2010 Winter Testing

[Pup]

Were they?

Actually, if our theories are right about what McLaren are doing, the new Merc intake arrangement might make it difficult to copy.

Sort of the reverse of last year's situation.

[Bob Brown]

Is it just me or that Mercedes is not the full 2010 spec? Diffuser and wings seem somewhat outdated, compared to last other teams

You are right. The front wing and diffuser are the Brawn 2009's.

I suspect most every car will undergo a huge overhaul for Bahrain.

[xpensive]

Were they?

Oh yeah, it takes quite an effort, involving the engine manufacturer, to rock Bernoulli's principles.

[myurr]

Is it just me or that Mercedes is not the full 2010 spec? Diffuser and wings seem somewhat outdated, compared to last other teams

Ross has said that he doesn't think this is a good track for testing. So I suspect they are using this for reliability testing etc., and won't show the new stuff until the later tests.

That could also explain why McLaren are using the flow vis stuff now. They're using this as an extended shakedown with the launch parts to verify the simulations before unleashing updated parts for the next test where they'll do more complete performance simulations.

Sure the other teams are doing similar.

[Richard]

pics

Thanks manchild!

There are some striking differences in those pics. STR and McL seem to have the exhaust as low and far back as possible. Ferarri are at the other end of the scale. Other teams are between.

The whole Merc rear end looks very 09. Look at the exhaust position and the clutter in the rear, it looks very looks full, compared to RB and McL. It's not just the diffuser, they would need to change all their rear package to open up as much as McL or RB.

I doubt teams would change the rear packaging before Bahrain, so exhausts are likely to stay in the same position, as is suspension. On that basis, Merc seem in the middle ground, with STR and Ferarri at opposite ends.

edit - This is the STR car not RB. The RB guys aren't on track until next week

[astracrazy]

any vids of todays testing?

[luca]

I do know it is really hard to tell at the moment, but from a merely theoretical and technical point of view, which car might have the most effective aerodynamics based on this ongoing winter testing? I mean, Ferrari seems a little conservative, Mercedes is probably sandbagging (not really full 2010 spec so far), Sauber may be running with low fuel (it might be just a guess though) and McLaren certainly looks like the most innovative and revolutionary (thus fascinating) aero spec so far. But will it be really effective?

[Mr Alcatraz]

Autosport running commentary:
http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/173

[Mr Alcatraz]

[godlameroso]

Does anyone know where we can get a list of lap times instead of just the fastest ones for each respective driver? That would probably give an indication of how much fuel is being used in each run, as well as showing the consistency of the cars.

[mx_tifoso]

Great images.

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns22058.html

[gibells]

It's raining down the coast today. Not sure what the weathers doing up in Valencia though. Spain this year has had the highest rainfall for a very long time.

[djones]

Alonso is putting in some really quick times.

After about 15 laps or so he is nearly as fast as Massa was after well over 100.

[horse]

Button is struggling so far. 20s off the pace! The curse of Hamilton strikes again!

Is the McL broken?

1 F.Alonso Ferrari 1.11.905 14
2 P. De La Rosa Sauber 1.12.293 6
3 M. Schumacher Mercedes 1.12.450 21
4 J. Alguersuari Toro Rosso 1.12.576 28
5 N. Hulkenberg Williams 1.14.474 23
6 V. Petrov Renault 1.15.240 15
7 J. Button McLaren 1.32.580 3

EDIT: Added laps

[i70q7m7ghw]

Button is struggling so far. 20s off the pace! The curse of Hamilton strikes again!

Is the McL broken?

1 F.Alonso Ferrari 1.11.905 14
2 P. De La Rosa Sauber 1.12.293 6
3 M. Schumacher Mercedes 1.12.450 21
4 J. Alguersuari Toro Rosso 1.12.576 28
5 N. Hulkenberg Williams 1.14.474 23
6 V. Petrov Renault 1.15.240 15
7 J. Button McLaren 1.32.580 3

EDIT: Added laps

He did 3 laps! Jeez, don't get your panties in a twist.