Bahrain

Afaik no teams have done any set-up work yet. Most will be just starting on performance today.

 

Day 2 times at lunch:



@autosport
Alonso quickest, Mercedes stops twice. Here's our report from the second morning of testing in Bahrain: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112579

 

Ferrari is saying this morning that they'll begin performance testing at the next test.

 

@adamcooperF1
Williams confirms that its 2014 livery will be unveiled on March 6

@f1enigma
Interesting story from @tgruener . Teams to decide on double points for last 3 races after tests bit.ly/1gjPrOu

Ferrari not chasing performance yet: http://t.co/ad7Q7JQ7qF

 

Mercedes still in garage investigating the cause of their last stoppage on track.

 

Times so far:

Someone in the 1:35s now. I don't think these cars have more than a second in them quicker than Magnussen's time, could be wrong.

1 Magnussen McLaren 1m35.489s
2 Hulkenberg Force India 1m36.445s +0.956
3 Rosberg Mercedes 1m36.965s +1.476
4 Bottas Williams 1m37.635s +2.146
5 Alonso Ferrari 1m37.700s +2.211
6 Vettel Red Bull 1m40.340s +4.851
7 Vergne Toro Rosso 1m40.609s +5.120
8 Gutierrez Sauber 1m40.717s +5.228
9 Grosjean Lotus 1m41.670s +6.181
10 Chilton Marussia 1m42.511s +7.022
11 Kobayashi Caterham 1m42.776s +7.287

 

AMuS suspects Ferrari are running more power today since Alonso ganied 18 or 19 kph on the straight compared to yesterday

 

Magnussen has shaven another half a second off. He is now 1.34.910 on super soft.

 

pole time bahrain 2013 - 1:32:330

 

we're now just over 2 seconds slower than last year.


dooms dayers...your turn.

 

Merc stopped earlier today due to a sudden drop in water pressure. Ok now

 

I'm pretty certain Mclaren turned up the heat and are running a proper engine map. Laying down such a lap in their current aero config is impressive. I have to wonder about those suspension arms though, Mclaren will have a fight on their hands to keep them.

Rosberg/Ham lapping on long runs in the 1:38s -1:39s. Delta from full fuel tank to qualy tank is 3 seconds or so.

 

Lots of rake on W05 compared to anyone this season. No idea how they're pulling this off.

I am seeing W05 still has a bit of understeer out there.
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Lotus radiator. Tidy
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Mclaren back out on a longer run, in the 1:39s

 

Alonso ran a overall best middle sector and then backed out just before the checkered flag. The Ferrari is quick

 

Bahrain Test, Day Two is over.

 

2.6 seconds is still an eternity.

That said, by the end of this year they should be close to 2013 lap times.

I'll care when they give the '04 cars a run for their money.

 

Finally a monkey seat on F14 T
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Envelopes of these very new units are just being explored. I expect them to surprise us later with some speed. I think this will be a good year relative to lap times of the past.

 

I'm not surprised that by the time Bahrain Quali is on the fastest lap will be very close to 2013 times...

Pretty sure the podium won't represent how it was for the last 2 years manufacturers wise though

 

I think they have no reason to not test the capabilities of these cars during testing especially this year. These cars are too new and different to hide your capabilities and then walk into qualifying basically in the unknown.

 

They could be close to 2013 lap times by Australia. Remember that power isn't the issue, it's aero/handling. Once the teams have sorted through the reliability concerns, they will be able to address the car set-ups.

I would expect the "handling" circuits will remain a challenge for the new cars to reach 2013 lap times.