Barcelona winter testing thread

I believe Lotus may have out-Red Bulled Red Bull with their almost 100% literal copy of RB9, only E21 does look a bit more evolved. They look very fast today

 

Mclaren running a good bit less downforce on their front wing. Man this car is hot and cold.

 

Nico's time of 1:20.1 was set using DRS in only the main straight allowed area as opposed to everywhere which was conjectured by some journalists. Techs have confirmed that DRS is already programmed at the track to only be allowable in one area making it impossible to use anywhere else.

 

Hmmm, is that from today? I've been looking for at least one video I watched which I clearly saw the DRS being deployed in multiple locations - but I can't find it

 

For me, this really looks like "Acer Ducts" a la 2013

>>Hi Res image here<<

 

Yes. Ferrari have really increased the size of that area I suspect due to heat issues.

 

Red Bull really keeping everyone guessing. Vettel was just on a very hard run but went into the gravel.

 

The Sky sports guys have crunched the digits quite a bit and are suggesting the top 5 teams will be separated by some .2-.3 with the Red Bull possibly being capable for running a Barcelona lap in the mid 1:19s and everyone else upper 1:19s.


Personally, I don't buy it. I don't believe the Red Bull is that capable.

 

Mark Hughes saying Red Bull/Lotus/Merc are as quick as one another, followed by Mclaren and Ferrari. Very tight.

 

Big man Dede is in the house at Red Bull today

 

Mclaren locking up a good bit on heavy loads today.

 

All day no matter the tire. Button frustrated.
Herbert and Crofty(SKY live coverage), saying the Red Bull is the consensus best car, most planted and not feeling the need to do long or fast only runs. Interesting perspective. They keep saying its just fully planted. Webber upshifting into turn 12 and others lifting. The word is it has amazing downforce. We shall see. SKY stating they 'think' Red Bull has a .2 advantage in qualy for Melbourne....hmmm....

Mercedes for me seems to be the star so far!

 

FA and Vettel together on track. Nice pass by FA. Big fun to see this already!

 

Ferrari is done testing!! FA pulled in after 1 lap and passed Vettel. Nice that SKY was able to broadcast this test. Great tune-up for the season! Im off to Geneva for the Auto Salon soon. Its driving and F1 season upon us now! 2 weeks to race !!

 

I believe Merc's speed is attributed to their suspension system. The car has more mechanical grip which Lewis has stated is better than mp4-27. Costa had stated the W03 version of the system was massively complicated, so W04s system is basically a simplified and obviously more effective solution

This system allows Mercedes to run a lower static ride height due to its superior anti dive control. Thus more downforce.

 

Seems like Lotus' coanda copy is not as effective as RB's; they tried a version of it with a tailpipe opening to try to point it downwards towards the floor even more:
http://img2.auto-motor-und-sport.de/Lotus-Formel-1-Test-Barcelona-3-Maerz-2013-19-fotoshowImageNew-ad64d456-665423.jpg

 

Hopefully you don't mind me pasting that here. There is absolutely no way that's legal! Charlie's gonna **** if they show up with that in a couple of weeks!

I guess they did it to see what (if any) additional D/F it gave 'em? Unless they've got something up their sleeve that will route it similarly somehow I'm not sure it's a good idea; "The drivers *loved* it, got the ass end planted etc. Now we've got to take it off and lose all that lovely D/F!......"

Cheers,
Ian
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It might be another one of those "grey areas" of interpretation Regulations state that there can be no bodywork around the outlet opening for aero benefit, but it looks to be just the legal length of the exhaust pipe albeit integrated to the exhaust ramp. Williams & Caterham both had aero bits around their exhaust outlets, both quickly called out by the FIA as being illegal.

 

Nah!...... Don't see anything grey here! My emphasis added of course;

This clause goes on to discuss the famous "open cone", but the bolded bit pretty much covers it IMO.......

Cheers,
Ian

 

BBC Sport - Stage set for enticingly close Formula 1 season after final test

 

I've uploaded some of my pictures in a higher resolution...

Sat 2 March (Pit Lane): Aldous Voice Flickr

Sat 2 March (Paddock): Aldous Voice Flickr

 

The usual "woulda, coulda, maybe" stuff! Seems to me not one of 'em has much of a clue yet..... The usual "they might be fast, but maybe not."

Gotta be honest, Gary Anderson is also starting to "grate" on me some; Loves the Cans, hates Ferrari. Then flip-flops on Merc & Mclaren.

I guess if you make enough predictions some of 'em have got to be correct.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

Love the very first one; "No photography without permission!"

Cheers,
Ian

 

Sounds like more voices have joined into Ferraripilot's chorus (except they are saying that McLaren seems to have the most ground to make up among the front runners).

Perhaps Hamilton knew what he was doing after all?

 

Good stuff, nice one.