Closed door F1 test 2026
Discussion
Only 2 weeks to go to this Barcelona Closed door F1 test.
What does this mean in practice? Is there a grassy knoll overlooking the barcelona track for those outside with huge telephoto lenses?
Im sure some intrepid fans will find some spot to report from. I would go but im sure many fans will do a bang up job over the 5 days.
What does this mean in practice? Is there a grassy knoll overlooking the barcelona track for those outside with huge telephoto lenses?
Im sure some intrepid fans will find some spot to report from. I would go but im sure many fans will do a bang up job over the 5 days.
hondajack85 said:
WestyCarl said:
I'm pretty sure (hope) that all the reporters are dusting off their long lenses and charging up their drones
I forgot about drones. Should be broadcast quality reporting lol.A gentleman’s bet says that they invite Netflix and encourage the teams to use the session for their own private filming days - which of course means there just happens to be a helicopter there, and restricted airspace for a couple of miles in each direction. There will of course also be a medical helicopter there as per FIA regulations for F1 testing.
I’m not familiar with the Spanish NOTAMs* website, but sure that someone will pick it up.
(*NOTces to AirMen, the formal way that pilots, including drone pilots, are notified of restricted airspace, and on which they are legally required to brief themselves before flying).
A huge five days of aero rakes, flow-vis and trying to get a sneaky look at the competition while hiding your cards.
What a way to start a new regs. Can't imagine a world where there are no leaks of zoomed in images of cars and/or lodged complaints from other teams at the legality of whoever appear to be the front runners.
What a way to start a new regs. Can't imagine a world where there are no leaks of zoomed in images of cars and/or lodged complaints from other teams at the legality of whoever appear to be the front runners.
hondajack85 said:
They must have run these things on their own test tracks at 0230am by now against previous cars. There cant be any restriction before homologation can there?
I am pretty sure they still have to abide by the testing schedule and have to apply for all running outside of that (i.e PR). That said, I am sure some teams have novel ways of doing things out of sight...
hondajack85 said:
They must have run these things on their own test tracks at 0230am by now against previous cars. There cant be any restriction before homologation can there?
There is. And in any case, I can't think of any circuit capable of running a F1 car at night where it wouldn't be heard by those nearby. Ferrari neighbours may be forgiving but they don't have lights there. The teams are permitted pre-test track time for press and marketing purposes only. Any team testing outside of that permitted would start the season with a very hefty points deficit thus making the risk pointless - in every sense of the word!
I am pretty sure that simulator running will have given every team, bar Cadillac, a good insight to where they are compared to last years car and its driveability etc.
The proof of the pudding will only be fully realised when they get to Oz on 6 March and things will suddenly become abundantly clear, as well as how reliable all the kit is in a race situation.
I can wait.
The proof of the pudding will only be fully realised when they get to Oz on 6 March and things will suddenly become abundantly clear, as well as how reliable all the kit is in a race situation.
I can wait.
hondajack85 said:
Only 2 weeks to go to this Barcelona Closed door F1 test.
What does this mean in practice? Is there a grassy knoll overlooking the barcelona track for those outside with huge telephoto lenses?
Im sure some intrepid fans will find some spot to report from. I would go but im sure many fans will do a bang up job over the 5 days.
There was a similar test in 2022 to test the first new generation ground effect cars and it was organised in response to the embarrassing test sessions in 2014 when teams struggled to get the new hybrid cars to run for more than a lap.What does this mean in practice? Is there a grassy knoll overlooking the barcelona track for those outside with huge telephoto lenses?
Im sure some intrepid fans will find some spot to report from. I would go but im sure many fans will do a bang up job over the 5 days.
The test is closed to spectators and there is no live TV coverage or live timing data. However, the fastest times are still published at the end of the day.
ralphrj said:
hondajack85 said:
Only 2 weeks to go to this Barcelona Closed door F1 test.
What does this mean in practice? Is there a grassy knoll overlooking the barcelona track for those outside with huge telephoto lenses?
Im sure some intrepid fans will find some spot to report from. I would go but im sure many fans will do a bang up job over the 5 days.
There was a similar test in 2022 to test the first new generation ground effect cars and it was organised in response to the embarrassing test sessions in 2014 when teams struggled to get the new hybrid cars to run for more than a lap.What does this mean in practice? Is there a grassy knoll overlooking the barcelona track for those outside with huge telephoto lenses?
Im sure some intrepid fans will find some spot to report from. I would go but im sure many fans will do a bang up job over the 5 days.
The test is closed to spectators and there is no live TV coverage or live timing data. However, the fastest times are still published at the end of the day.
There is money to be made selling the snaps of actual things rather than the current obsession with AI.
Having said that I just used Perplexity and it paints a bleak picture. Grok is too busy today. Maybe sulking musk is blocking the UK lol.
A glimpse of the future. Once all the data is squirreled away it will be doled out based on loyalty.
Edited by hondajack85 on Tuesday 13th January 20:00
ralphrj said:
There was a similar test in 2022 to test the first new generation ground effect cars and it was organised in response to the embarrassing test sessions in 2014 when teams struggled to get the new hybrid cars to run for more than a lap.
The test is closed to spectators and there is no live TV coverage or live timing data. However, the fastest times are still published at the end of the day.
I was at that test, it was just so funny a car would leave the pits to then just conk outThe test is closed to spectators and there is no live TV coverage or live timing data. However, the fastest times are still published at the end of the day.
I think, can not quite remember now only 5 complete laps were done on day 1.
Lewis had front wing failure just before lunch too got a good picture of that.
vaud said:
hondajack85 said:
They must have run these things on their own test tracks at 0230am by now against previous cars. There cant be any restriction before homologation can there?
Aside from Ferrari, who has a private test track?Mercedes must have some sort of hidden underground race track lol.
Red Bull have the M1 at 4am
hondajack85 said:
Honda have motegi at the top of a mountain. Must be easy to keep prying eyes away.
Mercedes must have some sort of hidden underground race track lol.
Red Bull have the M1 at 4am
Honda own Motegi and Suzuka, but their private test track is the Takasu Proving Ground in the north of Hokkaido island.Mercedes must have some sort of hidden underground race track lol.
Red Bull have the M1 at 4am
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