Alonso “It has been a beautiful day for me driving the car and exploring some of the potential. Obviously we are running with some limitations still with the engine and the power, but definitely the car felt better than at Jerez. There is a little thing with the brake balance we need to fix, gearshift to improve, there is a temperature that goes too high, too low, but it is a learning process."
A little glimpse of the pace today. I think they will demolish Red Bull. Red Bull will not even be the main contenders this year IMO. Renault are ****ed. Look out for Williams (very quiet testing- will go very well in Melbourne IMO) and whilst people may laugh still now, McLaren. Honda power not even got to full tilt, parts on the car not fully finished and development yet to come, but lapping handsomely near the pace? Ferrari have made steps forward and will make up the front 4 rows but not winners yet.
As ever, impossible to call. Mercedes (you assume) are holding back, Williams are playing games it seems and also not showing what they can really do, Torro Rosso and Lotus both putting in good times, Ferrari and RBR looking strong. Not convinced at the moment that Mercedes will have it all their own way this season.
Must admit I can't really understand Williams. It's almost as if they have some big update arriving that would mean that any data they gather today would be worthless. But either looks like bad planning or they didn't expect the update till last test and have managed to bring the update to this test on last day. Will be interesting to see what happens tomorrow. Really hope Honda McL can sort out a bit more running to just get a reliable unit for Australia then sort the power.
I've heard an interesting theory on Mercedes. With the current wranglings over 2016 or 2017 rule changes, them demolishing the field in testing means more teams will support radical rule changes. The longer they hold back, the less time there is to redesign cars, so the changes will have to be more conservative. Seeing as Mercedes benefit most from maintaining the status quo, not showing their hand helps them in multiple ways.
You watch, there's a loop hole or contingency plan in the rules saying they 'FOM/FIA' can change the rules next season if the ratings are severely damaging revenue for everyone and no veto by Mercedes can stop it taking effect. The business or 'sport' will always come first with regards to it's survivability and any business that I know of will kick out and isolate the current problem if they don't get on the train. I bet it's even legal if it's for financial reasons so Mercedes will unlikely get a billion dollar payout. Ferrari are using fan power to try and change the sport who are in majority in my opinion with negatives about where the sport is going and it's status right now. Using this 2017 concept car is another power play to change the rules (with or without Mercedes) for the survivability of the sport. Things are moving in the background and it stinks.
Hamilton says the tyres are Mercs problem. Or his problem anyway. " Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton says his pre-season testing is being held back by Pirelli's 'rock solid' Formula 1 tyres not working as he would like in cold conditions. The Mercedes driver set the third fastest time at Barcelona on Saturday on the medium compound, but he was far from happy about the way the tyres were behaving. "It was a hard day," said Hamilton, who has been battling illness this week. "I was glad I got 100 laps and glad I got time in the car. "The guys are working hard here and back at the factory, and we are trying to get mileage. "But I would say the biggest issue is the tyres. They don't work, they are so hard. They are not spectacular." Hamilton said that he struggled for most of the day to get the tyres in to the right operating window. "If you are not weaving - you come in [the pits], and the tyres might be 80-degrees so it is hot but they don't work and they are not in the operating window hardly ever. "Then one lap you might feel it is not so bad, but then it drops off. "I also ran the hard yesterday and it was even harder. "My first impression of the tyres is not spectacular, but maybe when we get to hotter conditions it will be better." Hamilton believes that the fact that he was having to concentrate so much on managing the tyres meant that there was still plenty to be learned about the new Mercedes W06. "It feels like we could know more," he said. "There is always more. "We could do with more days, lots more tyres, good tyres, better tyres. "[Tyres] that work all the time when they go out, so you can actually go out and pound around and make set-up changes. That is what testing is all about. "Testing is a lot different these days. You are trying to balance it with mileage. "But the tyres are rock solid and they don't really work very often. Well, they haven't been for me at least."" http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117764
Alonso has had a big one. Ambulance in attendance, but he's described as conscious. A secondary issue of course, but I suspect that's McLaren's running done for the day.
Helicoptered off to hospital, apparently only precautionary. Would have to assume he has had a knock to the head, but looking at what you can make out of the McLaren under the sheets, all four wheels seem to be on it and only obvious damage is the front wing missing. Strange.
Yeah, it really does just look like the front wing. The only thing I can think of is some debris hit his helmet. Sounds like he's ok and it's just precautionary.
Wonder if a suspension arm punctured through the monocqoue if it was a flat hit sideways? please log in to view this image Or maybe he's getting a touch of the Manell's who seemed to need an ambulance after every off later in his career.
Rosberg has just knocked in a 1:24.321 on medium tyres, to slot in behind the Lotus, who was 3 tenths quicker on super softs. Ominous. Very ominous.
Reckon Fernando possibly was sick? Hamilton started testing at Catalunya ill also... something in the air? Hope he gets better.
Not seen the accident, it could be just the sudden stop though. Doesn't necessarily have to be a helmet impact. Anyone have a link to footage?
