Jerez update: Button and Brawn hit the 1:17 mark | FerrariChat
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Jerez update: Button and Brawn hit the 1:17 mark

Discussion in 'F1' started by jk0001, Mar 17, 2009.

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  1. jk0001

    jk0001 F1 Veteran

    Oct 18, 2005
    6,706
    Sun Coast
    Full Name:
    Jim
    #1 jk0001, Mar 17, 2009
    Tuesday 17th March 2009

    Jenson Button and Brawn GP lived up to expectations in the early hours of Tuesday morning's Jerez test as the Brit broke into the 1:17s.


    Having shown impressive pace since Brawn GP bought the former Honda team and pitted their new BGP001 against its rivals at Barcelona last week, many have predicted that Brawn could be the team to beat this season.


    And on Tuesday morning Button seemingly proved just that.


    The Brit, who took over from team-mate Rubens Barrichello on Monday afternoon, broke into the 1:17s with a 1:17.844 after just 20 odd laps and with the track still set to improve as the day continues.


    It must be noted, though, that Button's lap time was set during a two-lap qualifying run on low fuel.


    But, having said that, so too was Nico Rosberg's P2 time and that was 0.227 seconds slower than Button's.


    Nelson Piquet Jr was also in action for Renault, with the Brazilian showing a much better turn of pace as he got to within 0.6s off Button's P1 time.


    As for Lewis Hamilton, the last man present, he continued to struggle in his MP4-24 and found himself 1.2s off the pace at the lunch break.


    Times at lunch
    1. J. Button Brawn GP 1:17.844 63 laps
    2. N. Rosberg Williams 1:18.071 +0.227 42 laps
    3. N. Piquet Jr. Renault 1:18.382 +0.538 63 laps
    4. L. Hamilton McLaren 1:19.121 +1.277 50 laps


    Insiders say Hamilton is running a very light fuel load to get to 4th :D
     
  2. zero

    zero Guest

    Apr 24, 2007
    776
    #2 zero, Mar 17, 2009
    Regardless of what the times are in the above. There is only one hard core balls out racer among them 4 and its not the first 3. Its all about the racing and not the testing lap times.
    Looking forward to the battles and controversies this season.
     
  3. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

    Sep 25, 2006
    23,397
    Campbell, CA
    Full Name:
    Ian Anderson
    #3 Fast_ian, Mar 17, 2009
    Wow! I was prepared to put Catalunya down to "luck" - The car just "happened" to work there.

    But, to be top again on a different track bodes very, very well IMHO. It's certainly starting to look like these guys are for real.

    I haven't run the numbers, but suspect that between 'em JB & RB have more experience than any other team on the grid - They may not be "balls out" ala Fred, but he's stuck in a Renault.....

    And, it's great to see that Mcl still sucks :D

    Cheers,
    Ian
     
  4. kraftwerk

    kraftwerk Two Time F1 World Champ

    May 12, 2007
    26,826
    England North West
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    Steve
    #4 kraftwerk, Mar 17, 2009

    Totally agree on Brawn ..

    But I'am in two minds with Mclaren, whilst I like the prospect of watching LH in a under par car, to shut folk up..

    I want to see them fighting at the front, because this year I feel we have so many teams that can win it, and the more the merrier IMO, instead of the usual two horse racing.
     
  5. Isobel

    Isobel F1 World Champ

    Jun 30, 2007
    10,630
    On a Wave's Chicane
    Full Name:
    Is, Izzy for Australians
    #5 Isobel, Mar 17, 2009
    Wait a second. Rosberg and PK's times are that close to Button's ? The jury remains out.
     
  6. Tipo815

    Tipo815 F1 Rookie

    Nov 1, 2003
    3,565
    Newport Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Jeffrey
    #6 Tipo815, Mar 17, 2009
    I agree. Test times are exactly that ... test times. A number of variations can make up the few tenths that some of the teams are behind. That being said - it does appear that Brawn GP will at least be a contender rather than a back maker. Whether they have the ability to win a championship or not remains to be seen. I for one can't wait for Australia. I thought last year's start to the season was going to be interesting (and it was) without traction control. However, I have a feeling this season's start is going to be something else!
     
  7. thecheddar

    thecheddar Formula 3

    Jun 29, 2006
    1,057
    Santa Monica
    Full Name:
    Cheddar, The
    #7 thecheddar, Mar 18, 2009
    I think the test times are very telling for the start of the season but illustrate nothing of what's to come. As we all know, development is occurs through the racing season and there's lots of development to be done on all of these new cars. Most teams' chassis, aero and KERS packages are in their infancy of development. What seems clear is that Brawn appears to be the car to beat in Melbourne, should everyone qualify cleanly. Equally clear is that Brawn does not have the resources to develop the car as much or as quickly as the other players. To my eyes and ears, that means they will likely not be finishing the season as strongly as they'll start.

    Regardless, the initial shakeup of team pecking order means this season will be very, very interesting!
     

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