Guess the testing ranking.

I have enjoyed the read of the comments today, missed all the testing, thanks to all, I chuckled a few times.

 

Final day of week 1 testing today then- suspect today will be a lot of developmental stuff and aero testing before they ramp up next week?

 

Is it my imagination, or is Max Verstappen slowly morphing in to Rowen Atkinson.

He is a bit of a petrolhead... Maybe this is his cunning plan to get behind the wheel.

 

For simplicity, I'll stick to a comparison of Mercedes vis-a-vis Ferrari because in my opinion, Red Bull is not yet in a position to challenge for top honours – although I expect them to close the gap a little as they become more familiar with the Honda PU, and as the season progresses.

Given Mercedes' collection of silverware over the past five years, I think it's easy – perhaps even natural – to be cynical of statements which appear to 'big-up' the opposition. However, as far as can be gleaned from the past four days, I'd say Ferrari genuinely have a head start for 2019. Firstly: last season's actual results were not representative of the cars; rather, they reflected an outstanding performance from Hamilton and a poor performance from Vettel. Secondly: I firmly believe that the 2018 Ferrari chassis was better than Mercedes, and that they were roughly on par in terms of power. And thirdly: given the difference between the two drivers, I am absolutely convinced that, all else being equal, the points difference would have been greater if they'd been driving each others cars. (To put this another way, any person in this forum would be more likely to post a faster lap time in the Ferrari!).

–So, there appears to be no reason to believe Mercedes begin this season in a better position than Ferrari. It is actually seems easier to argue the opposite.

Now, we all know testing can throw up some anomalous (non) results. But so far, Ferrari have posted quicker times over longer distances, often on a harder compound – and like Mercedes, they appear to be following a thoroughly rigorous programme with little or no regard for what others teams are doing. For instance, I believe Ferrari (like Mercedes) have not been chasing lap time. But if all else is equal in terms of sticking to a thorough shake-down – which I believe is roughly the case – Ferrari do indeed have the quickest car.

It will be interesting to see if Ferrari capitalises on this head start by extending the apparent differences, or whether Mercedes will close in during the course of next week. At this stage, my money is on Ferrari to take an early lead in Australia (assuming drivers can perform at similar levels).

 

Thanks COSICAVE .

I said to someone at work who wanted my opinion on last year .

I said that if Ferrari had Hamilton & MERC Strategists , they would have walked it .


Any info on what the reasons are for the disaster at my team ?

 

Why do merc play the poor us everyone is faster than us card every year

 

It's called trolling.

 

I guess it's a mental game. If you are Ferrari you might not push as hard at developments if you think you are way ahead of Merc! Any team will want to slow down their competitors development. So anything you can do to lull them into a false sense of security is good.
It's the same as Merc never showing it's full potential and most of the time they avoid the softest tyres.
As you say they do the same every year so I guess all teams are wise to them so it probably does them no good at all.

One thing that I do find interesting is Alfa. They have a very different front wing and I guess powerful front edge of the floor to compensate. They are showing great pace which gives other teams the idea that the Alfa front wing is a very good concept that should be investigated! Thus diverting some other teams man power to investigate. It will be interesting to see if the Alfa front wing stays for Aus.

 

I agree .

I think it’s mind games .

Italians are hot heads ....

 

Yes, I see where you are coming from...I get your point.

 

Bend it like Benson has put his week 1 testing review up....and estimated gaps between cars....

 

Can't take that bloke seriously, he's head is so far up Hamiltons, makes it sound like Hamilton and chats alot of bs to.

 

Oh dear…
Having just read the latest posts in this thread, I thought I'd take a look at Lord Benson's article. I almost feel I ought to apologise for him pretty much copying what I've said – hence, coming back here is almost an embarrassment! To avoid any misunderstanding though, and I'll get this in early: I don't like the bloke either. He lacks originality and comes across as a small-time Hamilton sycophant doing his duty for auntie and her 'oh so subtle' propagandising of the people of the UK, usually just swallowing what she feeds him. Quite sickening at times… But just to be clear; there are so many murmuring a similar opinion, he has probably overheard someone else.

Adding to my earlier post, sandbagging definitely can occur; and Ched's points (above) are spot on. So of course, we'll have to wait and see, but next week should be interesting. Either way though, with fundamental differences in chassis, Ferrari's aero concept will be very difficult (perhaps impossible) for Mercedes to copy, and vice versa. It's far from a simple case of redesigning a front wing or two and my gut feeling is that Ferrari have got it right, straight out of the box – which is always an advantage. It is so much easier to develop and fine-tune. Vitally important in F1.

I presume you're referring to Williams, Jasper? Things are in a spin at Grove, aren't they? Either the boat's in a whirlpool or catching crabs with its last remaining oar. I'm sorry but I cannot add anything factual to that which is already in the public domain and it would be neither right nor proper for me to expand upon what is mostly guesswork. Suffice to say I believe details will come out in the wash.

No facts then, but here's some emotion to compensate (for Frank).
I think you have become aware of my opinion over the years…

However, I genuinely feel sorry for him. Despite what I've said here and elsewhere, I'm saddened at his inability to understand people or to see the world from someone else's perspective. Racing has always been his life. He knows nothing else. Equally, looking from the other side of the pond, it is probably as true to say it was his escape from life. His pragmatism is so extreme that he has become inaccessible to others. He knows no other way of doing things and no other way of thinking. He is utterly driven. Seriously. Off the scale. And I say this from an environment stuffed to the gunwales with driven people. He has – and always will be – just like that. And when the proverbial hits the fan, this poor bloke who cast himself adrift so long ago, will be out on a raft with no land in sight and no understanding of how he got there – yet he'll still take it in his stride without so much as a word of complaint…

Up the puddle without a creek. And so, the circuit will be complete.

 

Pretty sure that Ferrari have a legitimatly better car right now. Mercedes haven't really shown a whole ton yet, and arguably neither have Ferrari, but early signs point to the Scuderia having the upper hand by the time the season starts.

The question is, if Ferrari do have the advantage, can they, a) Stay ahead of the Merc development juggernaut over the course of a season? b) Will Vettel keep his head this year? He really should have taken last year, or at least given it a good fight. c) How will Ferrari cope with a potentially fast Leclerc?

Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

Some interesting questions there, Bhaji. The last one is the only one I think is simple to answer:
Leclerc needs to get off to a flier. If he does not, Ferrari will immediately prioritise Vettel. Binotto has already said precisely that. This is exactly what Vettel wants to hear – and it could make a big difference to his head.

 

Thank you Cosicave .

Yes I was referring to Williams .

Interesting as always

 

And backing Vettel is completely the right thing to do... But if Leclerc gives them a descision to make, it could get interesting quickly. But, they have a bloody strong team, and if Leclerc is willing to play the support role, they could be unstoppable. Just depends on how that plays out.

 

Ferrari may find themselves having the McLaren issue of 2007 with Alonso and Hamilton.

It all starts well with Vettel scoring the lions share of points for 3 or 4 races, only to find LeClerc suddenly dials in and starts sticking it on pole and winning a race. You have to remember as well that Charles is the future at Ferrari as long as he’s got the speed. Early signs are that he has.

There’s only so long you can hold back a natural young talent.

Fascinating to watch it play out.

 

Certainly hope so. Still waiting for that big hitter to arrive for the next generation. I think Leclerc might just be the one... We should take him to the Oracle.

#ThereIsNoSpoonUnlessYerInJapan

 

Do you think the poor William's car might be down to the drivers helping develop it over the last few years? I mean Sirotkin and Stroll were not going to be compliant when they knew they were out and kubica and Russell are probably unproven in a modern F1 car. Maybe missing a massa type driver to give good experienced feedback?

Also on Benson. I just read it before coming on here. Looks like he has been copying somebodies homework again. And only used quotes from Mercedes.