The second team to be reveal their 2010 Formula 1 race car is BMW-Sauber. Called the C29, it also needed to undergo a few changes in order to obey the new regulations. "The development of the BMW Sauber C29 has seen the team build on the experience gained last year and the improvement in performance over the final third of the season. However, the new regulations banning refueling during the race and stipulating a reduced width for the front tires have required significant changes to the car’s design."

The increased size of the fuel tank means the car has grown longer and because they are skinnier, the front tires will undertake a heavier load, requiring weight to be shifted further towards the rear of the car. Another very distinctive feature of the C29 is an extremely long undercut at the transition from the chassis to the under body. These and other aerodynamic measures also help to ensure optimum airflow to the double diffuser at the rear while further changes were required to integrate the Ferrari engine and, in particular, the Ferrari quick shift seven speed gearbox.

Press release after the jump.

Press release

 Today, Sunday, on the eve of the start of the official Formula One test drives, the BMW Sauber F1 Team rolls out its Ferrari-engined C29 at the Ricardo Tormo race track in Cheste near Valencia, Spain.

The BMW Sauber F1 Team will line up lean and hungry for the start of the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship. Sixth place in last year’s constructors’ standings will serve as a starting point for the new season. The team’s aim is to establish itself at this level despite a lower budget and reduction in manpower. This demands creative thinking and an increased level of efficiency.

Drivers Kamui Kobayashi (23) and Pedro de la Rosa (38) will bring to the team a blend of youth and experience. Japan’s Kobayashi made his case with strong performances in two Grands Prix in 2009 and has already recorded his first World Championship points.

De la Rosa has 71 Grands Prix under his belt and has earned his place in the statistics for podium finishes and setting fastest race laps. Plus, he also brings with him valuable experience from seven years as a test and reserve driver with a leading team.

“The last few months have been very intense for us,” says team boss and owner Peter Sauber. “First we had to battle to secure the survival of the team and then we focused on putting a strong set-up in place for the future. The technical preparation of the 2010 car has continued uninterrupted and according to plan since the spring of 2009, despite all the turmoil. We have a long tradition of bringing together an up-and-coming youngster and an experienced campaigner as a driver combination – and it’s an approach that has brought us a lot of success. Pedro has been working at the highest level technically for many years and for a top team, and we can benefit as a team from this experience. Young Kamui also has a lot to offer us, and last year he impressed me particularly in Abu Dhabi.”

For De la Rosa, a long-harboured hope has been realised: “At last I can feel like a proper racing driver again. I’ve really missed the competition out on the track. At the same time, though, I’ve learned a lot technically and on the systems side, and now I want to bring that knowledge to the team.”

Kobayashi can’t wait to tackle his first full season in Formula One: “I’m very proud that Peter Sauber has shown so much faith in me and I’m determined not to disappoint him. My aim is that he will end up being proud of me as well.”

Team structure

Peter Sauber (66) will be at trackside for the races in his capacity as Team Principal, while Managing Director Monisha Kaltenborn (38) will head up operational matters at the factory in Hinwil. Willy Rampf (56) will celebrate ten years as the team’s Technical Director in April 2010 and is again responsible for the coming season’s car.

Race car

Rampf explains: “The development of the BMW Sauber C29 has seen the team build on the experience gained last year and the improvement in performance over the final third of the season. However, the new regulations banning refuelling during the race and stipulating a reduced width for the front tyres have required significant changes to the car’s design.”

The increased length of the fuel tank means the car has grown longer overall. And because they are slimmer, the front tyres will be more heavily worked, requiring weight to be shifted further towards the rear of the car.

An eye-catching feature of the C29 is its highly intricate raised nose. Also very distinctive is an extremely long undercut at the transition from chassis into underbody. These and other aerodynamic measures also help to ensure optimum airflow to the double diffuser. Further changes were required to integrate the Ferrari engine and, in particular, the Ferrari gearbox.

Pit stops

Over the coming season, the ban on refuelling will add extra importance to one of the team’s traditional strengths: the ability to carry out fast pit stops. Previously, the time needed for the refuelling process was a key factor in determining the duration of a stop. This time element will no longer be an issue from 2010; instead, everything will be down to the speed of the mechanics. The BMW Sauber F1 Team crew have frequently stood out as the fastest workers in the pit lane.

This year’s calendar features 19 Grands Prix – as many as in 2005, the longest Formula One season to date. The Hinwil team will approach the 2010 races and its metamorphosis from a works team into an independent outfit with respect and ambition.

Technical Specifications

Chassis

• Chassis: Carbon-fibre monocoque
• Suspension: Upper and lower wishbones (front and rear), inboard springs and dampers, actuated by pushrods (Sachs Race Engineering)
• Brakes: Six-piston brake callipers (Brembo), carbon pads and discs (Brembo, Carbon Industries)
• Transmission: Ferrari 7-speed quick shift gearbox, carbon, longitudinally mounted, carbon-fibre clutch
• Chassis electronics: MES
• Steering wheel: BMW Sauber F1 Team
• Tyres: Bridgestone Potenza
•  Wheels: OZ

Dimensions

• Length: 4,940 mm
• Width: 1,800 mm
• Height: 1,000 mm
• Track width, front: 1,495 mm
• Track width, rear: 1,410 mm
• Weight: 620 kg (incl. driver, tank empty)

Ferrari 056 engine

• Type: Naturally aspirated V8, cylinder angle 90 degrees
• Cylinder block: Sand cast aluminium
• Valves / valve train: 32 / pneumatic
• Displacement: 2,398 cc
• Bore: 98 mm
• Weight: > 95 kg
• Electronic injection and ignition

Renault unveiled the new 2010 R30 on Sunday at the Valencia circuit in Spain. While missing an official sponsor (ING left the team) Renault has decided to come back to the black and yellow colors used by Renault in the 1980s.

It wasn’t that long ago when Renault was embroiled in the middle of a major controversy that resulted in a ton of bad press for the team and for Formula One, prompting the French to come oh-so close to leaving F1 for good. Eventually, Renault reversed course and decided to remain in F1 and over the weekend, they unveiled they Jordan-looking 2010 Renault R30 Formula One car.

The car has been decked in a new yellow and black paint scheme similar to the Jordan F1 cars that prowled Formula One almost a decade ago. Other than new color scheme and the shark fin engine cover that`s present in the R30 – similar to what McLaren and Sauber have in their 2010 cars – Renault’s 2010 F1 car didn`t veer too far away from its predecessor, the R29.

Continued with press release after the jump.

Present during the unveiling of the new car included Renault F1’s reconstructed top brass, including new managing director, Bob Bell and new technical director, James Allison. Joining Bell and Allison in the unveiling of the R30 are drivers Robert Kubica and rookie Vitaly Petrov, who incidentally is the first Russian driver to compete in Formula One.

The R30 is a mixture of evolution and revolution, and is much more svelte and attractive than its predecessor. In particular the rear of the car has been considerably reworked to allow the car to make the most of the ‘double-decker’ diffusers that were first seen last year. Changes have also been made to the architecture of the chassis to adapt to the refuelling ban, which has required the installation of a much larger fuel tank.

Press release

The Renault F1 Team took the covers off its 2010 challenger, the R30, today in front of assembled media at the Valencia circuit in Spain.

Renault F1 Team driver Robert Kubica was on hand to unveil the car and reveal the exciting new black and yellow livery – the iconic colours made famous by Renault in the 1980s. The team also presented Vitaly Petrov as Robert’s teammate for the 2010 season. The 25-year-old finished as runner-up in the GP2 Series last year and becomes the first Russian driver to race in Formula One.

After unveiling the R30, Team Principal, Eric Boullier, joined Robert and Vitaly for a photo call in front of the car, along with the team’s Third Driver, Ho-Pin Tung, and Reserve Driver, Jérôme d’Ambrosio. Czech driver Jan Charouz will also be a Reserve Driver for the team this year but was unable to attend the presentation.

With stable aero regulations the R30 is a mixture of evolution and revolution, and is much more svelte and attractive than its predecessor. In particular the rear of the car has been considerably reworked to allow the car to make the most of the ‘double-decker’ diffusers that were first seen last year. Changes have also been made to the architecture of the chassis to adapt to the refuelling ban, which has required the installation of a much larger fuel tank.

Speaking at the presentation, Eric Boullier praised the team’s efforts in delivering the new car in time for the first test: “We’ve been working flat-out during the winter to ensure that we begin the new season in the best shape possible. The R30 should be a competitive, strong and reliable car, and we’ve opted for an aggressive development strategy throughout the season. Now we’re here ready for the first test and we’re all excited to see if the car performs as we think it will.”

Both Robert and Vitaly were thrilled to see their new car and spoke of their hopes for the season ahead: “The team has been working on the new car for a long time and it’s clear that we are moving in the right direction,” said Robert. “Now we need to maximise the winter tests to keep up this momentum and continue improving the car. Our priority is to make the car easy to drive because the new rules favour cars that are not too sensitive – we need a car that behaves consistently in a wide range of conditions.”

Vitaly Petrov added: “The new car looks stunning and the colours remind everybody of Renault’s great history in the sport. I can’t wait to drive the car for the first time and start working with the team.”

The Renault F1 Team will remain in Valencia until Wednesday evening to complete the first preseason test session.

Specifications

Chassis
Moulded carbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb composite monocoque, manufactured by the Renault F1 Team and designed for maximum strength with minimum weight. RS27-2010 V8 engine installed as a fully-stressed member.

Front suspension
Carbon fibre top and bottom wishbones operate an inboard rocker via a pushrod system. This is connected to a torsion bar and damper units which are mounted inside the front of the monocoque. Aluminium uprights and OZ machined magnesium wheels.

Rear suspension
Carbon fibre top and bottom wishbones with pushrod operated torsion bars and transverse-mounted damper units mounted in the top of the gearbox casing. Aluminium uprights and OZ machined magnesium wheels.

Transmission
Seven-speed semi-automatic titanium gearbox with reverse gear. “Quickshift” system in operation to maximise speed of gearshifts.

Fuel system
Kevlar-reinforced rubber fuel cell by ATL.

Cooling system
Separate oil and water radiators located in the car’s sidepods and cooled using airflow from the car’s forward motion.

Electrical
MES-Microsoft Standard Electronic Control Unit.

Braking system
Carbon discs and pads (Hitco); calipers and mastercylinders by AP Racing.

Cockpit
Removable driver’s seat made of anatomically formed carbon composite, with six-point harness seat belt by OMP Racing. Steering wheel integrates gear change and clutch paddles, front flap adjuster.

The McLaren F1 team unveiled their 2010 Formula One entry earlier today at their headquarters in Newbury, and almost as impressive as their new machine is the all English driver lineup with returning champion Lewis Hamilton and last year’s break out sensation Jensen Button leading the charge.

In accordance with the new sporting regulations for the 2010 season, the car has undergone some considerable changes, even if it appears to be quite the same to the untrained eye. Dubbed the MP4-25, the new race car features a radical aerodynamic overhaul and a significantly larger fuel tank to allow the team to run longer between pit stops and the championship winning McLaren design team has declared they are confident that they have explored every possible avenue in order to maximize the MP4-25’s on track performance. Powered by a Mercedes-Benz FO 108X V8 engine, the same power plant that brought McLaren and Lewis Hamilton the world title in 2008, tipping the scales at just under 210 pounds, the slightly heavier MP4-25 will make its first on track appearance in Valencia, Spain on February 1 along with many of the other F1 competitors for some pre season testing.

Press release after the jump.

Press release

The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team today revealed its brand new MP4-25 chassis - the car in which reigning world champion Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton will contest the 2010 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

Unveiled at Vodafone UK’s stunning headquarters in Newbury, the 2010 car looks noticeably different from last year’s race-winning MP4-24. MP4-25 features a radical aerodynamic overhaul and a significantly larger fuel tank to take full advantage of this year’s new regulations, and its design team is confident it has explored every possible avenue to maximise the car’s performance.

Horsepower once again comes from our friends in Stuttgart. Mercedes-Benz’s FO 108X V8 subtly improves upon an engine which has become the benchmark in Formula 1, winning the last two drivers’ world championships.

The team kicks off its 2010 campaign with a stunning driver pairing: 2009 world champion Jenson Button and 2008 title winner Lewis Hamilton. It is the first time since 1989 - when it ran Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna - that the team has fielded a joint-world champion driver line-up, and marks the first time in Formula 1 history that the sport’s two most recent world champions have been partnered together.

However, the driver line-up represents only a fraction of the team’s remarkable strength in depth. Members of the design team who contributed to the development of MP4-25 can also trace their involvement back through an incredible seven drivers’ world championships, five of the team’s eight constructors’ world championships and 112 of the team’s 164 grand prix victories.

The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team begins pre-season testing with MP4-25 at the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo on Monday.

TECHNICAL DISCUSSION

While nowhere near as radical as last year’s reinvention of the technical rulebook, 2010’s regulations feature a number of key differences from the previous season. Outlined below are the major developments, their primary effects and the ways that Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has approached them:

• CHANGE In-race refueling banned
• EFFECT Cars feature significantly larger fuel-tanks; efficient packaging becomes critical; in-race fuel stops will disappear; races will become more dependent on tyre strategy; pitstops will become significantly quicker (around 4 sec or less); cars will be significantly heavier and slower at the start of races, which could have consequences on tyre wear, drivetrain and brake life
• CHANGE Teams unanimously agree to no longer use KERS
• EFFECT Overtaking opportunities available to KERS-equipped cars will disappear; teams have far greater freedom on systems packaging and weight distribution
• CHANGE Narrower width introduced for (dry weather) front tyres
• EFFECT Smaller tyre will have knock-on effect for car aerodynamics and overall car balance
• CHANGE Aerodynamic hubcaps banned
• EFFECT A FOTA cost-saving initiative. Teams will look to recover their aero properties elsewhere
• CHANGE Wheel rim-heaters banned
• EFFECT While tyre blankets are still permitted, the removal of the inner heated core that heats the rim will make tyre warm-up more critical
• CHANGE Minimum weight increased from 605kg to 620kg
• EFFECT Cars will be heavier on track; ballast positioning will become more efficient
• CHANGE On-track aero testing reduced from eight to four days
• EFFECT Requires teams to capitalise on increasingly limited track testing away from the races; windtunnel testing is provided as a substitute
• CHANGE Backmarkers no longer able to unlap themselves behind the Safety Car
• EFFECT Safety Car periods should be shorter and the restart quicker
• CHANGE Points system runs from 1st to 10th (POINTS ORDER TBC)
• EFFECT Greater rewards are now offered to the winning driver, placing more importance on pushing for victory rather than accepting a minor placing; a greater spread of points ought to reward the larger field expected in 2010
• CHANGE Using a second additional engine during a race weekend carries a 10-place grid penalty for the following event
• EFFECT Engine life and effective usage will be even more critical, particularly towards the end of the season

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Chassis  

• Monocoque McLaren-moulded carbonfibre composite incorporating front and side impact structures
• Front suspension Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
• Rear suspension Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
• Suspension dampers Koni
• Electronics McLaren Electronic Systems control units incorporating electronics for chassis, engine and data acquisition. McLaren Electronic Systems also supplies the electronic dashboard, alternator voltage control, sensors, data analysis and telemetry systems
• Bodywork Carbonfibre composite. Separate engine cover, sidepods and floor. Structural nose with intergral front wing.
• Paint solutions provided by AkzoNobel Car Refinishes using Sikkens Products
• Tyres Bridgestone Potenza
• Radio Kenwood
• Race wheels Enkei
• Brake calipers Akebono
• Master cylinders Akebono
• Batteries GS Yuasa Corporation
• Steering McLaren power-assisted
• Instruments McLaren Electronic Systems

  
Engine  

• Type Mercedes-Benz FO 108X
• Capacity 2.4 litres
• Cylinders 8
• Maximum rpm 18,000
• Bank angle 90°
• Piston bore maximum 98mm
• Number of valves 32
• Fuel ExxonMobil High Performance Unleaded (5.75% bio fuel)
• Spark plugs NGK racing spark plugs specially designed for Mercedes-Benz F1 engine
• Lubricants Mobil 1 – for higher performance, lower friction, better protection, cooling and wear resistance
• Weight 95kg (minimum FIA regulation weight)

  
Transmission

• Gearbox McLaren-moulded carbonfibre composite. Integral rear impact structure
• Gears Seven forward and one reverse
• Gear selection McLaren seamless shift, hand-operated fly-by-wire
• Clutch Carbon/carbon, hand-operated fly-by-wire

WINTER TEST PROGRAMME

• 1st - 3rd February Valencia, Spain  
• 10th - 13th February Jerez , Spain  
• 17th - 20th February Jerez , Spain  
• 25th - 28th February Barcelona, Spain