TEAMS (not FIA) Decide To Maintain Current Pre Season Testing Rule

Well I can't find my post with all the huffin and puffin over this issue, but I did say thats what should happen or will.

Its there call.

 

They really need to have testing during the season. With all the development going on, its not safe to have the teams using the race weekend for them to test new components.

 

Reading a little "between the lines" of what Whitmarsh said, my take is he (and the other "big teams") would like in-season testing, but they also want to stick together - "Make allowances for the little guys".

I like the final (proposed, not yet agreed) test being in Bahrain the week before round 1 - Why, oh why don't they just stay and test on Monday after the race!? [Or Thursday, either way - Sure, they'd use Thursday to improve for that race, but why not?]

Give 'em a track open all day and let 'em run whoever & whatever (assuming superlicense of course). Couldn't be done everywhere (street circuits might be tough!) but almost no additional expense etc......

Cheers,
Ian

 

First, bring back the T-car. Then, testing at the race venues should be available Monday after the Grands Prix at European permanent circuits for every team except the podium finishers.

You put it on Monday, rather than Thursday, to level the testing field. If the test is Thursday everyone is concerned with the Grand Prix on Sunday and it becomes a practice session. On Monday, the testing becomes about improving the current car in a general sense, rather than improving the prospects for a race, because the data gathered for the specific circuit cannot come into play for 12 months, and by then the teams have a new car.

You remove the podium teams because, just maybe, it will allow the "little guys" to catch up a tenth of a second overall in pace. Think of it like penalty weight in sportscar racing. If you place, you go home and the rest of the teams get a day to try and catch up.

You then require 40% of the total laps run by a team in testing to be by the teams' test drivers, hopefully giving up-and-coming drivers time in Grand Prix cars at Grand Prix venues.

 

You have a good point. They should add one extra day during the race weekend as a test day.

 

I like this but only have the 3rd/test driver doing the driver.

 

Wow... I'm having serious Deja Vu... (page 2, post #26 and onward)

 

And it's also unsafe to put new drivers in cars during the season without giving them the time to acclimatise to an F1 car, or having team 'testers' who never drive!!

 

Patience is a virgin..

 

I agree. And have attendance free or dirt cheap. You'll expose the sport to thousands of people who otherwise couldn't attend and probably sell a butt-load of beer in the process!

 

....and you never know, having a talented tester drive the same car, on the same track at reasonably the time (I'd prefer monday) may even provide some interesting twists. If nothing else- it may provide insight and/or motivation into driver/car performance issues.

 

Can't abide 'podium teams pound sand'...

Hammering the tall nails even is bad policy, always.

 

This is bad news for Ferrari and also for Michael Schumacher.

So in essence I expect no game changing moment from car/driver development for the 2011 season.

 

Also bad news for anyone not consistently running up front...

Alex

 

You mean like the blindingly fast Red Bulls, or the straight line advantage the F-Duct gave McLaren, or how half the field moved ahead of Brawn, all done without in-season testing?

 

lol

 

I agree with everyone who suggested they stay back for a Monday test...

 

My point is that if you have a super designer like RB and McL have then you can develop with fewer test days.
If your designer is not that good (Ferrari) or you have a lot to catch up (MS) then you need more days.

 

True. I mentioned MS because some on here say all he needs is more practice with the new cars/tires to get adapted again. Now it will remain difficult to make up that lack in seat time.

 

Yes, but also bear in mind that everyone's on Pirellis next season. The only driver will be used to the new tyres will be Heidi.

 

Spot on, which is why I stressed car/driver dev

The biggest unknown/game changer will be the tires

I wonder for what team Heidi will drive?

 

I think it would be an advantage if Heidi drivers for any team, because of the vital knowledge he has. My bet is Sauber. Heidi and Kamui.

 

Yes and that d be great
DLR is useless

But: let's not forget that Heidi is driving a F1 which is quite outdated
So his experience is worth only so much

 

Mike and the rest of the Rookies (Vettle included) need the practice.