The usefulness of a test driver *spoiler*

He is Italian. And not afraid to get emotional. Rah, rah, rah!

 

No, a test driver needs to be able to put in a perfectly consistent lap, and to give detailed feedback. Not necessarily a fast lap.

Just for example, in my own open wheel racing, at some tracks I'm within .5s of the track record and perform well during races, yet I don't really know how to explain or even understand how to improve the car when it is off.

 

The in-season testing ban has been a complete failure. It has robbed us and the teams of the ability to watch new talent evolve. The teams are left completely flat-footed when they have to replace a driver.

I have seen some very well thought out proposals around future testing from James Allen and others. Making it an 'event' for the fans as well as a testing/development session for the teams would be a great advancement for the sport. I would certainly pay to attend a test where the fan participation was not just a minor afterthought. Getting better access to the pitlane and drivers would only grow the audience.

But I'm not too optimistic we'll see those changes. Not while Bernie is running things.

 

I think that's a terrible idea, at least from the standpoint of actually generating any revenue or even attention. Only locals would really attend, and only those that could take random days off work on short notice.

Having to sell tickets and host fans would end up costing teams even more money due to the extra overhead vs the extremely small attendance.

Most people would only ever go once, as seeing 1 car go around would get pretty boring. And don't forget you'd only have a view of a small slice of the track.

 

Oh also test drivers don't have to have the skill to learn a track quickly.

 

Maybe if you were a crappier driver you'd be better at development!

They're still allowed to test new parts on the older cars, aren't they?

 

What gets me is he hadn't even driven the F60 before. What kind of test driver is this? They just now figure out the "promotional video" angle so that the guy can drive it?

All loyalty aside Badoer should have passed at this chance. It's giving him a laughing stock legacy. Nice way to finish off.

 

test drivers test new parts on the car, consistency, etc. Not fast laps. Well, not most of the time.

And, testing is banned this season. The last time Luca pushed the car was 10 months ago.

 

If a test driver was able to consistently drive the car at its limits, he'd be a regular driver

 

Hopefully, *something* will change for next season - Even the crazy man has said the complete ban is a bad thing.

OTOH, I don't think we should return to the days of completely separate test teams as we had a few years back. IIRC, at least McLaren actually swapped out the test and race teams for a couple of races to give the race team a break!

As the Speed guys said, I fail to see why they just don't simply allow "free running" on the Thursday before the meeting - Run whatever and whoever you want. Some places it'll be deserted, others they'll be tons of people show up (Silverstone comes to mind) but so what? [They already run on Thursdays at Monaco....]

The tracks open from 09:00 to 17:00 or whatever and have at it!

The *race team* simply show up a day earlier - Everything else can remain as is. That can't break anyones budget surely?

Cheers,
Ian

 

sounds pretty reasonable. there should be SOME testing besides the practice day.

 

I nominate myself as BAD's replacement. I'm not as experienced as he is, but I do have a few track days under my belt and I would work for free as long as they pay my travel expenses.

Wonder how much BAD is being paid for this?

 

Funny - I was wondering the SAME thing when I saw him in Q20.

Then you are not a very good test driver, and if you don't know how to explain or understand how to improve the car when it is off, how can you be a good driver at all?
I'm not trying to be critical of your skills, but really, if you cannot supply feedback, that's not good.

This makes you wonder what if you put a 'slow' driver in a Red Bull or a Brawn, and we saw what happened at the beginning of this season when a 'slow' car with a 'slow' pair of 'washed up' drivers all of a sudden got fast (thanks to Mercedes?)

Makes me think the most important cog is no longer the driver, but the designer and test engineer are.

 

Agree.

The tester job is try to improve the car giving to the engineers all the feeling he has on the car,and the way he thinks to improve it,the results of that would be the best handling joined with the best speed at the car,2 things very difficult to join in a F1 car:so they need all the aerodinamycs circus under wind tunnel and tester driver opinions,,,,,and all the rest.

To start:Badoer can not make 50 followed laps on a simulator without leave it because he starts to feel sick and dizzy,a simulator,so,,,.That Is known by all the people there.
I think Badoer only SMELL(and by faaaarrr)a F60 car like tester.Is not possible to make this so badddd Valencia gp if you are driving/testing that car,not possible.Not possible because the other car was 3rd,and you are 17,,,and are you the tester???,,no,not possible that.Seeing that I think Badoer last F1 car test was 1 or 2 years ago,like miimum,but is only my modest personal opinion.

The tester of F60 is Marc Gene,and Marc Gene had had to drive that car from Valencia to Massa`s come back day.Is all I can say like a Ferrari fan.

I`m sorry about Badoer,because he is the last one to decide who is going to drive the car,and sure he said to himself "mamma mia" when he recieved the news about him like driver at races,,I`m really sorry,but his race was a total dissaster,and this can not happen at Scuderia Ferrari under my honest and modest point of view.

 

agreed, and that was kind of my point

 

he sucks----bottom line.