final race spec aero packs and Barcelona testing

Ok some news. Word is Schu's flyer was set with the old wing and soft tires for data purposes. The new wing has only been used for long stint testing, for which it appears to be very competitive. Also, the new front wing flexes a ton a la Red Bull. Wonder if they figured out what they are doing......

Pics


Alonso did a few qualy runs this morning as well cranking out second place .350 behind Schu with a 1m21.614. They have a lot more I have no doubt
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Schu heads out for 5 laps and sets another fastest time 1:21.249. Lap was done on his second lap.

 

So this year we obviously have a ton of stuff slowing the cars down. Weight, DDD, Pirelli tires. To give everyone an idea of how much W01 sucked, I guess you have to look at last year's Spanish GP qualy where Schu set a 1:21.294 for P6 which is slower than the time he just set in W02 with at least 5 laps of fuel on and it being a heavier car with less downforce and slower tires. Webber's pole lap was 1:19.995. No way we are getting within .500 of that this year. Someone archive this for Spanish GP this year.

 

I read that as well. They certainly put a lot into this car and thus far appeared to have made up a lot of ground. Give them a couple years and I believe Nico will be a world champion. Perhaps even next year judging on how they are by the end of this season. I am still amazed at the speed they are getting from these Pirelli's. At the first Bahrain testing of the Pirelli's everyone was immediately a second slower as if someone added 50kg to the car.


Here is Ferrari's front wing with Alonso at the helm today. He is a beast of a driver. My gosh he is having some consistent long runs today and really milking the tires.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Nico is out in the MB for the last dry hour. Tomorrow is supposed to rain :/


Vettel set his quickest today of 5 laps on softs: 1:22.933

Nico setting a 1:22.709 of 5 laps. Getting used to things.

Then Nico pits and sets a 1:22.495.

 

Poor Button has been in the pits most of the day due to a precautionary engine swap.

 

And Nico sets a 1:21.788

 

So we have a longer stint from MB (yesterday times pre wings) and Ferrari today comparison here.

Schu:

1:26.017 (26)
1:26.176 (27)
1:26.317 (28)
1:26.670 (29)
1:26.714 (30)
1:26.657 (31)
1:26.538 (32)
1:27.074 (33)
1:27.092 (34)


779.255 total. average 86.583888

Alonso

1:26.716
1:26.151
1:26.094
1:26.392
1:26.450
1:26.761
1:26.961
1:26.915
1:27.186


779.626 total averaging 86.6251111


Tell me this season didn't just get really interesting.

 

From Ferrari: "The best performance of the morning came from Michael Schumacher who did an impressive 1.21.268."

Ferrari calling that lap impressive mean its either that they can match it or they could only come closer to it.
They wont call it impressive if they can do 1.19!

 

Alonso did 141 laps today. Staggering

 

It's incredibly nice seeing MB follow through 100% with their promise. The car is substanially updated and it's showing big pace. .350 ahead of Ferrari today doesn't mean much but it certainly paints a different picture when Ferrari themselves make a comment about it.

 

R. Barrichello set a 01:22.233 without KERS today. KERS is said to bring about -.500-.600 to a lap which places their short lap times interesting. I hope they work out their cooling issue

 

Two things. Note the new full length beam wing. The trailing edge is parallel with the rest of the wing opposed to Ferrari's which sort of has a bump in the center. I'm sure it doesn't matter much.

The diffuser is the interesting bit. Note the tea tray (normally where the starter hole is) and how bulged outward it is. Is this their new 'thing'. I guarantee this will be copied
Image Unavailable, Please Login