Barcelona, fourth pre-season test

[Tazio]

Mark Webber gave a hint of Red Bull's pace as he set the fastest time on the first day of the final winter test at Barcelona - though he was only elevated to the top when a late time from Sergio Perez was deleted for chicane-jumping.

Webber's 1m22.544s was faster than anyone managed in last month's Catalunya test, and it came on a qualifying-style single-lap run this morning. He followed it up with another lap just one tenth slower shortly afterwards, having previously lapped in 1m23s on a five-lap stint.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89799

Day one times:

Pos Driver Team/Car Time Gap Laps
1. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m22.544s 97
2. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m22.910s + 0.366 74
3. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m22.937s + 0.393 27
4. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m24.117s + 1.573 90
5. Nick Heidfeld Renault 1m24.735s + 2.191 20
6. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m25.039s + 2.495 38
7. Davide Valsecchi Lotus-Renault 1m25.406s + 2.862 50
8. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m26.004s + 3.460 48
9. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 1m26.030s + 3.486 31
10. Luiz Razia Lotus-Renault 1m26.723s + 4.179 29
11. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1m32.060s + 9.516 57

[pino]

Very interesting guy this Valsecchi... :D

[jas123f1]

During todays morning session Vettel was pushing quite hard too - however when looking on the times

1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1.21,865
2. Vitali Petrov Renault 1.22,670
3. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1.23,324
4. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso 1.23,838
5. Paul di Resta Force India 1.24,334
6. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber 1.25,485
7. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1.26,120
8. Lewis Hamilton McLaren 1.28,946
9. Jerome d'Ambrosio Virgin 1.28,982
10. Jarno Trulli Lotus 1.29,286

[Mia 01]

It´s easy to be a fan of RB and Seb at the moment!

[Mark]

I fear we'll have a Red Bull whitewash at the first few races this year.

[AndyL]

Massa did some good longer runs today, Ferrari might be able to challenge the Bulls.

[steveaki13]

I fear we'll have a Red Bull whitewash at the first few races this year.

Anything can happen in Australia.

Keep the faith for a close race.

[RS]

There seems to be a lot of unreliability around at the moment, with only a few days of testing left to go! Maybe mostly related to KERS and radical exhaust packaging?

[Tazio]

Massa did some good longer runs today, Ferrari might be able to challenge the Bulls. From what I have read this morning Ferrari spent almost entire session doing back to back runs comparing new aero developments. Tomorrow Massa is going to do a race simulation. Ferrari is being very methodical, and I 'm going to resist that sinking feeling that Red Bull will dominate until at least the end of the Friday test session. :uhoh: ;)

[Mia 01]

You did? I´m not rooting for them, however, my twin sons eight yers old does nowdays.

As someone said, STR will be a threat in the upper midfield this year.

[Dave B]

The Pirelli wets might be getting another outing today:



#F1 test forecast: Bad news on the horizon. Rain still on course for late Fri afternoon. Saturday washout, torrential rain - up to 100mm

[AndyL]

The Pirelli wets might be getting another outing today:

[quote="@radarguruf1 (Emlyn Hughes)":4048iv7r]#F1 test forecast: Bad news on the horizon. Rain still on course for late Fri afternoon. Saturday washout, torrential rain - up to 100mm
[/quote:4048iv7r]

More bad news for McLaren!

[jas123f1]

It´s easy to be a fan of RB and Seb at the moment!

I must say that I’m interested of the sport in first hand and of drivers in second hand.
My absolute favourite was Kimi, until he left - and then Sebastian and Felipe – today I don’t like Ferrari at all (after they pay out Kimi who is one of the best drivers and a favourite to so many – therefore - if anyone at Ferrari shall win I hope it will be Felipe, not "Santader paid" Alonso – I have however my doubts when speaking about Ferrari and who the first driver is there – so therefore my favourite for the 2011 titles is Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull (as last year). I like the way they won the titles last season.

:)

[Tazio]

The Pirelli wets might be getting another outing today:
#F1 test forecast: Bad news on the horizon. Rain still on course for late Fri afternoon. Saturday washout, torrential rain - up to 100mm

Which means we should start seeing some quali simulations today and tomorrow morning? Perez has already done a couple today according to:

http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/316

[Tazio]

More bad news for McLaren!

That's right they are not testing today. The good news is that they are only predicting light rain late tomorrow. It sounds like there could be a lot of dry Friday. The rain is predicted for friday evening, through, Saturday!

http://weather.yahoo.com/spain/catalonia/barcelona-753692/

BTW today’s morning session was red flagged with 5 minutes left before the lunch break, as Rubens car was abandoned on the track.


Here are today’s morning times:

1 Perez Sauber 1m21.761s
2 Massa Ferrari 1m22.092s +0.331
3 Webber Red Bull 1m22.466s +0.705
4 Barrichello Williams 1m22.637s +0.876
5 Petrov Renault 1m24.233s +2.472
6 Sutil Force India 1m24.334s +2.573
7 Alguersuari Toro Rosso 1m24.779s +3.018
8 Schumacher Mercedes 1m25.779s +4.018
9 D'Ambrosio Virgin 1m29.410s +7.649
10 Trulli Lotus 1m34.485s +12.724

[Tazio]

Final times and distance

Pos Driver Team/Car Time Gap Laps
1. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m21.761s 95
2. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m22.092s + 0.331s 132
3. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m22.466s + 0.705s 97
4. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m22.637s + 0.876s 105
5. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m22.892s + 1.131s 89
6. Nick Heidfeld Renault 1m23.541s + 1.780s 32
7. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1m23.990s + 2.229s 40
8. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m24.233s + 2.472s 24
9. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m24.334s + 2.573s 108
10. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m24.779s + 3.018s 107
11. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1m27.336s + 5.575s 96
12. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1m34.485s + 12.724s 6



132 laps for Felipe baby :eek:

[steveaki13]

Final times and distance

Pos Driver Team/Car Time Gap Laps
1. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m21.761s 95
2. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m22.092s + 0.331s 132
3. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m22.466s + 0.705s 97
4. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m22.637s + 0.876s 105
5. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m22.892s + 1.131s 89
6. Nick Heidfeld Renault 1m23.541s + 1.780s 32
7. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1m23.990s + 2.229s 40
8. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m24.233s + 2.472s 24
9. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m24.334s + 2.573s 108
10. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m24.779s + 3.018s 107
11. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1m27.336s + 5.575s 96
12. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1m34.485s + 12.724s 6



132 laps for Felipe baby :eek:

Why so few laps for Jarno?

[AndyL]

Why so few laps for Jarno?

Gearbox had to be replaced, but then they found a water leak and had to fix that as well. Well I say fix, I mean bodge it up because, you know, got to wait for the parts to be delivered guv. Pretty sure some of those Lotus mechanics must have learned their trade in car dealers ;)

[MrJan]

I went to the afternoon session yesterday and it was great, got a few photos and videos that I'll upload when I get back to the UK. Anyone know about the weird nose that McLaren ran towards the end? It was really bulbouse and looked awful but with limited internet abroad I can't research it. Vettel and Massa looked quickest with Nico up there. The FI looked a mess though and the Lotus was ruined with understeer through slow corners. First time I've seen F1 at full speed though and the braking distances are scarily short.

[airshifter]

I went to the afternoon session yesterday and it was great, got a few photos and videos that I'll upload when I get back to the UK. Anyone know about the weird nose that McLaren ran towards the end? It was really bulbouse and looked awful but with limited internet abroad I can't research it. Vettel and Massa looked quickest with Nico up there. The FI looked a mess though and the Lotus was ruined with understeer through slow corners. First time I've seen F1 at full speed though and the braking distances are scarily short.

You must not have researched the best spot concerning the McLaren nose. :)

http://www.motorsportforums.com/forums/showthread.php?141526-The-new-Mclaren-got-a-pimple

[pino]

Gearbox had to be replaced, but then they found a water leak and had to fix that as well. Well I say fix, I mean bodge it up because, you know, got to wait for the parts to be delivered guv. Pretty sure some of those Lotus mechanics must have learned their trade in car dealers ;)

Same story as last year for Jarno, too many mechanic problems on his car and almost none on Kova's :s

[pino]

Michael faster after 1 hour session

1. Schumacher (Mercedes) 1:23.948 s.

2. Alonso (Ferrari) 1:24.775 +0.827

3. Barrichello (Williams) 1:24.932 +0.984

4. Kobayashi (Sauber) 1:26.023 +2.075

5. Heidfeld (Renault) 1:26.120 +2.172

6. Sutil (Force India) 1:26.815 +2.867

7. Kovalainen (Lotus) 1:28.754 +4.806

source : marca.com

[Mia 01]

I must say that I’m interested of the sport in first hand and of drivers in second hand.
My absolute favourite was Kimi, until he left - and then Sebastian and Felipe – today I don’t like Ferrari at all (after they pay out Kimi who is one of the best drivers and a favourite to so many – therefore - if anyone at Ferrari shall win I hope it will be Felipe, not "Santader paid" Alonso – I have however my doubts when speaking about Ferrari and who the first driver is there – so therefore my favourite for the 2011 titles is Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull (as last year). I like the way they won the titles last season.

:)
Exactly, I´m glad that one moore swede is seeing the light

[Tazio]

Morning times:

1 Schumacher Mercedes 1m21.268s
2 Alonso Ferrari 1m21.614s +0.346
3 Heidfeld Renault 1m22.073s +0.805
4 Barrichello Williams 1m22.233s +0.965
5 Kobayashi Sauber 1m22.315s +1.047
6 Alguersuari Toro Rosso 1m22.675s +1.407
7 Vettel Red Bull 1m23.012s +1.744
8 Kovalainen Lotus 1m23.437s +2.169
9 Sutil Force India 1m23.921s +2.653
10 Button McLaren 1m25.837s +4.569
11 D'Ambrosio Virgin 1m27.375s +6.107

All timing unofficial. Updated: 12:03 GMT


11:56 Adrian Newey's Ford GT40 is being readied at the end of the pitlane. The Red Bull technical genius will be doing some laps in it at lunchtime :bigcry: ;)

http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/317

[MrJan]

You must not have researched the best spot concerning the McLaren nose. :)

http://www.motorsportforums.com/forums/showthread.php?141526-The-new-Mclaren-got-a-pimple

Yeah well I've been functioning with borrowed internet this week so didn't really have the time to look it up, cheers for the clarification :up:

[Mia 01]

I´m afraid that Macca is using one of their last e3ngines supplied today.

It took some time to find it.

But as Lewis said: we will be up there (in the midfield)

[RS]

Anyone else worried about Virgin? They set some reasonable times in the early tests but were well off the pace this week. I know testing is testing but you would have thought they would have gone for a qualifying style run at some point this week...

[ioan]

Same story as last year for Jarno, too many mechanic problems on his car and almost none on Kova's :s

Actually teams only bring one car to tests, so it is the very same car for both of them.

[ioan]

Good to see MS back on top, even if it is only testing! :D

[N4D13]

And Hispania will arrive in Oz without having done a single lap of testing.

Echoes of 2010...

[ioan]

And Hispania will arrive in Oz without having done a single lap of testing.

Echoes of 2010...

Do you think that it would make any difference?

[jens]

Based on views here and there it looks like Mercedes may have made a notable step forward and could be 3rd best team by now. On the other hand Renault seems to have sort of stagnated and is hardly rated much above midfield any longer.


Why so few laps for Jarno?

Lotus opted for Red Bull hydraulics only to keep suffering from the reliability issues they wanted to escape from. It will be frustrating for Trulli to endure another year of an unreliable car.

[MrJan]

Finally managed to get some pictures online so thought I'd link them. I only had a Fuji point and shoot that I 'borrowed' from work so not really the best photos but thought I'd post the best of the crop anyway:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5534691691_1d7197bf37_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrjanyeo/5534691691/)
DSCF0489 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrjanyeo/5534691691/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5534691917_a0df5db0c3_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrjanyeo/5534691917/)
DSCF0491 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrjanyeo/5534691917/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5097/5535275948_ab0c2d4b9e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrjanyeo/5535275948/)
DSCF0503 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrjanyeo/5535275948/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5055/5534698663_d3c46ef9cc_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrjanyeo/5534698663/)
DSCF0510 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrjanyeo/5534698663/)

[MrJan]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5300/5534699889_101ecfbbb2_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrjanyeo/5534699889/)
DSCF0512 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrjanyeo/5534699889/)

Can just about make out the pimple on this one:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5300/5535284504_b2e8f83e95_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrjanyeo/5535284504/)
DSCF0519 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrjanyeo/5535284504/)

And the platypus on this one:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5011/5535279420_15ede23561_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrjanyeo/5535279420/)
DSCF0511 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrjanyeo/5535279420/)

And, finally, the first picture I tried, not exactly cut out for this 200mph thing:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5534687145_bd8b40c746_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrjanyeo/5534687145/)
DSCF0477 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrjanyeo/5534687145/)