F1: New Aero Era Begins in Spain

Fifteen days after Formula 1 engines fell silent at the checkered flag of the 2008 season finale, post-season testing on Monday got underway at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.

The first half of the day was an insight into the future of the category, with BMW Sauber using full 2009-specification front and rear wings, in the hands of Christian Klien and Robert Kubica.

The hybrid F1.08 single seater looked radically different to its specification at Interlagos just two weeks ago. All the winglets and aerodynamic finesse have gone, the nose has become fatter, and the long, flat and basic
front wing harks back to decades past.

The Williams used by Williams test driver Nico Hulkenberg also featured a high, thin 2009 rear wing, while McLaren's Pedro de la Rosa evaluated Bridgestone's slicks.

Bruno Senna watched from the pits, as his fellow contender for the Honda race seat Lucas di Grassi circulated in an RA108.

Takuma Sato and Sebastien Buemi were both on track for Toro Rosso, and multiple World Eally champion Sebastien Loeb began his full day's test in a Red Bull.

Every team except Toyota is running this week at the Spanish venue.

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carE10 - 11/17/2008 8:48:20 PM

+2 Boost

The new wings look kinda strange, but im sure they will grow on me. Hopefully they allow for more overtaking like they promise.

pchera01 - 11/17/2008 9:36:48 PM

+1 Boost

kid of ugly

HSCenterconsole - 11/17/2008 10:23:50 PM

+2 Boost

I'm so sick and tired of all these changes to F1 that literally "dumb down" the cars. Bring back the V10's, launch control, stability control, and let the teams really push the limits of what should be the most advanced racing cars in the world. Bernie needs to stop holding everyone back in the name of cost and going green.

chewy - 11/17/2008 11:41:20 PM

0 Boost

not very pretty

too much technology cuts down on passing

Bored - 11/17/2008 11:54:08 PM

+2 Boost

@ HSC,

Plus 1, but I just can't completely agree with you. Yeah, I miss the sound of the V10s and V12s, but you can't knock how with smaller V8s, drivers have been able to meet and surpass the performance of the larger engines. I miss the drivers' aides but without them, we got see how truly gifted F1 drivers are. Honestly, Spa and Brazil this year were just mind-blowing!

No, Bernie should be cutting costs and going green. It's important for everyone. He IS going about it the wrong way, though (Max, too). Some spec items are fine. Too much of it gets you IRL and NASCAR. Plus, way too many venues are in jeopardy of not returning to the calender (U.S., Canada, China, France, Australia). And although I'm not holding my breath, it would be nice if they made a majority of these race weekends more affordable to bring more fans to the tracks (eg, Japan: Friday practice was free to school kids).

All of this is pointless if they don't get these Race Stewarts issues under control! -- even with "Ferrari International Assistance" in full effect AGAIN, practically every driver during the '08 season got screwed out of points at least once.