F1 Winter Testing
Discussion
I thought Id start a general "Winter Testing" thread seeing as most of the teams are now hitting the track with their new cars.
McLaren were testing in Valencia yesterday and today, doesn't look like the start of 2007 is going quite as smoothly for Lewis as the end of 2006 though
Hamilton Crashes in testing
McLaren were testing in Valencia yesterday and today, doesn't look like the start of 2007 is going quite as smoothly for Lewis as the end of 2006 though
Hamilton Crashes in testing
good lad. get him back in the car as soon as possible. i dont want him to be fazed by alonso or f1 this year, i just want him to go as fast as he can, if he crashes whilst setting good lap times i am happy, if he trundles round three seconds off the pace but keeping it safe i will be annoyed. the force is strong in this one.
Now its Massa's turn to crumple one of the new cars!
Link to Autosport
Ferrari's testing thus far really isn't going too well is it, what with the crap weather and now damaging the single F2007 they had running. Does anyone know when a second chassis is scheduled and/or when Kimi is scheduled to get a taste?
Link to Autosport
Ferrari's testing thus far really isn't going too well is it, what with the crap weather and now damaging the single F2007 they had running. Does anyone know when a second chassis is scheduled and/or when Kimi is scheduled to get a taste?
Edited by Locoblade on Friday 26th January 13:22
LOL yep I found that quite funny when I saw it yesterday.
Times from Yesterday BTW were as follows:
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Alonso McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:12.563 85
2. Piquet Renault (B) 1:13.549 27
3. Montagny Toyota (B) 1:13.672 33
4. Vettel BMW-Sauber (B) 1:13.683 75
5. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:13.691 45
6. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:13.735 50
7. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (B) 1:13.848 49
8. Fisichella Renault (B) 1:13.867 34
9. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:14.025 29
10. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:14.520 51 *
11. Rossiter Honda (B) 1:14.643 37 *
12. Sato Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:15.674 27 *
13. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:15.726 27
14. Badoer Ferrari (B) 1:16.334 35 *
* 2006/interim car
Can't really read much into them yet as McLaren (and possibly BMW?) are the only team to have already tested their new car at Valencia, so will obviously have a better setup than the others.
Im starting to get a little concerned about Hamilton's lack of running though, last week he was scheduled for all 3 days this week, but after his accident they've cut that back to a single day on Thursday.
Times from Yesterday BTW were as follows:
Autosport said:
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Alonso McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:12.563 85
2. Piquet Renault (B) 1:13.549 27
3. Montagny Toyota (B) 1:13.672 33
4. Vettel BMW-Sauber (B) 1:13.683 75
5. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:13.691 45
6. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:13.735 50
7. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (B) 1:13.848 49
8. Fisichella Renault (B) 1:13.867 34
9. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:14.025 29
10. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:14.520 51 *
11. Rossiter Honda (B) 1:14.643 37 *
12. Sato Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:15.674 27 *
13. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:15.726 27
14. Badoer Ferrari (B) 1:16.334 35 *
* 2006/interim car
Can't really read much into them yet as McLaren (and possibly BMW?) are the only team to have already tested their new car at Valencia, so will obviously have a better setup than the others.
Im starting to get a little concerned about Hamilton's lack of running though, last week he was scheduled for all 3 days this week, but after his accident they've cut that back to a single day on Thursday.
Raikkonen, Hamilton and Button have all not had enough seat time. Take Kimi for example - Alonso's been out in the Mcl loads. Seems Kimi's driven last year's car for a few laps and then done 50 or so laps in the new one. All in crap weather. Hmmmm.
Hamilton, well he stacked the new one but why not stick him in the old one for him to get some laps in and get acclimatised?
As for Button, well he seems to just not be around. Rubens and Rossiter are doing the laps, why isn't he?
Renault seem to still have some pace and Heikki seems to be about on the mark with Fisi. Not sure if that'll be the same in the first few races unless he's something super-hero.
Predictions?
Never thought I'd say it but I was going for Massa to win the first race. Kimi and Alonso are breaking in with their new teams. Fisi's rubbish and Lewis and Heikki are learning. However, given Ferrari's 'problems' and Alonso's seemingly fluid transition into a Merc I'm not sure. Also, Massa doesn't seem to have the level headed-ness to win straight out of the box in a new season.
I'll go for Alonso-Massa-Raikkonen-Fisi-Button-Webber as a top six with a potential swap around of Massa and Alonso.
Button is testing at Valencia today, no sign of Hamilton yet though, Alonso and De La Rosa seem to be doing the driving unless Lewis is scheduled in for an afternoon instead of Pedro.
The big difference with Raikkonen/Button compared to Hamilton though is that Hamilton is very inexperienced and has only done a handful of test days in an F1 car in his entire career. He really needs seat time even if its in an old MP4/21 from last year, originally he was scheduled in for all three days of testing this week but he never drove Tuesday or yesterday, and unless he tests this afternoon (or tomorrow which they are now planning on doing), thats a lot of time in the cockpit he's missed.
The big difference with Raikkonen/Button compared to Hamilton though is that Hamilton is very inexperienced and has only done a handful of test days in an F1 car in his entire career. He really needs seat time even if its in an old MP4/21 from last year, originally he was scheduled in for all three days of testing this week but he never drove Tuesday or yesterday, and unless he tests this afternoon (or tomorrow which they are now planning on doing), thats a lot of time in the cockpit he's missed.
Autosport said:
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. R.Schumacher Toyota (B) 1:11.297 60
2. Fisichella Renault (B) 1:11.621 121
3. Kovalainen Renault (B) 1:11.643 108
4. Alonso McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:11.710 95
5. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (B) 1:11.989 99
6. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:12.360 66
7. de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:12.361 69
8. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:12.418 98
9. Kubica BMW-Sauber (B) 1:12.857 20
10. Button Honda (B) 1:12.976 77
11. Davidson Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:13.143 133
12. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:13.450 59
13. Rossiter Honda (B) 1:13.728 03
14. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:13.796 23
15. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:13.945 82
JB got 70 odd laps in the end, I know its only Valencia but the Honda isnt exactly setting the world alight so far unless the others are all doing low fuel glory runs.
Good to see that Lewis has been confirmed for tomorrow, about time Ron!
Looks like Lewis didnt need the practice after all, fastest time of the week and did a complete race simulation run.
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:11.119 112
2. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:11.855 112
3. Kubica BMW-Sauber (B) 1:12.242 57
4. de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:12.455 64
5. Fisichella Renault (B) 1:12.572 96
6. Vettel BMW-Sauber (B) 1:12.675 73
7. Kovalainen Renault (B) 1:12.679 98
8. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:12.776 23
9. Button Honda (B) 1:12.995 89
Still a worrying lack of pace from the Honda though. Looks like Renault were concentrating on long runs today, hopefully Honda were doing the same
Autosport said:
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:11.119 112
2. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:11.855 112
3. Kubica BMW-Sauber (B) 1:12.242 57
4. de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:12.455 64
5. Fisichella Renault (B) 1:12.572 96
6. Vettel BMW-Sauber (B) 1:12.675 73
7. Kovalainen Renault (B) 1:12.679 98
8. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:12.776 23
9. Button Honda (B) 1:12.995 89
Still a worrying lack of pace from the Honda though. Looks like Renault were concentrating on long runs today, hopefully Honda were doing the same
Edited by Locoblade on Friday 2nd February 19:22
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