1st Test 2017

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Discussion

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

4,037 posts

159 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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Thought I'd get the ball rolling!

Cars have just done installation laps, Mercedes have set a time of 1:26, but its very early doors. Aldo Costa has said the entire aero of the Mercedes is likely to change before Melbourne.

Be interesting to see how many different configurations are tested this week accross the teams.

Arklight

891 posts

188 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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Is there any live streaming this year? could only find text updates.

MockingJay

1,311 posts

128 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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Vettel currently fastest with a 1.23.560 on mediums after 10 laps.

Last years fastest qualy time was a 1:22.0 for reference.

red_slr

17,122 posts

188 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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Looking at +40% on the aero I reckon. Corner speeds are going to be really high, hope the tyres can cope!

My main concern at this level of aero is if someone has a wing failure it might turn the car into a missile.

Anyway, should be good for the racing in the first few races but will have to see how it goes after that as often we see the field spread come into play after 3 or 4 rounds.

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

4,037 posts

159 months

Monday 27th February 2017
quotequote all
I have a feeling, looking at the projected rate of development, that Sauber will be in trouble trying to get 107% times...

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

4,037 posts

159 months

Monday 27th February 2017
quotequote all
.....and the Honda has an oil feed issue - no running for several hours it seems.

Will they get any luck other than bad?

Rick_1138

3,656 posts

177 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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Bit crap that there is no live tv of the testing, hard enough justifying sky with the wife now we have moved house and i am starting a small business, so cash is very tight. I have the legacy package but if i make any changes i lose F1 without the whole sports bundle, and seeing that a channel dedicated to the sport isnt getting to show testing is a bit poor.

I realise its the teams request, but i feel that after the covers are off, your in the wild now and folk can get to see.

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

4,037 posts

159 months

Monday 27th February 2017
quotequote all
Rick_1138 said:
Bit crap that there is no live tv of the testing, hard enough justifying sky with the wife now we have moved house and i am starting a small business, so cash is very tight. I have the legacy package but if i make any changes i lose F1 without the whole sports bundle, and seeing that a channel dedicated to the sport isnt getting to show testing is a bit poor.

I realise its the teams request, but i feel that after the covers are off, your in the wild now and folk can get to see.
I hadn't realised it wasn't being aired until I looked at the F1 channel this morning frown

MockingJay

1,311 posts

128 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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Danny Ric has already stopped on track at T4. Turns out to be a sensor issue.

red_slr

17,122 posts

188 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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Not a lot actually happens. Ok when Alonso binned it there was a lot of attention but its basically just the cars doing stints on cruise control, testing parts, checking stats etc. The cost to get Sky over there must be into the millions per day I suspect. Just not worth it for them.

Vocal Minority

8,582 posts

151 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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It wouldn't be pre-season without an immediately broken Honda

MiniMan64

16,863 posts

189 months

Monday 27th February 2017
quotequote all
red_slr said:
Not a lot actually happens. Ok when Alonso binned it there was a lot of attention but its basically just the cars doing stints on cruise control, testing parts, checking stats etc. The cost to get Sky over there must be into the millions per day I suspect. Just not worth it for them.
I wonder how bored the drivers get just cruising around? Probably too professional for that but I can imagine them just saying fk it one lap and gunning it around at full pelt for a bit.

MockingJay

1,311 posts

128 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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Bottas quickest now, 2 tenths quicker than Vettel, however the Merc was running softs.

Vocal Minority

8,582 posts

151 months

Monday 27th February 2017
quotequote all
To be honest - this first test especially - all you will be able to tell is that guys putting on good milage will be in ok shape with their package,

Maybe later in the week and the second test average lap time on longer runs could give some clues.

Out and out pace is neither here nor there in terms of giving clues sadly

DanielSan

18,747 posts

166 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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BrettMRC said:
.....and the Honda has an oil feed issue - no running for several hours it seems.

Will they get any luck other than bad?
I believe the saying is you make your own luck....

HustleRussell

24,602 posts

159 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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Mercedes are going to walk the constructors again aren't they? The confidence of sending Bottas out for an 18-lap stint while some teams haven't even crossed the start/finish line...

red_slr

17,122 posts

188 months

Monday 27th February 2017
quotequote all
HustleRussell said:
Mercedes are going to walk the constructors again aren't they? The confidence of sending Bottas out for an 18-lap stint while some teams haven't even crossed the start/finish line...
Hopefully Ferrari will keep them honest.

MockingJay

1,311 posts

128 months

Monday 27th February 2017
quotequote all
HustleRussell said:
Mercedes are going to walk the constructors again aren't they? The confidence of sending Bottas out for an 18-lap stint while some teams haven't even crossed the start/finish line...
Vettel has only done 10 laps less than Bottas.

tommunster10

1,128 posts

90 months

Monday 27th February 2017
quotequote all
HustleRussell said:
Mercedes are going to walk the constructors again aren't they? The confidence of sending Bottas out for an 18-lap stint while some teams haven't even crossed the start/finish line...
Yes, Lewis is the 2017 WDC and Merc WCC.
Thing i'll be watching is if Williams have any extra benefits from Merc due to the Bottas deal and if Bottas will just go full wingman to Lewis and just happily pick up 2nds.

2 schools of thought, Bottas has one season to prove himself, so is proving yourself racing Lewis hard and risking things like Nico, or is proving yourself just playing wingman and keeping the solid points coming in and not ever getting even close to crashing into your team mate....

Personally i think by race 2 we'll be missing Nico because at least we could pretend it was fun seeing Merc out front all the time..

MiniMan64

16,863 posts

189 months

Monday 27th February 2017
quotequote all
HustleRussell said:
Mercedes are going to walk the constructors again aren't they? The confidence of sending Bottas out for an 18-lap stint while some teams haven't even crossed the start/finish line...
Yup.

1-2's all around. Hamilton champion, 2 wins for Bottas, 1 for each for the Red Bull guys.