Showing posts with label Formula One. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Formula One. Show all posts
Monday, August 24, 2015
McLaren Honda looks towards the Spanish Grand Prix 2015.
| Grand Prix Preview | Spain 2015 |
| Facts & Stats: Circuit de Catalunya |
| The Circuit |
The Circuit de Catalunya is the sixth Spanish venue to host a world championship Grand Prix, after Pebralbes, Montjuic Park, Valencia, Jarama and Jerez. It’s located in the northern industrial suburbs of Barcelona and has been a permanent fixture on the Formula 1 calendar since 1991. However, it hasn’t always hosted motorised events; it was one of the many building projects ahead of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, during which the track hosted the time-trial cycling events. The circuit’s layout is a thorough test of man and machine. Only three of its 16 turns are taken at less than 100km/h (62mph); the remainder are all medium and high-speed corners, which test a car’s high-speed balance and aerodynamic efficiency. These challenges have made the circuit a popular testing venue over the years, the most recent tests taking place last February. Overtaking is notoriously difficult. Eighteen of the 24 Grands Prix staged at the Circuit de Catalunya have been won from pole position, which is the highest ratio of any track on the calendar – including Monaco. As a result, a good qualifying performance is key. A good start is also important because the run from pole position to the apex of Turn One is the longest of the season. A lot can be won and lost during this 730-metre dash and you often see drivers being very aggressive under braking for the first corner. This is a challenging circuit for tyres because the combination of old, abrasive asphalt and fast corners puts a lot of energy through the rubber, particularly the front left. To combat these stresses, Pirelli are taking their two hardest compounds to the race, the Medium (Option) and Hard (Prime). |
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| Spanish Grand Prix 8th - 10th May Circuit de Catalunya |
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| McLaren at the Spanish Grand Prix |
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Supermarket fridges become more energy efficient thanks to Formula One aerodynamics.
Williams Advanced Engineering, the division of Williams that commercialises Formula One derived technology and knowhow, has collaborated with UK start-up Aerofoil Energy to develop a new aerodynamic device that can significantly reduce the energy consumed by refrigerators in supermarkets and convenience stores.
Energy consumption makes up a significant percentage of a supermarket’s operational costs, with energy hungry refrigerators that keep the produce cool the largest consumer of power.
Open fronted multi deck refrigerators that line the aisles of supermarkets consume excessive energy, with some of the cold air used to cool produce spilling out into the aisles resulting in increased energy consumption and “cold aisle syndrome” which can be unpleasant for shoppers.
Aerofoils are carefully designed and engineered profiles that control the direction of air flow. Aerofoil Energy and Williams are developing a new retrofittable aerofoil system that attaches onto each refrigerator shelf to keep more of the cool air inside the refrigerator cabinet.
This innovative technology will result in significant energy savings for supermarkets and convenience stores, with corresponding benefits for their carbon footprint. The technology will also make the shopping experience more pleasant for consumers.
Aerofoil Energy are working closely with Williams to refine the aerofoil concept, utilising Williams’ proven expertise in aerodynamic design and testing from four decades of success in Formula One racing.
Williams’ Advanced Engineering division is using computational fluid dynamics to model and simulate new designs before testing them at the Williams factory in Oxfordshire.
A number of supermarkets are evaluating the aerofoil technology with promising results. Sainsbury’s, the UK’s second largest supermarket chain, has been testing the product at a number of its stores.
Sainsbury’s operates 1,100 stores and uses 1% of the UK’s energy in total. As part of its 20x20 Sustainability Plan, Sainsbury’s has committed to reducing its absolute operational carbon emissions by 30% by 2020 and this technology can play a key role in achieving this target.
Speaking about the trial John Skelton, Head of Refrigeration at Sainsbury’s PLC, said; “‘We’re proud to be giving our fridges a turbo boost with this fantastic aerodynamic technology.
Aerofoils help the airflow around Formula One cars and can improve their performance – and that’s exactly how they help the fridges in our stores, by keeping the cold air in. This Formula One inspired innovation has already shown it can cut carbon produced by major refrigerators.”
Craig Wilson, Managing Director of Williams Advanced Engineering, added; “Williams Advanced Engineering’s mantra is to take the best of Formula One technology and knowhow and work with a range of industries to help improve their products and services.
Much of our work focuses on improving energy efficiency and the collaboration with Aerofoil Energy is a perfect example of how Formula One innovations can have a tangible benefit to ordinary people and the environment. This technology has global potential and the savings in operational costs and emissions are extremely promising.”
McLaren Automotive makes it clear they will remain an independent company.
McLaren plans to stay independent to take advantage of its nimbleness as it competes with other supercar makers such as Lamborghini and Ferrari.
"We're very quick to move. Our product development life cycles are very efficient," Jolyon Nash, executive director of sales and marketing, said in an interview. "In an industry like this, those are great advantages."
The automaker is famed for its Formula One racing team and is one of the few global luxury auto brands that is not part of a larger group, which provides financial resources and helps lower costs. Lamborghini, Bugatti and Porsche are owned by Europe's largest automaker Volkswagen Group, while Fiat Chrysler Automobiles controls Ferrari and Maserati.
The company's independence allows it to develop products that keep up with technology and legislative requirements, Nash said. "And those shift quite quickly," he said. "Our intention is to remain independent. We are in charge of our own destiny."
Affordable model
The automaker introduced its most affordable model, the 540C Coupe that costs 126,000 pounds ($191,000), at the Shanghai auto show this month. The car will help the brand gain new buyers who could eventually graduate to its more expensive models, Nash said.
McLaren, which sells the P1 for more than $1 million, started selling cars in 2011 and has since offered seven models.
The supercar maker is looking to expand in Southeast Asia and South America, Nash said in Shanghai. It's also opening new outlets in existing markets, such as China, Japan and North America, he said, reiterating the automaker's plan to sell about 4,000 vehicles annually by 2017, up from 1,648 in 2014.
The last batch of tickets are available for this years BBC Children In Need Car Fest events.
- Remaining tickets on sale from 8am tomorrow morning
- Choice between weekend, camping, single day and VIP entry
- Boomtown Rats on Friday’s live music bill at both venues
- To date CarFest – inspired and hosted by DJ Chris Evans – has raised £3.5m for BBC Children in Need
The final tickets for CarFest – summer’s fast and furious fun-fuelled family festivals – have just gone on sale. Chris Evans, BBC Radio 2 DJ and the inspiration behind the two motoring and music-themed extravaganzas, has released the last batch at 8am yesterday (Thursday 30 April) morning during his award-winning Breakfast Show.
Evans again will be the perfect party host for both events – CarFest North (Oulton Park, Cheshire, 31 July-2 August) and CarFest South (Laverstoke Park Farm, Hampshire, 28-30 August) – with the promise of more magical music and motors… with lashings of mouth-watering festival food and eye-catching family fun thrown in for good measure.
Indeed, now entering its fourth season, the two spectacular shows are packed with even more features aimed at inspiring and amazing those of all ages. New additions include: goalfest, stunt school, the beach complete with deck chairs, a vintage village, mega land plus a lot more surprises still to be announced.
The car content has been revved up, too. Track stars this year will include everything from Batmobiles and beach buggies to historic F1 racers and the very latest supercars.
But to join the party, festival-goers will need to move quickly by logging onto the official www.CarFest.org website tomorrow morning. When the first tranche of tickets went on sale in November they sold out almost instantly. Demand for this final batch is likely to be even stronger.
Fans are also encouraged to consider individual day tickets – priced from £60 for adults – should they miss out on the limited number of remaining £142 weekend camping tickets.
As ever, CarFest will be raising money for BBC Children in Need with a minimum of 25 per cent of all ticket revenues going directly to the charity: now in its fourth year, CarFest has already donated more than £3.5 million to Children in Need.
Full details of both 2015 CarFests – including the bands performing which this year include The Boomtown Rats, Seasick Steve, Texas and Paloma Faith – can be found on the official website at www.carfest.org
CarFest is the brainchild of radio DJ and TV personality Chris Evans. Featuring a medley of fast cars, great food, live music and a rich mix of family entertainment, the inaugural weekend event was staged at Laverstoke Park Farm in Hampshire in August 2012 with a second show at Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire in September 2012. Together, they raised almost £1 million for BBC Children in Need.
In 2013, CarFest North switched to Oulton Park in Cheshire while CarFest South returned to Laverstoke Park Farm, raising £1.1m for the charity – a figure that increased to £1.5m in 2014. A minimum of 25 per cent of the price of each ticket benefits BBC Children in Need with all further profits from the running of CarFest also donated to the charity.
BBC Children in Need
BBC Children in Need is a charity registered in England and Wales (802052) and Scotland (SC039557) whose aim is to make a positive change to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.
BBC Children in Need’s vision is that every child in the UK has a safe, happy and secure childhood and the chance to reach their potential.
BBC Children in Need are currently supporting over 2,600 projects that are working with children facing a range of disadvantages for example, poverty and deprivation; children who have been the victims of abuse or neglect or disabled young people.
Williams Engineering is not concerned by the £43 Million in losses accrued by the company.
Williams has announced a loss of £42.5m in 2014, blaming the deficit on a "hangover" from recent failure. Williams finished ninth in the 2013 Constructors' Championship - the lowest finish in their history - which led to reduced prize money and sponsorship.
The British team - third last year - made a £11.9m profit in 2013. "While 2014 at first glance was disappointing, it really was what we anticipated. We're on track," said chief executive Mike O'Driscoll.
"What we are reporting today is essentially a hangover. We expect 2015 to be materially, significantly, better than 2014." Williams, currently third after four races this year, had a turnover of £71.2m last year, compared to £106m in 2013.
The whole Williams group, which includes its technology and engineering services, reported a loss of £34.3m - after making profit of £11.9m during the previous year.
The latest figures also included bonus payments of £3,000 for each of the group's 660 employees as a result of the team's improved performance last season. Williams, which made its constructors' debut in 1978, has won nine team titles and seven Drivers' Championships.
The last success in both championships came in the 1997 season when Canadian driver Jacques Villeneuve claimed individual success. It was founded by team principal Sir Frank Williams, whose daughter Claire is deputy team principal.
BBC Sport Chief F1 Writer Andrew Benson writes:
"Williams' 2014 financial results don't look great on paper but the team insist they are a reflection of their struggles in the previous year rather than the current health of the team.
"Williams had the worst year of their history in 2013, finishing ninth in the championship. This led to reduced prize money, which is paid the following year.
"In 2013, they also had to apply to their books a multi-million pound pay-off they received from the backers of former driver Pastor Maldonado for breaking his contract, rather than in 2014, when the money was actually applied to the budget.
"The increased prize money the team received for finishing third in 2014 will be accounted for in 2015 - as will extra sponsorship revenue they gained following that success."
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