**** Abu Dhabi test days - 25/26 Nov ****

[suffolk009]

Somewhere to chat about the test days.

It looks like the same as before, no TV coverage. So it'll be a case of following teams and drivers on twitter and maybe Sky will have a text feed as they have before.

[suffolk009]

Picture tweeted from McLaren-Honda. Preparations at Yas.

[suffolk009]

PhillipM said:

Never worked out why they don't leave at least one camera and anchor there for at least the first day, they're already out there, we've got a new powerplant running so everyone wants to see how the new Honda goes, and yet, no coverage.

I know. But I'm guessing it's not as easy as leaving Ted with a camera guy. Frankly I'd watch it even if it was shot on a GoPro and had the polish and presentation of Harry's Garage.

[suffolk009]

Craig Scarborough tweets a picture of the McLaren-Honda, and suggests that the long airbox suggests that the turbo is at the back, and not split like the Merc. Also he sees tubes to the turbo and the air2air intercooler is in the opposite sidepod to Merc.

[suffolk009]

Caterham and Lotus tweeting pictures of the cars going out on track.

Is anyone doing a live text feed from this test?

[suffolk009]

Apparently they've stopped for lunch. Bottas quickest. McLaren-Honda out on track this afternoon.

Pic via caterham tweet.

[suffolk009]

My hairdresser's boyfriend reckons that Alonso is holding off signing the contract until he sees the pace of the McLaren-Honda at this test.

He may be putting his pen away for good if this keeps up tomorrow.

[suffolk009]

whatleytom said:

suffolk009 said:

Craig Scarborough tweets a picture of the McLaren-Honda, and suggests that the long airbox suggests that the turbo is at the back, and not split like the Merc. Also he sees tubes to the turbo and the air2air intercooler is in the opposite sidepod to Merc.

Thats pretty dissapointing to hear, actually thought they might have done something impressive. Surely packaged like the Renault, its going to get nowhere near the Merc unit.

Bear in mind though, it's only speculation. It was a comment made because of the shape of the bodywork. He might equally have said that the Honda engine is so brilliantly packaged that it fit wholly with the existing bodywork with room to spare.

I asked Scarborough (via twitter) if it was perhaps the existing bodywork. I await his reply.

[suffolk009]

McLaren press release for the MP4-29H/1X1.

http://www.mclaren.com/formula1/car/test-report-ab...