2017 F1 general testing thread

[Restomaniac]

1 second difference between the Softs and the Ultras?

With the Softs having so much durability why would anyone use the Ultras now?

[Restomaniac]

Looking at this video, both cars look fast, but man that Ferrari is so glued to the asphalt! ... they are the clear favorites, unless Merc's heavily sandbagging (which I don't believe).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGGUF-34c-8

Everyone is sandbagging to some extent, I still think Mercedes has atleast 2-3% more PU performance and that will probably be the difference, I wouldn't declare Ferrari to be the clear favorites.

I agree about the Merc but we don't know what the new Ferrari PU has. Remember that the silly token system was binned. Ferrari could have redesigned their whole PU package for all we know.

[Chanman141]

I wonder if the current form of the Ferrari is due to James Allison, and whether they can maintain what looks to be a very good chassis. How many tyres are they allowed to use during testing?

[Restomaniac]

I wonder if the current form of the Ferrari is due to James Allison, and whether they can maintain what looks to be a very good chassis. How many tyres are they allowed to use during testing?

I don't know.

The James Allison point is an interesting one. I do wonder if at some point this season the Merc ends up with its wheelbase being looked at.

[Santozini]

I wonder if the current form of the Ferrari is due to James Allison, and whether they can maintain what looks to be a very good chassis. How many tyres are they allowed to use during testing?

I've heard that what was left of James Allison's plans was scrapped. This car should be 100% developed by the new structure

[max_speed]

90 minutes gone ..neither competitive lap time nor many laps. i do not know why mclaren has come down to test.

[ncassi22]

90 minutes gone ..neither competitive lap time nor many laps. i do not know why mclaren has come down to test.

They were working on the steering. https://twitter.com/piusgasso/status/839406778936885248

[Vasconia]

90 minutes gone ..neither competitive lap time nor many laps. i do not know why mclaren has come down to test.

They were working on the steering. https://twitter.com/piusgasso/status/839406778936885248

Only 6 laps so far and a non competitive time, it doesnt look like a productive day, hope it changes. But it could be worse, Sainz only lap, Toro Rosso´s Winter tests are not very good either.

[Santozini]

90 minutes gone ..neither competitive lap time nor many laps. i do not know why mclaren has come down to test.

They were working on the steering. https://twitter.com/piusgasso/status/839406778936885248

Like they were working on the "electrical issue" ? http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/form ... 40526.html

Honda is running out of excuses...

[McL-H]

90 minutes gone ..neither competitive lap time nor many laps. i do not know why mclaren has come down to test.

They were working on the steering. https://twitter.com/piusgasso/status/839406778936885248

Like they were working on the "electrical issue" ? http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/form ... 40526.html

Honda is running out of excuses...

Yeah, 1.5 hours to work on the steering. While massively trailing the other teams in tracktime and laptime so far. I don't believing anything they say atm. Since they are suddenly very quite on Twitter, I guess there is more to it.

[Vasconia]

Another couple of slow laps by Alonso, yet again with Ultra Soft...

[BosF1]

They were working on the steering. https://twitter.com/piusgasso/status/839406778936885248

Like they were working on the "electrical issue" ? http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/form ... 40526.html

Honda is running out of excuses...

Yeah, 1.5 hours to work on the steering. While massively trailing the other teams in tracktime and laptime so far. I don't believing anything they say atm. Since they are suddenly very quite on Twitter, I guess there is more to it.

You guys know that Alonso has been out on track just 10 mins ago, right?

[Restomaniac]

Something I always wondered was about team radio during testing.

Is it open like on race days or is it private?

[Sevach]

Working on the steering?
Does Alonso want a quicker/slower rack?
Trialling a new steering wheel?

Weird for team that is so behind in terms track time to focus on that.

[Anthropolyte]

My guess is that Alonso is just running on whatever tyres are currently on the car, getting steering sorted fully to his requirements. No need for super-fast laps until that's fixed up. It will take a number of tweaks to geometry, steering, suspension, etc before it's set up correctly. After that... who knows. Maybe some faster laps.

*edit* what happens when the BBC let the public "get involved"...

David Barker: Is Alonso dragging a caravan, whats the use of lapping 10-15 seconds off the pace.