The Formula 1 season is only a matter of weeks away and the first of the 2015 challengers have started to surface.
Force India and Williams unveiled their new contenders last week. Each shows slightly different take of their 2014 livery, each having maintained their major sponsors. Also evident are the new regulations governing the shape of the front wings and nose heights.
Lotus chose to unveil its new charge, the E23 Hybrid, electronically via its website and Twitter. The images you see aren’t photographs of the E23 but rather CGI renderings. Big news for Lotus is the adoption of Mercedes power for 2015, though that has not brought about any changes to the teams chosen colour scheme. Thankfully, the team has ditched its twin-tusk nose for this season, going with a far more aesthetically pleasing shape.
McLaren’s Mp4-30 isn’t the most striking car, but thankfully also receives a new frontal treament that sees the awkward protruding nose replaced in favour of a more elegant design. Many were hoping that McLaren revived the iconic red and white livery of the 1990s but the Woking firm has stuck with its conservative dark grey/silver with red streaks.
Most importantly the Mercedes logo has now been replaced with large HONDA lettering along the engine cover. As the only new engine supplier into the sport (for many years) Honda had an extra year of development time with the new turbo formula and some are speculating that we may see a revival of McLaren’s fortunes in 2015.
Ahead of its official reveal on Sunday the Mercedes W06 was photographed at Silverstone during a video shoot. These images appeared on the team’s official page. The most significant change from 2014’s all-conquering W05 is the new nose, which far slimmer in execution.
Sauber also had a low-key online reveal for its 2015 car, the C34. Of all the cars seen so far this year the C34 boasts the most marked difference in appearance from the previous season. Sporting bright yellow and blue livery of Banco do Brasil, which may or may not have something do with new signing the 22-year old Brazilian Felipe Nasr. He will be partnered by Marcus Ericsson who combines to give the team an all-new driving strength for 2015.
Scuderia Toro Rosso revealed the STR10 in Spain at the Jerez circuit just before official testing started for the 2015 season. Produced under the watchful eye of technical director James Key and designed by Paulo Marabini and Matteo Piraccini (responsible for composites and structure, and mechanical and systems respectively), the STR10 will be driven by F1 rookies Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr. All eyes will be on the young duo as they try to emulate the success of their famous father – former F1 driver Jos and rally legend Carlos.
Red Bull Racing will try to get back to former glory after being outclassed spectacularly by Mercedes last year. Also revealed at Jerez, the RB11 hit the testing sessions in black-and-white camouflage livery. Most of the changes are under the skin, so the RB11 won’t look dramatically different from last year’s car apart from the nose, but chief engineering officer Rob Marshall has said that “There won’t be a lot that’s visible to the naked eye but a lot of hard work has gone into the bits that are hidden,.” Also, engine provider Renault Sport has promised to give RBR a powerplant way more competitive than last year’s motor and the team’s number 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo confirmed after testing that it’s a “step up” from last year.
Check back soon to view the latest contenders when they are unveiled.
