Video shows the careless treatment of a classic model as someone tries to load a Carrera GT onto a trailer bed with only a few wooden planks for the ramp.
Bernd Schneider Rudolf Schoeller Rob Schroeder Michael Schumacher
Monday, April 11, 2011
Porsche Carrera GT falls off loading ramp [video]
Video shows the careless treatment of a classic model as someone tries to load a Carrera GT onto a trailer bed with only a few wooden planks for the ramp. 
Hamilton drops a place after penalty
Lewis Hamilton has been penalised for making more than one change of direction while defending his position. Hamilton and Alonso were called to see the stewards after the race. Lewis has received a 20 sec penalty – the equivalent of … Continue reading 
legal site
i wanted to know is v8 models a legit site or is there customer service good because i finally found the model i want i wanna know if its legit
Ferrari Launch Their 2011 Car The F150
Ferrari have become the first team to launch their 2011 Formula One car – named the F150. Thw F150 name comes from the fact it is 150 years since Italian unification, the flag bearer for the nation decided it was important to increase exposure of the major event in the country’s long history. �The cars [...]
Sunday, April 10, 2011
?We pitted too early? ? Hamilton | 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton complained about McLaren's strategy after finishing seventh in the Malaysia.
Bahrain Grand Prix likely to face axe in the F1 2011 Season.
The political unrest that turned Egypt on its head recently arrived at Bahrain, with numerous anti-Government protests rising up across the Middle Eastern nation. The death toll in Bahrain stands at 6 already. Consequentially, the instability of the region is a severe detriment to what would have been a banging opener to the Formula 1 [...]
New season, new rules, same old Red Bull
After Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel produced a dominating display in Melbourne, we ask whether the German can be caught in the coming weeks.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Martin Whitmarsh: ?You?ve got to keep pushing??
Martin Whitmarsh remains confident that McLaren can continue to take the challenge to Red Bull this season, and that there is still more to come from the new package that was hurriedly introduced for Australia. The worrying thing for everyone … Continue reading 
Aldo Gordini Horace Gould JeanMarc Gounon Emmanuel de Graffenried
F1 Teams and Drivers for 2011 Season
The Formula One is almost here again, and motorsport enthusiasts around the world are already sweating from the anticipation of another lightning fast, exciting season. The F1 2011 season is slated to begin officially on the 13th of March, with the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix.
The defending F1 Driver’s Champion in 2011 is Sebastian Vettel, [...]
The defending F1 Driver’s Champion in 2011 is Sebastian Vettel, [...]
Tony Bettenhausen Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh Lucien Bianchi
McLaren lead the First Practice Session in Spanish Formula One Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button gave a strong start to McLaren in the Spanish Formula1 (F1) Grand Prix at Circuit de Catalunya in Spain. Both the drivers topped the charts in the first practice session here in Spain. Lewis Hamilton topped the first practice session followed by team mate Jenson Button.
Mercedes, who have come up [...]
Mercedes, who have come up [...]
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Renault looking for a fourth team
Renault Sport says that it is open to supplying engines to a fourth team in Formula 1 in 2012, if there is a team out there that would like to use the French units for just one year, before the new 1.6-litre engines arrive in 2013. It is not likely that there will be any [...]
Stefano Domenicali: ?This weekend was not the one that we wanted??
Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali admits that the team underperformed in Australia and will have to hit back in Malaysia. Fernando Alonso recovered to fourth place after being pushed down to ninth when he ran wide at the start, while … Continue reading 
McLaren expect fight with Ferrari and Mercedes | 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix
McLaren believe Ferrari and Mercedes will be a greater threat in the coming races.
Michael Bleekemolen Alex Blignaut Trevor Blokdyk Mark Blundell
Red Bull on top after F1's winter war
There is an adage in Formula 1 that if a team shows form at Barcelona's demanding Circuit de Catalunya in the winter then they are in good shape to go racing.
Over the final two pre-season tests in Barcelona, team analysts have been poring over reams of data, calculating fuel levels and conjuring tyre tactics to try to find out where their team falls in 2011's pecking order.
The teams were unanimous in one thing - Red Bull will once again be the ones to watch in 2011.
But as the field of 12 teams prepares to race under new regulations for the new season, the champions may not have it all their own way.
Just like last season, Ferrari are not far behind Red Bull.
Nevertheless, after four pre-season tests, it is widely agreed Red Bull have an advantage in both qualifying and race pace.
The Red Bull has looked ominously fast in all conditions in pre-season testing. Photo: Getty
In terms of pure pace, the champions have yet to push the RB7 in full qualifying trim - with some insiders saying they believe the car has never been on track with less than 80kg of fuel on board when 10kg is usually enough for qualifying.
Despite this, world champion Sebastian Vettel and team-mate Mark Webber have managed to top the timings in Barcelona four times out of eight days between them.
Red Bull have also raised eyebrows with their consistency and speed over longer spells on track.
Analysis of Webber's long runs at the final test suggested that after 10 or more laps he was 0.7 seconds per lap faster than others, showing the car has pace and is kinder on the tyres.
That could be crucial in a season when tyre wear and management is expected to be key factors.
Over at Ferrari, championship runner-up Fernando Alonso and his team-mate Felipe Massa have both shown pace in shorter bursts and strength in race simulations, but analysts point to tyre life as a potential weakness for the Italian marque.
After teething problems in the first three tests, Mercedes bared their teeth in Barcelona as Michael Schumacher was unassailable at the top of day four's timesheets in the heavily upgraded Mercedes.
Insiders within the team are confident they are now the third fastest team on track - if not the second.
Behind Red Bull, Ferrari - and now perhaps Mercedes - the pack tightens around the midfield of Renault, Williams, McLaren, Toro Rosso and Sauber.
After a catalogue of headaches, from exhaust, hydraulics and engine problems to a lack of spare parts, McLaren have done little to show they will start 2011 where they left off as F1's third fastest team.
The mood within McLaren has swung between concern, voiced painfully by both drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, and optimism that things will better.
And on the plus side, it would not be the first time McLaren have had to battle back from a difficult design through determined development.
Ferrari appear to be best of the rest - just as they were in 2010. Photo: AFP
"If you had to pick a team on the grid who could make most progress throughout the course of year, McLaren are the ones to flag up every time," one rival team insider commented.
"In 2009 they took a car that was 3.5 seconds off the pace of the [eventual champions] Brawn to races wins at the end of the year."
Of 2010's three new entrants, Team Lotus appear to have made the most progress - on pace alone the Norfolk-based team have made up at least a second over the winter to move closer to Force India at the back of the pack.
There is, however, a view up and down the paddock that Formula 1's new regulations could upset the form book.
When Pirelli won the contract to supply the sport's tyres this season in place of Bridgestone, the Italian company was asked to make the rubber less durable in the hope that it would spice up racing.
The early signs are Pirelli have delivered on what was asked of them.
Throughout the four pre-season tests, two themes have come up time and again; how quickly the Pirelli tyres are degrading and the performance difference between the four compounds.
For the first three races in Melbourne, Malaysia and China, the teams can only choose between the soft and hard tyres.
Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery predicts the soft tyres will last between 10-15 laps and the hards up to 25.
One experienced F1 race engineer estimates the difference between those tyres could be worth as much as 1.3 seconds a lap.
Tyre selection and when to change them during a race will be crucial to deciding 2011's winners and losers.
Team strategists believe by getting it right - or wrong - strategy calls could be worth up to six positions.
"The team with the fastest car may not necessarily win the races," warned Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn.
"If you are out on track on the wrong tyre at the wrong time, people will overtake you. There is more potential to get it wrong than there was last year. It's a challenge I'm relishing."
The pit wall strategists and the drivers will have to work together to determine tyre strategy over the weekend.
Drivers who have a good feeling for tyres and how to manage them - the likes of Schumacher, Button and Renault's Nick Heidfeld - will use that skill to their advantage.
The return of the kinetic energy recovery and power-boost system (Kers) and the introduction of the moveable rear wing also increase the pressure in the cockpit.
"Drivers used to drive the car and were not that good at controls and switches; now they are totally dominated by them," explained Williams technical director Sam Michael.
"It will be a real thinking game now; tyre degradation, how you are using Kers and the rear wing. You are going to see drivers making some mistakes, that's for sure."
At the final test in Barcelona, the F1 field were beginning to tire of looking into their crystal ball to respond to questions on form and expectations for the new season.
In less than two weeks' time, the drivers will race through the leafy surroundings of Melbourne's Albert Park and find the answers - whether they like them or not.
Red hot Ferrari ready for fightback
2011 must be the season that Ferrari banishes the memory of Red Bull’s maiden triumph. In 2010 the Scuderia was beaten by a beverage famed for being paired with vodka. To put ...
McLaren conjure up surprise speed
In Melbourne
McLaren are renowned for their ability to get themselves out of trouble with feverish car development but the Formula 1 community are wondering if they can pull off their biggest Houdini act yet at the Australian Grand Prix.
After three winter tests where they struggled for reliability and pace, McLaren marched to the top of the timesheets as Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton set the fastest times on the opening day of practice at the first race of the season.
McLaren personnel were seen arriving at Melbourne airport laden with boxes and boxes of new parts as the English team instigated a major overhaul of the lagging MP4-26.
The team decided to abandon their innovative but unreliable 'octopus' exhaust system - where the idea was to blow air across the floor with multiple exhaust exits - and install a regular exhaust with a new floor and front wing.
Team boss Martin Whitmarsh described the modifications as "risky" but predicted the gamble could garner a second in pace to help close the gap on pre-season front-runners Red Bull and Ferrari.
As twilight fell on the first day of 2011 season, the McLarens held sway at the top of the timings, with leader Button bettering Fernando Alonso's Ferrari by 0.147 seconds and Red Bull's champion Sebastian Vettel by 0.160secs.
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There was every sign - not to mention a ripple of surprise in the paddock - that McLaren's gamble had paid off.
"It's encouraging and a step in the right direction," a tired but pleased Whitmarsh told BBC Sport.
"The truth is we had a variety of creative exhaust systems and we got some good performance. But we didn't have something that was sufficiently durable in my view, which is why I said to the engineers: 'Let's get something that can be solid and can deliver.' And that's what we chose to do. We needed something reliable that would perform here at the race.
"Everyone has worked hard to get the package here in 10 days flat."
Button also pointed to another encouraging first for McLaren - a car that was capable of completing a race distance, something the team were not able to achieve in testing.
"We've got reliability, which is something we haven't had all winter," Button, who is chasing a third straight win in Melbourne, explained.
"To have a car that can run for as many laps as we want to is great.
"Whatever we'd have done in testing we still wouldn't have been running quickest even if other cars had run on high fuel so I'm very happy with the step we've made."
Top times may be one thing but they do not tell the whole story in F1 - especially in practice when it is not known how much fuel each team has on board. The fact that the teams are still feeling their way with the new Pirelli tyres in the environment of a race weekend adds a further layer of uncertainty.
Tyre management and strategy will be crucial to determining the outcome of races this season as the Pirellis are not only degrading quickly but there is a great performance differential between the compounds.
But McLaren felt they could draw on another positive here, saying they were comfortable with the tyre performance even on Melbourne's bumpy and dusty temporary track.
Ferrari also said they had experienced "less obvious tyre degradation" while in contrast Red Bull's hard tyres were visibly worn during six-lap stints in first practice.
"I've got to say our guys really held the tyres together and exceeded expectations in durability and performance over long runs," added Whitmarsh.
While there are smiles all round at McLaren - even from former boss Ron Dennis, who is keeping his watchful eyes on proceedings - no one is getting carried away.
"It was an encouraging day," commented Whitmarsh. "All we are trying to do is keep our feet on the ground."
Many F1 insiders believe that neither Red Bull nor Ferrari have yet to unleash their true pace in qualifying trim.
Like the great white sharks lurking in Australian water, last season's top predators could well be circling their prey before launching an attack in qualifying.
But if McLaren have sharpened their teeth and taken a genuine step forward in time for the first grand prix then any already hotly-anticipated F1 opener has now got even hotter.
Di Resta out to prove winning potential
Paul di Resta has bumped up the British numbers racing in Formula 1 this year by finally signing for Force India.
But unlike his compatriots, McLaren drivers and world champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, Di Resta is out to prove he deserves his place on the grid.
The likeable 24-year-old Scot, whose promotion has been expected for some time, has plenty of reasons to feel confident about his first season in F1.
Over the course of 12 months as Force India reserve in 2010, Di Resta has already managed to galvanise the team's support.
His manager Anthony Hamilton, father of Lewis, revealed: "There hasn't been anything negative from the team. Paul has done a great job and they love him."
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The team were so smitten by Di Resta that his seat does not depend on sponsorship - in stark contrast to 2011's other rookies, Pastor Maldonado of Williams, Virgin's Jerome D'Ambrosio and Sauber's Sergio Perez.
In fact, to partner Di Resta with German Adrian Sutil, Force India will have to pay a financial settlement to Sutil's 2010 team-mate Vitantonio Liuzzi for breaking the firm contract the Italian had for this season.
Force India must be certain Di Resta has something worth paying for.
The son of racer-turned-businessman Louis di Resta and cousin of three-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti, Di Resta has described having racing "in his blood".
After winning the 2010 German touring car championship (DTM) for Mercedes on his weekends off from F1 duties, Di Resta arrives as a proven champion.
In his junior career, the Scot raced against future F1 world champions Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, notably beating the German to the Formula Three Euroseries crown.
Di Resta recalled in a 2008 interview: "Sebastian was my team-mate in 2006. I definitely beat him on far more occasions than he ever beat me.
"I'm not saying that I'm a faster or better driver than him but you'd have to say there's at least parity between us.
"As for Lewis, when we had the same machinery we were equally good."
In terms of raw talent Di Resta may well be a match for two of F1's fastest men but it will be difficult for him to prove it when he rejoins them on track.
The laidback Scot's first task will be to adapt his racing mindset from DTM's slower 'tin-top' cars to F1's open, single-seater speed machines.
The difference between driving a touring car with 500bhp and an F1 car charged with 750bhp and tonnes of downforce can be compared to handling a family estate car and a supercar.
"It requires a different style to drive both [cars] on the limit; it's not easy," explains McLaren reserve and driver Gary Paffett, who was one of Di Resta's Mercedes team-mates in the DTM last year.
"But if you can win in DTM it puts you in a good position to do a good job in F1. Paul will do a good job - but how good?
"If you're used to winning you might have to get over the fact that you're not going to be beating the McLarens and Ferraris week in, week out or beating your team-mate 100% of the time. That's something you have to learn."
In eight first practice sessions over grand prix weekends for Force India last season, Di Resta was only able to out-pace either Sutil or Liuzzi, who alternated in the other car, once.
Improving that niggling statistic will be a target for the Scot when the season begins with free practice in Bahrain on 11 March.
Beyond that, barring a major surprise Di Resta will not have the machinery capable of reigniting his teenage rivalry with Hamilton and Vettel, Red Bull's reigning champion.
Force India finished seventh in the constructors' championship last season with Sutil collecting best-place finishes of fifth in Malaysia and Spa. In terms of pace, both drivers failed to qualify inside the top 10 in the final six races of 2010.
The development of Force India's 2011 car has had to absorb some unsettling changes at the team's Silverstone factory, with two technical directors, James Key and Mark Smith, as well as chief designer Lewis Butler leaving for rival teams in the space of a year.
Force India intend to fine-tune the new VJM04 car in the wind tunnel before introducing it at the second pre-season test in Jerez - a policy also adopted by McLaren, but not by Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault and Williams, who will all have new cars ready for the first test in Valencia next week.
After the flashbulbs and fanfare of being unveiled as an F1 driver have died down, Di Resta will start the process of making his opportunity count in Valencia driving a modified 2010 car.
Di Resta may still have everything to prove in F1 but like the rest of 2011's rookies he also has nothing to lose.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Lamborghini Gallardo replacement may be called Cabrera
Lamborghini Cabrera, which means goat herder in Spanish, will take on the Ferrari 458 Italia. 
Video: Audi R18 opens testing at Sebring ahead of debut at Spa-Francorchamps
Audi R18 TDI Testing at Sebring from QuattroWorld.com on Vimeo.
While all eyes were at Sebring last weekend for the 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race to mark the opening of the 2011 ALMS season, German automaker, Audi, went largely unnoticed as it completed a couple of testing runs for its new LMP1 racer, the R18.
The R18’s debut is still a month away at the 6-hour Spa-Francorchamps endurance race on May 7, 2011, but with precious time remaining before its debut, the engineers over at Audi worked double hard last weekend to ensure that the car’s aerodynamics and reliability were up to par with its predecessor, the R15.
Fortunately, Audi was kind of enough to post a couple of videos of the Sebring testing, complete with action shots of their LMP1 racer run roughshod on the race track. On top of the two-minute R18 action-fest, there’s also another video featuring no less than Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, the brand’s motorsport head, giving us the low-down behind the car, including the decision to go for an all-new 3.7-liter V6 diesel engine with the R18.
Check out the video of Dr. Ullrich’s interview after the jump.
Video: Audi R18 opens testing at Sebring ahead of debut at Spa-Francorchamps originally appeared on topspeed.com on Sunday, 3 April 2011 23:00 EST.
Juan Manuel Fangio Nino Farina Walt Faulkner William Ferguson
1968 Plymouth Hemi Road Runner
I have long been a fan of the Plymouth Road Runner. I loved the bare-bones muscle this car represents and, of course, the beep-beep horn! I built a 383 Road Runner a few years ago and have been wanting to build another since. Then I found my inspiration, listed on eBay last year at $99,000! It never sold and the seller, a dealership, still has the car and is for sale at $88,500. This car is not perfect and IMHO, not worth the asking price. But, that is just me.
I've been planning this build for some time now and I have gotten all the items I need to start building. I am starting with the AMT/Ertl '68 Road Runner kit.
My paint is MCW #6853 Electric Blue Metallic and the decals are from Keith Marks.
I am using the steel wheels and hub caps from Scale Equipment Limited. I also plan on correcting the mis-shaped rear fender openings.
More to come.....
F1 2011 Race Calendar
The most prestigious event in global motorsport racing is back, and the new season is set to be more entertaining than ever, with a variety of new drivers and teams that will make the playing field more exciting than it has been in years. There are also two new tracks in China and India that [...]
F1: Rossi Joins Team Lotus Junior Squad
Alexander Rossi has linked up with the AirAsia Team Lotus Driver Development Program...
Sunday, April 3, 2011
What does the future hold for Marussia Virgin Racing?
There is also a change behind the wheel, as Lucas di Grassi is replaced by Belgium youngster Jerome d?Ambrosio after he successfully trailed with the team late in ...
Giovanni Lavaggi Chris Lawrence Michel Leclere Neville Lederle
Bernie Ecclestone - No plans to put the brakes on
 |
The way I feel at the moment, why stop? I do it because I enjoy it. And yesterday is gone. I don't care what happened yesterday. What else would I do? People retire to die. I don't get any individual pleasure because we don't win races or titles in this job. I'm like most business people. You look back at the end of the year and you see what you've achieved by working out how much money the company has made. That's it.
Team order rule needs a re-think
 Jean Todt arives for Wednesday's hearing |
?Whether you are for or against team orders, if the FIA could not back up its own rules and nail a competitor in a blatant case such as this the rule really does need reviewing. Perhaps Ferrari?s thinly-veiled threat to take the matter to the civil courts if they were punished too harshly scared the governing body, who as much as admitted the flimsiness of its rule."Paul Weaver, reporting for the Guardian in Monza, was in favour of the ruling which keeps alive Ferrari?s slim chances in an enthralling championship.
?The World Motor Sport Council was right not to ruin a compelling Formula One season by taking away the 25 points Alonso collected in Germany. That would have put him out of the five-man title race. But the council was widely expected to increase the fine and possibly deduct points from the team, as opposed to the individual. In the end, it could be argued that common sense prevailed. But the decision will dismay those who were upset by the way Ferrari handled the situation as much as anything else.?The Daily Mail's Jonathan McEvoy expressed outrage at the FIA tearing up its own rule book by allowing Ferrari to escape unpunished.
"Although the race stewards fined them �65,000 for giving team orders in July, the FIA World Motor Sport Council, to whom the matter was referred, decided not to impose any further punishment. It leaves the sport's rulers open to derision. It was, after all, their rule they undermined. In a statement, the WMSC said the regulation banning team orders 'should be reviewed'."
Oscar Alfredo Gálvez Fred Gamble Howden Ganley Frank Gardner
The "Official Ferrari Opus" Book costs as much as a Ferrari 458 Italia
It’s already hard enough to part with a quarter-of-a-million dollars to buy a Ferrari 458 Italia, but can you imagine the rationale behind the man who would fork over that much money to buy a book?
Yeah, neither can we.
Now if you?re wondering if such a book even exists, then prepare to be introduced to the ?Official Ferrari Opus?.
The book?s publisher, Opus Media Group, is calling it the ?most exclusive book in the world?, and with the most expensive version retailing at $275,000, we find it hard to believe that there?s another book that?s being sold for that much.
Ridiculous as the price tag of this book may be ? believe us, there?s nothing justifiable about a book that costs more than an actual car ? those interested in it do have options to choose from.
The 852-page book weighs in at 82 lbs and is printed using heavy-duty paper. It?s got over 2,000 photos of every Ferrari vehicle that Maranello has ever produced, be it a road car or a race car. On top of that, the book contains over 200,000 words detailing literally everything and anything you need to know about the Italian automaker.
Check out how much each version of the Official Ferrari Opus book costs after the jump.
The "Official Ferrari Opus" Book costs as much as a Ferrari 458 Italia originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 2 April 2011 23:00 EST.
Kia Naimo electric concept debuts in Seoul [video]
Electric vehicle concept from Kia features design influences from traditional local pottery. 
Robert Kubica Hospitalised Following Rally Accident
UPDATE ON KUBICA’s CONDITION: �http://wp.me/p3uiu-11K Renault Lotus F1 driver Robert Kubica has been airlifted to hospital following a car accident while competing on a rally. The incident, described as a high speed accident, left the Pole injured and he had to be airlifted to hospital. �His co-driver Jakub Gerber was uninjured in the incident. While [...]
Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti Keith Andrews
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Buick Ampera under development - report
According to a recent report, Buick is developing a rebadged version of the Opel / Vauxhall Ampera. 
?Few developments? for Virgin before Turkey | 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix
Virgin will have few upgrades in the next two races despite almost not qualifying in Melbourne.
F1 2011 Launch Catch Up ? McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull, Sauber, Toro Rosso, Renault?
Catching up on the launches in one mega post. �Here in you’ll find quick interviews with senior members of the team and photos from the Red Bull, Sauber, Renault Lotus, Toro Rosso, Mercedes and McLaren launches. Apologies for being somewhat late, the whole blog isn’t running at full power until the season starts again. Red [...]
Audi unveils its new...hardwood bike
New hardwood-frame bike will be handmade in Portland, Oregon and come in three variants. 
Button Steps Up Pre Season Training With Lance Armstrong
Jenson Button teamed up with record breaking cyclist Lance Armstrong, as he continues to prepare for another Formula One season. The McLaren driver excitedly tweeted that he would be riding with Armstrong, the 7 time Tour de France winner, in Hawaii. Armstrong responded via Twitter “I hope he doesn’t ride as srong as he drives [...]
Friday, April 1, 2011
Keeping Petrov ?not an easy decision? ? Boullier | F1 Fanatic round-up
Eric Boullier says he'd have "no excuses" if Vitaly Petrov "failed for a second year."
Testing teams get to grips with new technology
Valencia
At the end of the first Formula 1 pre-season test, three teams emerged as pace-setters for the hotly-anticipated new season.
It was no real surprise to see Red Bull's world champion Sebastian Vettel become the first to lay down a marker before Fernando Alonso went faster for Ferrari the following day.
But there were also intriguing early signs in Valencia this week that Renault have taken a competitive step forward over the winter.
Kubica set fastest time seen so far in winter testing on the final day in Valencia Pic:Getty
The team had produced a self-proclaimed "brave" design concept over the winter and in Spain they revealed the so-far unique approach of having the exhausts exit at the front of the sidepods either side of the driver.
Robert Kubica went on to show it was not simply style over substance by scorching to the fastest time seen so far in winter testing on the final day.
The Pole's time was 0.163 seconds quicker than Alonso and 0.625 secs ahead of Vettel's best.
F1 insiders calculate those three leading times were all set on similar levels of fuel, even though Kubica and Alonso set their times on a five-lap run while Vettel's best came over 10 laps.
Those runs were not in qualifying trim and so all three could, in theory, have gone even faster.
Kubica also encouragingly showed good pace over a 25-lap run with most tours in the 1:16s bracket, while Mark Webber exhibited consistent pace for Red Bull on Thursday in a 20-lap run which mainly consisted of 1:15s.
Kubica, Alonso and Vettel may have tantalised the top of the timesheets but in testing headline lap times don't tell the whole story.
Valencia was the first opportunity for teams to trial their technical updates for the 2011 season.
Yet another raft of rule changes - the return of the Kers energy boost system, the introduction of a moveable rear wing to aid overtaking and the removal of the double diffuser and F-duct aerodynamic aid - has meant a major re-think for design departments.
On top of that there is the problem of understanding how to tease performance out of the Italian Pirelli tyres, back in F1 for the first time since 1991 as single supplier in place of Bridgestone.
It is, in fact, the tyres that have leapt to the top of the teams' concerns about what fortunes lie ahead.
"Tyres are more of an unknown," commented Ferrari technical director Aldo Costa, throwing back an espresso in a single gulp.
"It is a very, very big job to develop the car around the tyres because they have a lot of implications on the car consistency and performance."
Even Red Bull's seemingly unflappable design guru Adrian Newey described it as "difficult to design for the Pirellis".
To a man, the drivers agreed that the Pirellis "went off" - reduced significantly in grip - much quicker than they were used to.
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton said the new rubber did not have "as much grip as the Bridgestones" and was "harder to control over a longer stint".
Kubica agreed with that assessment, adding: "That is why I think the tyres will play a crucial role. You may have to adapt your car set-up, or make the tyres last longer, or work better - that can make a big difference."
Pirelli has been asked to deliberately design less durable tyres in the hope that this will spice up the racing.
The company's motorsport director Paul Hembery batted away the drivers' disappointments.
"There will be no developments [to tyres] made following this test," he explained. "The teams now have to work out how to get the best out of the tyres."
Eight teams rolled out the first interpretations of their 2011 challengers in the Valencia sunshine, while McLaren, Force India, Virgin and Hispania ran last year's cars.
The main priority for teams with the fledging class of 2011 cars was to find out if the new parts were reliable. Only much later will it become clear how much, if any, performance they have added to the car.
"Looking only to our car, yes we are very happy," Costa said. "It needs to be a very balanced approach to be a fast and winning car.
"About the competitors, it's very difficult to understand where they are because it is difficult to see if they are using Kers or not, the rear wing or not, what kind of tyre they are using, how much fuel..."
The teams fiercely protected their secrets behind towering screens, guarded garage doors and under billowing sheaths. When Felipe Massa dramatically stopped on track on Thursday, crimson-clad Ferrari employees remarkably managed to hang a concealing cover underneath the car.
As always, the teams were keeping their cards close to their chest about the specifics of their programmes.
Most teams testing the 2011 cars had Kers installed for the majority of the running, even if they weren't actually powering it up.
Ferrari, Renault and Red Bull ran smoothly while Mercedes reported their Kers system was behind some of their teething problems, even though Mercedes had the most reliable when it was last deployed in 2009.
"We've got some areas that were getting a little bit too hot," Mercedes boss Ross Brawn said coolly.
The moveable rear wings also seemed to be a relatively trouble-free addition. The concept is such an integral part of the design rules that even if the wings played a passive role in testing they were still worth having on the car.
It will be up to the drivers to master the devices and with more buttons to press on the steering wheel that may not be quite so straightforward.
"In terms of all the other things we are operating from the cockpit, last year we had quite a bit to do and that was quite a challenge," Webber said.
"It's no big surprise to us that we might have to learn some new techniques this year but as long as you can still watch the road, that's the most important thing."
In less than a week, round two of testing begins in Jerez, where McLaren will also introduce their new challenger - which is being unveiled on Friday - to the pack.
Teams vying to rein in Red Bull talked with a beguiling mix of mystery and confidence about unspecified new developments in the pipeline.
But the clock is already ticking and there are just 12 days of testing left before the teams face up to reality in Bahrain's opening grand prix.
Jacques Swaters Bob Sweikert Toranosuke Takagi Noritake Takahara
?Few developments? for Virgin before Turkey | 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix
Virgin will have few upgrades in the next two races despite almost not qualifying in Melbourne.
Lotus Renault confirm Heidfeld as Kubica stand-in
The Lotus Renault Formula One team have announced that German F1 Driver Nick Heidfeld will replace the injured Robert Kubica as a starting driver for the beginning of the F1 2011 season.
Robert Kubica broke several bones and almost lost his right hand in a horrific rally accident earlier this month. He is out of action [...]
Robert Kubica broke several bones and almost lost his right hand in a horrific rally accident earlier this month. He is out of action [...]
Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot Patrick Gaillard Divina Galica
Why Michael Schumacher Could Win The 2011 World Championship
Michael Schumacher?s 2010 comeback was somewhat abortive.� The results, the driving standard and the overtakes were well below par for the former champion.� He even let his team mate beat him for the first time in his career.� So why can Schumacher, the fallen Ferrari hero, win the world championship for an 8th time? It?s [...]
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