Yas Marina post season test thread

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/140348/sensor-trick-could-give-mercedes-test-edge

Mercedes could have given itself an edge over its rivals for this week's Formula 1 tyre test in Abu Dhabi with the clever use of sensors.

This week's two-day run at the Yas Marina Circuit is aimed at giving teams the chance to test F1's 2019 tyre construction and compounds.

In a bid to stop teams also using the opportunity to experiment with new parts, however, teams must run with a standard car that does not feature any items that have not been raced.

It was this rule that has prevented teams from being able to try out 2019 front wings during this test.

The rule also stop teams from being able to fit extra sensors to their cars - as are allowed during free practice sessions - to help gather extra aerodynamic data.

However, Mercedes appears to have pulled a masterstroke by racing with some extra sensors on Lewis Hamilton's car (red arrow, above) in the season closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - which means it will be able to keep the data-loggers on for the Pirelli test.

As the exclusive photo shows, the row of five pitot tubes, situated at the rear of the floor and ahead of the rear wheel, will be there to measure air speed around the sidepod's rearward undercut.

One of the key influencers in terms of turbulence around this area of the car is the rear wheel, so using the sensors in the Abu Dhabi race as well as the test could give Mercedes some helpful pointers about the impact of the 2019 changes - especially in terms of tyre deformation.

 

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/140370/raikkonen-has-first-sauber-f1-run-since-2001

Kimi Raikkonen has returned to the wheel of a Sauber Formula 1 car for the first time in 17 years.

The Finn will race for the Swiss team in 2019 after ending his second spell with Ferrari this season.

Raikkonen, reunited with the team he made his F1 debut with in 2001, is getting his first experience of Sauber's current set-up in this week's Pirelli tyre test in Abu Dhabi.

He is driving Sauber's C37 on Tuesday and completed a first installation lap as soon as the test started at 9am local time.

Raikkonen, who is not wearing Sauber team gear, has since returned to the track and completed 10 laps by the end of the first hour.

He has an unbranded race suit and a black-and-white, simplified crash helmet design like he used at Lotus in 2012.

The 2007 world champion is not the only driver getting experience of his 2019 team early.

Formula 2 champion George Russell has appeared with Williams for the first time ahead of his graduation with the team next year.

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I think you mean the DUD strolls in lol

 

https://www.planetf1.com/news/crash-damage-meant-less-laps-for-vettel/

Sebastian Vettel lost time during the first day of the post-season tyre test after crashing at Turn 1 and breaking the rear wing of his Ferrari.

The German also sustained floor damage after riding the kerbs at the Yas Marina circuit on two separate occasions.

The four-time World Champion may have topped the timings at the end of the day, but he only managed 67 laps, less than half of Sean Gelael’s 150 laps recorded.

 

Hoping for a nice debut for Leclerc!