Pre-season testing, Jerez, 10th - 13th Feb [Archive]

Dave B

10th February 2011, 09:33

We're off again :D

Great to see that every team is running a "Get well soon Robert" message somewhere on their cars, here's Lotus for example:

http://c0013644.cdn1.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/x2_4896a48

And t'other Lotus:

http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg615/scaled.php?tn=0&server=615&filename=nd2iv.jpg&xsize=640&ysize=640

On track, Perez has been out in his Sauber but stopped out on track causing the first red flag of the day, nobody else has yet set a time.

Mark

10th February 2011, 09:40

It's times like these you realise that for all their differences and internal policitics, F1 is a very small world.

Dave B

10th February 2011, 09:45

Indeed.

Here's McLaren's message, as posted by http://twitter.com/TheFifthDriver

http://twitpic.com/show/thumb/3y89cx.jpg

Still under a red flag out in Jerez. @TeamAnglais reporting that Perez's problem seems mechanical rather than a crash, so wondering why it's taking so long to clear his car away.

Dave B

10th February 2011, 09:48

We're off again, with McLaren's new car heading out to do its first ever lap. Hamilton at the wheel.
http://twitpic.com/3y89oa

Dave B

10th February 2011, 09:51

If you've got Twitter, why not follow the list in my signature for live updates?

If you haven't, or can't get access to it where you are, you can try this. Copy the following into a Notepad document as save it as an .html file, then open it in your browser. I run it in a seperate windown in a thin strip down the side of my main browser.

<html>
<head>
<title>F1 Twitter feed</title>
</head>

<body bgcolor=#000000>
<script src="http://widgets.twimg.com/j/2/widget.js"></script>
<script>
new TWTR.Widget({
version: 2,
type: 'list',
rpp: 18,
interval: 2000,
title: '',
subject: '',
width: 'auto',
height: 670,
theme: {
shell: {
background: '#000000',
color: '#9eb8a4'
},
tweets: {
background: '#000000',
color: '#f7f7f7',
links: '#00e6db'
}
},
features: {
scrollbar: false,
loop: false,
live: true,
hashtags: true,
timestamp: true,
avatars: true,
behavior: 'all'
}
}).render().setList('BigBadDaveB', 'f1').start();
</script>

</body>
</html>

:D

Roamy

10th February 2011, 09:54

dave post the fast times please - no one here understands html

Mark

10th February 2011, 09:55

We're off again, with McLaren's new car heading out to do its first ever lap. Hamilton at the wheel.
http://twitpic.com/3y89oa

Odd when you think about it that they can design a car to this sort of degree and it not even turn a wheel until a month before the season starts. They is clever those F1 peoples.

Dave B

10th February 2011, 09:56

Precious little to report as yet but Ricciardo has just done the morning's fastest (and utterly meaningless) time of 1:23.222.

Webber 1:26.173
Petrov 1:33.311
Massa 1:23.860

One hour in, I remind you that these times mean jack ;)

Roamy

10th February 2011, 10:04

great dave
I probably won't be awake much longer but appreciate you doing this!

Dave B

10th February 2011, 10:07

While you're still awake:

1 Ricciardo Toro Rosso 1m22.931s
2 Webber Red Bull 1m23.194s +0.263
3 Massa Ferrari 1m23.508s +0.577
4 Perez Sauber 1m23.585s +0.654
5 Trulli Lotus 1m26.962s +4.031
6 Petrov Renault 1m28.916s +5.985
7 Rosberg Mercedes 1m34.645s +11.714

Roamy

10th February 2011, 10:09

great stuff

Dave B

10th February 2011, 10:21

If you're wondering why Petrov seems so slow, he's not going for out-and-out times this morning:

[quote="@OfficialLRGP"] Today&#8217]

Course, he could just be slow! Get Bruno in the car... :p

Dave B

10th February 2011, 10:31

Piccy of the weird measuring device on the back of the McLaren:

Dave B

10th February 2011, 11:02

Another update, with the usual caveat about the times being utterly meaningless :p

1 Massa Ferrari 1m20.709s
2 Perez Sauber 1m21.483s +0.774
3 Ricciardo Toro Rosso 1m21.755s +1.046
4 Hamilton McLaren 1m22.283s +1.574
5 Webber Red Bull 1m23.194s +2.485
6 Petrov Renault 1m24.453s +3.744
7 Rosberg Mercedes 1m24.806s +4.097
8 Trulli Lotus 1m26.640s +5.931

SGWilko

10th February 2011, 11:14

Piccy of the weird measuring device on the back of the McLaren:

I believe (and am probably completely wrong) that this is to supply data that can be fed back to the simulator to better represent the characteristicas of the car. Probably be even more important to get accurate simulation of the use of the adjustable rear wing, and how this may or may not influence other aspect of airflow around the car and thus downforce......

Mark

10th February 2011, 11:18

I believe (and am probably completely wrong) that this is to supply data that can be fed back to the simulator to better represent the characteristicas of the car. Probably be even more important to get accurate simulation of the use of the adjustable rear wing, and how this may or may not influence other aspect of airflow around the car and thus downforce......

Certainly, and it won't just be the simulator (from the drivers point of view) but they do all sorts of modelling which tells them what will be the best setup etc, then of course the driver can use the simulator itself so by the time they arrive at first practice there's only some fine tuning to be done.

ioan

10th February 2011, 11:26

What McLaren is doing is checking if their CFD data is backed up by real track testing data.

ioan

10th February 2011, 11:35

Live timing here: http://www.f1-direct.fr/live-essais-prives.php

Dave B

10th February 2011, 11:42

Not sure how "live" it actually is ;)

Scratch that: I'm hearing that the internet has fallen over at the track, so maybe that's affecting the service :)

DexDexter

10th February 2011, 11:47

If you've got Twitter, why not follow the list in my signature for live updates?

If you haven't, or can't get access to it where you are, you can try this. Copy the following into a Notepad document as save it as an .html file, then open it in your browser. I run it in a seperate windown in a thin strip down the side of my main browser.

<html>
<head>
<title>F1 Twitter feed</title>
</head>

<body bgcolor=#000000>
<script src="http://widgets.twimg.com/j/2/widget.js"></script>
<script>
new TWTR.Widget({
version: 2,
type: 'list',
rpp: 18,
interval: 2000,
title: '',
subject: '',
width: 'auto',
height: 670,
theme: {
shell: {
background: '#000000',
color: '#9eb8a4'
},
tweets: {
background: '#000000',
color: '#f7f7f7',
links: '#00e6db'
}
},
features: {
scrollbar: false,
loop: false,
live: true,
hashtags: true,
timestamp: true,
avatars: true,
behavior: 'all'
}
}).render().setList('BigBadDaveB', 'f1').start();
</script>

</body>
</html>

:D

Thanks a lot!

Dave B

10th February 2011, 12:00

Another hour, another update:

Pos No. Name Status Best Gap Diff Last
1 6 MASSA 1:20.709 - - 1:22.275
2 17 PEREZ 1:21.483 0.774 0.774 1:27.971
3 39 RICCIARDO P 1:21.755 1.046 0.272 1:23.125
4 2 WEBBER P 1:22.257 1.548 0.502 1:23.257
5 3 HAMILTON P 1:22.283 1.574 0.026 1:22.454
6 10 PETROV P 1:24.453 3.744 2.170 1:37.282
7 21 TRULLI P 1:24.792 4.083 0.339 1:25.528
8 8 ROSBERG P 1:24.805 4.096 0.013 1:24.917

Dave B

10th February 2011, 16:52

So what's been going on?

Rosberg's Mercedes stopped out on track with what is assumed to have been a mechanical problem, and Petrov had a harmless spin and stopped at turn one. Both incidents triggered red flags, but the session's running again now.

Times so far (with the standard issue caveat):

1 Massa Ferrari 1m20.709s
2 Perez Sauber 1m21.483s +0.774
3 Ricciardo Toro Rosso 1m21.755s +1.046
4 Hamilton McLaren 1m21.914s +1.205
5 Webber Red Bull 1m22.257s +1.548
6 Alguersuari Toro Rosso 1m22.689s +1.980
7 Sutil Force India 1m23.472s +2.763
8 Petrov Renault 1m23.537s +2.828
9 Rosberg Mercedes 1m23.963s +3.254
10 Trulli Lotus 1m24.458s +3.749
11 Glock Virgin 1m25.086s +4.377
12 Maldonado Williams 1m35.174s +14.465

Dave B

10th February 2011, 17:33

Day one: DONE.

Pos Driver Car Time Gap
1. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m20.709s
2. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m21.483s + 0.774s
3. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m21.522s + 0.813s
4. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m21.755s + 1.046s
5. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m21.914s + 1.205s
6. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m22.689s + 1.980s
7. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m23.472s + 2.763s
8. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m23.504s + 2.795s
9. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m23.963s + 3.254s
10. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1m24.458s + 3.749s
11. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m25.086s + 4.377s
12. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1m34.968s + 14.259s

Massa did the most laps, 101, Perez and Webber did 94 each, while Maldonado could only manage 13 and was (according to Williams) working on aero settings.

ioan

10th February 2011, 18:28

McLaren looks fast from the go.

Mia 01

10th February 2011, 19:06

They really do, don´t they.

Ranger

11th February 2011, 07:40

This thing looks hungry.

http://www.motorsport-total.com/bilder/2011/110210/z1297335083.jpg

ioan

11th February 2011, 11:48

Looks like Newey find a way to use all that hot gas leaving the engine compartment by blowing it under the rear wing.

Sonic

11th February 2011, 12:14

Looks like Newey find a way to use all that hot gas leaving the engine compartment by blowing it under the rear wing.

He was doing it last year too, just to a smaller extent. Welcome back btw. :)

DazzlaF1

11th February 2011, 17:57

Here's the day 2 times, Schumi posts the quickest time ahead of Massa and Button. Plus Virgin shwoing great pace with Timo Glock getting under 2 seconds off the quickest time, not bad for their first proper fast run with their new car

Massa did the most laps with 116

1. Michael Schumacher - Mercedes ................1m 20.352 (112 laps)
2. Felipe Massa - Ferrari ................ + 0.061 (116 laps)
3. Jenson Buton - McLaren ................ + 0.657 (69 laps)
4. Jaime Alguersuari - Toro Rosso ................ + 0.862 (72 laps)
5. Mark Webber - Red Bull ................ + 1.261 (113 laps)
6. Adrian Sutil - Force India ................ + 1.428 (73 laps)
7. Sergio Perez - Sauber ................ + 1.505 (56 laps)
8. Timo Glock - Virgin ................ + 1.856 (57 laps)
9. Vitaly Petrov - Renault ................ + 2.141 (65 laps)
10. Pastor Maldonado - Williams ................ + 2.239 (37 laps)
11. Jarno Trulli - Team Lotus ................ + 2.864 (40 laps)

Sonic

11th February 2011, 19:44

There's still little we can say for certain but one thing that does seem clear is the whole grid is going to be closer than 2010.

Brown, Jon Brow

11th February 2011, 19:54

So Mercedes goes from the bottom to the top. Virgin looking like they've moved up a bit. I can't call this. :\

DazzlaF1

11th February 2011, 19:55

There's still little we can say for certain but one thing that does seem clear is the whole grid is going to be closer than 2010.

Not forgetting Team Lotus had more problems today so could'nt run at full pelt, they're having replacement parts flying in overnight so they should be OK tomorrow.

You're right about the grid, I think by the end of pre-season testing, we could have as little as 2 to 2.5 seconds covering as many as 22 cars. If Virgin and Lotus keep up their good work, then their target of points this season could very well become a reality.

One thing id be worried about is Williams, they've had a torrid first 2 days

Sleeper

11th February 2011, 20:52

^Maldonado stuffing it doesnt help either.

I guess Senna and Heidfeld get their runs tomorrow.

DazzlaF1

12th February 2011, 14:16

Morning times on Day 3

1. Fernando Alonso - Ferrari ................ 1m 20.493
2. Michael Schumacher - Mercedes ................ + 0.561
3. Kamui Kobayashi - Sauber ................ + 0.749
4. Sebastian Vettel - Red Bull ................ + 1.081
5. Lewis Hamilton - McLaren ................ + 1.091
6. Sebastien Buemi - Toro Rosso ................ + 1.297
7. Nick Heidfeld - Renault ................ + 1.356
8. Heikki Kovalainen - Lotus ................ + 2.300
9. Paul di Resta - Force India ................ + 2.452
10. Rubens Barrichello - Williams ................ + 2.570
11. Jerome d'Ambrosio - Virgin ................ + 4.978

A few notes

Lotus running with last years front wing until Bahrain test when a new one will be added
Virgin running heavy fuel load, race simulations
Williams limited to 27 laps due to KERS problems
Williams will also launch its full livery before the Bahrain test

DexDexter

12th February 2011, 17:22

One thing is for sure based on this afternoon's testing: Lotus have made a huge step forward, it's early days with an old wing and still Heikki's laptimes very really good in the afternoon.

Pos Driver Car Time Gap Laps
1. Nick Heidfeld Renault 1m20.361s 86
2. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m20.493s + 0.132s 131
3. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m21.054s + 0.693s 114
4. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m21.099s + 0.738s 36
5. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m21.242s + 0.881s 84
6. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m21.574s + 1.213s 98
7. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m21.681s + 1.320s 92
8. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1m21.711s + 1.350s 61
9. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m22.227s + 1.866s 99
10. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m22.945s + 2.584s 64
11. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1m25.471s + 5.110s 72

DazzlaF1

12th February 2011, 18:17

One thing is for sure based on this afternoon's testing: Lotus have made a huge step forward, it's early days with an old wing and still Heikki's laptimes very really good in the afternoon.

Pos Driver Car Time Gap Laps
1. Nick Heidfeld Renault 1m20.361s 86
2. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m20.493s + 0.132s 131
3. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m21.054s + 0.693s 114
4. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m21.099s + 0.738s 36
5. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m21.242s + 0.881s 84
6. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m21.574s + 1.213s 98
7. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m21.681s + 1.320s 92
8. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1m21.711s + 1.350s 61
9. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m22.227s + 1.866s 99
10. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m22.945s + 2.584s 64
11. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1m25.471s + 5.110s 72

Both Kovalainen and Glock have shown that both Virgin and Lotus have made great progress, glock only half a second slower yesterday than Kovalainen but both well within 2 seconds of the outright pace, also out of the 22 full time runners, Kova and Glock are 13th and 15th respectively this week, slap bang in the midfield

Kevincal

12th February 2011, 19:14

Well looks like Nick will get that Renault seat then. Quickest of all!? Impressive.

52Paddy

12th February 2011, 19:19

I'm aware that it's a dangerous thing to speculate race performance from testing times but, nonetheless, it does seem like Michael Schumacher may have improved his form for 2011.

DazzlaF1

12th February 2011, 19:37

I'm aware that it's a dangerous thing to speculate race performance from testing times but, nonetheless, it does seem like Michael Schumacher may have improved his form for 2011.

Improved his form? he's actually very concerned about his car's "lack of pace" makes me suggest his times yesterday and today were set on fumes and super softs

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9395888.stm

Sonic

12th February 2011, 22:04

Give that man a job! Quick Nick, quick once more. :)

Team Lotus look good and the Merc is a bit of a curiosity - fast over one lap (eight lap run) but then a massive drop off, far worse than any other team.

52Paddy

13th February 2011, 00:24

Improved his form? he's actually very concerned about his car's "lack of pace" makes me suggest his times yesterday and today were set on fumes and super softs

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9395888.stm

Yup! You're right about that. That's why it's dangerous to speculate purely from times :mark:

Zico

13th February 2011, 01:27

Yup! You're right about that. That's why it's dangerous to speculate purely from times :mark:

or... he has his excuses already made?

but yeah, you are right, these times obviously dont mean much atall.

DazzlaF1

13th February 2011, 19:06

The Jerez test is over and here's the full list for the 4 days (3rd drivers from Day 1 not included)

1. Rubens Barrichello - Williams ................ 1m 19.832 (202 laps)
2. Michael Schumacher - Mercedes ................ + 0.520 (226 laps)
3. Nick Heidfeld - Renault ................ + 0.529 (86 laps)
4. Felipe Massa - Ferrari ................ + 0.581 (217 laps)
5. Fernando Alonso - Ferrari ................ + 0.661 (246 laps)
6. Kamui Kobayashi - Sauber ................ + 0.769 (170 laps)
7. Jenson Button - McLaren ................ + 1.177 (139 laps)
8. Lewis Hamilton - McLaren ................ + 1.267 (94 laps)
9. Sebastien Buemi - Toro Rosso ................ + 1.381 (182 laps)
10. Jaime Alguersuari - Toro Rosso ................ + 1.382 (114 laps)
11. Bruno Senna - Renault ................ + 1.568 (68 laps)
12. Sergio Perez - Sauber ................ + 1.651 (150 laps)
13. Mark Webber - Red Bull ................ + 1.690 (207 laps)
14. Sebastian Vettel - Red Bull ................ + 1.742 (188 laps)
15. Heikki Kovalainen - Team Lotus ................ + 1.800 (104 laps)
16. Adrian Sutil - Force India ................ + 1.948 (101 laps)
17. Nico Rosberg - Mercedes ................ + 2.271 (112 laps)
18. Timo Glock - Virgin ................ + 2.376 (99 laps)
19. Vitaly Petrov - Renault ................ + 2.661 (122 laps)
20. Pastor Maldonado - Williams ................ + 2.759 (51 laps)
21. Paul di Resta - Force India ................ + 3.113 (163 laps)
22. Jerome d'Ambrosio - Virgin ................ + 3.153 (117 laps)
23. Jarno Trulli - Team Lotus ................ + 3.384 (94 laps)

Sonic

13th February 2011, 23:43

Finally! Williams have a trouble free day. The headline grabbing times can be viewed however you want but there was a great long run on heavy fuel with consistent times and decent pace.

CaptainRaiden

14th February 2011, 07:55

Barrichello's chart topping time is certainly impressive. The only man to go below the 1:20 mark. But we'd never really know how much of that was real pace.

So far Ferrari looks comfortable, so does Red Bull, and Mclaren is consistently around the top as well, with Mercedes and Williams springing some surprise at the end. However, with Schumacher's concern about the lack of pace, I wouldn't read too much into their times.

Roll on Catalunya!

Tazio

14th February 2011, 09:08

I think the top teams are holding their cards close to their vests'. Last winter Ferrari worked really hard collecting tire wear data, running more laps than anyone else, and a lot of long stints with heavy fuel. I think Redbull and McLaren are doing the same. I don't believe any of the top three are going to run anything close to a quail simulation until the last 2 days of practice! I also think NH was running a little light when he set his fast time. It's just a guess, but I think Renault has to let nick drive the car to it/his limits to make an evaluation of him as a replacement driver. I could be totally wrong on that, (and Renault are not showing their complete package for race one yet anyway) it would figure since they are auditioning him.

Sonic

14th February 2011, 09:26

^^^ I think you are spot on. We've not seen the full banana from anyone - including those who have topped the timing sheets. Rubens set that lap on an 8 lap run (as did the shoe in his best effort of the week) so neither were on fumes, and I'm also reading that Williams ran with KERS disconnected for the final day so you can take 0.3 off that time straight away.

As for the big boys, as you say, it's all been about working through their programs and no one has taken their car anywhere near the limit.

SGWilko

14th February 2011, 10:08

Certainly, the big boys seem to be optimising their cars to minimise tyre wear. WIth KERS and the adjustable rear wing, plus the heavy fuel loads and the fagile Pirellis, longevity in the first part of the races is absolutely going to be key.......

AndyL

14th February 2011, 12:40

The two Ferraris are right next to each other on the overall timesheet, as are the two McLarens and the two Red Bulls. And in all three cases the driver who was behind in last year's championship is ahead of his team-mate on the test times. Just an odd coincidence no doubt!

In James Allen's blog he's saying the feeling in the paddock is that when Red Bull do decide to go all-out, they're going to show something pretty special.