Bahrain

So it seems that Mercedes is the new Red Bull.

I doubt Williams is as good as some say. Even if the Mercedes engine (power unit, whatever) is the best invention since sliced bread they´d still have to beat teams with better funding and better recent history like Force India and McLaren. They were 9th in 2013, for God´s sake, they can´t jump to second in one season.

And our red guys? Mistery, suspense...

 

I think that's going a little far. Sure, they look strong, and maybe 'favorites' right now, but I very much doubt they're going to dominate.

Why not? I don't think they're going to win it all, but seems they've got some decent funding and a quick car. Further, I think Phil's got his mojo back and is enjoying being a #1. Confidence seems high there. No reason at all they can't be 'there or thereabouts' IMO.

Indeed. I suspect that, as always, they'll be close. And as I've said before, I think the Kimi -v- Fred thing should be EPIC!

Less than two weeks to go!

Cheers,
Ian

 

I think the Williams looks great in the corners and even sitting still, so does Ted apparently. Watch how poised the front end is and how early Massa can get on the power.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewQWLQeqQkM]Sky Sports F1 2014 - 3rd Test Bahrain Day 3 - Ted's Trackside Blog - YouTube[/ame]

Can't wait for the Martini livery to make it onto the car.

 

I hope the teams have learned more than we have. As far as I see there are a whole heck of unknowns as far as reliability, pace and fuel consumption. Should be interesting too watch.

I just hope that it's not too interesting in a train wreck sort of way.

 

Too? Lack of sleep again?

 

I hope Stefano Domenicali gets fired

 

Domenicali at Bahrain:

I also think that some teams that are struggling at the moment will be able to catch up, while teams that currently seem to have a slight advantage could see a plateau in their performance, allowing the others to close the gap. From what we have seen so far, there are two teams out in front, Mercedes and Williams. After them, it could be us.”

For Scuderia Ferrari, the remaining twelve days to go to the first race will be busy. “From our side, we know there is still a mountain of things for our engineers to develop. What I’m interested in and what I have specifically requested is that we define a list of priorities and stick to it.

One aspect we will definitely be looking at is the relationship between the turbo engine and the electric energy recovery systems and there’s much to do in this area. On the other hand, we return to Maranello knowing that the figures we saw from the car during the design phase have been correlated at the track and that’s already a good starting point.”

 

If one o is good two must be better.

 

williams out front; maybe massa knew something?

 

Guess McLaren's rear suspension isn't so special after all...wow. 4.5 seconds off the pace; button sounds pissed

 

Fixed it for you.

 

Let's see how itt goes after the first few races but based on what I am seeing I will agree.

 

The video above was good to see the cars going by, but did you notice that the first time Massa goes by he refers to Ferrari?

As long as no one stops in the wrong pit box like Hamilton last year!

 

Top 11 KM's run by each driver:

http://t.co/Df7vYValyt

roll on Melbourne!

 

Honda was 9th in 2008 and won the championship a year after. Incidentally, also with a Merc engine.

I'm willing to hold my judgement until after Malaysia but Stefano had to go a good few years ago, as I've been saying for quite some time...

Testing times are mostly meaningless. I seriously doubt they'll have another podiumless season, they'll get them on merit.

 

Yes, anything could happen, but you know that it´s not the same situation. The Brawn was developed with lots of Honda cash, and then there was the usual gray areas of regulations and the infamous double deck diffuser. So far, it seems that that Williams hasn´t found any "special" trick.

And even if Williams is strong now, I doubt they will be able to hold McLaren and Ferrari and their deep pockets for an entire season.

So possible? Yes. Probable? No.

 

Quite right.

But stranger things have happened. This is F1 .

That said, I don't believe Williams will be a very serious contender. Good car, but consider them behind Ferrari, if not they'll be behind them in a handful of races...

I reckon Mercedes, Ferrari/Mclaren, Williams, Sauber, Force India, Red Bull, Lotus, Marussia then Caterham is the current order.

 

Don't know what I'd do without you.



But I'm willing to find out.

 

Why? You guys never play poker?
Domenicali is very wise, to praise the competition, it's still the best attacking mode ever.

 

I think people agree that it's a good tactic. It's just that I don't think he's ever used it.

 

Hey, even a blind pig finds the occasional truffle.

If he hasn't been shown the door yet I don't see what will get him axed.

 

Truth

 

Jean Girard: "Now it is time for the matador to dance with the blind shoe-maker!"

In regards to Domenicali. If he is there to shield the key members of the technical team from external heat on the organization by being the public figure. I get it. If he is still making critical decisions then he needs to be relieved of those responsibilities. From our end, we don't know exactly what his responsibilities are. One thing though, he must be a master of Ferrari politics to get to and stay where he is.

 

Normally, I would expect this is the case...however we're talking about Stefano here.

Hopefully he's learned something. We've heard Ferrari being crowned the TWCC (Testing World Constructors Champion) before and it amounted to nothing during the season.