Red Bull and Mercedes? Those teams have sponsors pounding down their doors. Toro Rosso, FI, and Lotus I could understand though.
Webber is describing RB8 as an infintile RB7 only he is enjoying the throttle response more with RB8. Renault also stated their engine is making a bit more power with RB8 exhausts.
Schumacher is running last year car, and Pirelli has produced new tires that seem to be performing much better. Interesting lap times nonetheless.
The times are not only quicker than last year's testing but MB W02 is two seconds quicker than it was last year. Granted this is testing and doesn't mean much of anything but that is an interesting statistic. I have no doubt MB are testing their mercury hydraulic suspension system on W02 as the car reportedly has zero dive and zero squat when accelerating.
I think it's interesting to also note that you stated last year after Barcelona testing that Mercedes' quick lap was just something to please the board of directors and obtain sponsors when actually nothing was further from the truth as W02 as actually quicker at that race when it happened. It was just other teams not showing the full benefit of the EBD during testing which fooled everyone. What this proves to me is that the EBD effectiveness may have been previously understated and further proves only two teams really made use of it in the first place. Now that is not a factor any longer and we see W02 as a quicker car probably where it was meant to be in the first place. Granted W02 is running W03 tech under the skin, nevertheless I believe things bode reasonably well for them. Still not a championship year IMO though. They'll definitely hammer Ferrari though is my guess. Ferrari's exhaust ideas are going to get hammered by Whiting is the word on the street right now.
Keep in mind that the Mercedes has a whole season development on it + new tires, no surprise it's faster than pre-season W02.
Oh definitely agreed. That and last year at Jerez W02 was still stripped of almost everything of any aerodynamic assistance. If we all remember right, W02 wasn't equipped with any new bits until the final test at Barcelona. The last year bits and pieces would not have helped gain two seonds so I'm sure W02 is currently testing its front f-duct and Hg suspension system which is where the big differences are stemming from.
drawing on F2012 pullrod front end. It's an idea going with this as pullrod will bring the mass of the system a little lower but cause the roll center to be higher. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Mercedes are hiding something back there..... Meanwhile, Button solidly lapping in the 1:22s and low 1:23 after his long stint Image Unavailable, Please Login
Massa : 1:30.457 (59) 1:20.793 (60) 1:21.391 (61) 1:22.737 (62) 1:21.874 (63) 1:22.859 (64) 1:22.748 (65) 1:23.145 (66) 1:22.474 (67) 1:22.877 (68) 1:22.586 (69) 1:23.331 (70) Ferrari looking a bit better. Still half a second off Weber on similar runs and nearly a full second off W02. About the same as Macca though. Whiting has reviewed every exhaust setup on the grid and has deemed them all legal in their current formats. He has advised Mclaren and Ferrari specifically of any fancy bodywork or duct work moving exhaust gases to anywhere else will not be permitted. Also, Mclaren is reportedly burning the heck out of their floor
Mark Webber said today that he could have done a high 1.16 with last year's car (end of season spec). I believe it
Ditto Ferrari...... Except it seems they forgot their "nice" cover and are using a piece of poster board..... Cheers, Ian Image Unavailable, Please Login
Let's hope not... Lee McKenzie @LeeMcKenzieF1 Despite paddock rumours of a non-competitive Ferrari, Massa is pretty calm but says there is a lot of work still to be done.
Difficult to tell a lot from this pic, but RB8 rear ride height and rake in general is definitely lessened. Image Unavailable, Please Login
http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/formel-1/ergbenis-f1-jerez-test-tag-2-schumi-schnellster-4369738.html It's reported that Massa is having to fight the Ferrari quite a bit in the turns as the front end is sluggish. Lots of understeer I'm guessing due to the higher roll center.
Massa saying its in the right direction more or less is saying alot. He says 'more or less' a few times in another article. Lets see what FA can get out of the car.
