Formula 1: the class of 2014 ...

Yesterday, the 2014 season kicked off at Jerez in Spain with the first of three official four-day test sessions. As a result of extensive rule changes, the class of 2014 very much represents a brand new generation of cars. Among the revisions are a brand new, highly complicated hybrid V6 turbo engine and tweaks to aerodynamics. The new power units should be the main focal point but the rather ugly noses have grabbed the limelight.
Running at Jerez was very limited with just 93 laps completed by all cars combined, compared to 657 last year on the first. This was due to the teams getting used to the new engine and its ancillaries. Fastest of all was Kimi Raikkonen in the Ferrari F14 T. Only completing three laps was the Red Bull Racing RB10 Renault with defending champion Sebastian Vettel behind the wheel. Following the dominance of its predecessors, this was undoubtedly the most highly anticipated car launched yesterday. Once again designed by Adrian Newey, it certainly is the most visually pleasing of the new cars. Also seen for the first time yesterday was the Mercedes-Benz W05, which is the first all-new Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix car since 1954. Lewis Hamilton was behind the wheel when the front wing failed sending him out into the barrier. Also out on track were Caterham CT05 Renault, the Sauber C33 Ferrari, the Toro Rosso STR9 Renault and the Williams FW36 Mercedes.
Nissan meanwhile released the first details of the drivetrain due to power the ZEOD RC at Le Mans. The experimental machine will feature an electric motor complemented by a very compact 1.5 litre, three-cylinder engine. Equipped with a turbo, it produces 400 bhp and weighs only 40 kg.

Enjoy the links:

[url="http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/5765/Caterham-CT05-Renault.html"]2014 Caterham CT05 Renault - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]

[url="http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/5771/Ferrari-F14-T.html"]2014 Ferrari F14 T - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]

[url="http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/5773/Mercedes-Benz-W05.html"]2014 Mercedes-Benz W05 - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]

[url="http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/5774/Red-Bull-Racing-RB10-Renault.html"]2014 Red Bull Racing RB10 Renault - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]

[url="http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/5776/Sauber-C33-Ferrari.html"]2014 Sauber C33 Ferrari - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]

[url="http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/5768/Williams-FW36-Mercedes.html"]2014 Williams FW36 Mercedes - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]

[url="http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/5588/Nissan-ZEOD-RC.html"]2014 Nissan ZEOD RC - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]

[url="http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/5775/Toro-Rosso-STR9-Renault.html"]2014 Toro Rosso STR9 Renault - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]

I don't follow F1 close enough to know this but looking at the pictures, i noticed you can actually see the exhaust pipe now! This is the first time in over a decade that the cars aren't using exhaust over diffusers right?

Also, what's with that giant radio antenna on the Ferrari?

[quote=Cobrafan427;1003449]I don't follow F1 close enough to know this but looking at the pictures, i noticed you can actually see the exhaust pipe now! This is the first time in over a decade that the cars aren't using exhaust over diffusers right?

Also, what's with that giant radio antenna on the Ferrari?[/quote]

They were running periscopic exhaust before 2009....its not until they figure out they can go back to blowing diffuser with trick engine mapping in 2010 that people moved the exhaust outlet back towards the floor. The new rule is specifically written now to stop them from doing that...

The "antenna" is pitot tube, to get free stream airspeed to calibrate against wind tunnel data.