50mins left, McLaren have been pumping the laps in today... Hopefully they'll have these issues fixed for winter testing please log in to view this image
In theory next years tyres should be the same size as this years. What ever happened to the tyre blanket ban though, is that still on?
Day 1 done please log in to view this image For reference 2014 fastest race lap: 1:44.496 - Ricciardo 2014 pole: 1:40.480 - Rosberg
Abu Dhabi F1 in-season test: Fuel data-logging issue behind McLaren woes McLaren's lack of running on the opening day of testing in Abu Dhabi was the result of a fuel data-logging issue which it hopes to fix by Wednesday. Stoffel Vandoorne managed just three laps with the new Honda power unit, stopping on track on his second installation lap. While admitting the team is behind schedule, Vandoorne said it's a bonus for the team to be able to get such problems out of the way in 2014. “We'd hoped to get a few more laps under our belts today, but we had a fuel data-logging issue that stopped the car a couple of times," Vandoorne said. "However, the team are already analysing the situation and we'll hopefully cure it ahead of tomorrow. “Nevertheless, it's been a very positive day for us. At this stage of development, any lap we complete has a benefit – and it's better to be solving these initial teething problems in November rather than in Jerez next February. I've already given the team some useful feedback. “The purpose of this test is to enable the engineers to deepen their knowledge of the McLaren and Honda collaboration. This is their first time working together at the track, and – operationally – it's all a bit different." McLaren racing director Eric Boullier said the team and Honda will be able to learn from the issues faced on Tuesday. “Running a modern Formula 1 car is a very complicated procedure – and this week's test is all about how the departments at Sakura, Milton Keynes and Woking learn to work with the operational hub at the circuit," Boullier said. “This test is an opportunity for us to build up that operational strength; to get McLaren and Honda working together under the same roof. We encountered a number of issues, including a lengthy check of electrical installations this morning, but it's satisfying to see that we got the engine fired up, the car out of the garage, and some laps on the board in the afternoon. “We're not chasing laptimes this week, it's just about gradually expanding our knowledge. Tomorrow will hopefully be all about conducting longer runs as we learn about different parts of the engine, and run through each separate system.”
HamiltonLED please log in to view this image All of the cooling (not enough) please log in to view this image Sensor town please log in to view this image
McLaren woes: (I doubt that the scale is right though, a million km in two days is good going!) please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
And this is why I think McLaren are going to have a disastrous year next year. At least last year the engine suppliers could still gather data if they had a failure; Caterham and Toro Rosso were racking up the miles for Renault while the Red Bulls and Lotuses were catching fire. But Honda's eggs are all in one basket, they're already a year behind and they'll fall further back in winter testing due to lack of customers. Even on a trouble free day they'll get nowhere near as many miles as their rival engine suppliers.
Just thought about this too... i wonder if... if.... it's possible that i was onto something with the "Ron Dennis buying Caterham as a feeder team for McLarens young drivers" theory, whether they might chuck a Honda engine in there too in order to accelerate their development....
Would be a good idea but Ron couldn't get a title sponsor that he was happy with this year let alone the money to fund a 'feeder' team. I do wish both Marussia and Caterham will be able to come back with better funding from both sponsors and additional help from CVC. Each team should have a higher fee paid by CVC for racing and less on 'historical' significance.
Even without a title sponsor, McLarens budget was huge though, i don't think Money is an issue for them..... Or Honda for that matter, maybe they have realised they could do with another team as a test bed, McLaren need somewhere to put their drivers, which will be even harder to do without Marussia and Caterham. I'm obvously just making this up and speculating with zero evidence, but the more i think about it, a lot adds up if it were to happen, it suits a lot of parties. For example, Perhaps this is partly why the "decision" on the drivers has taken so long? waiting to see how the feeder team plan panned out, what data Honda could get around Abu Dhabi, what they felt they needed. Also would have been stupid to axe Magnussen or Button with all that going on when they could still be use for both.. .would also explain Rons "4 drivers under consideration" quote.... and Buttons "I just want to win, i might not even agree to stay" etc... maybe he feels they would farm him out to their feeder so they have 2 teams with an experienced head developing rather than one with 2 drivers? In other words "i'm only staying if i'm in the big team"? It's probably crazy talk, but....
More pictures I hear you say? Mercedes with a aero rake I've never seen before: please log in to view this image Williams trying the new LED display, but in a unusual place: please log in to view this image Williams also monitored flow from front to back: please log in to view this image Force India checked out how hot their tyres were: please log in to view this image STR was shown bare: please log in to view this image They aslo cracked out the GoPro: please log in to view this image This may go on for a while, bucket load here: http://somersf1.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/technical-image-gallery-post-abu-dhabi.html
