Official Pre-season testing thread
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Listening to the engines on the Sky summary today i have to say that the sound is a disappointment. OK, it is about the speed and not the sound but it just isn't right.
I think I will at least wait until the engines are running on full power to make a judgment.
Might help when they are all firing together but I will need convincing...it isn't initially creating the high octane charge.
Mercedes form during F1 testing not a worry to Alonso
Fernando Alonso believes Ferrari will be in the hunt with the Mercedes-powered teams at the front of the 2014 Formula 1 field, despite its muted Bahrain test form.
Mercedes-engined cars have led the way on both days at Sakhir so far, as Force India's Nico Hulkenberg set the Wednesday pace and Kevin Magnussen went quickest for McLaren on day two.
Alonso was second on the opening day and third on Thursday, and said he was not daunted by the large gaps that the pacesetters had had over their rivals.
Bahrain day two report
"They are strong, no doubt," he said of the Mercedes teams.
"After Jerez and two days here, the Mercedes cars look to be performing in a strong position, but this is just a test.
"We don't really know how much fuel they really have, or the useage of the tyres, etc.
"So it's not a concern, not a worry.
"I think everyone will be on top of their problems more or less before Australia, so I expect the Mercedes engines will be strong in Australia, I expect Red Bull will also be strong in Australia, and Ferrari too.
"It will be a great competition."
Alonso managed 161 laps over his two days in Bahrain before handing over to team-mate Kimi Raikkonen for Friday.
He said that was enough mileage to begin to get on top of the F14 T.
"We understand it better," said Alonso. "Definitely every day it's a huge step in understanding the car, understanding the systems.
Bahrain F1 test photo gallery
"We don't yet know everything in the car properly and all the things we have available.
"There are many things to discover and to get on top of and exploit in terms of performance as well. I think it's a big challenge for all the teams to be ready.
"I'm happy with how the team is doing. We did a good job during the winter. I think we are in good shape in terms of the amount of laps.
"I felt more comfortable straight away here in Bahrain and thanks to the simulator work everything is coming out automatically so hopefully we can concentrate on the performance, especially in the next test, which is the crucial one."
Alonso said the magic words.
Fernando Alonso believes Ferrari will be in the hunt with the Mercedes-powered teams at the front of the 2014 Formula 1 field, despite its muted Bahrain test form.
Mercedes-engined cars have led the way on both days at Sakhir so far, as Force India's Nico Hulkenberg set the Wednesday pace and Kevin Magnussen went quickest for McLaren on day two.
Alonso was second on the opening day and third on Thursday, and said he was not daunted by the large gaps that the pacesetters had had over their rivals.
Bahrain day two report
"They are strong, no doubt," he said of the Mercedes teams.
"After Jerez and two days here, the Mercedes cars look to be performing in a strong position, but this is just a test.
"We don't really know how much fuel they really have, or the useage of the tyres, etc.
"So it's not a concern, not a worry.
"I think everyone will be on top of their problems more or less before Australia, so I expect the Mercedes engines will be strong in Australia, I expect Red Bull will also be strong in Australia, and Ferrari too.
"It will be a great competition."
Alonso managed 161 laps over his two days in Bahrain before handing over to team-mate Kimi Raikkonen for Friday.
He said that was enough mileage to begin to get on top of the F14 T.
"We understand it better," said Alonso. "Definitely every day it's a huge step in understanding the car, understanding the systems.
Bahrain F1 test photo gallery
"We don't yet know everything in the car properly and all the things we have available.
"There are many things to discover and to get on top of and exploit in terms of performance as well. I think it's a big challenge for all the teams to be ready.
"I'm happy with how the team is doing. We did a good job during the winter. I think we are in good shape in terms of the amount of laps.
"I felt more comfortable straight away here in Bahrain and thanks to the simulator work everything is coming out automatically so hopefully we can concentrate on the performance, especially in the next test, which is the crucial one."
Alonso said the magic words.
Interesting that Alonso said he has used the simulator. It was reported that last year he didn't use at all.
Hamilton just did a 1:35.812 on medium tyres, 6 lap stint
He kept doing a fast lap then cool down lap, so Mercedes focusing on single lap performance and probably running light. AMuS says there's a 2 second difference between mediums and super softs.
He kept doing a fast lap then cool down lap, so Mercedes focusing on single lap performance and probably running light. AMuS says there's a 2 second difference between mediums and super softs.
Hamilton now does a 1:35.505, again on medium tyres.
Stint:
Out lap - 1.35.505 - 1.49.992 - 1.36.365 - inlap
Stint:
Out lap - 1.35.505 - 1.49.992 - 1.36.365 - inlap
Hamilton just beat Magnussen's time yesterday, 1:34.813 and on medium tyres, two lap stint.
EDIT: AMuS saying this was done on soft tyres:
EDIT: AMuS saying this was done on soft tyres:
Red Bull aero testing:
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Hamilton again on soft tyres does a 1.34.857 (0.044 slower than his previous best). Autosport say he's pushing hard:
New fastest lap from Hamilton - 1.34.263
Not sure what tyres but the 0.6 improvement from his laps on softs suggest he is using the super soft, as yesterday Magnussen gained 0.6 by switching to SS.
Not sure what tyres but the 0.6 improvement from his laps on softs suggest he is using the super soft, as yesterday Magnussen gained 0.6 by switching to SS.
Good to see McLaren and Mercedes now trying to find out the true pace of their cars.
Shows they are generally happy with the reliability of the engines and other systems that they feel they can really go for speed and set-up runs.
When will the others follow?
Shows they are generally happy with the reliability of the engines and other systems that they feel they can really go for speed and set-up runs.
When will the others follow?
Are the Renualt engined teams allowed to run at full power yet, or are they still having to hold back becuase of reliability/heat issues?
So we expect to see Red Bull somewhere on the 6th row come Aussie land?
Sky report that time was done on the soft, not the supersoft which Kevin used.
Sky report that time was done on the soft, not the supersoft which Kevin used.
Renault looking to be 5-6s off the pace. Apparently they're running very rev limited for cooling purposes.
No. Scarbs said they can't run full power ERS because of a fundamental problem with the MGU-K (which he's not sure will be fixed by Australia). Kobayashi said they're 20-30km/h slower on the straights and that Renault teams can't compete with Mercedes and Ferrari. Now Horner has admitted that Renault's problems are with energy recovery.....and blames Flavio Briatore for it!
Other than Marussia who have hardly done any laps, Renault teams are slowest:
Mercedes - 1:34.263
McLaren - 1:34.910
Force India - 1:36.445
Ferrari - 1:36.516
Sauber - 1:37.180
Williams - 1:37.328
Lotus - 1:39.642
Caterham - 1:39.855
Red Bull - 1:40.224
Toro Rosso - 1:40.609
Marussia - 1:42.511
Wow they are screwed. Can't use full ERS or revs.