2013 Testing - Barcelona 2: 28 Feb - 3 Mar

[Dyanxx]

Last year the tyre degradation was visible at winter testing. This year it isn't.

We'll see.

Why do you think they'll have degradation problems? Do you have info the rest of us don't? If you do please share.

'Cos Hamilton has already indicated they are down on downforce compared to last years McLaren.

'Cos nothing from those watching from beside the circuit has indicated the Merc is handling in any way contrary to Hamilton's claims.


The Merc is probably sliding around a bit more than the rest , getting heat into the tyre quickly and thus getting a good time on a 'new' tyre. The others need a few laps and don't look as good as the tyres are a bit more worn. [Same for Ferrari.]

It'll be similar as the Jaguar in 2002 at Indy. Looked great on the cold track on the Friday - not so good when the temps rose and they were putting too much heat into the tyres.

What a load of rubbish, and why compare the car to the MP4-27? when Button has said himself, that the MP4-28 lacks downforce compared to it, and from the way the Merc looks like on the sky f1 coverage, it was looking pretty good, and the deg was as good as the rest of the teams, some people are just getting annoyed with how quick Mercedes are looking this year, not sure why..

[beelsebob]

Indeed, if there was any car that I thought looked to be sliding about more than the others, it was the RedBull – that appears to have a lot of corner exit oversteer.

[Darknight]

Ok this is it. McLaren out on softs. Time to post that sub 1:20 and prove all wrong!

[FoxHound]

The Merc is probably sliding around a bit more than the rest , getting heat into the tyre quickly and thus getting a good time on a 'new' tyre.

Where are you getting your information from? Are you sitting trackside?

Every trackside pundit mentions Ferrari's unstable nature and inability to keep traction in slower corners.
Now for the first time I read this morning(After Rosbergs 1:20.1) that Merc "is probably sliding around a bit more than the rest".

Can you please explain why? And how you reached this conclusion.

[gandharva]

Vettel's laps on Softs :

1m22.8.
1m23.9
1m25.8
1m26.3

Tyre issues ?

Red Bull certainly did seem to have pretty high deg on softs last test, that doesn't look too healthy really.

Could also be high fuel loads...

[Maelstrom]

Why do you think they'll have degradation problems? Do you have info the rest of us don't? If you do please share.

'Cos Hamilton has already indicated they are down on downforce compared to last years McLaren.

'Cos nothing from those watching from beside the circuit has indicated the Merc is handling in any way contrary to Hamilton's claims.


The Merc is probably sliding around a bit more than the rest , getting heat into the tyre quickly and thus getting a good time on a 'new' tyre. The others need a few laps and don't look as good as the tyres are a bit more worn. [Same for Ferrari.]

It'll be similar as the Jaguar in 2002 at Indy. Looked great on the cold track on the Friday - not so good when the temps rose and they were putting too much heat into the tyres.

Hamilton said that in Jerez. They have brought updates to the car since then. Hamilton also said that he now thinks they can win a race in this car later on in this year, when he had said earlier that he didn't think they would be expecting to win.

[Guisson]

Button Into fourth : 1.21.644 (Soft Tyre)

[GrizzleBoy]

Ok this is it. McLaren out on softs. Time to post that sub 1:20 and prove all wrong!

I don't think Button would do it with the kind of "messy" driving that it takes to go fast at Barcelona.

[rssh]

I have been quietly following the testing this year and I really don't wanna doubt but why is Merc concentrating on low fuel runs ,is there full fuel pace already excellent ?

I can see team like Lotus and Ferrari go for a short stints and 1 lap performance because there long run pace was decent in 2012 and with the rule stability the change shouldn't be that drastic .

I think Merc is creating a hype (kind of on track PR) just like Williams did in 2011 testing when they were going for stock flotation . I just hope that Merc is really kinder to the rear tyres this season and give Rosberg the chance which he deserves (I am no L H fan ).

[Maelstrom]

They might do a race sim after lunch.

[Dyanxx]

I have been quietly following the testing this year and I really don't wanna doubt but why is Merc concentrating on low fuel runs ,is there full fuel pace already excellent ?

I can see team like Lotus and Ferrari go for a short stints and 1 lap performance because there long run pace was decent in 2012 and with the rule stability the change shouldn't be that drastic .

I think Merc is creating a hype (kind of on track PR) just like Williams did in 2011 testing when they were going for stock flotation . I just hope that Merc is really kinder to the rear tyres this season and give Rosberg the chance which he deserves (I am no L H fan ).

I find it bizarre, people kept going on and on about why weren't Merc doing any low fuel runs on the soft tyre, they finally start doing it, and now people want them to go back to doing heavy fuel runs, expect a race sim later today.

[khaliweed]

I have been quietly following the testing this year and I really don't wanna doubt but why is Merc concentrating on low fuel runs ,is there full fuel pace already excellent ?

I can see team like Lotus and Ferrari go for a short stints and 1 lap performance because there long run pace was decent in 2012 and with the rule stability the change shouldn't be that drastic .

I think Merc is creating a hype (kind of on track PR) just like Williams did in 2011 testing when they were going for stock flotation . I just hope that Merc is really kinder to the rear tyres this season and give Rosberg the chance which he deserves (I am no L H fan ).

Because they have been doing the long runs since testing began. Now they have 2 excellent days to try the short runs on softs and supersofts. IMO

[Juzh]

//nevermind

[kilcoo316]

What a load of rubbish, and why compare the car to the MP4-27?

Why on earth not?!?

The Merc has less downforce than a car McLaren finished developing 6 months ago. Just consider that.

when Button has said himself, that the MP4-28 lacks downforce compared to it, and from the way the Merc looks like on the sky f1 coverage, it was looking pretty good, and the deg was as good as the rest of the teams, some people are just getting annoyed with how quick Mercedes are looking this year, not sure why..

Do you have a source for the bit in bold?


Some people are detaching themselves from reality and hoping the Mercedes will be able to fight at the front. You don't make up 2 seconds (on 3/4 other competitors) in 6 months with consistent rules.

[rssh]

I have been quietly following the testing this year and I really don't wanna doubt but why is Merc concentrating on low fuel runs ,is there full fuel pace already excellent ?

I can see team like Lotus and Ferrari go for a short stints and 1 lap performance because there long run pace was decent in 2012 and with the rule stability the change shouldn't be that drastic .

I think Merc is creating a hype (kind of on track PR) just like Williams did in 2011 testing when they were going for stock flotation . I just hope that Merc is really kinder to the rear tyres this season and give Rosberg the chance which he deserves (I am no L H fan ).

I find it bizarre, people kept going on and on about why weren't Merc doing any low fuel runs on the soft tyre, they finally start doing it, and now people want them to go back to doing heavy fuel runs, expect a race sim later today.

On most test day Merc have had 1 lap runs while other front runner havn't . I just don't want a disappointment that they get pole and then get swamped by the field . I really pity Schumi's Austin pace ,he was the only one to do 2 pit stops from 6th to 17th on raceday is embarrassing