I may set up the race thread after lunch, if i'm feeling nice. please log in to view this image ^^ I had to check what a bearded clam was, it all makes sense now.
Very interesting (aside from Merc being top everywhere). What we can gather from that is that Ferrari have some grunt this season (at least over one lap), which ties in with the rumors that they have found up to 80bhp on their power unit (Mercedes rumored to have found between 50--60bhp). Sector 1 at Barca is pretty much straight, then accelerating uphill out the first 2 turns into the fast turn 3. Ferrari and Sauber both very respectable. Also explains why McLaren are bottom by a long way as their engine has been turned right down and why Red Bull and Toro Rosso are next, given Renault apparently have so far only found around 30-40bhp, so are even further behind Merc than before. Sector 2 is more a mix of corners and a little less power dependent, which suggests the Ferrari perhaps is lacking a little in downforce and traction, where Williams have seemingly gained. Sector 3 is a little more twiddly and chassis dependent bar the acceleration onto the start/finish straight, which again explains why McLaren leap off the bottom despite running half power and why Red Bull make decent gains. I suspect though Red Bull are much, much faster and were also running low power most the time for longer runs, even with their power deficit i still think they are around the Williams/Ferrari pace, perhaps even Lotus on a good day are in that mix.
I think its very difficult to say at the moment with not knowing who was running what fuel levels and how much Renault and Honda had their engines turned dowm.
I reckon that should be your next avatar. Or Cosi's. I like the idea of calling a WUM a bearded clam.
Lineup for the first in season test. Frustrated with Ferrari's choice of drivers. Given the size of the update they've just bolted on the car, and the thrashing they've taken in spite of that, I can't believe they haven't insisted on the race drivers being there. I'm surprised Vettel himself hasn't demanded a day in the car. They ran their race drivers at Mugello in 2012 and it transformed their season. Wehrlein's busy again, driving for Force India on day one and Mercedes on day two. McLaren yet to announce theirs. I'd like to see Magnussen and Vandoorne given a day each.
Maybe there is a substantial reason for Vettel or Raikkonen being in the car, have they used their alotted testing mileage (if there is such thing)... But completely understand what you are saying, they should use this oppurtunity!
Ocon running instead of Wehrlein for Force India now. Turvey and Button in for McLaren who are going to "experiment heavily". Sounds ominous.
So far today some seem to slacking a fair bit, plus some car porn from Sutton images, please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
Assuming that's all on one engine, that must be a record Gasly's set for Renault there, 131 laps on one engine. Sign him up!
Not the best start for Marciello today, please log in to view this image Only mild dents hopefully, please log in to view this image
Today's Austria test has been a bit of a washout, Williams have got something interesting though please log in to view this image
