2015 Pre-season Testing

[timbo]

Interesting that at this stage of testing not many people are using aero racks and other testing gadgets. Ferrari even seem to lack their traditional "snorkel" pitot.

[godlameroso]

The times have improved over last year, it's only day 2 and they're already almost 3 seconds faster than the fastest time last year. They're still a far cry from the 1:17's they were running in 2013 however.

[stefan_]

[f1316]

The times are still incredibly slow, although they're already over 3 seconds faster than last year. They're still a far cry from the 1:17's they were running in 2013.

You know that in history times always got faster until they got reduced by rules. That happens just about every few years. 3 seconds is a good improvement, right?

Yeah and I think it's very likely we'll see a 19 lap if a front running team runs sifts. That would be quite something.

[radosav]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUI8QJ5GPg8

That intro is fantastic.

[Hail22]

Ted's Notebook 1st test day two:

[JimClarkFan]

What do you all think of ferrari's pace? 3 seconds faster than last year?

[TAG]

The times have improved over last year, it's only day 2 and they're already almost 3 seconds faster than the fastest time last year. They're still a far cry from the 1:17's they were running in 2013 however.

Let's put things into perspective a little bit; The current cars have been given a substantial amount less front and rear wing, they had their engine overrun blown diffusers removed and they've had the tires changed for longevity at the expense of lap times all while using 33% less fuel to get around the track.

[godlameroso]

They also have more power, broader torque curve, much looser regulations on KERS and it's implementation, and a year to get on top of the new set of regulations, what can be exploited and what can't. I mentioned the gap to last year, because the gap to last year is massive compared to the gap from 2012 to 2013, but they haven't quite clawed back all the performance they had in 2013. In any case this is still testing, we do know that teams run the cars in anger(they'd be foolish not to), but we also know that these aren't the final spec cars, and also that the fuel levels vary widely as well as the tire compounds chosen for any given run. In any case I think the testing times so far reveal more about relative pace than last year at the very least, even if there are still a lot of unknowns. For one, Mercedes isn't as far ahead of everyone else as last year, all the top teams except for McLaren have improved dramatically. Lotus tends to run heavy but still being 5 seconds off the pace isn't exactly encouraging, that's the difference between a full and qualifying fuel level.

[Sevach]

The best one i found.

[bigblue]

Are you allowed to run whatever you want ? I assume there's no restriction on number of cars, or even type ? Everyone is running their new car (singular) because they've only just completed construction, I guess. However, could you not bring along an interim car if you had such an thing, say with a new engine in it, so you double your chances to get some running ?

[WaikeCU]

At this point mclaren/honda are looking increasingly like red bull/renault in 2014.

Oh no, they're doomed! This is terrible! ..... Hang on second, how did last season play out for RB?

While this is true, I'm still a bit concerned. After all, one of the major differences to last year is that this year, Honda is the only one who is new to the party - whereas last year, it was a new game for all of them. Of course, on the upside, we might be just seeing the result of an extremly complex and package that is on the limit - and it's all about bringing it together. Still, run time is valuable and important - and at the moment, they are being held back and not gathering much data at all, while all other teams are. At least last year, Renault was still gathering intel as they had 3 teams running their PUs, although with limited runs.

I really hope they can sort out what ever is keeping them, because as much as I like Mercedes as a team, I really want the field to close and want to see McLaren/Honda doing well.

Mclaren is known for quick response, but the last couple of seasons they have been wandering headless without a sense of direction. With PP now firmly taking the lead in development I could see them improve themselves quickly over time. During winter testing in 2011, we noticed that the Mclaren lacked pace and it was quite troublesome ahead of the Australian GP, but then they've emerged with a last minute diffuser, which was basically a copy of Red Bull's diffuser. They then suddenly became the second fastest car on the track and the performance was very promising.

[Henne]

Timing really says nothing in this phase... Think about the PROST testing with a car which was just to light (car looked very fast in testing), just to get some final sponsorships in.

In fact the car was slow as hell...

[Sevach]

Wet track right now.

[Steven]

Are you allowed to run whatever you want ? I assume there's no restriction on number of cars, or even type ? Everyone is running their new car (singular) because they've only just completed construction, I guess. However, could you not bring along an interim car if you had such an thing, say with a new engine in it, so you double your chances to get some running ?

Only one car allowed per team for cost reasons

McLaren meanwhile have completed 4 laps in the first hour, with an engine sounding as a proper engine without the misfires that made it sound like a lion with a bad cold.