Pre-Season F1 Testing Jerez 17-20Feb

[Boyle]

The Mclaren seems to have the quickest short fuel car but they seem to lagging a bit over the long runs. It's probably just me but it seems they are either struggling with tyres or are unable to get the balance right for heavy fuel loads. Hopefully it's all in my head

 

[snowy]

There does appear to be some evidence to suggest McLaren and Lewis are harder on their tyres. The Red Bull and Vettel have definately leapt out of the shadows and shown they are going to be quite a force in 2010.

Fuel is such a big question mark though isn't it?

 

[snowy]

18th Feb 2010 Day 2

Swimming today we have:

Sauber       de la Rosa        

Ferrari      Massa               

Force India  Liuzzi               

Lotus        Kovalainen          

McLaren      Hamilton          

Mercedes GP  Rosberg          

Red Bull     Vettel                

Renault      Petrov               

Toro Rosso   Buemi             

Virgin       di Grassi/Glock  

Williams     Barrichello

 

[Brogan]

I presume it's still wet then?

 

[snowy]

1. F. Massa		Ferrari	F60		1:28.879	 	4  	pit

2. P. de la Rosa	Sauber	C29		1:29.691	+0.812	8 	pit

3. R. Barrichello	Williams FW32		1:32.423	+3.544	11 	pit

4. P. di Resta		Force India F8-VII	1:32.904	+4.025	5 	pit

5. T. Glock		Virgin Racing VR-01	1:33.234	+4.355	14 	pit

6. L. Hamilton		McLaren	MP4-25		1:34.358	+5.479	5 	pit

7. S. Buemi		Toro Rosso STR5		1:34.706	+5.827	8 	pit

8. N. Rosberg		Mercedes GP W01		1:39.551	+10.672	4 	pit

Most definately brolly weather. The forecast is dire and the reality may actually be worse.

 

[FB]

According to the BBC weather site:

Thursday - Heavy rain
Friday - Heavy rain showers
Saturday - Heavy rain

Temperature not getting above 14C (although that would be nice here in the frozen north of England)

Nice weather for ducks, as they say

 

[snowy]

1. F. Massa		1:28.879	 	14  	pit

2. S. Vettel		1:29.330	+0.451	7 	pit

3. P. de la Rosa	1:29.691	+0.812	8 	pit

4. N. Rosberg		1:30.203	+1.324	18 	pit

5. P. di Resta		1:30.344	+1.465	14 	pit

6. R. Barrichello	1:31.489	+2.610	22 	pit

7. L. Hamilton		1:32.934	+4.055	26 	pit

8. T. Glock		1:33.234	+4.355	16 	pit

9. S. Buemi		1:33.752	+4.873	12

 

[cider_and_toast]

Well at least we can't blame The FIA/Jean Todt/Max/Bernie/CVC/FOM for the weather........

or can we?

 

[snowy]

I can.

You'll be please to know I am using my time wisely, experimenting with Excel and attempting to get my head round Microsoftinthehead's idea of intuitive computing. Which is very definately counter intuitive, unless you happen to be insane...

 

[snowy]

No really I can.

The drive for cost cuts means that tests can't now be rescheduled, relocated or abandoned as they were back when the world was sane.

 

[cider_and_toast]

Even worse if you've got your own test track which you could play at all day long.

Bet it's not raining in Marinalo

Or Hethal in Norfolk for that matter

 

[FB]

Maranello - 8C Cloudy and raining for the next 3 days
Hethel - 5C Cloudy with heavy rain showers - Chance of snow Friday & Saturday

Anything else I can help you with CaT?

 

[FB]

On the testing issue, I take Snowy's point about the tests not being able to be rescheduled but with all teams obliged to test on the same track at the same time we do at least have a level playing field when they arrive in Bahrain.

 

[cider_and_toast]

I suppose the big problem is winter testing in Europe. You can't predict what the weather is going to be like when the test programme is announced so you have to hope for the best.

As I've said before, with the first race of the season now Bahrain (thought that was just a one off because of the commonwealth games but hey ho). It would seem reasonalbe to schedule the final test in the Middle East. That way you could almost be certain of at least one dry test and most of the teams equipment would already be out there for the first race which would save a few bob on transport costs.

 

[Galahad]

I must say, part of me is glad it's raining. I'd sooner go to Bahrain with absolutely no idea and have a surprise (whether a pleasant or unpleasant surprise).

In any case, they're not bolting on their final aero specs until the Catalunya test so although the teams will obviously be annoyed, as fans the clearest picture won't emerge until next week anyway.

 

[snowy]

Group testing is a humungus plus. Last year with Toyota and Ferrari testing out in Bahrain we had little idea of their competitiveness. There's always something with F1... If it's not one thing, it's a bloody 'nother! .....

 

[snowy]

1. S. Vettel		1:28.746	 	31  	  

2. F. Massa		1:28.879	+0.133	14 	pit

3. P. de la Rosa	1:29.691	+0.945	8 	pit

4. N. Rosberg		1:30.203	+1.457	29 	 

5. P. di Resta		1:30.344	+1.598	24 	pit

6. R. Barrichello	1:31.489	+2.743	40 	 

7. T. Glock		1:32.016	+3.270	28 	 

8. S. Buemi		1:32.678	+3.932	33 	 

9. L. Hamilton		1:32.934	+4.188	27 	pit

10. H. Kovalainen	1:34.276	+5.530	13 	 

11. V. Petrov		1:42.527	+13.781	5 	pit

1 Massa	Ferrari	 	1m28.879s

2 Rosberg		1m28.964s  +0.085

3 Vettel		1m29.055s  +0.176

4 De la Rosa		1m29.691s  +0.812

5 Di Resta		1m30.344s  +1.465

6 Barrichello		1m31.489s  +2.610

7 Hamilton		1m32.934s  +4.055

8 Glock	Virgin	 	1m33.234s  +4.355

9 Buemi			1m33.752s  +4.873

10 Kovalainen		1m34.932s  +6.053

11 Petrov		1m42.527s  +13.648

None of the sites I visit seem to have any idea what times are being set and by whom!

 

[cider_and_toast]

Ok, So the Lotus is out and about with Heiki behind the wheel. Hopefully they've bolted on the power steering system and it's all up and running.

Still a couple of seconds off Glock though. Looks like Virgin have started to find their feet. As always it's almost impossible to tell what's what in bad weather.

Got to agree with GMs post about the not knowing making it more interesting.

 

[snowy]

I have to take issue with the not knowing. I honestly believe I want to know where everyone stands.
With one caveat: I don't want anyone else to know!

I'm not a betting man but I am very competitive.

 

[snowy]

1. R. Barrichello	1:27.577	 	63  	pit

2. V. Petrov		1:27.828	+0.251	26 	 

3. S. Vettel		1:28.746	+1.169	36 	pit

4. F. Massa		1:28.879	+1.302	15 	 

5. N. Rosberg		1:28.964	+1.387	36 	 

6. P. de la Rosa	1:29.691	+2.114	8 	pit

7. P. di Resta		1:30.344	+2.767	33 	pit

8. T. Glock		1:31.557	+3.980	31 	pit

9. L. Hamilton		1:31.633	+4.056	32 	pit

10. S. Buemi		1:32.678	+5.101	43 	pit

11. H. Kovalainen	1:33.554	+5.977	26 	pit