http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112604 Button's thoughts on the day. He's talking very positively, but lets slip that "we know we are not the quickest" Looks like the Mercedes is the class of the field.
They were the slowest teams in pitstops (often shown in the pitstop challenge on Sky F1), it probably translated to be the same in the races.
Top speeds from today, Ferrari still not pushing 100% with their engine: please log in to view this image
Question is why not? Is there a lack of trust in the Ferrari engine, is that in fact all its got? We are now over half way through testing. Strikes me that all the engine manufacturers are close together, perhaps showing their current potential.
And the Mercedes dominance in the speed trap today is not because they have a massive power advantage, as proven by the speed trap data from day 2. The top 3 were: Alonso - 336.4km/h Magnussen - 330.2km/h Massa - 327.2km/h While Renault teams were: Vergne - 308.5km/h Vettel - 301.6km/h Kobayashi - 301.5km/h
This. Forza has posted much about how great the engine is supposed to be, so why are they holding back after 7 days of testing? Or as BLS has suggested, is that all it has? Have Merc really done one over Ferrari & Renault?
So why were all the Ferrari engine cars so slow today? Reliability issues meaning they too have to turn the power down to survive?
Could just be that Mercedes have the engines dialed in better than the others, allowing the drivers to get on the power earlier. Ferrari clearly have the speed, so there's probably a lot more to come as they work on various mapping options.
Mercedes/Mclaren have this season locked down IMO. Just seem to be right from Jerez. Williams are back into the mix and FI also have a fighting chance at some handy results. Well ahead of the other engine manufacturers.
Lot's of possible reasons, but it doesn't really matter. Ferrari proved they have the speed, speed which the overhyped Mercedes engine is yet to match.
I still think the Ferrari and Mercedes engines will be about equal, but its very suspicious if one manufacturer is on mass going slower. What is there to gain by not giving it full beans? Not like other teams can do much about it unlike aero parts. I think Ferrari powered teams have some longer run issues, and certainly braking issues, but nothing massively serious with a test and a bit left.
Looking at Alonso's speed, possibly DRS enabled and with a tow!? If it is a true speed, the rest of the car must be truly ****e for their lap times to be as slow as they are if they have that much of a power advantage. The Merc engines are proving themselves to be reliable though. Something which will be crucial this season.
Oh yeah, they have got major issues all across the board. Merc seem to have the best overall at the moment, despite what their press officer on here says.
