2011 FORCE INDIA, HRT AND VIRGIN CARS IN PICTURES

FORCE INDIA UNVEIL IT`S 2011 CONTENDER, VJM04

Just one more team remain to present 2011 car, after Force India has launched its 2011 car, the VJM-04. The team finished seventh in the constructors' title in 2010, just one point behind Williams, and this year they targeting fifth place, and hopes that VJM04 can deliver podium finishes in 2011.

Team Chief, Vijay Mallya, said:
"This year there is even more to be optimistic about. We've got three race drivers that are hungry to take the next steps in their careers, whether that be points, podiums or wins. We have an experienced technical team that have the ingenuity, flexibility and drive to adapt to the new wave of rule changes, and we also have the tools and resources in our partnerships with McLaren Applied Technologies and Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines to aim even higher. Not to mention the very special event, and one that I personally can't wait for, the inaugural Indian Grand Prix. What better place would there be to reach some of those aims than on our home soil?"

The VJM-04 will hit the track for the first time at the second pre-season test on Thursday after the team opted to evaluate the new Pirelli tyres on last year's chassis at the first test at Valencia.

VIRGIN PRESENTED IT`S 2011 CONTENDER

Virgin Racing has launched its second Formula 1 car, the MVR-02, in an event at BBC Television Centre in London. The car has again been designed using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) rather than a wind tunnel and carries the hopes of Timo Glock and new recruit Jerome d'Ambrosio this year. Technical director Nick Wirth is expecting a big step forward in performance after having access to double the computing power he had for the development of the 2010 car.

John Booth, team principal, said:

"2011 is all about moving forward and starting to achieve solid results. We have a very exciting driver line-up in Timo Glock and Jérôme d'Ambrosio. Timo did an exceptional job in difficult circumstances last season and contributed a great deal to the car's development and that of our racing team. We will certainly benefit from the continuity that Timo brings.

"The MVR-02 is a clear step forward in every area and a credit to all the hard work that has gone into our car development programme over the past 12 months. We are delighted to be working with our engine supplier Cosworth for a second season of collaboration. Despite the freeze on engine development they have been working hard on reliability and performance optimisation over the winter and we fully expect a continuation of the success they enjoyed in their return to the sport in 2010. The sport has the added challenge of a new tyre supplier in Pirelli but we have made good progress with tailoring our mechanical package to suit the new PZero tyres in the group tests in Abu Dhabi at the end of 2010 and in Valencia last week. Generally, we have every reason to believe that 2011 will be a very exciting and positive experience for our team."

2011 UPDATE ON ROBERT KUBICA CONDITION

"We have to wait at least a week to see if his hand survives. This is the first comment of Professor Igor Rossello after the operation of Robert Kubica at Santa Corona Hospital. At best, the 26 Polish driver for Lotus Renault will again use his right arm only in one year. His arm has been cut in two places and only due to extreme efforts of medical staff amputation was avoided. Succesful and delicate work of reconstruction of bone, vascularity and reconnection of tissue was carried out.

The operation lasted over seven hours, performed by the team of Professor Rossello, a specialist in hand surgery center of San Paolo di Savona. In the operating room was and Dr. Riccardo Ceccarelli, the team doctor of Kubica. Polish driver will remain in Pietra Ligure hospital relatively long time, while the prognosis about using his right hand remains reserved for a week. In the coming days the doctors will assess the conditions of vascularization of the hand and right arm.

"His arm have nerve damage, which leave us all a question of the functional recovery," said Professor Rossello. "The rehabilitation process will be relatively long, probably a year. If necessary hand will be operated again to make adjustments. But the course of surgery depends on many factors."

Here in the evening also came Fernando Alonso to follow the condition of his friend Kubica.

Update: 7. II 2011 (17:00cet)
Robert’s general condition is much better today.After spending the night under constant observation, he was briefly woken up by the doctors of the Santa Corona Hospital (Pietra Ligure) this morning. The Lotus Renault GP driver was then able to talk to his relatives. He was also able to move his fingers, which is encouraging for the rest of his recovery process. Professor Mario Igor Rossello, Director for the Regional Centre of Hand Surgery at San Paolo Hospital in Savona, did not notice any swelling or infection on his right forearm, and this is another good sign, although it will be several days before it is known if the operation has been 100% successful.In order to avoid any physical stress, Robert will be put under gentle medication in order to sleep for the next 24 hours at least. Meanwhile, the doctors will decide how they will treat his elbow and shoulder fractures. Robert may have to undergo surgery once again for this, but not for a few days.Lotus Renault GP wishes to thank the Hospital of San Paolo (Savona) and the Santa Corona Hospital (Pietra Ligure) for their professional approach and their dedication.Lotus Renault GP will issue another update on Robert’s condition later this evening.

2011 ROBERT KUBICA TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AFTER RALLY CRASH

The Renault Formula 1 driver was contesting the Ronde di Andora rally in a Skoda Fabia when he had a heavy accident on the opening stage.While his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, there are conflicting reports as to their extent. Reports suggest that his hand was crushed and his leg broken in several places. The accident occurred at around 08.30 CET, Sunday. Kubica (26) was driving a Skoda Fabia S2000 when his car hit a church wall on the driver’s side.

The Pole, who races for Renault in the F1 championships, was taken to hospital in the Italian province of Savona by helicopter after being cut from the car wreckage. The first official statement was distributed by Renault, confirming only that Kubica is in the Pietra Ligure hospital.

"Lotus Renault GP will issue another statement as soon as more information is known about Robert’s condition,"

As the motor racing world awaits official information about the Pole’s condition, Stephane Samson, referred to as a ’consultant’ to Kubica by the German news agency SID, shed some light on his injuries.

"All we know is that Robert’s life is not in danger," Samson said. "However, he has very severe injuries to his left hand and left leg, but we don’t know anything more about it."

A detailed medical bulletin is expected shortly.

Another statement from Lotus-Renault:
After undergoing extensive medical checks this morning, Robert Kubica has been diagnosed with multiple fractures to his right arm, leg and hand. He is currently undergoing surgery at the Santa Corona Hospital in Pietra Ligure.
Robert suffered a high-speed accident this morning while competing in the Ronde di Andora Rally.

Daniel Morelli, Robert’s manager, will be available for the press in front of the hospital emergency entrance at 16h30 CET, which wasn`t held...

UPDATE 17:30 CET: Press release from hospital and manager of Kubica:
The operation is still ongoing, internal bleeding has been reduced, and amputation of his right hand is not taking place, thanks to Dr. Rossello. In addition, doctors are trying to recover the functionality of the arm.The operation will not end until evening, when you will have more precise information.

The car, a Skoda Fabia Super 2000, was seized for investigations, trying to understand if this accident happens due to mechanical failure. We just have to wait for further developments on the conditions of Robert.

2011 McLAREN MP4-26 IN HI RES PICTURES

McLaren has unveiled its new MP4-26 car which it hopes will enable Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton to challenge for the title in 2011. Although most teams ran their new machines in Valencia this week, the first of four test outings ahead of season opener in Bahrain, McLaren held back and rushed to Berlin overnight for the official launch. By waiting as late as possible, the team hopes it has given itself as much time as possible to be ready for the first race.

The new McLaren will run at the second pre-season test in Jerez next week. The MP4-26 features extensively sculpted sidepods and a novel engine-cover design featuring two air inlets.









LEWIS HAMILTON:
It’s great to see how many fans braved the Berlin weather to come to today’s event. I hope it’s been an exciting day for everyone: I think people saw a unique way of revealing our 2010 car, something that’s never been done before. I hope the car proves just as innovative once we take to the track next week.
I head into 2011 in a relaxed but determined frame of mind. I’ve spared nothing during my winter fitness preparations and, in many ways, I feel as fit, focused and refreshed as I did ahead of my first season in Formula 1 in 2007.

JENSON BUTTON:
It’s strange to think that this is only the start of my second season at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, because I’ve felt so comfortable since joining the team last January. Even so, I’d still consider 2010 something of a building year, albeit, with two victories, a pretty solid one! For the new season, I’ve not only got a year’s Vodafone McLaren Mercedes experience under my belt, but I’ve also been able to offer input into the design and development of the new car – something that I was naturally unable to do last year.

Now I really feel I know how Vodafone McLaren Mercedes goes racing, and I’ll be driving a car that’s been fully developed around Lewis and myself – that’s a very empowering feeling. I’m really looking forward to getting to drive the new car for the first time. Our pre-season simulations suggests that the new Pirelli tyres should be well-suited to my particular driving style, so I’m hopeful of being able to derive a good advantage from the tyres during the races. Today really marks the beginning of our 2011 season after what seems a very long time away from the track. It’s been a really exciting event for all the fans who attended, and now I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of MP4-26 for the first time next week.