Mclaren only taking test drivers to Mugello

[A911DOM]

as per the title - is this not a little 'relaxed' on their part?

If most other teams are going and trying out new kit / aero / set-up etc - why wouldnt they want the race drivers in the car?

Surely JB and LH would be much better placed to say what works for them, whats an improvement over the current car and it would provide the team with useable data in direct comparison to the 4 races worth they have already.

[delays]

I think it's because they've sent the drivers on sponsor trips.

Button's in Budapest for Vodafone:

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2012/4/1329...

[Ahonen]

Yes. You'd better get on the phone to them immediately and let them know they've screwed up.

There are various reasons for not running race drivers:

- Aero testing simply requires someone in the car to steer it.
- Mugello isn't an F1 track.
- F1 cars have more datalogging than you can possibly imagine.

[joewilliams]

Another consideration is that the test drivers are also eligible for the 'Young' Drivers Test at Silverstone in July, providing continuity between the two sessions.

[davepoth]

A911DOM said:

as per the title - is this not a little 'relaxed' on their part?

If most other teams are going and trying out new kit / aero / set-up etc - why wouldnt they want the race drivers in the car?

Surely JB and LH would be much better placed to say what works for them, whats an improvement over the current car and it would provide the team with useable data in direct comparison to the 4 races worth they have already.

Now LH and JB know the car, there isn't much point. All of the upgrades they're bringing to the test will be ones that the test drivers will have done hundreds of laps with in the simulator, so it's more a case of validating that work than anything else.

[Crafty_]

As said, no new parts so little point in race drivers going. Most other teams are doing the same - at least in part.

Hardly any running today anyway..

[Wanta996Gotta]

I agree with some posts to an extent but why has every other team sent there main drivers & with Ferrari giving Fernando 2 days behind the wheel to Massa's 1? Surely Massa needs more time behind the wheel of that car??.

They must be of some use though and i am also suprised that Lewis and Jenson are not there.

[A911DOM]

Ahonen said:

Yes. You'd better get on the phone to them immediately and let them know they've screwed up.

There are various reasons for not running race drivers:

- Aero testing simply requires someone in the car to steer it.
- Mugello isn't an F1 track.
- F1 cars have more datalogging than you can possibly imagine.

I appreciate all of this.

It still strikes me as an 'opportunity missed' in a season with so little in-car testing allowed, why wouldnt you take your top troops?

I believe mclaren have a fairly rigorous 'sponsor' appeasing schedule, but I would want them (JB & LH) there on these odd occasions they're allowed to run the cars whilst not in competative action.

Edited by A911DOM on Wednesday 2nd May 15:50

[garycat]

The test drivers spend most of their time in the simulators so perhaps this is an attempt to compare the simulation with the actual cars and fine tune both so future simulator work is more accurate?

[furtive]

Wanta996Gotta said:

I agree with some posts to an extent but why has every other team sent there main drivers & with Ferrari giving Fernando 2 days behind the wheel to Massa's 1? Surely Massa needs more time behind the wheel of that car??.

The idea of the test is to get the car working so it can perform better. Therefore it makes sense to put the driver that is going to score more points in it for more time

[G0ldfysh]

Gaz. said:

garycat said:

The test drivers spend most of their time in the simulators so perhaps this is an attempt to compare the simulation with the actual cars and fine tune both so future simulator work is more accurate?

That was my assumption too.

But to counter that; putting the test drivers in real life driving means they confirm all the hours they put in on the simulators and how it relates to the real world driving.
LH and JB have plenty of real time experience already to cross reference what the sim is like.

Sounds backwards but if the progress is made by getting results in the simulator, the drivers need to know how it relates to real life.

[paulrockliffe]

I don't have an opinion either way, but I thought it interesting that Webber said there was no question of Red Bull not having their race drivers in the car for this test and seemed almost bemused that McLaren had gone that way.

[stephen300o]

It's not as if there are going to be other tests. But 'no significant updates' according to Jenson. Good news for everyone else I suppose.

[Streps]

Some nice photos from the test here:
https://twitter.com/#!/russellbatch/media/slidesho...

[furtive]

Teams brand Mugello test a waste of time and money as Alonso crashes:
http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/05/teams-brand-...

[Allyc85]

Is there any onboard stuff from the test, would love to see a proper lap of Mugello!