaningful when the car is a Silver Arrow: Mercedes-Benz has a long tradition of racing success and this is something we are proud to represent and determined to live up to. In the fortnight since I joined the team, I have been impressed by what I have found. The people are highly motivated, open-minded and determined to succeed. Our drivers are hungry for success, too, and it will certainly be fascinating this season to see how Nico and Lewis perform together. Ultimately, though, Formula One is very straightforward and the only thing that counts is lap time.”
The F1 W04 will now complete 12 days of pre-season testing prior to the first race in Melbourne. This week´s testing plan is as follows: Tuesday & Thursday, Nico; Wednesday & Friday, Lewis.
MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS ‘KEEP MOVING’ WITH BLACKBERRY PARTNERSHIP
As the new Silver Arrow, the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS F1 W04, completes its first laps this morning at the Jerez circuit in Spain, the team is delighted to announce a significant new partnership agreement with BlackBerry (NASDAQ: RIMM, TSX: RIM).
As the Official Mobile Computing Partner for the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team, BlackBerry will collaborate with the team on technical and marketing opportunities. The new BlackBerry 10 platform will deliver tools and services for MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS and fan engagement will be improved through the joint development of apps. BlackBerry 10 smartphones will also be used by the team so they can ‘keep moving’ throughout the Formula One season.
The new partnership sees the iconic BlackBerry branding featured prominently on the chassis and headrest of the F1 W04 Silver Arrow, the racesuits of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, and on the team’s racewear kit. As the Official Mobile Computing Partner, BlackBerry and MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS will be working closely together to develop the team’s use of the BlackBerry 10 platform at the team’s headquarters and at each Grand Prix.
Ross Brawn, Team Principal at the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team commented: “On the day that our new Silver Arrow, the F1 W04, is launched, we are very pleased to announce our partnership with BlackBerry. We are looking forward to embracing the new BlackBerry 10 platform at both a technical and operational level, as well as collaborating with the team at BlackBerry to bring new mobile innovation to MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS. It is especially pleasing to be able to launch this exciting partnership today as our latest Silver Arrow takes to the track with BlackBerry branding.”
Frank Boulben, Chief Marketing Officer at BlackBerry, said: “Formula One is all about precision engineering, design and innovation – three values that mirror the approach that’s gone into creating BlackBerry 10. It is a natural fit for BlackBerry to partner with the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team to deliver value through technical and marketing collaboration. We have built BlackBerry 10 to keep people moving, and we believe the essence of this will be delivered at many levels through our partnership”.
About BlackBerry
A global leader in wireless innovation, BlackBerry® revolutionized the mobile industry when it was introduced in 1999. Today, BlackBerry aims to inspire the success of our millions of customers around the world by continuously pushing the boundaries of mobile experiences. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, BlackBerry operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. Research In Motion announced that effective January 30, 2013, the Company would operate around the world under the iconic name BlackBerry. The legal name of the company has not changed, but the Company will do business as BlackBerry until shareholders vote for the official change at the Company’s Annual General Meeting later in 2013. Effective Monday, February 4, 2013, the Company commenced trading under its new ticker symbols “BB” on the Toronto Stock Exchange and “BBRY” on the NASDAQ.
Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used herein, words such as “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “intend,” “believe”, and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by RIM in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that RIM believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause RIM’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those described in the “Risk Factors” section of RIM’s Annual Information Form, which is included in its Annual Report on Form 40-F (copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on RIM’s forward-looking statements. RIM has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
BlackBerry, RIM, Research In Motion and related trademarks, names and logos are the property of Research In Motion Limited and are registered and/or used in the U.S. and countries around the world. All other brands, names and marks are the property of their respective owners. RIM is not responsible for any third party products or services.
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