We’ve had a great year at The F1 Times thanks to you, our loyal readers, who have followed the fantastic 2011 season alongside us for every minute of the on-track and off-track action.
With the 2012 season almost upon us, we’ve taken a look back at our most read stories of 2011, ranging from car launches to regulations changes and unfortunate rallying accidents.
Here, we present the top ten stories of 2011:
1. FIA tests canopy covered cockpits for F1
In the wake of Felipe Massa’s accident in 2009 at the Hungarian GP and Michael Schumacher’s near-miss in Abu Dhabi, the FIA Institute for Motor Sport Safety and Sustainability began testing closed cockpits.
2. McLaren MP4-26 launch set for Feb 4th in Berlin
McLaren announced the official launch date of its 2011 car, the MP4-26, which took place in Berlin and was assembled on site by members of the public.
3. FIA alters blown-diffuser ban to satisfy Renault
The FIA made an unsual decision to alter the rules surrounding off-throttle blown-exhausts system at the British GP which caused uproar amongst the teams. The regulation changes imposed at Silverstone were dropped at the next race.
4. FIA to extend DRS zone for Malaysia
A new for 2011 feature, the drag-reduction-system (DRS) was an unknown for everybody including the FIA. After little effect in the opening Australian GP, the governing body opted to extend the Malaysian zone after qualifying to improve overtaking in the race.
5. Hamilton insists Red Bull’s wings are flexing
A hot topic from 2010 continued into 2011 as Red Bull were once again accused of running a flexible front-wing to the bemusement of McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton.
6. McLaren launch ‘radical’ MP4-26 in Berlin
We revealed some of the first pictures of the MP4-26 as we covered the launch live from Berlin as McLaren took the wraps off of its radical 2011 car which featured ‘L/J’ sidepods.
7. Urgent Monaco track repairs following fire
A small truck caught fire, damaging the track surface at Sainte Devote, just two days before practice kicked off for the 2011 Monaco GP which led to urgent track repairs.
8. A tribute to Senna: Gone but never forgotten
It was 17 years since we lost Ayrton Senna. The F1 Times took a look at the story of how the Brazilian almost skipped Formula 1 to instead join his fathers family business, including a gallery of his best images.
9. Kubica injured in Italian rally accident
Robert Kubica’s Italian rally crash was our ninth most read story in 2011. The then Renault driver had an unfortunate accident which severely damaged his hand, arm and leg and meant he couldn’t participate in the 2011 season at all.
10. Official: First image of the Mercedes W02
We revealed the first ever image (digital rendering) of the 2011 Mercedes, the W02, to the world, which attracted several thousand hits.
