2017 F1 general testing thread

[mclaren111]

Time irrelevant at this stage.

Tuned down PU most probably for first runs.

[Morteza]

So that's why FI have been quiet:

I'm hearing from a reliable source that a broken exhaust is causing the delay for Force India currently.

[PhillipM]

Yes, it is SS.
https://images.scribblelive.com/2017/2/ ... ca_800.jpg

Wait... That's orange? Isn't that the hard?

https://s2.postimg.org/lta31vczd/times.jpg

F1T is showing it as hard.

Probably hard to differentiate the colours against the McL's orange paint.

[Quantum]

Seems like a quiet competition between Merc and Ferrari. Every time Merc posts a fast time, Ferrari comes back with a similar time and whats more, while Merc is posting fastest time on Softs, Ferrari is doing it on Mediums!

Definitely a game of cat and mouse. The difference in compounds is around 0.5 seconds.
But, At this early stage I doubt any car has been run to 100%, and even then we have no idea of fuel loads and stint length/tyre life.
All reports indicate that Mercedes are setting their times on 15/20 lap stints with Ferrari having a mix of stints from 5/20 laps.

[Sonador]

I suspect there's still a significant problem with the Honda PU, and Alonso was sent back out to post a time in order to make the day relatively worthwhile. Hopefully they'll get it fixed overnight, and we'll see some decent times posted tomorrow - but 1:25 isn't desperately bad if they are still seeing issues.

The rumour is that it is just the new oil tank causing problems, and nothing major. [-o<

[danielk]

First day of Free practice 2016

POS DRIVER CAR TIME GAP LAPS
1 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1m24.939s - 69 Medium
2 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1m25.409s 0.470s 156 Medium
3 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull/Renault 1m26.044s 1.105s 87 Medium
4 Valtteri Bottas Williams/Mercedes 1m26.091s 1.152s 80 Medium
5 Alfonso Celis Force India/Mercedes 1m26.298s 1.359s 58 Soft
6 Jenson Button McLaren/Honda 1m26.735s 1.796s 84 Soft
7 Carlos Sainz Toro Rosso/Ferrari 1m27.180s 2.241s 55 Medium
8 Marcus Ericsson Sauber/Ferrari 1m27.555s 2.616s 88 Medium
9 Pascal Wehrlein Manor/Mercedes 1m28.292s 3.353s 54 Soft
10 Romain Grosjean Haas/Ferrari 1m28.399s 3.460s 31 Medium
11 Jolyon Palmer Renault 1m29.356s 4.417s 37 Medium



If patterns are followed Vettel finished first day half a second faster than merc on same tyre compound. Come 2016 season Ferrari were around a second give or take behind Mercedes. So if everything was all the same (which im not saying it is) to give any hope of Ferrari actually challenging merc then we would want to see ferrari 1.5 seconds ahead today tyre adjusted. If we take what perelli say to be gospel then tyre difference is .5 seconds. That would put vet on a 1:21:3 & Ham on a 1:21:7.

So from current running the gap is identical as last year.

I hope im wrong!

Also; ferrari are bang on 3 seconds a lap faster on the same compound at the same point last year

[dans79]

I hope im wrong!

Unfortunately, I don't think you are. Several here, as well as pundits and various members of the grid didn't expect the rule change to affect the front of the grid. Personally I think the midfield is where the shake-up will happen.

[Quantum]

Fin Chimney removed, Mercedes have gone for louvred vents for heat removal.
https://twitter.com/ScarbsTech/status/8 ... 0534865920

[ncassi22]

Well. From a glass half full perspective, Alonso will be fresh tomorrow while the other drivers are a bit sore Also getting their aerodynamic and tire data on a gripped in surface rather than a green one. You have to think positively [-o<

[GPR-A duplicate2]

21:51 Alonso has swapped super-softs for softs, and he improves to a 1m25.060s.

[GPR-A duplicate2]

Seems like a quiet competition between Merc and Ferrari. Every time Merc posts a fast time, Ferrari comes back with a similar time and whats more, while Merc is posting fastest time on Softs, Ferrari is doing it on Mediums!

Definitely a game of cat and mouse. The difference in compounds is around 0.5 seconds.
But, At this early stage I doubt any car has been run to 100%, and even then we have no idea of fuel loads and stint length/tyre life.
All reports indicate that Mercedes are setting their times on 15/20 lap stints with Ferrari having a mix of stints from 5/20 laps.

Until last year, the difference between Medium and Soft, was around 1 to 1.2 seconds. With these new tyres, we don't have an established number. Need to wait and see.

[dans79]

Anyone know if it's possible to see live timing? As usual the app is crap and has nothing.

[Morteza]

Fin Chimney removed, Mercedes have gone for louvred vents for heat removal.

https://twitter.com/ScarbsTech/status/8 ... 0534865920

I see shark gills now!

[Afterburner]

https://www.periscope.tv/w/1nAKEVqwEZAGL

[Morteza]

https://twitter.com/tgruener/status/836253237527261185