Caterham, who are better known for their Caterham 7 kit-car which is both a car warranty and roadworthy car, went under the guise of Lotus for the last two seasons in F1 have this season struck early, a lot earlier than the rest of the teams in Formula One (F1) and unveiled their new car for the 2012 season. They have finished 10th in their first two seasons in F1 and also in their first two years finished 10th in the constructors championship with 0 points on the board. At least they didn’t finish last like the Virgin-Cosworth team did, two seasons on the bounce.~When you think roadworthy, and car warranty-worthy cars from Caterham you think about the Caterham 7 kit-car. Well after their first two seasons in F1 under the guise of Team Lotus, they have acted quickly and unveiled their new car for the 2012 season already, well ahead of any of the other teams in Formula One (F1). In their first two seasons in F1, Caterham have finished 10th with no points but thankfully, unlike the Virgin-Cosworth team who finished lat no points on the board, this year they have got a bit of added help from the other teams around them.~The sports car manufacturer Caterham have struck early and unveiled their new F1 car for the 2012 season. The firm, who went under the guide of Lotus for the last two seasons, produce car warranty and roadworthy cars and they aim to score big points in 2012 by revealing their new car before the rest of the teams in Formula One. Caterham finished 10th place in the first two seasons and in 10th place in their first two years in the constructors’ championship beating the team Virgin-Cosworth who finished last.
This year, Caterham aim to move up at least one place in the constructors championships and according to Chief Technical Officer, Mike Gascoyne they are looking at racing “in that midfield group – and if you’re racing them, you’re looking to score points.” He also added that the team felt that they had “a lot of reasons to think we’ll move forward”. Gascoyne pointed to the fact that the team had doubled the amount of aerodynamic research they have been able to do as a result of the use of a wind tunnel which is owned by rivals Williams, who finished 9th last season.~According to Chief Technical Officer, Mike Gascoyne this year they are aiming to move up at least one place in the constructors championships and are aiming to “be racing in that midfield group”. He also says that “if you’re racing them, you’re looking to score points” which is something that Caterham desperately need this season if they are to improve on last season’s finish. This season they stand themselves in better stead after Gascoyne revealed that they have doubled the amount of aerodynamic research they have normally been able to do thanks to the use of Williams’ wind tunnel.~The fellow F1 teams launch dates are not until February which means Caterham has beaten the likes of Ferrari and McLaren with regards to unveiling new cars. This year the lightweight sports car industrialist aims to move up at least one place and according to the Chief Technical Officer Mike Gascoyne, they are racing for the midfield group. The team has doubled the amount of aerodynamic research that they carry out by sharing the use of a wind tunnel that is owned by the rivals Williams and therefore Gascoyne argues that the team has a lot of reasons to feel like they are moving forwards.
Caterham have also acquired a new Technical Director; Mark Smith. He previously worked with Gascoyne at Renault and Jordan/Force India. The Caterham team have also done a deal with Red Bull to use their Kers and gearboxes. Kers is an acronym and it stands for Kinetic Energy Recovery System. This is the first time in F1 that Caterham have had access to the ‘power-boost’ system in F1 which they are hoping will stand them in better stead for this season, coupled with the use of the extra aerodynamic research they have carried out prior to the new season.~Mark Smith has joined forces with Mike Gascoyne again after working with him at Renault and Jordan/Force India and he has joined the Caterham team as the new Technical Director. They have struck a deal with Red Bull which allows them to use their rival team’s gearboxes and Kers (Kinetics Energy Recovery System). Sometimes referred to as a ‘power-boost’ this is the first time that Caterham, previously Team Lotus has had access to such technology in F1. With this and the extra aerodynamic research the team has done prior to this new season, they are hoping it will stand them in much better stead than last season!~Caterham hope to stand in better stead this season due to the fact that for the first time they have had access to use Redbull’s gearboxes and Kers. Kers means Kinetic Energy Recovery and this is the main instance in which Caterham have been able to use the power-boost system. Further advancements within the team include the newly acquired Technical Director Mark Smith who used to work at Renault and Jordan/Force India.
Caterham have managed to retain the services of their two drives from last season; Finn, Heikki Kovalainen and the Italian, Jarno Trulli. Heikki Kovalainen made the switch to what was Team Lotus in 2010 and he stayed with them for the 2011 season, last season. He has previously driven for McLaren and Renault. He partnered Lewis Hamilton in his two seasons at McLaren before finally moving to Team Lotus in 2010. Jarno Trulli again joined Team Lotus in the same season as Heikki after previously racing for Minardi, Prost, Jordan, Renault and finally before joining the Lotus team he drove for Toyota.~This season, Caterham have held onto their two drivers from last season; Italian Jarno Trulli and Finn Heikki Kovalainen. Both made the switch to what was Team Lotus in 2010 and have stayed with the team for this season. Both Trulli and Kovalainen have driven for some big teams in the past. Trulli having driven for more teams: Minardi, Prost, Jordan, Renault and before he eventually joined Team Lotus, he drove for Toyota. Kovalainen has driven for a fewer number of teams: McLaren and Renault. He partnered former English F1 champion Lewis Hamilton in his first season at McLaren, before he joined Team Lotus.~According to a statement released by Caterham, if the top five teams are reliable as they have been then scoring points in Formula One will not be easy. What is more, the team hope to do well by retaining their drivers from last season, Finn Heikki Kovalainen and Italian Jarno Trulli however they are also expecting the Russian Vitaly Petrov to join the team in 2012 who will be taking Trulli’s seat. Kovalainene has showed a vested interest in Caterham since 2011, previously switching to what was Team Lotus in 2010. The experienced driver has worked with the likes of Lewis Hamilton at McLaren and previously driven for Renault. Similarly, Trulli has had a vast array of experience as he has previously raced for Minardi, Prost, Jordan, Renault and Toyota.
Caterham have only released one official picture of their new car as it is being launched, exclusively in this month’s edition of F1 Racing magazine. People though, are already criticising the car for its looks, especially the nose. Unlike when Jordan was at its peak in F1, the Caterham team are receiving some criticism about the nose on their new car. Jordan were the first F1 team to introduce ‘nose art’ on F1 cars with the likes of ‘Hissing Sid’ the snake and also the Hornet and the Shark they had.~Having only released one official picture of their new car, Caterham already have a number of critics especially where the looks of the car are concerned, most notably; the nose. The car is set to be officially and exclusively released in this month’s edition of F1 Racing Magazine. Unlike Jordan, when they were at their peak in Formula One Racing with their ‘nose art’ and the likes of ‘Hissing Sid’ the snake and also the Hornet and the Shark that they had on the noses of their cars, Caterham are getting a bit of stick about the design of the nose.~Not only has Caterham been the very first time to unveil their new car for 201 but they have only released one official picture for the racing industry to see. The car has been officially launched in F1 Racing magazine this month for car fanatics to comprehend but already there has been criticism with regards to its appearance. The car has drawn attention for its looks, specifically its lower nose section because it has been changed as a result of new law regulations to improve health and safety. The requirements have ensued two pronounced lumps on both sides and a flat forward section of the nose. It is reported that Jordan was the first Formula One team to introduce nose art in the sport. For more information on car warranty, visit Warranty Wise.