Best of the Rest 2009

[turbobloke]

With a chance to visit Jerez circuit too good to miss yesterday, I got to thinking about the teams collecting scraps at the table of the big boys as some of the 'lower order' teams were testing - provisional results showed Red Bull on top:

http://www.crash.net/motorsport/f1/news/172722-0/j...

As these guys weren't in a qualifying session but testing this and that, it's unwise to draw too many conclusions but the Williams looked the most stable through the chicane and under braking to enter the pit straight, though as it was slower than the Red Bull and BMW cars in the provisional table there could be a simple explanation. One of the drivers clearly had a moment after running off the kerb onto grass exiting onto the straight before the chicane, but we missed it due to wandering about at the wrong time.

I'd like to see the Williams team do well in 09 but it looks like survival may be more of a focus than ever for the smaller teams after Honda's exit.

[MrKipling43]

Indeed it does, which is a pity.

BMW are planning to race their cars at this test to see if the aero changes have actually made any difference to how well the cars can race.

[turbobloke]

MrKipling43 said:

Indeed it does, which is a pity.

BMW are planning to race their cars at this test to see if the aero changes have actually made any difference to how well the cars can race.

The BMWs looked to be on the edge more, yet Red Bull topped out and with several members of the F1 team on the same Ryanair flight as us there are cost savings beyond the cars. Though, not moving in such exalted motorsport circles, maybe O'Leary's lot has always been a common choice as they fly in within a stone's throw of the circuit.

Some good moments yesterday, the BMW drivers were certainly making progress.

[ajprice]

The Williams has been pretty bad at a few circuits this year, handling wise. Was it Silverstone where the suspension was kangaroo-bouncing around a corner? I think it was Rosberg, you could see the movement on the car camera around this slow turn. If its stable testing it, its either better or not being driven fast enough .

[turbobloke]

I've made time to go back for a few hours tomorrow in the hope of seeing some 'racing' between the BMWs, at 5 euros it would be a crime not to.

[woof]

turbobloke said:

MrKipling43 said:

Indeed it does, which is a pity.

BMW are planning to race their cars at this test to see if the aero changes have actually made any difference to how well the cars can race.

The BMWs looked to be on the edge more, yet Red Bull topped out and with several members of the F1 team on the same Ryanair flight as us there are cost savings beyond the cars. Though, not moving in such exalted motorsport circles, maybe O'Leary's lot has always been a common choice as they fly in within a stone's throw of the circuit.

Some good moments yesterday, the BMW drivers were certainly making progress.

DC flies Ryanair

[turbobloke]

Just back after a 5pm local time close to testing and the Red Bull cars were still pushing hard including a bit too hard after an over-cooked entry to the chicane led to a trundle over the gravel trap. Couldn't say that the BMWs were racing this afternoon but who knows.

Looking forward to seeing DC on the return flight

[turbobloke]

In a conversation with a member of the Red Bull F1 Team in the passport queue at LST - far more personable than the Williams lot - a comment was made that the teams reckon the 2009 season's approach will give F1 a far more open look, with more exciting racing and some surprises in the results. Could be worse, but we must wait and see.