(from autosport) (Alonso was in the 2007 car, so I am not sure if he was using TC, and if that would give him an advantage. Sure its only testing, but I think 2008 is going to be one heck of a season) Former world champion Fernando Alonso made a perfect start to his return to Renault on Tuesday when he topped the times in testing at Jerez. The Spaniard was having the first experience of last year's R27 and, after spending the early part of the day finding the limits of the car, he set his best lap of 1:19.503 late in the afternoon as he did two quick runs. Alonso's best effort was just more than one tenth ahead of McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa in the new McLaren MP4-23, with Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen just five hundredths further adrift in the F2008. Williams' Nico Rosberg continued to show some impressive speed in the interim FW29, setting the fourth fastest time, just ahead of Felipe Massa and Heikki Kovalainen. Scuderia Toro Rosso duo Sebastian Vettel and Sebastien Bourdais were seventh and eighth quickest, with Red Bull Racing's Mark Webber ninth fastest ahead of the launch of his new RB4 tomorrow. Timo Glock got his first run in the new Toyota, finishing the day 11th overall, while the team's test driver Kamui Kobayashi used a hybrid 2007 car featuring the 2008 electronics and gearbox. The Japanese driver lost time in the morning with an exhaust issue, before rejoining for the afternoon. Super Aguri's James Rossiter had to sit out the day following delays in the arrival of new parts to overcome the overheating problems that marred their first day. There were three red flags during the day. De la Rosa went off in a huge cloud of smoke at 9.02am, while Williams' Kazuki Nakajima ran off the track at 12.30pm. The final stoppage came just two minutes before the scheduled end of the day when Bourdais stopped on track. Today's testing times: Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Alonso Renault (B) 1:19.503 70 2. De la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:19.650 111* 3. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:19.708 90* 4. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:19.756 81 5. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:19.772 85* 6. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:19.780 130* 7. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:20.305 86 8. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:20.346 76 9. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:20.392 80 10. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:20.526 66 11. Glock Toyota (B) 1:20.598 109* 12. Fisichella Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:20.764 76 13. Kobayashi Toyota (B) 1:22.060 55 * 2008 car All timing unofficial
Probably running light, but boy would it be a great four way battle; Ferrari, McLaren, BMW, and Renault. Of course with Kimi winnning the WDC after another exciting battle with Fernando and Lewis.
Whats the point of him testing a car they wont use? They must have '08 parts on it that need to be tested.
I do not believe there are any real rules concerning the cars at testing. Being the fastest is almost irrelevent. Fuel load, testing of new suspension parts, new gearing, etc. Like I asked earlier, if it was a complete 2007 car, did it have TC? The only thing that matters is the last lap on race day. The rest of events like this is muscle flexing.
Yeah, a little suspicious that it was last year's car. Either the '08 isn't ready, isn't any good or has something soooo ground breaking that they don't want it shown yet. Or have they already unveiled--I have no idea?
Renault will be unveiling their new car in Paris next month. i think it's just a firing shot here. fill him up light, let him do a few fast ones, to show that he's still the fastest out there..
If I was King of Renault, FA would drive around Jerez in the 07 car with 08 computer to try to catch up with the headstart that FIA gave McLaren on the software. I think thats whats happening. Jay
The main purpose of the Alonso's outing was to get used to the car and to get used to the new rules. So who knows what was on the car aerodynamically. Probably the 07 car with a downforce configuration similar to what will be used in '08 along with the electronic aids turned off. I imagine that can't be that difficult for their engineers to set up. No point in Alonso doing laps in a car that won't conform to rules as he'd be far behind the other drivers that are already getting used to the new rules. He could have been running light. But who's to say the other guys weren't? You can always argue that the person at the top was "running light". It's testing. Lap times are near impossible to decipher. There was an interesting article in one of the sites that cover F1 about how the rules are so strict now that a team's real area to gain performance is through aerodynamics. So much so that they're suggesting that teams are keeping what they will put on the cars under tight wraps 'till the first grand prix. The McLaren car was used as an example... it looks very similar to the 07 car as to not reveal any new possible radical aero designs to the other teams before the season is fully underway.
Some dont though as it's hard to tell just how new someone is to the sport, show alittle love and give as much support as possible. Remember what you give is only half of what you recieve when you keep an open mind. Gregg
No love for Fernando DM18 as he showed his true color's this past year. Yes the man is very talented but as far as I'm concerned he is 'past tense' as a respected driver.
He has had some attitude problems in the past, but I wouldn't go so far as to say that he isn't a respected driver anymore. The man won 2 World Championships, came one point away from winning it last year, had teams(Toyota, etc.) offering him obscene amounts of money to drive for them, and is now about to go back to the team at which he won those two titles. Renault used to be a joke, and then he came and made them champions. Who's to say he can't do it again? He's definitely not my favorite driver, but you have to give the guy some credit. John
I have changed my opinion of Fred, I like him. Kind of how a father has no porblem with the neighborhood teenage boy next door until he tries to get in his daughter's pants. Like Fred driving for Ferrari. Then I do not like him. ;}
+1 I've never really disliked him; however, I have been pretty frustrated with his attitude, such as when he blamed Renault when Schumi was dominating him late in 2006. If Massa lost his seat and he changed his 'tude a bit, I guess I wouldn't have a huge problem with him being at the Scuderia. He would definitely have to change, though.
In the past, teams weren't as secretive about trying out new aero layouts. Since there were other areas to gain performance. One team might not have as sohpisticated an aero package... but they may have a powerful engine, trick suspension, fast gearbox, etc. Take Williams' old walrus-tusks style front end, for example. If that was their radical design for this year and were adamant that it would be one of the key elements to give them a competitive edge, I don't think they would be so quick to show it off. It wasn't as important as in past years.
I miss that thing. Am I the only one who thinks it looked really cool? Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
