I would like to see a McLaren vs Mercedes battle this year. It would be a real play of emotions and good entertainment for us all but if its going to be a Mercedes Only show then it will be another unbearable season. Sadly for Ferrari and Alonso it doesn't look good enough unless they are hiding some big chunks of speed.
It does, although that McLaren looks pretty handy too. Not far behind in the tests in terms of reliability or outright speed. Could be a very interesting battle.
Nico was quoted as saying that they were the only team to do a full quali simulation which may expalin the outright pace difference at present. However, whilst there is still hope that the likes of Mclaren and Ferrari can be there or there abouts by Melbourne it would appear that Merc are the current favourites.
I don't think it can be argued that Mercedes are currently ahead, but this season will see a development pace not seen for many years so things can rapidly change. If they have an advantage at the start of the season they need to make it pay incase things go off later in the season. At the moment only Mercedes and McLaren have done a full race simulation and so they know what needs to be worked on for the race management side. Test 3 will show us what the Ferrari is like for race pace... probably.
Thats cos Driver B brings x tenths to going faster management, despite Team Principle C sabotaging him
http://www.gptoday.com/full_story/view/479081/Allison_says_all_is_going_to_plan_at_Ferrari/ "For the last 4 days, our programme will see us attempt to operate the car ever more closely to the way that it will run in a race," he admitted, "providing invaluable practice for the drivers and subjecting the car and all its systems to the full rigor that it will need to withstand throughout the season." -James Allison -Might yet be some pace to come in that Ferrari. I'm really worried about Mercedes being miles and miles ahead- we need a better spectacle than that. The final 10 GPs of this year were horrendous. Having said that, McLaren have only got a 'basic aerodynamic' car at the moment, as they have been focusing on mechanical reliability, so they have a base to work with over the season. If they can live up to their tags of being the best in-season developers, they might well challenge. Ferrari we will know more about in Australia. The idea of Mercedes upgrades is very worrying- I get the impression they have a bloody good idea of where they are and what they are doing. Then again, I think many of these cars so far have been basic- so much reliability to focus on that there is plenty of upgrading to come. We will see a development race throughout the season- lets hope we get some great racing along the way.
In the race sim that was done, did anyone compare it to the leading race sim of last years race? Obviously they will not yet be at an optimum pace (given that the Bahrain was at the end of the development for last season) but it would be interesting to see what the difference was.
I don't have any direct comparisons, but i know that Rosberg was slower at the end of his simulation than at the beginning, which i doubt was the case last year. Could be the impact of fuel saving.
I don't think they should have accepted the sponsorship from that Nigerian Prince [HR][/HR] In unrelated news Mercedes will be running with a lower front nose at the next test. In theory this will cost them rear down force but will reduce understeer. Does this mean Mercedes have to much rear downforce at the moment, their sidepods do seem to work the aero pretty well?
I don't think having too much rear downforce at this stage is a bad thing. Scarbs said it is to create more front downforce and offset the understeer.
Pius Gassó ‏@piusgasso 1h RedBull in IDIADA. Straight line test. They are pushing hard the (Motor) Power Unit.
Source: Speedweek The usually excellent informed Spanish journalist Pius Gasso tweeted : Red Bull Racing currently testing in Spain. But the World Cup team denied . The unanimous opinion in the paddock of Bahrain : Red Bull Racing running out of time . The rider Pius Gasso ( of the test scandal Mercedes and Pirelli last May revealed ) has tweeted - Red Bull Racing currently drive on the Spanish test facility of Idiada , south of Barcelona ! * The world champion can not do it and leave what he wants : Eben due to the mentioned test scandal the regulations has become much finer mesh . Even for the so-called film days ( up to 100 km, if PR material is rotated ) to betray the car FIA, the racing teams with a lead time of 72 hours , who, when tests where and for what purpose . Article 22 of the sports regulations can be as little room . A real test must not be concealed as a PR exercise. From the film days the teams are incidentally two available. Article 22g prohibits the use of an actual vehicle between the 20th January and ten days before the first world championship race . However, there are gutting - the three winter tests (this year from Jerez , then twice Bahrain) and the so-called straight-line test , if to be straight up and shut down as Aero - tests at a constant speed. Four of these days was allowed to use each each team , but it had been for hours and gave away the wind tunnel . Confusingly, stands in the regulations attachment of these test drives nothing more . The rumor that RBR test a 2014er drive unit in an older chassis ( the use of cars in the years 2012 and older is generally permitted ) , is untenable : because here the rules is very accurate and requires that the in the use of an older model car must be used in the former specification. So you can not simply nothing you install a turbo me nothing . Finally, RBR spokeswoman Katie Tweedle reports with us , " that we are not in Idiada
Maybe not enough, or they just want to clean up the airflow too. I reckon most teams will end up with revised wings by the time we get to Melbourne and the next test will see a lot of new parts from many teams as they finalise their race specs. Can't see anyone coming up with anythign amazing or whacky that will stand out, just lots of detailed revisions.
