Is that image vertically compressed? Car looks really wide compared to the others.
In 3 days they've turned something like 30 laps total... That's way not enough to compare pace with the others. not even mentioning wet track...
so for tomorrow: McLaren/Hamilton, Ferrari/Massa, Red Bull/Vettel, Mercedes/Schumacher, Sauber/de la Rosa, Williams/Barrichello, Toro Rosso/Alguersuari, Renault/Kubica, Force India/Sutil and Virgin/di Grassi Carol
Virgin could be the slowest, but they're starting from scratch. I respect them for that. Sir Richard wanted an F1 team badly, and compare to the rest, i think he'll bring in some colour in, something the sport really needs. I just hope he won't sell off the team. He took a huge risk, and taking into account the economy situation, hats off to him for even making it on the grid. Having said that, i predict it's Virgin, or Lotus would be the slowest this season.
Just looking at the cars, I think Lotus will mop the track with Virgin. Probably should start taking bets on how many times Branson's cars will get lapped by the front-runners in Bahrain.
Simple!: Alonso is young and eager to drive at every opportunity, for as long as possible. Schumacher is old and gets tired very easily these days, he just does the bear minimum and can't wait to get out of the car.
Schuey was part of a very small group that ran over 100 laps that day. I think the final number was Schuey running 128 laps and Alonso running 130 or something. Rediculous numbers. I don't know where people get the idea Schuey was not running long laps. Mercedes had a tire and fuel agenda during testing and they didn't go out and do any empty 'glory laps' like Toro Rosso did at the end of the day. Look at last years testing and then compare it to the winners and you will get your answer regarding how unimportant testing numbers are.
My tongue was so far into My cheek it became painful! (Besides, I'm three days older than Schuey, so I know he's not old, otherwise that would mean I'm old too! )
As I always say though, with winter testing it's nigh on impossible to judge what's really going on. As Obi Wan said: ""Your eyes can deceive you. Don't trust them!." I remember this everytime I look at the winter testing times.
track wet again this morning but now pretty dry, here's the current times 1 Schumacher Mercedes 1m20.613s 2 Barrichello Williams 1m21.097s +0.484 3 Massa Ferrari 1m22.071s +1.458 4 Kubica Renault 1m22.120s +1.507 5 Vettel Red Bull 1m22.752s +2.139 6 Hamilton McLaren 1m23.393s +2.780 7 De la Rosa Sauber 1m23.796s +3.183 8 Alguersuari Toro Rosso 1m25.490s +4.877 9 Di Grassi Virgin 1m26.881s +6.268 10 Sutil Force India 1m27.606s +6.993
Unofficial Saturday times from Jerez: 1. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, 1:19.583, 113 Laps 2. Adrian Sutil, Force India, 1:20.180, 84 Laps 3. Rubens Barrichello, Williams, 1:20.341, 90 Laps 4. Robert Kubica, Renault, 1:20.358, 86 Laps 5. Michael Schumacher, Mercedes GP, 1:20.613, 84 Laps 6. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 1:21.203, 90 Laps 7. Felipe Massa, Ferrari, 1:21.486, 160 Laps 8. Pedro de la Rosa, BMW Sauber, 1:22.134, 105 Laps 9. Lucas di Grassi, Virgin, 1:22.912, 63 Laps 10. Jaime Alguersuari, Toro Rosso, 1:24.072, 98 Laps updated not to bad for Virgin getting closer
As does my Rainmeister RB in a Williams for God's sake. 3rd quick? Seriously? Know it is only testing but come on boys, give the man his due...he didn't even get to get out for his performance run at the end of the day due to a transmission problem. Going to be an interesting year isn't it? Can't wait! MB
True dat. It must be painful for Button to see the naked truth. Then again, he has the title and as such is now member in a very elitist club and will be a party darling in the UK for the rest of his life. Not bad.
True on the lifetime in the club now boy, but Hammy is going to tear him up all year long. Bad move for him this year to go be teammates with Lewis. MB