2013 Testing - Barcelona 2: 28 Feb - 3 Mar

[NathanOlder]

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.

Spot on! Obviously people dont like Mercedes looking like they have began to overcome their problems.

[Ferraripilot]

What's this chatter I'm hearing about Nico using DRS in two areas of the circuit as opposed to just the one 'allowed' area. Some say he used it during every straight, others say it was just one area besides the main area. Can anyone confirm anything at this point?

[kooleracer]

What's this chatter I'm hearing about Nico using DRS in two areas of the circuit as opposed to just the one 'allowed' area. Some say he used it during every straight, others say it was just one area besides the main area. Can anyone confirm anything at this point?

AmuS says its impossible for the drivers to use DRS in others zones anyway even if the wanted to. The asked technicians at the track apparently.

[Ferraripilot]

What's this chatter I'm hearing about Nico using DRS in two areas of the circuit as opposed to just the one 'allowed' area. Some say he used it during every straight, others say it was just one area besides the main area. Can anyone confirm anything at this point?

AmuS says its impossible for the drivers to use DRS in others zones anyway even if the wanted to. The asked technicians at the track apparently.

Understood, so revised DRS rules are already in place.

[SoumyaBanerjee]

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.

Spot on! Obviously people dont like Mercedes looking like they have began to overcome their problems.

And there are some who would want to paint a brighter picture now that their driver line-up has changed...
Oh,they've certainly improved....but how do any one of us know by how much exactly???
And as always,Merc's pace HAS GOT TO BE REAL,RBR HAVE to be SANDBAGGING and Ferrari running on fumes...
The "Silly Season" isnt obviously over...

[kooleracer]

It's simple RB9 will be fastest. Then Lotus and McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari. But because of the drivers line-up. Hamilton and Rosberg could end-up higher then the real pace of the W04. Because I don't rate Massa.Webber and Perez on their level.

Q3
1.Vettel
2.Raikonnen
3.Grojean.
4.Button
5.Alonso.
6.Hamilton
7.Rosberg
8.Webber
9.Perez
10.Massa.

if both Hamilton and Rosberg end up 'higher than the WO4's real pace', how do you know what the real pace actually is?

The shouldn't be that high as Vettel shows the real pace of the RB9,Button of the MP4-28 and Alonso of the F138. That means that W04 shouldn't be 6-7th but 9 and 10th. Because I can't believe that the W04 has caught up and even passed some of their rivals during the winter. Because that those are all championship winning teams so they know how to improve cars that where already quick. Thats the most logical thing I can think off in my mind anyway.

[beelsebob]

What's this chatter I'm hearing about Nico using DRS in two areas of the circuit as opposed to just the one 'allowed' area. Some say he used it during every straight, others say it was just one area besides the main area. Can anyone confirm anything at this point?

AmuS says its impossible for the drivers to use DRS in others zones anyway even if the wanted to. The asked technicians at the track apparently.

Nico is using DRS in two areas – that's because Barcelona will have 2 DRS zones this year.

Note, this makes the times the drivers are setting all the more impressive. DRS probably gained them near a second a lap in qualifying, so we're talking about the Merc setting times more like 3.8 seconds (2.8 plus DRS usage) a lap faster than in qualifying last year.

[SoumyaBanerjee]

Why are Ferrari,McLaren,RBR and the rest even bothering to turn up for testing??? They should just dangle white flags outside their motorhomes and bow to Mercedes' incredible strength...

[stefan_]

^ That made me laugh

I think Mercedes know very well that RB, Ferrari, McLaren and Lotus didn't show absolutely nothing. Maybe they will do some flyers in the last 30 minutes or so.

[Nando]

I can´t wait for Q3 AUS.
No more talking, no more speculating, all in black and white.

[beelsebob]

Why are Ferrari,McLaren,RBR and the rest even bothering to turn up for testing??? They should just dangle white flags outside their motorhomes and bow to Mercedes' incredible strength...

Why are people taking "Mercedes have a much faster car than last year" to mean "RedBull, Ferrari and McLaren don't have a faster car than last year"?

[Hail22]

Button is currently carrying out a race simulation with a heavy fuel load.

Ferrari are still completing work in their garage (most likely flow viz and long tyre/fuel run).

[Mika1]

According to Auto Motor und Sport it's not even possible to use DRS everywhere. Some guys seems to be a bit bitter.

[gray41]

What's this chatter I'm hearing about Nico using DRS in two areas of the circuit as opposed to just the one 'allowed' area. Some say he used it during every straight, others say it was just one area besides the main area. Can anyone confirm anything at this point?

Why would Mercedes kid them selfs and use DRS everywhere?

[andrewf1]

What's this chatter I'm hearing about Nico using DRS in two areas of the circuit as opposed to just the one 'allowed' area. Some say he used it during every straight, others say it was just one area besides the main area. Can anyone confirm anything at this point?

AmuS says its impossible for the drivers to use DRS in others zones anyway even if the wanted to. The asked technicians at the track apparently.

Nico is using DRS in two areas – that's because Barcelona will have 2 DRS zones this year.

Note, this makes the times the drivers are setting all the more impressive. DRS probably gained them near a second a lap in qualifying, so we're talking about the Merc setting times more like 3.8 seconds (2.8 plus DRS usage) a lap faster than in qualifying last year.

The 2013 tires however probably also offer ~0.5 seconds more compared to last year.